The first round of the NBA playoffs was officially completed on Sunday afternoon when the Cleveland Cavaliers eliminated the Indiana Pacers in Game 7. For the eight teams that were eliminated, they will need to decide whether or not to keep their free agents this offseason and hope that continuity can lead to more success.
Here is the most important Free Agent for all the teams eliminated in the opening round of the postseason. It was limited to restricted and unrestricted free agents with the exception being the Oklahoma City Thunder where it is widely assumed that Paul George will not exercise his player option and become an unrestricted free agent.
To see the most important free agent on each non-playoff team, click here.
Indiana Pacers
- Glenn Robinson III, SF - Unrestricted (Age: 24)
The son of the “Big Dog”, an ankle injury kept Robinson III out for much of the season. He played in 24 games averaging 4.1 points, 1.6 rebounds, 0.7 assists in 14.7 minutes per game. He shot 41.2 percent on threes for the year. In the previous season prior to the injury, the 2017 Slam Dunk Champion averaged 6.1 points and 3.6 rebounds.
Other notable free agents: None
Notable player/team options: Thaddeus Young (Player - $13,764,045), Cory Joseph (Player -$7,945,000), Lance Stephenson (Team - $4,360,000)
Miami Heat
- Dwyane Wade, SG - Unrestricted (Age: 36)
It’s unlikely Wade will leave as he has stated on multiple occasions that he will either stay with the Heat or retire.
After being traded back to Miami from the Cavaliers, he averaged 12.0 points in 22 games. The 12-time All-Star upped his scoring average to 16.2 in the five playoff games against the 76ers.
Other notable free agents: Wayne Ellington (unrestricted)
Notable player/team options: None
Milwaukee Bucks
- Jabari Parker, PF - Restricted (Age: 23)
The second overall pick in 2014, Parker’s injuries have not allowed him to reach his full potential.
He played in just 31 games this season and 183 of a possible 328 over his first four seasons. He averaged 12.6 points and 4.9 rebounds this season and 15.3 and 5.5 respectively in his career.
Other notable free agents: None
Notable player/team options: None
Minnesota Timberwolves
- Nemanja Bjelica, PF - Restricted (Age: 30)
Bjelica started 21 games this season for Minnesota mostly while Jimmy Butler was out with injury.
He put up per game averages of 10.8 points and 6.8 rebounds when he was in the starting five. He proved to be a reliable three-point shooter connecting on 41.5 percent of his 183 attempts in 2017-18.
Other notable free agents: Derrick Rose (unrestricted)
Notable player/team options: Jamal Crawford (Player - $4,544,400)
Oklahoma City Thunder
- Paul George, SF - Player Option for $20,703,384 (Age: 28)
George is fully expected to opt-out and become an unrestricted free agent. He was named an All-Star for the fifth time this season and averaged 21.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.0 steals. He has been an All-Defensive member three times and likely will be named to a team for the fourth time when they are announced.
Other notable free agents: Raymond Felton (unrestricted), Jerami Grant (unrestricted)
Notable player/team options: Carmelo Anthony (Early Termination Option - $27,928,140)
Portland Trail Blazers
- Jusuf Nurkic, C - Restricted (Age: 24)
Nurkic is coming off his best season in what was the fourth of his career. In 79 games, he posted averages of 14.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.4 blocks. He finished the year with 27 double-doubles.
Other notable free agents: Ed Davis (unrestricted), Shabazz Napier (restricted), Pat Connaughton (restricted)
Notable player/team options: None
San Antonio Spurs
- Kyle Anderson, SF - Restricted (Age: 25)
With Kawhi Leonard missing nearly the entire season, Anderson started 67 games for the Spurs.
The fourth-year player averaged 7.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.6 steals. San Antonio drafted him 30th overall in 2014.
Other notable free agents: Tony Parker (unrestricted), Bryn Forbes (restricted), Davis Bertans (restricted)
Notable player/team options: Danny Green (Player - $10,000,000), Rudy Gay (Player - $8,826,300)
Washington Wizards
- Mike Scott - Unrestricted (Age: 30)
Scott was a nice surprise for the Wizards as he was arguably their second-most productive bench piece behind just Kelly Oubre. He averaged 8.8 points while shooting 52.7 percent from the field and 40.5 percent from deep.
Other notable free agents: Ty Lawson (unrestricted)
Notable player/team options: Jodie Meeks (Player - $3,454,500)
