Sunday marks the final day of the 2023-24 NBA regular season. For 12 teams, their season will not extend from there, and they can get a head start on what to do with their free agents. As we know, free agency is a crazy time period so be sure to check in throughout the summer for analysis of big moves.
Here are five notable NBA unrestricted free agents that are on teams eliminated from postseason play. These soon-to-be free agents are listed in alphabetical order by last name.
Two players not listed that have options for next season are Bruce Brown ($22 million – team) and Luke Kennard ($14.8 million – player). Immanuel Quickley will be a restricted free agent.
Notable Soon-To-Be NBA Free Agents on Eliminated Teams
Miles Bridges (F) – Charlotte Hornets
Miles Bridges missed the entire 2022-23 season due to a domestic violence incident and was also suspended the first 10 games of 2023-24. The 26-year-old was the 12th pick of the 2018 NBA Draft.
On a bad Charlotte team, he was often their #1 option with LaMelo Ball sidelined much of the season. In 2023-24, Bridges has averaged 21.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists. His shooting splits are .462/.349/.825.
Nic Claxton (C) – Brooklyn Nets
Turning 25 on April 17, Nic Claxton was the 31st overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. The 6-11 center led the league in field goal percentage during the 2022-23 season while also finishing ninth in Defensive Player of the Year voting.
This season, Claxton is averaging 11.9 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks in 29.9 minutes per contest. The majority of his offense comes near the rim as he has struggled throughout his career from the charity stripe. The Nets are certainly ripe for a major overhaul, including a new head coach, so this is an interesting name to watch.
Tyus Jones (PG) – Washington Wizards
Tyus Jones previously spent four seasons apiece with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Memphis Grizzlies. This season, he has become a full-time starter for the first time after being acquired by Washington in a three-team deal.
Turning 28 on May 10, Jones is posting averages of 12.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 7.3 assists this season. Always an assist-to-turnover master, he is only averaging 1.0 turnovers per outing in 2023-24.
Gary Trent Jr. (SG) – Toronto Raptors
The 25-year-old Gary Trent Jr. was taken with the 37th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. This is his third full season with the Raptors. He has mentioned he would be open to a return but that is still to be determined.
Mostly known for his scoring and outside shooting, Trent Jr. is averaging 13.7 points this season while shooting 39.3% from three-point territory. In his first two full seasons with Toronto, his scoring average was at 17.9 an outing.
Lonnie Walker IV (SG) – Brooklyn Nets
Now in his sixth season, Lonnie Walker IV was selected 18th overall in the 2018 NBA Draft. The 6-4 guard spent his first four seasons with the San Antonio Spurs and 2022-23 with the Los Angeles Lakers.
In his first season with Brooklyn, Walker IV has averaged 9.7 points while only playing 17.2 minutes per game. He is also shooting nearly at a 40% clip from behind the arc (39.2%).
