Where have the best undrafted free agents signed?

HoopsHype

Where have the best undrafted free agents signed?

HoopsHype 19/11/2020 08:35:51 Bryan Kalbrosky

a basketball player with a football ball: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

At the conclusion of the 2020 NBA draft, some talented players were left on the board. Many have already found new homes around the league.

While their path to the NBA may have gotten harder, it is far from over. In fact, it is not uncommon for an undrafted prospect to have an amazing professional career.

For example, four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year recipient Ben Wallace was not selected when he was eligible in 1996. Neither were three-time NBA champions Bruce Bowen or Udonis Haslem. The modern NBA has its fair share of excellent undrafted players as well, ranging from the likes of Fred VanVleet to Robert Covington.

This year, due to the ongoing pandemic, prospects had trouble separating themselves from the pack to earn draft consideration.

Many college players would have benefited from playing in March Madness and the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament. Others could have stood out in a non-virtual combine via the scrimmages or in a traditional group workout environment, though all were canceled for health and safety reasons.

As such, this year has an increased likelihood that undrafted free agents can eventually make an impact in the NBA. Below are the reported new homes for the top prospects that did not get to hear their names called but still will start their professional basketball careers.

Note that two-way contracts will allow players up to 50 games with the NBA team in 2020-21. They will be paid a flat rate of $449,155. Last season, two-way players had service time that was limited to just 45 days. Exhibit 10 contracts are non-guaranteed deals that can later be converted to two-way contracts.

DEVON DOTSON: Chicago Bulls

a man holding a football ball in front of a crowd: Devon Dotson

(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Guard, 21 years old, 18.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 4.0 apg, 2.1 spg, 46.8 FG%

FULL INTERVIEW: Devon Dotson on HoopsHype

KILLIAN TILLIE: Memphis Grizzlies (two-way)

James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

Big, 22 years old, 13.6 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.9 apg, 53.5 FG%, 40.0 3P%

FULL INTERVIEW: Killian Tillie on HoopsHype

MASON JONES: Houston Rockets (two-way)

a basketball player with a football ball: Guard, 6-foot-5, 21 years old Mason Jones averaged 22 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game on his way to being named a co-winner of SEC Player of the Year by the Associated Press. Jones scored 6.0 points per game in transition, per Synergy, No. 1 overall among high-major players. He shot 74.8% at the rim, via Bart Torvik, the best among high-major players 6-foot-5 or shorter. He drew 8.1 fouls per 40 minutes, which was the most in the nation. Jones was also 14-for-24 (58.3%) from 3-point range during the month of March. For a full interview with Jones on Hoopshype, click here.

© Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY SportsGuard, 6-foot-5, 21 years old Mason Jones averaged 22 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game on his way to being named a co-winner of SEC Player of the Year by the Associated Press. Jones scored 6.0 points per game in transition, per Synergy, No. 1 overall among high-major players. He shot 74.8% at the rim, via Bart Torvik, the best among high-major players 6-foot-5 or shorter. He drew 8.1 fouls per 40 minutes, which was the most in the nation. Jones was also 14-for-24 (58.3%) from 3-point range during the month of March. For a full interview with Jones on Hoopshype, click here.

Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Guard, 22 years old, 22.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 3.4 apg, 1.6 spg, 45.3 FG%

FULL INTERVIEW: Mason Jones on HoopsHype