ProFitX Player Spotlight: Christian Wood
Hitting the Market: Evaluating Next Summer’s Top Restricted Free Agents
ProFitX Staff – 10/18/22
The 2019 NBA Draft produced quite a bit of talent, most notably with Zion Williamson, Ja Morant, RJ Barrett, Darius Garland, Tyler Herro and Jordan Poole who all recently signed sizable extensions with their respective teams. On the flip side, there are just as many players from that class that still haven’t signed their second NBA deal. Monday, October 17th was the rookie extension deadline for first-round picks in this class, with 13 of those first rounders not agreeing to a deal. This included six lottery picks from that class. As such, each of these players will now enter a contract year, set to hit restricted free agency next summer. Who are some of the top players that will be obtainable on the restricted market next summer, and what are they worth?
Coby White (Chicago Bulls)
Age: 22
2021-22 Stats: 12.7 PPG | 2.9 APG | 38.5% 3PT
2022-23 ProFitX Contract Value: $26.55 million
Based on ProFitX’s real-time contract value projections, White is the most valuable player of this upcoming restricted group. A microwave scorer, he had a somewhat down season in Chicago last year, but we’re projecting a bounceback 2022-23 campaign and a big payday due to his ability to produce buckets.
P.J. Washington (Charlotte Hornets)
Age: 24
2021-22 Stats: 10.3 PPG | 5.2 RPG | 36.5% 3PT
2022-23 ProFitX Contract Value: $22.53 million
The Hornets are going an interesting direction and could now lose their former lottery pick next offseason. A floor spacing forward, Washington will have suitors that Charlotte will have to match to retain him.
Cameron Johnson (Phoenix Suns)
Age: 26
2021-22 Stats: 12.5 PPG | 4.1 RPG | 42.5% 3PT
2022-23 ProFitX Contract Value: $19.95 million
A 3-point sniper, Johnson is a huge part of the contending Suns roster. However, he’ll now have the chance to earn the contract he deserves as a restricted free agent a year from now.
Rui Hachimura (Washington Wizards)
Age: 24
2021-22 Stats: 11.3 PPG | 3.8 RPG | 44.7% 3PT
2022-23 ProFitX Contract Value: $18.49 million
In theory, Hachimura is the ultimate combo forward. However, he’s struggled to stay healthy in his career and has never notched a season with more than 60 games played.
Darius Bazley (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Age: 22
2021-22 Stats: 10.8 PPG | 6.3 RPG | 1.0 BPG
2022-23 ProFitX Contract Value: $17.92 million
On a young Thunder team that continues to bring more young talent onto the roster through the draft, Bazley has struggled to make a consistent jump. This is a make-or-break season in Oklahoma City before he hits the market.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker (Utah Jazz)
Age: 24
2021-22 Stats: 10.6 PPG | 2.9 RPG | 2.4 APG
2022-23 ProFitX Contract Value: $16.27 million
Alexander-Walker saw his time on the court cut from almost 27 minutes to less than 10 when moved from the Pelicans to Jazz mid-season. Now that Utah has hit the reset button, he should have more opportunity to take the floor.
Matisse Thybulle (Philadelphia 76ers)
Age: 25
2021-22 Stats: 5.7 PPG | 1.7 SPG | 1.1 BPG
2022-23 ProFitX Contract Value: $11.37 million
Although he’s a two-time NBA All-Defense player, Thybulle still hasn’t figured it out on the offensive end. That’s likely why an extension wasn’t agreed upon with Philadelphia, but he’s got the chance to improve on that end this season to secure a big payday next summer.
Jaxson Hayes (New Orleans Pelicans)
Age: 22
2021-22 Stats: 9.3 PPG | 4.5 RPG | 61.6% FG
2022-23 ProFitX Contract Value: $11.00 million
The Pelicans should be a legitimate playoff team this season, but with how loaded the roster is it may be more difficult for Hayes to play a significant role before hitting the market.
Cam Reddish (New York Knicks)
Age: 23
2021-22 Stats: 10.1 PPG | 1.0 SPG | 55.9% 2PT
2022-23 ProFitX Contract Value: $8.30 million
After being traded from Atlanta to New York last season, Reddish’s role completely dropped off. Can he break into the Knicks’ rotation this season to increase his value before next summer?
Grant Williams (Boston Celtics)
Age: 23
2021-22 Stats: 7.8 PPG | 3.6 PPG | 41.1% 3PT
2022-23 ProFitX Contract Value: $8.06 million
Although Williams is coming off of a breakout season with the Celtics, ProFitX projects a bit of a regression to the mean in the 2022-23 campaign.
