Top 5 free agents still available for the 2020 NBA Playoffs

Your favorite NBA team could look a little different heading into the playoffs. The league is working on the framework of a new agreement that will allow franchises to add an unlimited number of free agents in the event their existing players are injured or test positive for COVID-19. Details are still forthcoming, but it’s likely any player who was signed to an NBA or G League contract during the 2019-20 season will be eligible.

We’ve scoured the NBA waiver wires and have identified five recently released players who could make a big impact in the postseason.

DeMarcus Cousins (Waived Feb. 23)

The Lakers appeared to pull off the biggest coup of the offseason when they signed DeMarcus Cousins to a one-year, $3.5 million contract. Sure, the four-time All-Star was coming off an injury-shortened season, but he was still remarkably efficient when he was available. "Boogie" averaged 16.3 points and 8.3 rebounds in just over 25 minutes a game, and showed a tremendous amount of heart and resilience by overcoming an injury to his left quadriceps that threatened to bring his postseason to a premature end.

The Lakers had high hopes for Cousins, but the veteran big man tore his ACL in the preseason and never logged a single minute in purple and gold. L.A. waived him on Feb. 23 to clear up a roster spot for Markieff Morris, but it was far from an acrimonious split, as Cousins continued to use the team’s facilities to rehab.

Cousins is now close to 100%, and he and the Lakers reportedly have mutual interest in a reunion. He remains close to LeBron James and Anthony Davis and could be an outstanding insurance policy in the event L.A. loses any of its frontcourt players to injury or illness.

C.J. Miles (Waived Jan. 12)

The Wizards waived C.J. Miles on Jan. 12, one month after the veteran shooting guard underwent surgery to repair ligament damage in his left wrist. The decision made sense at the time, as Miles was expected to be unavailable for the postseason, but that was before the postseason was pushed back by nearly five months.

Miles is now back to 100% and is ready to help a contending team. The lucky franchise that signs him will be getting a career 36% three-point shooter with 44 games of playoff experience. The 6-foot-6 southpaw could slide in nicely as part of a three-guard rotation.

Tyler Johnson (Waived Feb. 10)

We’ll be the first to admit that Johnson will never live up to the outrageous four-year, $50 million contract he signed in 2016. The Miami Heat began regretting that deal even before the ink had dried.

However, once you get past the sticker shock, the 28-year-old guard is actually a very useful player. Johnson averaged 11.1 points, 4.2 assists, and 4.0 rebounds per game as recently as 2018-19, and is a plus athlete and above average shooter who can stretch defenses with his outside touch. He may not be worth $50 million, but he’s certainly worth another look.

Jordan Bell (Waived Mar. 2)

Teams in need of an active big should take a long, hard look at Jordan Bell. The former second round draft pick went to the NBA Finals in each of his first two seasons with the Golden State Warriors, and showed enormous potential as a rim runner and help defender.

Bell signed a free agent contract with the Timberwolves in July, but failed to find a spot in Minnesota’s crowded frontcourt, and was dealt to Houston in February as part of a four-team trade. The Rockets then flipped him the following day to Memphis, where he was waived to free up a roster spot for NBA journeyman Anthony Tolliver.

Bell’s recent resume is far from glowing, but it shouldn’t scare teams off. The 25-year-old is just one year removed from appearing in 15 postseason games and has demonstrated an ability to handle the added pressure of the NBA Playoffs. He would fit in well with an up-tempo team that gets out in transition on offense and switches heavily on D.

Isaiah Thomas (Waived Feb. 9)

Few players have experienced a more precipitous fall from grace than Isaiah Thomas. The two-time All-Star was the NBA’s third-leading scorer in 2016-17 before a serious hip injury derailed his career.

Thomas played with three different teams over the next two years before finally appearing to find a home this season in Washington, where he started 37 games and averaged 12.2 points and 3.7 assists. Hardly All-NBA numbers, but more than respectable production from a 5-foot-9 guard still rehabbing from a devastating injury.

Unfortunately, Thomas’ time in DC came to a premature end on Feb. 9 when he was dealt to the Clippers as part of a three-team trade revolving around Marcus Morris. L.A. waived him three days later, bringing a swift end to any hopes he may have had of competing for a championship.

Thomas may not have fit into the Clippers’ plans, but he’s still capable of helping other contending teams as a creative facilitator and dangerous scorer who can heat up at any moment.

---

Find the latest NBA odds at BetAmerica!