Most of the talk surrounding this year’s NBA Playoffs has involved injuries and blowouts. There’s been a lack of drama in the second season, and some of the Association’s top players simply haven’t been able to stay healthy.
As we advance into the later rounds of the playoffs, the hope is that there will be more evenly-matched teams playing better contests. Until then, the lopsided games we’ve seen recently will continue. There’s simply nothing we can do about that.
On the other hand, injuries to stars such as Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry have opened the door for lesser-known players to step up.
Meanwhile, some soon-to-be free agents have made the most of their opportunities. That’s either come by virtue of others struggling or finding themselves injured, but it has shaped postseason basketball for some of the top teams in the NBA.
Here are seven underrated players, all of whom are set to become free agents, currently showcasing their talents in the NBA Playoffs.
Kent Bazemore, guard/forward, Atlanta Hawks
With four consecutive double-digit scoring outings prior to Wednesday’s horrendous showing, this 26-year-old former un-drafted free agent has surely proved his worth to other teams. The soon-to-be free agent is averaging 14.3 points and 7.3 rebounds thus far in the playoffs.
Despite his lack of shooting success (37 percent), Bazemore has proven himself to be valuable on both ends of the court.
He continues to play solid defense and has been known to knock down the perimeter shot on a consistent basis. In fact, Bazemore hit a career-high 109 threes during the 2015-16 regular season and is shooting 35 percent from beyond the arc since joining the NBA.
Matthew Dellavedova, guard, Cleveland Cavaliers
Best known for taking on Stephen Curry in last year’s NBA Finals with Kyrie Ivring sidelined, this Australian has now found himself playing an important role in the Cavaliers’ rotation.
Dellavedova is averaging 7.1 points and 4.3 assists while shooting 48 percent in 17.2 minutes of action thus far this postseason.
While the former St. Mary’s star likely won’t find a starting job on the open market, his ability to run the offense and play solid defense will be attractive. Set to become a restricted free agent, it will be interesting to see if the Cavaliers do their best to keep him around.
Harrison Barnes, forward, Golden State Warriors
Barnes was one of the players we focused on prior to the playoffs that could cash in with a strong postseason performance. After initial struggles shooting the ball (3-of-22 in first two games against Houston), Barnes has picked it up big time recently.
The former lottery pick is averaging 10.4 points and 6.8 rebounds while shooting 46 percent from the field over the past five games.
While those numbers don’t seem too great, it’s important to note that he’s playing at a high level on the defensive end of the court, primarily being tasked with guarding one of three different positions at a given time.
Barnes’ importance to the defending champs has taken on new meaning with Stephen Curry out. If Barnes continues to perform at the relatively high level we’ve seen recently, it will all but guarantee a max-contract for the soon-to-be restricted free agent.
Joe Johnson, forward, Miami Heat
At 34 years old and clearly past his prime, Johnson’s days as a max-contract player are clearly behind him.
Though, he’s carved out a new role as a secondary option since joining Miami after a mid-season buyout from the Brooklyn Nets.
Johnson averaged 13.4 points while shooting 52 percent from the field and 42 percent from three-point range in 24 regular season games with the Heat (all starts).
While his shooting percentage has dropped during the playoffs, Johnson continues to play an important role for the team. He’s grabbing nearly five rebounds per game, shooting 40 percent from distance and is still averaging 11.4 points per.
Set to be an unrestricted free agent, Johnson is surely proving his worth to other contending teams. He’s that veteran presence that can come in at the mid-level exception and help you round out your bench.
As we have seen with the Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs, there’s no monetary value we can place on that.
Maurice Harkless, forward, Portland Trail Blazers
After averaging just 6.4 points during the regular season, this fourth-year forward has almost doubled (12.1) his scoring output in eight playoff games. He’s also averaging 5.9 rebounds while playing stellar basketball on the defensive end of the court.
Blazers head coach Terry Stotts made the decision to put Harkless on Klay Thompson after the Warriors All-Star went off for 37 points in Game 1. While Thompson did end up dropping 27 in Game 2, it took 20 shots. In reality, he had to work hard for everything he got. That’s all you can ask when going up against a player of Thompson’s ilk.
On the offensive end of the court, Harkless has put up double-digit points in seven consecutive games. This has given the Blazers a somewhat consistent scorer behind their star-studded back-court duo.
While Harkless is unlikely to leave Portland as a restricted free agent, the team is going to have to dole out the cash in order to retain his services. What we have seen thus far this postseason all but guarantees that.
Bismack Biyombo, center, Toronto Raptors
With a $2.9 million player option for next season, this former lottery pick will assuredly opt out when the off-season schedule gets going during the summer. And for good reason.
Considered a major bust during his four years in Charlotte, Biyombo has found his niche north of the border. Averaging 8.6 rebounds in just 18.6 minutes of action during the playoffs, he’s turned into an elite-level interior defender, someone that can also give his offense extra possessions on a consistent basis.
With the NBA’s trend towards wing-dominated offenses, Biyombo’s ability to act as a rim defender will be pretty darn valuable when he ultimately hits free agency. Couple that with an ability to give his offense more opportunities, and there’s no telling just how high said value will go.
We’ve seen this in the Association before. An offense-limited big making a career out of his defense. Heck, this got Tyson Chandler a four-year, $52 million deal from the Phoenix Suns last summer.