No Bonus- Some Interesting NSL Free Agents

Big news broke over the weekend about the scheduled date for one of the biggest days on the NSL calendar- Free Agency. The blockbuster day is scheduled for Sunday 10^th November Australian Easter Standard Time and will be kicked off, as always, with the big-ticket Free Agents. Names like Paul George, Lebron James, Pascal Siakam, James Harden and O.G. Anunoby sit atop the list of premier free agents, however, to secure their services a great deal of cap space and luck would be required, it’s not impossible but highly improbable. One of the biggest factors in the upcoming Free Agency is the allocation of a bonus which go to Free Agents who returned to their team and Free Agents that were signed and traded in the NBA by their team.

With the sign and trade bonus and changes to the NSL sign and trade rule, teams will now be able to retain their guys with a small bonus without having to fret about a mandatory trade they had to make in previous years. A welcome change! This means players like Klay Thompson and Jonas Valanciunas will come with a small bonus and be able to stay with their respective franchises if their bid wins. It feels like this could shorten the list of genuine free agents as their will likely be more guys with bonuses attached than in previous seasons however these players will almost certainly need max bids to be brought back so GMS had better get working and saving as the FA Day approached.

Below are a few interesting names on the free agent ballot that have no bonuses attached to them and are what are considered GENUINE FREE AGENTS.

 

Tobias Harris (SF/PF- 80 overall)

Tobias is a reliable 2k forward who does a little of everything with his most desirable skill being his shooting and floor spacing. After arriving in NBA Detroit this off-season, Harris is playing a complimentary role in the starting lineup. He signed for 2 years at $26 million per season and could just be sitting there for any team with space to grab with a minor bid. 

 

Lonzo Ball (PG – 79 overall)

After being renounced by the Boston Celtics before the deadline last season, Ball spent the summer rehabbing that derailed his entire 2023-24 season. In previous years Lonzo has been a prototypical point guard as he combines size, defensive prowess, passing and shooting into an athletic package built for the 2k engine. He has returned to action in the NBA and will likely be resting often throughout the season as he gets back up to speed. Lonzo needs a big year as he returns as he had entered the final year of his contract that is worth a fraction over $20 million this season. If a GM has the cap room to take him, he could be a bargain on Free Agency Day.

 

Isaiah Hartenstein (C- 81 overall)

Hartenstein left the Knicks in the NBA this offseason as he signed a 3-year $87 million contract with the Thunder. Unbeknownst to the NSL world and his Portland GM Jmac, Hartenstein’s Bird Rights would not cover the length of the deal, meaning full salary space would be required to bring back the paint enforcer. While he currently sits out in the NBA with a broken hand, Hartenstein could be one of the difference making additions for any team with space in the upcoming Free Agency.  

 

Non-Taxpayer MLE

Instead of going straight to the expected names such as Chris Paul and Derrick Jones Jr, who will certainly attract attention on FA Day, some more under-the-radar names will receive the analysis in the Non-Taxpayer MLE market.

 

Jalen Smith (PF-  77 overall)

After declining his option to stay in Indiana, Smith pursued a change in scenery as a free agent, landing in Chicago on a 3-year contract $27 million contract. He is currently on the Utah Jazz roster who are holding him with no bird rights or resigning bonus. The Jazz will also be bidding to retain the services of James Harden and Dejounte Murray so there could be a chance for the vultures to swoop in pry Smith away with a big bid. As there will be no bonus on Smith, this is one of the MLE free agents to watch.  

 

Moritz Wagner (C- 77 overall)

Older brother of Franz, Mo is a seasoned professional in the league. He’s carved out a role on the NBA Magic as an energy big who continues to improve his efficiency each season. While his contract is almost the full MLE at $11 million per season, Wagner could be a useful add for any team looking to add an elusive big man in a competitive market on FA Day. He was renounced in the lead up to FA Day and will go to the highest bidder with no bonuses attached to him.

 

De’Anthony Melton (PG- 77 overall)

Another victim of the Boston Celtics renouncing, Melton is a capable defensive point guard with a sizable role in the NBA. He signed a 1-year deal worth the entire MLE of $12 million and could be worthwhile for those teams looking for either a starter or a quality back up. There’s no hold on him and he will be up for grabs to the highest bidder, it’s likely he will attract a large bid on FA Day.

 

Buddy Hield (SG- 79 overall)

Hield will almost certainly attract a big bid on FA Day as his new contract is team friendly $8 million per season, spanning over the next 4 years. He has already had a bid game in the NBA and will see plenty of opportunities to come in a jack bulk threes off the Warriors bench. He’s probably reached his ceiling from a ratings point of view, but with no gm bonuses attached to him, Hield will be one of the key guys in the Full MLE realm.

 

Caleb Martin (SF- 76 overall)

After turning down the extension and leaving the NBA Heat for the 76ers for less money, Martin should be a player to watch on FA Day. He’s underrated in real life and can prove to be a useful 3 and D guy who doesn’t fire off too many shots. Martin is probably suited to a bench role but depending on the build around him, he can hold his own on both ends of the floor. After 3 games for the depleted 76ers, Martin is averaging 11 points and 7 rebounds and could see greater improvement with more efficiency on the offensive end.