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Although the 2021 NBA free agency class lost some of its biggest names prior to the 2021-22 campaign, there are still plenty of valuable options and at team-friendly prices who are available in the frontcourt. After their championship victory this week, the Milwaukee Bucks proved how valuable the free agency market can be and how integral players can become who have gone under the radar.
This article will focus on five such power forwards who are underrated in the 2021 NBA free agency window and who could gather a lot of interest this summer. Teams can begin to negotiate with free agents as of the 2nd of August with the moratorium window open until the 6th of the month.
Top 5 underrated power forwards available in the 2021 NBA Free Agency market
#5 P.J. Tucker (Unrestricted free agent)
P.J. Tucker was arguably one of the top signings of the 2020-21 campaign when the Milwaukee Bucks brought in the veteran forward prior to the midseason deadline in March. Tucker, along with the addition of Jrue Holiday before the season began, brought greater toughness to the Milwaukee Bucks defense and a belief they could win.
Against Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets, P.J. Tucker was immense, and he finished the postseason with a defensive rating of 105.8 which was the sixth-best out of regular starters in the playoffs. Although Tucker offers little on offense, his worth comes from the work he puts in on the defensive end of the court and his endless competitive spirit.
After his postseason performances and with a bigger status having won his first ring, Tucker could earn more than the 2-year, $17m extension he rejected from the Houston Rockets. There will be plenty of suitors looking at the 36-year-old this summer, not least the Brooklyn Nets.
Whether he will pull a Ray Allen and move to another competitor in the same conference is yet to be seen. The Milwaukee Bucks will surely make it their objective to bring Tucker back in the 2021 NBA free agency window.
#4 Lauri Markkanen (Restricted free agent)
There have been rumblings surrounding Lauri Markkanen's future with the Chicago Bulls for some time and with the 2021 NBA free agency window looming, the Finnish forward could receive some significant interest.
Despite failing to complete another season due to injuries, a concern that could limit his offer sheets, Markkanen averaged 13.6 points and 5.3 rebounds throughout the 2020-21 campaign and shot at 40% from downtown. He is a lethal threat on offense, which outweighs his defensive limitations and could be a team's third or fourth scoring option.
Throughout his 4-year career in the NBA, Markkanen has shot at 44% from the field and averaged over 15 points per game. He is a high-volume perimeter shooter who also has the size and athleticism to get into the paint and compete for rebounds. Expect him to command significant interest in the 2021 NBA free agency window.
#3 Bobby Portis (Player Option)
Another underrated member of the Milwaukee Bucks championship-winning side this summer was Bobby Portis. The 26-year-old averaged over 18 minutes per game in the team's playoff run and was coach Budenholzer's second-most used option off the bench, averaging 8.8 points and five rebounds.
Akin to P.J. Tucker, Portis is a gritty player who was much beloved by his teammates and fans alike in Milwaukee this season. While the Bucks will want him to pick up his player option with the franchise, Portis may choose to test the 2021 NBA free agency to see what kind of money could be on the table from other teams.
He is a reliable three-point option, draining 47% of attempts during the regular campaign and can be utilized in a small-ball lineup or as a power forward backup. Considering he only earned $3.7m this year, Portis could be in for a very big payday in the offseason.
#2 Blake Griffin (Unrestricted Free Agent)
After a frustrating time in Detroit, Blake Griffin looked like a new man after moving to the Brooklyn Nets midseason. He has arguably become a more rounded power forward, able to shoot the three-ball at a success rate of 38% in the playoffs and drive to the basket with intelligence rather than all-out athleticism.
Not only that, but he has returned to dunking the ball with the kind of ferocity NBA fans were used to seeing in his LA Clippers days.
Griffin could be a hugely valuable pick up for any team in the 2021 NBA free agency market. He has vast playoff experience and has improved his defensive solidity, at times frustrating Giannis Antetokounmpo in their postseason matchup, and is an aggressive rebounder.
Although the 32-year-old is coming towards the end of his athletic prime, he has improved his saviness on both ends of the court to make up for his aging body.
#1 Kelly Olynyk (Unrestricted Free Agent)
Kelly Olynyk is likely to be one of the more intriguing players available in the 2021 free agency window. The 30-year-old is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, though the Houston Rockets do have full bird rights for him, therefore have an easier path to re-sign him or create a sign-and-trade deal.
Olynyk's future will largely depend on how the Rockets want to construct their roster going forward. As one of the worst teams in the league last year, it seems foolish to offer the versatile forward a long-term contract if they want to keep aside salary space to help re-build.
While they could offer him a shorter deal on big money, Olynyk could be swayed if a contending outfit comes in for him with a sizeable alternative.
After moving to the Rockets midseason, Olynyk excelled with more of the attention and more shot-making responsibility. In 27 games for the franchise, he averaged 19 points, 8.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists, as well as grabbing 1.4 steals per contest. His shooting statistics after moving were elite, connecting with 54% of field-goal efforts and almost 40% of threes.
If organizations believe he is able to uphold these numbers and continue his improved defensive ability, there will be plenty of interest for Olynyk this summer.
