The NBA’s Play-In Tournament came to a conclusion on Friday. While the Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, and New Orleans Pelicans were able to advance to the playoff field, four teams did not. They are now able to concentrate on the offseason including what to do with their impending free agents.
Here is the most notable free agent on the four teams that did not advance through the Play-In Tournament.
Most Notable Free Agent on Teams Eliminated in Play-In
Atlanta Hawks – Saddiq Bey (F – Restricted)
The 25-year-old Saadiq Bey unfortunately tore his ACL in a March outing against the New Orleans Pelicans. Obviously, that injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season, and he will be rehabbing his knee in the offseason.
Prior to being shelved, Bey started 51 of his 63 appearances for Atlanta in 2023-24. The 19th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft averaged 13.7 points and 6.5 rebounds on the season. Bey had a 51-point outing while with the Detroit Pistons on March 17, 2022.
Saddiq Bey tonight:
51 Points
10 Rebounds
4 Assists
3 Steals
63% FG
10/14 3PMCareer-high.
pic.twitter.com/x6QTMP8UHm
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) March 18, 2022
Chicago Bulls – DeMar DeRozan (F)
Despite being at an advanced age (34), DeMar DeRozan led the NBA in minutes this season. For the 11th-straight season, DeRozan averaged more than 20 points per contest.
If this is the last time we see DeMar DeRozan in a Bulls jersey, thank you for everything @DeMar_DeRozan
Thank you for embracing Chicago and a bigger thank you for coming here when no other star wanted too
We love you Deebo, make the best decision for your family and career
— ChicagoBullsCentral (@BullsCentraI) April 20, 2024
In 79 games in 2023-24, DeRozan posted averages of 24.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists. The 6-6 forward is 31st in league history with his 23,582 career points.
Golden State Warriors – Klay Thompson (F/G)
A five-time All-Star and four-time NBA champion, Klay Thompson will have very few peers with his accolades on the free agent market. It will be very interesting to see if Golden State decides to bring back the 34-year-old.
According to Sam Amick, the Dallas Mavericks should be considered a potential contender to acquire Klay Thompson. #NBA #MFFL pic.twitter.com/3YMdz0Lrfn
— OutOfSightSports
(@OOSSports) April 18, 2024
The sharpshooter played in 77 games (63 starts) in 2023-24 averaging 17.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. He connected on 38.7% of his three-point tries and led the league in free throw percentage. Thompson is sixth in NBA history with his 2,481 career made three-pointers.
Sacramento Kings – Malik Monk (G)
In late March, Malik Monk suffered a sprained right MCL which ended his season prematurely. Prior to the injury, no player had scored more points or dished more assists coming off the bench than the 26-year-old Monk.
“Money talks… obviously I’d love to have him [Malik Monk] back but I don’t know what the future holds.”
De’Aaron Fox talks about Kings teammate Malik Monk’s impending free agency decision this summer
(via @NBCSKings)pic.twitter.com/2DXPxn5Dbq
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 20, 2024
Monk has come off the bench in all 149 games in his two seasons with Sacramento but has still been quite valuable and productive. In 72 games in 2023-24, he averaged 15.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists.
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