Five Underrated NBA Free Agents Who Could Cash In This Summer

Nick Pedone|published: Fri 5th June, 08:03 2026

Dec 15, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) reacts in the first half against the Memphis Grizzlies at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The NBA has evolved into a league built around the transaction window.

Every summer, NBA free agency dominates the sports news cycle. With free agency set to get started at the end of June, let’s take a look at a few underrated unrestricted free agents that could move teams and secure big pay days along the way.

LeBron James

Let’s start with the obvious one first.

A lot of casual NBA fans will turn their nose up at James dominating another offseason cycle heading into his age 42 season. But LeBron averaged 20 points, seven rebounds and six assists as the third option behind Luke Doncic and Austin Reaves last year in Los Angeles.

Even if his name wasn’t LeBron, and he wasn’t about to turn 42 years old in December, that sort of production would make any player a sought after free agent.

Kristaps Porzingis

Feb 19, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors center Kristaps Porzingis (left) shares a laugh with Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) following their game at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

Porzingis was a very important piece to the Boston Celtics’ championship-winning team in 2024.

Just two years removed from that title, how does it feel like he’s forgotten about again? Porzingis was traded from the Atlanta Hawks to the Golden State Warriors, starting just 23 games last season.

But any contending team should be interested in Porzingis as he has a decade of experience under his belt and a championship ring on his finger.

Anfernee Simons

It’s not everyday that a 27-year-old veteran is set to his unrestricted free agency.

The Chicago Bulls are a perpetual, rebuilding dumpster fire – and that’s why you probably haven’t heard about Simons in quite some time, as he only played six games there last season.

But he averaged 15 points per game, proving that he’s stepping into his prime and would be a serviceable role player in line for a big pay day at the end of the month.

Collin Sexton

Mar 5, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Collin Sexton (2) dribbles down court against Phoenix Suns forward Ryan Dunn (0) during the first quarter at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Anna Carrington-Imagn Images

You can say the same thing about Sexton that was written about Simons. He averaged 17.5 points in 26 games with the Bulls after playing 42 games for the Charlotte Hornets last season. He’s one of the best scoring backup point guards in the game, and would be capable of starting on a rebuilding team.

Sexton is also just 27 and has played 475 career games. He’s one of the league’s most durable players and his ability to put the basketball in the hoop is underrated.

Mortiz Wagner

The Orlando Magic underwhelmed in the NBA Playoffs and fired their head coach. That should be the sign for Wagner to move on.

The physical big man would be a perfect rotational center on a contending team. He has postseason experience at age 29, but he hasn’t had a big role with the Magic, and that’s led to a lot of early postseason exits.

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