Where have the best undrafted free agents signed?
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
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)
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)
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
NATE HINTON: Dallas Mavericks (two-way)
Guard, 21 years old, 10.6 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.4 spg, 38.7 3P%
FULL INTERVIEW: Nate Hinton on USA TODAY’s Rookie Wire
MARKUS HOWARD: Denver Nuggets (two-way)
Guard, 21 years old, 27.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 3.3 apg, 41.2 3P%
FULL INTERVIEW: Markus Howard on USA TODAY’s Rookie Wire
NAJI MARSHALL: New Orleans Pelicans (two-way)
Wing, 22 years old, 16.8 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 4.0 apg, 1.3 spg
ASHTON HAGANS: Minnesota Timberwolves
Guard, 21 years old, 11.5 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 6.4 apg, 1.9 spg
LAMAR STEVENS: Cleveland Cavaliers (two-way)
Forward, 23 years old, 17.6 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1.1 spg, 1.1 bpg
FULL INTERVIEW: Lamar Stevens on HoopsHype
FREDDIE GILLESPIE: Dallas Mavericks (Exhibit 10)
Big, 23 years old, 6-foot-9, 9.6 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 1.1 spg, 2.2 bpg
JORDAN FORD: LA Clippers (Exhibit 10)
Guard, 22 years old, 21.9 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.4 spg, 41.1 3P%
NATE DARLING: Charlotte Hornets (two-way)
Guard, 22 years old, 21.0 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 2.8 apg, 39.9 3P%
ZAVIER SIMPSON: Los Angeles Lakers (Exhibit 10)
Guard, 23 years old, 12.9 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 7.9 apg, 1.0 spg, 36.0 3P%
FULL INTERVIEW: Zavier Simpson on USA TODAY’s Rookie Wire
JAHLIL TRIPP: Memphis Grizzlies (Exhibit 10)
Wing, 23 years old, 16.2 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.5 spg
SEAN MCDERMOTT: Memphis Grizzlies (two-way)
Wing, 24 years old, 11.7 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 1.0 apg, 0.7 spg, 39.4 3P%