![D'Angelo Russell will become a restricted free agent in the offseason. [Image Source: Flickr | BipHoo Company]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2019/4/28/660x290/b_502x220x82/dangelo-russell-will-become-a-restricted-free-agent-in-the-offseason-image-source-flickr-biphoo-company_2255481.jpg "D'Angelo Russell will become a restricted free agent in the offseason. [Image Source: Flickr | BipHoo Company]")
With each of the eight first round matchups in the playoff now complete, the postseason field has been cut in half. Eight teams saw their season slightly extended from the regular season without making much of a dent come playoff time.
After previously looking at the most important free agents on teams that did not qualify for the postseason, who is the most important free agent on each of the teams eliminated in the first round? (Note: Those with player or team options are not included. Ages shown are how old they will be on November 1, 2019. The list of free agents were taken from Spotrac.)
Brooklyn Nets - D'Angelo Russell, restricted (PG, Age: 23)
A first-time All-Star this season, Russell averaged career-bests in scoring (21.1), assists (7.0), field goal percentage (43.4) and three-point percentage (36.9). Yahoo Sports has reported how Russell has made it clear that he wants to stay in Brooklyn.
Detroit Pistons - Ish Smith (PG, Age: 31)
Smith didn't start a game in 2018-19 after starting 67 in the previous two seasons for Detroit, but he still played a valuable role off the bench spelling the inconsistent Reggie Jackson. He reached double figure scoring in 22 of his 56 contests and had a better than three-to-one assist to turnover ratio.
Indiana Pacers - Bojan Bogdanovic (SF, Age: 30)
Having a career-best season shooting-wise (49.7 percent from the field, 42.5 percent on threes), Bogdanovic helped keep the Pacers afloat after Victor Oladipo suffered a season-ending injury. He averaged 20.7 points on over 50 percent shooting in 34 outings after Oladipo went down.
Los Angeles Clippers - Ivica Zubac, restricted (C, Age: 22)
Acquired from the Lakers via trade in early February, Zubac became the team's starting center. He posted averages of 9.4 points and 7.7 rebounds in his 26 games with the Clippers.
Oklahoma City Thunder - Markieff Morris (PF, Age: 30)
Morris never was granted a large role for the Thunder after he was signed by them in February, but the Thunder don't have any true notable free agents. In 24 regular season contests, he averaged 6.5 points and 3.8 rebounds in 16.1 minutes per game.
Orlando Magic - Nikola Vucevic (C, Age: 29)
Like Russell, Vucevic was a first-time All-Star this season. The eight-year veteran was a nightly double-double (averages of 20.8 points and 12.0 rebounds) and became even more reliable from deep (connected on 36.4 percent of his three-point tries).
San Antonio Spurs - Rudy Gay (SF/PF, Age: 33)
Gay mostly was used as a starter this season (started 51 of his 69 appearances) after former starter Kyle Anderson signed with the Grizzlies. In his 13th season, he averaged a career-high 6.8 rebounds and also had career-highs in field goal percentage (50.4) and three-point percentage (40.2).
Utah Jazz - Ricky Rubio (PG, Age: 29)
Rubio continues to be an enigma. A superb passer throughout his career, he just has not improved his jump shot enough to be seen as a threat. While he did shoot a career-best 45.4 percent on two-point shots, he regressed from deep making just 31.1 percent of his three-point attempts (lower than his career mark of 32.2 percent).
