Brandon Williams, a four-year vet, averaged 7.5 free-throw attempts per 36 minutes for the Dallas Mavericks last season, a number higher than even All-NBA names like Donovan Mitchell, Tyrese Maxey, and Jalen Brunson. This isn't some flashy trade or mega-deal, but it's exactly the kind of unheralded stat that shows how undervalued talent is still out there, especially now that most of the high-profile business is done and cap space has vanished.
The Underrated Value of Getting to the Line
Williams, coming off a 2025-26 season where he put up 13.0 points, 3.9 assists, 2.9 rebounds, 0.9 steals, and 0.3 blocks, was a productive scorer for the Mavs, even starting 15 games. Most of his damage came inside the arc, which makes that free-throw attempt number even more critical. He shot a rough 23.2 percent from deep last year, but there's hope: his 2024-25 season saw him hit 40.0 percent. Even mediocre outside shooting would supercharge his ability to get downhill and draw fouls. The Mavericks might want him back, especially with Kyrie Irving returning from injury and younger guys like Ryan Nembhard and Cooper Flagg ahead of him. But for $2.3 million last season, Williams could provide reliable backup minutes and handle double-digit floor time for plenty of rotations across the league. He's a steal waiting to happen for a team needing backcourt help.The Defensive Superpower That Everyone Needs
Then there's Matisse Thybulle, whose 2025-26 stats of 5.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 2.0 steals, and 0.5 blocks don't tell the whole story. At 29, his total inability to create his own shot and durability concerns might spook some teams, but this guy has a legitimate superpower. Thybulle is one of the most disruptive defensive forces the league has seen in decades. Seriously, nobody among the 1,279 players logging at least 2,000 minutes this century has a higher career steal rate. He averages a historic 3.8 steals per 100 possessions, plus 1.9 blocks per 100 possessions. No one in NBA history with at least 5,000 minutes can match his combined block and steal percentages. That's insane! He'd be valuable even if he couldn't shoot, but he actually drilled 39.8 percent of his threes last year and has hit over 35.0 percent in three other seasons. For his $11.6 million salary, any team with a minimum slot or a midlevel exception should be rushing to get him.Former Lottery Pick Looking for a Home
And don't forget Ochai Agbaji. It's not the best sign that the Brooklyn Nets declined to give him a qualifying offer this summer, especially since the 26-year-old wing was the 14th pick in the 2022 draft. You just don't see former first-rounders get away without teams at least tendering an offer very often. Last season, he put up 5.1 points, 2.3 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.4 steals, and 0.3 blocks on a $6.4 million salary. He might not have lived up to his draft slot yet, but that kind of pedigree still matters. The NBA offseason might be past the major headlines, but for teams trying to maximize every dollar and find real contributors, these are the guys you've got to be looking at. The Knicks proved that mundane moves can matter big-time with their minimum signings paying huge dividends. Which team is smart enough to find the next Jordan Clarkson or Landry Shamet before the season tips off? These three could be game-changers for whoever grabs them.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.