All-Value Free Agent Team – Power Forward: T.J. Warren, Brooklyn Nets
The classic path to getting an undervalued free agent is to sign a player coming off of a significant injury. That’s how the Cavs got Ricky Rubio at such a low cost, and it contributed to the Warriors signing DiVincenzo this year and Otto Porter Jr. last year.
T.J. Warren missed nearly the entire last two seasons due to injury, so it was no surprise that he had to sign a low-value make-good contract. The Brooklyn Nets took a chance on Warren, but if that chance pays off they will have a forward to back up Kevin Durant and perhaps play alongside him, a talented scorer and rebounder who averaged 19.8 points per game in his last complete season.
All-Value Free Agent Team – Center: Isaiah Hartenstein, New York Knicks
Another path to value is when a player has a breakout season after signing multiple deals as a fringe roster player. That’s what is going on with Isaiah Hartenstein, a center who signed with the New York Knicks. After signing multiple minimum contracts to stick around the league, Hartenstein had a great year with the LA Clippers last season but could parlay that only into a $7.8 million deal for this season, $16 million overall over two years.
Last season on the Clippers Hartenstein was a great rebounder, shot-blocker and finisher. He finished with 3.4 estimated wins, which according to our value system would mean he is worth $11.6 million, well above what he is making per year.
Ricky Rubio, Donte DiVincenzo, Bruce Brown, T.J. Warren and Isaiah Hartenstein. Together these players will make just $26.5 million this next season, but will provide their team with production well past that. Keep an eye on the “All-Value” team and see how much they give to their teams this year.