Top 5 NBA Free Agents Available

We're well into March now, and there are still several available NBA free agents out there who could play a useful role for some teams down the stretch and into the playoffs. 

Let's have a look at the top five NBA free agents, with the help of Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report. Malik Beasley is excluded from this discussion, due to the ongoing investigation by the U.S. District Attorney’s office and the NBA regarding allegations of illegal gambling. He's currently playing in Puerto Rico, as NBA teams won't touch him. 

1. Lonzo Ball

It's a sad state of affairs for the former No. 2 overall selection in the NBA Draft (2017). After an exciting first four seasons in the league, Ball landed in Chicago, but after just 35 games, he went down to a devastating knee injury that kept him out of the league for nearly three years. He returned to play 35 games with the Bulls last season, and another 35 this year for the Cleveland Cavaliers. But he is clearly not the player he once was, and after being traded to Utah at the deadline, the Jazz released him. Ball can still be a fine playmaker in limited minutes off the bench (max about 20 minutes per game) for a team in need.

2. Cole Anthony

Another point guard, Anthony was a starter in his first two seasons with the Orlando Magic, but his minutes and production have steadily fallen year over year since then, and he was waived twice in the last year, including by the Phoenix Suns before March 1. He's eligible for the playoffs for any team that needs a scorer in the backcourt off the bench.

3. Eric Gordon

Now 37, Gordon only got into six games with the Philadelphia 76ers earlier this season, then was dealt to the Memphis Grizzlies at the trade deadline, and subsequently released. Per Pincus, Gordon is "an experienced playoff veteran who may not be ready to call it a career just yet." He can still shoot from three.

4. Dalano Banton

The former Toronto Raptor is a 6'8" point guard/point-forward, who recently had a couple of 10-day contracts with the LA Clippers and then the Boston Celtics (his second short stint there). It remains to be seen if any team gives him another shot on a 10-day.

5. Chris Boucher

Banton's former teammate in Toronto, Boucher can be a high-energy spark off the bench. He provides some rim protection with his long reach, and, when his shot is on, some floor-spacing as well, as a long and lanky shooter from the outside. He also played a bit for the Celtics earlier this year, but was traded to the Jazz at the deadline, and then waived. 

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