Outside of the regular season, the playoffs, and the NBA Draft, there may not be a more intriguing time in the NBA than the annual Free Agency period during the offseason. Despite the current position that all 30 NBA teams are in, free agency provides an optimal chance for each team to improve its roster by adding a variety of players. With this said, it is important to know the clear distinction between an unrestricted and restricted free agent. As stated by the NBA, an unrestricted free agent (UFA) is able to sign with any NBA team without restriction. Similar to an unrestricted free agent, a restricted free agent (RFA) is able to sign an offer sheet with any NBA team, but the player’s original team can retain him by matching the terms of that offer, also known as an offer sheet. The original team is said to have the “right of first refusal.”
Unlike restricted free agents, unrestricted free agents are much more likely to leave their current team via free agency, due to their incumbent team lacking the ability to match any other team’s offer for that player. Typically, unrestricted free agents are much more proven and have loads of experience when compared to that off restricted free agents. With this said, there are some enticing unrestricted free agents that aren’t past their prime, but may be entering it within the coming years. Of the 83 unrestricted free agents in the 2022 offseason, the Orlando Magic should monitor these three unrestricted free agents that will likely be available this offseason.
Bruce Brown, SG/SF, Brooklyn Nets

Although Brown was often overlooked due to the stardom of former NBA Champions Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, Brown quietly had his best season as an NBA player. In 72 games this season, Brown averaged a career-high 9.0 PPG, 4.8 RPG, and 2.1 APG while shooting 50.6% from the field and 40.4% from three-point range. At 6’4″ and 202 pounds, Brown is a very solid defender, as he totaled 77 steals (1.1 SPG) and 52 blocks (0.7 BPG) this year. It’s also worth noting that Brown is an incredibly durable player at 25 years old, as he’s played in 58 games or more in all four seasons in the NBA.
At times, Brown was Brooklyn’s best player, due to his ability to impact the game in every way possible. From hitting big shots to defending well and grabbing rebounds, Brown is a key player that may help the Nets reach their championship aspirations. With this said, Brooklyn is financially unable to resign everyone this off-season. In fact, ten of Brooklyn’s sixteen players may enter free agency, which includes Irving ($36 million Player Option), Patrick Mills ($6 million Player Option), Nicolas Claxton (Restricted Free Agent), and Brown. Even though Brooklyn is set to possibly lose more than half of their roster, they are projected to have -$66 million in available salary cap.
Fortunately for Brooklyn, the Nets do have multiple solutions to create cap space to resign Brown. First off, Brooklyn can offer Brown the $6.3 Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception, and Brown would earn slightly more on that than his previous contract. Since Brooklyn also owns Brown’s Bird Rights, they can go over the Luxury Tax in order to resign Brown. This would allow Brooklyn to resign Brown to a multi-year deal and make more money.
Since Orlando has the financial means to sign Brown, they can easily out-price Brooklyn and any other interested teams. Even though Brown has experience playing the point guard position, he would fit much better as a three-&-d wing in Orlando who can create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. Brown’s superb shooting and lockdown defense would be welcomed in Orlando, as the Magic struggled mightily with both this past season.
Malik Monk, SG, Los Angeles Lakers

After enduring a disappointing four-year stint in Charlotte, Monk was released by the Hornets and entered free agency seeking a “prove-it” type deal. On August 6th, 2021, Monk got a chance from the Los Angeles Lakers, as he signed a one-year deal worth the minimum ($1.7 million). Since signing that deal, Monk instantly outplayed his contract with the Lakers, becoming one of the team’s most reliable scorers. In 76 games this season, Monk averaged 28.1 MPG, 13.8 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 2.9 APG, and 0.8 SPG, all career-highs. Furthermore, Monk posted fantastic shooting splits, going 47.3% from the field, 39.1% from three-point range, and 79.5% from the free-throw line.
When the Lakers’ superstars LeBron James (26 missed games) and Anthony Davis (42 missed games) missed time due to injury, Monk handled the increased role well, starting in 37 of the Lakers’ 82 games. With his increased role in Los Angeles, Monk ranked inside the top five in Offensive Box Plus/Minus (0.5, Fourth in L.A.), Total Box Plus/Minus (-0.5, Fifth in L.A.), and Value Over Replacement Player (0.8, Third in L.A.).
While it was encouraging for the Lakers’ front office to see the investment in Monk work out, Monk’s production has likely priced himself out of Los Angeles. With thirteen possible free agents and -$46.2 million in projected salary cap space, it will be challenging for Los Angeles to resign Monk. Like most NBA teams, Los Angeles can offer Monk the $6.3 Million Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception, but Monk will likely seek more in a shallow free agency class.
Like Brooklyn’s Brown, Monk would be a great rotational player off the bench who can provide consistent scoring and playmaking. Standing at 6’3″ and 200 pounds, Monk has the ability to play the shooting guard or the small forward position, allowing him to play alongside Markelle Fultz, Cole Anthony, and Jalen Suggs rather than behind them. At just 24 years old, Monk has plenty of potential to blossom into a star, and Orlando has ample time to help Monk develop.
Jusuf Nurkic, C, Portland Trail Blazers

Soon after six-time All NBA Guard Damian Lillard underwent Abdominal Surgery and was ruled out for the remainder of the NBA season, Portland tanked their way to a 27-55 record (13th in Western Conference) and begun a necessary retool around Lillard. As a result of trading veterans CJ McCollum, Norman Powell, Robert Covington, and Larry Nance Jr., Portland has seen the development of Anfernee Simons and Josh Hart, and also hold the No. 6 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. With this said, it is puzzling to see Nurkic still on Portland’s roster if their goal was to trade him like the aforementioned veterans.
Despite the rumors of Nurkic departing Portland, he posted another solid season as the Trail Blazers’ primary center. In 56 starts this season, Nurkic averaged 28.2 MPG, 15.0 PPG, 11.1 RPG, and 2.8 APG. Additionally, Nurkic was a very efficient shooter inside of the arc, going 53.5% from the field and 56.3% on two-point attempts. While Nurkic isn’t a great three-point shooter (26.8%), it’s encouraging that Nurkic won’t shy away from a wide-open three-point attempt when he gets one. When on defense, Nurkic uses his 6’11”, 290-pound frame to lock down the paint, as he totaled 62 steals (1.1 SPG) and 34 blocks (0.6 BPG).
At 27 years old, it would be surprising to see the Trail Blazers let Nurkic leave in free agency, especially with the extensive success he’s had in Portland. If Portland is truly building a young, competitive roster around Lillard, then resigning Nurkic, who’s coming off a season-ending foot injury, may not be ideal. With this said, Portland can offer Nurkic the $10.3 million Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception or the $4 million Bi-Annual Exception, or extend him with their projected $18.6 million in salary-cap space.
If Orlando does land Nurkic, then he would be a great center for the Magic to pair alongside forward Wendell Carter Jr. and the No. 1 pick. One major contingency for Orlando to sign Nurkic is what they do with Restricted Free Agent Mo Bamba. If Orlando extends Bamba, then it would be counterintuitive to sign Nurkic, as both players are centers who live inside the paint. If the Magic part ways with Bamba, however, then Nurkic can replace Bamba in the starting lineup, or provide a reliable veteran presence off the bench.