With many NBA franchises wary of becoming a second apron team, numerous middle-class free agents had to settle for less than anticipated this offseason. Some notable players had to settle for the veteran’s minimum. Here are the five best players that inked a veteran’s minimum deal this offseason. Each are expected to have large roles for the teams they have signed with in the 2024-25 season.
5 Best NBA Players To Sign For Veteran’s Minimum This Offseason
5. Spencer Dinwiddie, Dallas Mavericks
Spencer Dinwiddie is heading back to the Mavericks whom he previously played 76 games for in 2021-22 and 2022-23. Last season, he was the full-time starting point guard for the Brooklyn Nets before joining the Los Angeles Lakers. In 53 games with Dallas in 2022-23, the now 31-year-old averaged 17.7 points and 5.3 assists. Last season with Brooklyn and the Lakers, Dinwiddie had averages of 10.5 points and 4.7 assists.
4. Eric Gordon, Philadelphia 76ers
Entering his 17th season in the league, Eric Gordon averaged a career-low 11.0 points with the Suns last season. It was still the 16th-straight season that the six-foot-three Gordon finished with a double-digit scoring average. The 35-year-old is still an above-average three-point shooter (37.8% last season, 37.1% for his career) and will provide scoring off the bench for a top-heavy 76ers team. His 2,028 career made three-pointers are the 16th-most in NBA history.
3. Russell Westbrook, Denver Nuggets
No, Russell Westbrook isn’t the MVP candidate he once was (won MVP in 2016-17). No, Westbrook isn’t the nightly triple-double threat he once was (averaged a triple-double in four different seasons). Turning 36 years old on November 12, Westbrook still puts a lot of pressure on opposing defenses. Plus, it was reported that three-time MVP Nikola Jokic wanted Denver to bring him aboard. Will Westbrook be able to get one more triple-double to become the first member of the 200 triple-double club?
2. Gary Trent Jr., Milwaukee Bucks
For a player that averaged 13.7 points last season (as well as 17.4 in 2022-23 and 18.3 in 2021-22), it’s quite surprising that Gary Trent Jr. had to settle for the minimum. Even more so it’s surprising because he is still just 25 years old. Trent Jr. is replacing Malik Beasley (signed with the Detroit Pistons) as the high-volume three-point shooter that will force defenses to not fully focus on Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard. Trent Jr. doesn’t fill out the box score much other than his scoring, but he should provide excellent value for Milwaukee in the upcoming season.
1. Tyus Jones, Phoenix Suns
It was reported that Tyus Jones had offers for more than the veteran’s minimum. The 28-year-old point guard wanted an opportunity to start though, something that Phoenix should be able to provide for him. The Suns went much of last season without utilizing a true point guard, and they now have the assist-to-turnover ratio king. Last season with the Washington Wizards, Jones averaged 7.3 assists and just one turnover while also averaging a career-best 12.0 points. He has a career assist-to-turnover ratio well greater than five. Playing alongside Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal should allow Jones plenty of opportunities to accumulate dimes throughout the season while also getting his own open looks.
