As the NBA playoffs approach the Finals, the upcoming free agency period is drawing near. This time presents an opportunity to evaluate which overlooked players might secure more lucrative contracts in their next deals. The free-agent market this offseason may present challenges, particularly as high-end buyers are expected to be limited. However, a number of undervalued players are worth consideration for teams seeking to strengthen their rosters.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have concluded their season, following successive trips to the Western Conference Finals. A key question for them now is how to retain essential players, particularly Naz Reid. The 25-year-old big man holds a $15 million player option for the upcoming season, but expectations suggest he is likely to opt out. Reid has significantly exceeded his current contract's value, earning the Sixth Man of the Year award in 2024, along with averaging a career-high 14.2 points per game while maintaining a career shooting percentage of 37.3 from beyond the arc. Having such a player available for the price of $13.9 million provided considerable value; however, that situation may change after this season as interest in Reid is anticipated to be substantial. If he opts out, he stands to command a starting salary in the vicinity of $20 million, attracting teams looking to enhance their offensive capabilities off the bench. The Timberwolves will undoubtedly make efforts to re-sign Reid but need to be mindful of the financial implications of the first apron in the salary cap structure.

Another Timberwolves player likely to seek an increased salary is Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who will enter unrestricted free agency this offseason after concluding a two-year, $9 million contract. His performance over the past two seasons suggests he is in line for a pay increase. Although Alexander-Walker's shooting percentage decreased during the playoffs, he managed to hit 38.1 percent of his three-point attempts during the regular season, averaging 4.5 attempts per game. His ability to attack defenses and demonstrate limited playmaking skills, particularly noted in his gameplay clips, indicates his potential value. With teams continually in search of perimeter defenders capable of shooting, Alexander-Walker is expected to garner significant interest as he enters free agency.

Ty Jerome also experienced a late-season surge that positioned him as a contender for the Sixth Man of the Year award. After being drafted by the Phoenix Suns and spending time as a two-way player with the Golden State Warriors, Jerome ultimately secured a two-year, $5 million deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers. His performance during the past season was marked by impressive statistics, posting career-highs of 12.5 points per game and 43.9 percent shooting from three-point range on 3.6 attempts, in addition to dishing out 3.4 assists per game over 19.9 minutes. Despite a decline in his performance during the playoffs, Jerome's stock in free agency is expected to rise significantly. His previous two-year deal is unlikely to reflect his market value moving forward, as a contract starting in the ballpark of Payton Pritchard's four-year, $30 million deal with the Boston Celtics would appear justifiable. Teams that are aiming to boost their offensive capabilities, specifically teams like the Orlando Magic, should take serious interest in pursuing a contract with Jerome.

Guerschon Yabusele's career trajectory has seen ups and downs, with his presence fluctuating in and out of the league. A first-round selection by the Boston Celtics in the 2016 NBA Draft, Yabusele played two seasons with the team from 2017 to 2019, followed by international stints in China, France, and a three-year period with Real Madrid in Spain. His recent performance for the French national team during the 2024 Paris Olympics revived interest from NBA teams, culminating in a one-year contract with the Philadelphia 76ers. Despite a tumultuous season for the Sixers, Yabusele stood out by averaging 11 points on a shooting percentage of 50.1 and gathering 5.6 rebounds while playing 27.1 minutes per game. This performance indicates a significant improvement from his earlier NBA experiences when he struggled to earn playing time. Having made slightly over $2 million last season, Yabusele is poised for a pay increase, solidifying himself as a desirable candidate as teams, including the Sixers, seek to enhance their size.

A surprising trade during the deadline involved the Dallas Mavericks sending Quentin Grimes to the Philadelphia 76ers. One of the motivations behind the trade was Grimes' approaching restricted free agency as he concludes his rookie contract and stands to earn a substantial payday. After joining the 76ers, Grimes experienced a notable increase in his performance, averaging 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists across 28 games. With increased playing time, he has proven himself as a valuable rotation player. This surge in production is timely, as Grimes now heads into restricted free agency with a rookie deal that spanned four years and was valued at $11 million. The 76ers have expressed interest in re-signing Grimes, according to sources like Marc Stein and Jake Fischer; however, the negotiations will hinge upon the financial terms. Being a restricted free agent enables the Sixers to retain an upper hand, as they have the capability to match any offers Grimes may receive.