![Fred VanVleet had his most-productive season in 2019-20. [Image Source: Flickr | PJMixer]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2020/9/16/660x290/b_502x220x82/fred-vanvleet-had-his-most-productive-season-in-2019-20-image-source-flickr-pjmixer_2516826.jpg "Fred VanVleet had his most-productive season in 2019-20. [Image Source: Flickr | PJMixer]")
With the Clippers losing in Game 7 of the Western Conference Semifinals to the Nuggets on Tuesday, there are officially just four teams left that have the opportunity to be crowned NBA champions this season.
Let’s take a look at the most important free agent on each of the four teams that were eliminated in the second round (those with player or team options are not informed). In order to reach the minimum of five needed for a list article, the next most important of the four teams were also included (Serge Ibaka of the Raptors). All players listed are unrestricted free agents.
A list of upcoming free agents was found on Spotrac.
Houston Rockets - Jeff Green
Signed by the Rockets slightly before the stoppage in play, the 34-year-old Green averaged 11.6 points while connecting on 42.6 percent of his three-point tries in this year’s playoffs.
The 6 Rockets players that played the most minutes in the Lakers series, age, by the end of 2020
— Jayson Braddock (@JaysonBraddock) September 16, 2020
35 - PJ Tucker
34 - Jeff Green
32 - Eric Gordon
Russ Westbrook
31 - James Harden
30 - Robert Covington
Los Angeles Clippers - Montrezl Harrell
The reigning Sixth Man of the Year, Harrell has to hope the precipitous drop in his numbers once the postseason began doesn’t affect what could be a large new contract.
Several Clippers were so fatigued during Game 7 against Denver that they struggled to play stints longer than three minutes and asked out of the game for a breather in the fourth quarter, sources told @TheUndefeated.
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) September 16, 2020
Milwaukee Bucks - Pat Connaughton
In two seasons with Milwaukee, Connaughton has averaged nearly 20 minutes a contest and has been accurate from inside the arc (made 62.8 percent of his two-point shots with the Bucks compared to 33.1 percent from behind the arc).
Set to hit free agency this summer, @JordanTreske details how Pat Connaughton is reportedly a target for the Cleveland Cavaliers.https://t.co/lHKKORf7bg
— Behind the Buck Pass (@BehindTheBucks) September 12, 2020
Toronto Raptors - Serge Ibaka
Turning 31 on September 18, Ibaka is nowhere near the shot-blocker he was in earlier years, but he’s coming off a career-high scoring average in 2019-20 (15.4) and his second-highest rebounding average (8.2).
The Raptors team is a family and we win together and lose together. We ALL gave all our heart in this Playoffs but sometimes things don’t go your way. Proud of this team and of representing Toronto and Canada #wethenorth pic.twitter.com/2hZrNrULzZ
— Serge Ibaka (@sergeibaka) September 13, 2020
Toronto Raptors - Fred VanVleet
A full-time starter for the first time in 2019-20, the 26-year-old VanVleet put together a career season (averages of 17.6 points and 6.6 assists) which should have him become one of the most-sought-after free agents in the offseason. The New York Post believes the Knicks should go hard after VanVleet as they are one of the few teams expected to have ample cap room.
Fred VanVleet has always bet on himself and now it's time to get paid.
— The Athletic Toronto (@TheAthleticTO) September 16, 2020
How much can the Raptors afford and still have max money in 2021? l @BlakeMurphyODC: https://t.co/SK0xvXdIqB
