Unrestricted NBA free agents who have earned huge raises

The Athletic said that a weak starter group defines the 2024 NBA free agent class. While the headline names on the market may not be as glamorous as previous years, there are still many solid players who will hit unrestricted free agency this summer. We’ll take a look at several players who are set to cash in during the NBA offseason. Unrestricted free agents were verified on Spotrac.

Sports Illustrated reported that Siakam is eligible for a five-year contract worth up to $245 million if he stays with the Indiana Pacers. The franchise traded for the versatile power forward in January, acquiring him from the Toronto Raptors.

Siakam has 245 million reasons to remain with the Pacers, and it seems like the team is keen on keeping him. Bleacher Report wrote in January that other NBA teams believe he is all but certain to remain with his current squad. Indiana’s front office would feel even more justified in giving him that money if he’s able to lead them deep into the Eastern Conference playoffs.

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The New York Knicks looked like they would be in trouble in December 2023, when starting center Mitchell Robinson went down with an ankle injury. However, Hartenstein stepped right into the starting center role, and played tremendously well. SNY believed that Hartenstein played well enough to make the NBA’s All-Defensive team.

It’s going to be fascinating to see how Hartenstein is treated on the open market. He’s been a sensational fit in New York, but his new value may be higher than what the Knicks are prepared to offer him. A lot of teams around the league figure to kick the tires on Hartenstein to bolster their frontline.

It took a few years for Monk to find his footing in the NBA, but he put himself squarely on the map as a reserve scorer with the Sacramento Kings. As his Basketball Reference page indicates, Monk has finished top six in Sixth Man of the Year voting in consecutive seasons.

Monk hopes that his output as a scorer with Sacramento will allow him to sign a sizeable deal this offseason. Sports Illustrated wrote that the Detroit Pistons are expected to make a run at the shooting guard’s services, which should boost his salary in the coming years.

He has yet to receive the type of recognition he feels like he deserves, but Claxton is an asset on the defensive end of the floor. The New York Post wrote in October 2023 that the lack of attention he receives fuels his desire to improve. He’s averaged over two blocks per game in each of the last two seasons, according to Basketball Reference.

He’s a bit of a streaky shooter, but Trent has proven that he can put the ball in the basket in recent years. Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic spoke about how much the guard improved this season in an interview with Sports Illustrated. While Trent is still probably best suited as a periphery player, a team that wants additional scoring punch might open up their wallet to sign him.

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Bridges has had a roller coaster couple of years with the Charlotte Hornets. He seemed poised to cash in on a handsome extension with the team, before legal troubles thwarted that pact. ESPN also reported that Bridges had veto power during the trade deadline, signalling a desire to stay in Charlotte. Bridges should improve on his $7.9 million average annual value this offseason.

It’s not often that soon-to-be 31-year-old centers get much attention on the free agent market, but Drummond may be an exception. He’s shown that he’s still one of the best rebounders in the NBA, and proved with the Chicago Bulls that he can make an impact off the bench. His negotiations will be interesting to monitor.

Oubre signed a one-year deal last offseason, worth $2.8 million, with the Philadelphia 76ers. That proved to be a huge bargain, as the small forward showed that he was a solid complement to Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. He should command a greater sum of money this summer, but he might also be more cognizant of going to a team that would provide a better fit.

A rising tide lifts all boats, and the Boston Celtics’ dominant regular season should help Kornet get paid this summer. His statistical output isn’t going to blow anyone away, but he stands to make more than the $2.2 million annual average salary he earned with Boston the last two seasons. Bleacher Report believes that the Memphis Grizzlies will make a charge for his services this summer.

Teams might want to pay Dinwiddie slightly more than he may be worth at this stage of his career, simply because they may use his contract as a trade chip in the future. He will likely be limited to one or two year deals at this point, but is still capable of dramatic scoring outbursts every once in a while.

HoopsHype wrote that Marshall has been an absolute steal for the New Orleans Pelicans as an undrafted free agent, but the days of him being a bargain are soon coming to an end. Teams are always looking for wing players who can shoot the three pointer and defend adequately on the perimeter, which is Marshall’s game.

At first glance, it’s hard to make a case for Thompson to get a salary increase given his declining production. San Francisco Gate’s website wrote in February that the future Hall of Famer will never be washed, which is an opinion one or two desperate franchises might share. It wouldn’t be stunning if an up-and-coming team like the Orlando Magic threw a boatload of cash Thompson’s way.

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