Jamie Sabau/NCAA Photos via Getty Images
The NBA draft is over, but the race for the top undrafted free agents is now underway.
Although rare, it’s not entirely uncommon to see undrafted free agents make key impacts with teams. We’re seeing that now with players such as Austin Reaves and Jose Alvarado faring well for the Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans, respectively.
A few players have even turned into bona fide stars in the past, none more so than former Detroit Pistons center Ben Wallace, now a Basketball Hall of Famer.
So even though none of the notable signings listed below were drafted, don’t discount them all from potentially making positive contributions down the line.
Here’s a look at some key UDFA signings on the day alongside notes on UDFA past and present who have excelled.
Notable Signings
Cleveland Cavaliers
Chris Fedor @ChrisFedor
#Cavs have agreed to a deal with NC State big man DJ Burns to play for their summer league team, sources tell @clevelanddotcom
Dallas Mavericks
Cody Taylor @CodyTaylorNBA
NBA Sources: Former Southern Illinois point guard Xavier Johnson will be playing Summer League with the Dallas Mavericks.
Denver Nuggets
Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
Source: Nuggets are also signing Creighton guard Trey Alexander to a two-way contract.
Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
Undrafted Clemson big man PJ Hall has agreed to a two-way contract with the Denver Nuggets, sources say. Hall had significant second-round interest, but chose Denver, which didn’t have a second, as his best situation.
Detroit Pistons
Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn
St. John’s guard Daniss Jenkins has agreed on a two-way deal with the Pistons, source tells ESPN.
Golden State Warriors
Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
Virginia’s Reece Beekman has agreed to a two-way NBA deal with the Warriors, sources say.
Houston Rockets
Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn
Undrafted Oregon center N’Faly Dante has agreed on a two-way deal with the Rockets, sources tell ESPN.
Los Angeles Clippers
Law Murray 🛝 @LawMurrayTheNU
Per team source to @TheAthletic
LA Clippers will sign SF Trentyn Flowers as an undrafted free agent
Los Angeles Lakers
Michael Scotto @MikeAScotto
The Los Angeles Lakers have agreed to an Exhibit-10 deal with undrafted Xavier guard Quincy Olivari, league sources told @hoopshype. Olivari averaged 19.1 points and 5.6 rebounds at Xavier last season.
Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
The Lakers are signing French forward Armel Traore on a two-way NBA contract, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
Undrafted Pittsburgh sharpshooter Blake Hinson has agreed to two-way NBA deal with the Lakers, sources said.
Miami Heat
Minnesota Timberwolves
Darren Wolfson @DWolfsonKSTP
Former Lakeville North and #Badgers forward Tyler Wahl will play Summer League for the hometown #Timberwolves, per his agents Sam Cipriano & Keith Kreiter of Edge Sports. #WolvesBackpic.twitter.com/qsIwZFDNdj
New Orleans Pelicans
Cody Taylor @CodyTaylorNBA
NBA Sources: Former Providence forward Josh Oduro will be playing Summer League with the New Orleans Pelicans.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
Saint Mary’s Alex Ducas has agreed on a two-way NBA deal with the Thunder, sources said.
Clemente Almanza @CAlmanza1007
Can confirm the Thunder signed Jack Gohlke to a non-guaranteed deal for summer league. He’ll have a chance to prove himself at the NBA level with his outside shooting
Philadelphia 76ers
Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
Kentucky’s Justin Edwards has agreed to a two-way NBA deal with the 76ers, sources said.
Phoenix Suns
Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
Baylor’s Jalen Bridges agreed to a two-way NBA deal with the Suns, sources said. Bridges chose Suns over several other two-way offers.
Sacramento Kings
Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn
Washington State’s Isaac Jones has agreed on a two-way deal with the Sacramento Kings, source tells ESPN.
Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
Louisiana Tech’s Isaiah Crawford has agreed to a two-way NBA deal with the Kings, sources said.
Luca Evans @bylucaevans
USC’s Boogie Ellis will be playing in the NBA Summer League with the Sacramento Kings, his agent Derek Malloy told @ocregister. Big opportunity for USC’s captain after going undrafted, a three-year Trojan who made himself into one of the best shooters in the country.
Toronto Raptors
Darren Wolfson @DWolfsonKSTP
Told Toronto #Raptors Summer League for former #Gophers and Ohio State forward Jamison Battle. pic.twitter.com/QtEysFmV4h
Michael Scotto @MikeAScotto
The Toronto Raptors have agreed to an Exhibit-10 deal with undrafted forward Quincy Guerrier from Illinois, league sources told @hoopshype.
Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn
Utah Utes center Branden Carlson has agreed on a two-way deal with the Toronto Raptors, source tells ESPN.
Utah Jazz
Tony Jones @Tjonesonthenba
The Utah Jazz are signing point guard Max Abmas to their summer league roster, League Sources tell The Athletic. Abmas has been one of the most prolific scoring guards in college basketball
No undrafted free agent has enjoyed a better NBA career than Hall of Fame center Ben Wallace, a four-time Defensive Player of the Year, five-time All-NBA player and 2003-04 NBA champion. Wallace played 16 NBA seasons (1996-2012) but was best known for his first stint with the Detroit Pistons (2000-2006).
Other undrafted free agents ended up serving key roles on championship teams.
Bruce Bowen won three NBA championships with the San Antonio Spurs and earned All-Defensive First Team honors in five straight years. Bowen also shot 39.3 percent from three and led the league in that category in 2002-03 (44.1 percent).
Udonis Haslem was a member of the Miami Heat’s rotation from 2003-2015, winning three NBA titles with the team and starting 52 of a possible 66 playoff games during those championship runs.
In recent years, undrafted free agents have still made a positive impact.
Reaves (2021) has broken out into a fantastic contributor for the Lakers, averaging 15.9 points, 5.5 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game last year. He also helped the team reach the Western Conference Finals the year before.
Lu Dort has been a starter in all five of his seasons for the Oklahoma City Thunder and just helped his squad earn first-place honors in the Western Conference standings, averaging 10.9 points and 3.6 rebounds.
Alvarado, also known by his nickname “Grand Theft Alvarado,” has emerged as a key reserve off the bench for the Pelicans, averaging 7.1 points and finishing sixth in the Sixth Man of the Year race.
This article will be updated soon to provide more information and analysis.