Unrestricted Free Agents
Brook Lopez (C, Stanford, Earned $22,642,350)
Lopez struggled to find his rhythm at the beginning of the season and saw his playing time drop as a result. There was even a momentary period where Brook sought a buyout since life was “frustrating.” Fortunately, a post-All Star break streak gave him the confidence to finish out the year strong… it ended up futile.
Still, Lopez ended up with career lows across the board since his rookie season. Lopez was often ineffective at points, stretching the floor at times when it was unneeded. However, he kept his poise and control after the “buyout period.” Lopez deserves credit for a tumultuous season in his career. Lopez could find suitors, but not at the $22 million he earned this year.
Isaiah Thomas (PG, Washington, Earned $6,261,395)
Both the Cavaliers and Celtics managements treated Isaiah Thomas like an expiring contract. It seems wrong. Perhaps it wasn’t. Thomas failed to reach his expectations. His statistics dipped across the board from his MVP-caliber campaign in 2017. And after a sore hip in which he played through in the Eastern Conference Finals, he may never be the same again.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG/SF, Georgia, Earned $17,745,894)
Though I found him in moments on Shaqtin’ A Fool every Thursday on TNT, KCP improved in four major facets of his game. He rebounded better (5.3), made more threes (2.2), was more efficient (13.1 PER), and steals (2.2). Expect Caldwell-Pope to demand more money in an increased role on offense if L.A. decides to take off his cap hold.
Channing Frye (PF/C, Arizona, Earned $7,420,912)
Altman added Frye as an expiration contract in the Isaiah Thomas deal. Frye missed most of his time as a Laker with an appendectomy. It limited most of his playing minutes. With Luke Walton focusing on most of the young core’s development, Frye remained a veteran leader on the Lakers. It allowed him to clap back at Kyle Kuzma’s antics on Instagram and other social media platforms.
Tyler Ennis (PG, Syracuse, Earned $1,524,305)
Ennis underwhelmed for the Purple and Gold. His field goal percentage subsided from his career rate of 41.6 percent. Ennis lost backup role duties to a hobbling Isaiah Thomas, who scored at a surprisingly higher efficiency off the bench. Ennis is a project, as dismissing him would allow Los Angeles to either beef up IT’s role were he to be resigned, or draft a prospect such as Anfernee Simons.