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The 2021 NBA Free Agency class is stacked with top players and rising stars, giving all 30 teams a plethora of options to consider when the off-season starts.
Most of the players who are set to become free agents have been terrific this season and were even better during the 2021 NBA Playoffs. Their stellar displays will likely see them benefit heavily in terms of receiving a bigger paycheck than they would have anticipated before the playoffs commenced.
On that note, let us have a look at five players who improved their market values after having solid postseason showings.
#5 Tim Hardaway Jr.
Tim Hardaway Jr. was shipped along with Kristaps Porzingis from the New York Knicks to the Dallas Mavericks as a throw-away trade but turned out to be the better performer than the latter.
Hardaway had a terrific 2020-21 NBA season, averaging 16.6 points per game on 45/40/80 shooting splits.
His performances improved massively down the regular-season stretch. Hardaway averaged close to 21 points per game in May (across nine games) and shot 44% from the deep. His value certainly increased in that period, and he managed to keep that up during the playoffs as well.
Tim Hardaway Jr. was the best player after Luka Doncic in the Dallas Mavericks' first-round loss to the LA Clippers. Hardaway showed up big-time, tallying four 20-point games across the seven-game series, shooting 40% from the three-point line on eight attempts per game.
Reports suggest that Tim Hardaway, 29, is looking for a contract worth $20 million per year, which he is likely to receive, thanks to his stellar showings this NBA season.
#4 Derrick Rose
Derrick Rose rose to the occasion in the 2021 NBA Playoffs, showing off some of his veteran experience to help the New York Knicks. The former MVP was promoted to a starting role for the team, as they struggled heavily offensively against the stubborn Atlanta Hawks defense in the first round of the playoffs.
Rose gave the Knicks a huge boost, averaging 19.4 points, five assists and four rebounds per game in the playoffs, doing so on 47.6% shooting from the field, including 47.1% from the three-point line.
The Knicks failed to advance to the next round, but Rose received a great deal of appreciation for his solid performances. He also played 35.5 minutes per contest, which was quite surprising considering how injury-prone he has been the last few seasons.
NBA rumors suggest Derrick Rose's rejuvenation could lead to him being targeted by multiple title-contending teams in the upcoming NBA off-season. The New York Knicks are very much interested in re-signing the player, while the LA Lakers are also in the mix for his services.
#3 Blake Griffin
Blake Griffin was one of the most surprisingly effective veterans during the 2021 NBA Playoffs.
The former LA Clippers star managed to capitalize on the opportunity to play in a starting role and flourished for the Brooklyn Nets. His performances had glimpses of his 'Lob-City' days, which have made him turn his fortunes around massively.
Griffin was seen as a damaged good at the trade deadline in March, as the Detroit Pistons failed to find a trade partner for him. He was owed roughly $32 million in the 2021-22 NBA season and $30 million in the 2022-23 NBA season, which was a huge stumbling block.
His time with the Pistons was replete with injuries and inconsistent performances. The franchise eventually bought him out, and he signed with the Brooklyn Nets on a minimum contract till the end of the season.
Blake Griffin hadn't dunked in over two years but ended that drought in his debut game for the Nets. From there o,n he continued to improve and turned into an impact player, which took everyone by surprise. The series against the Milwaukee Bucks led to an increase in his market value.
Griffin averaged 12 points, 7.7 rebounds and a steal, shooting 54% from the floor and 40% from the three-point line in the seven-game series against the Bucks.
He did a terrific job defensively against Giannis Antetokounmpo and made several dive-first plays, doing whatever it took to help his team win the series. Griffin played 30.9 minutes per game, showing he still has the potential to play for a contending team.
#2 Cameron Payne
Cameron Payne is one of the unsung heroes in the Phoenix Suns' run to the 2021 NBA Finals. The point guard's impact and confidence on the big stage have been a treat to watch. He helped the team through adversity and did a commendable job of filling in for veteran Chris Paul during the postseason.
Payne's energy and ability to flourish as a team player is something several teams must have kept an eye on. He is averaging 10.1 points on 36.4% three-point shooting, playing close to 20 minutes per game in the 2021 NBA playoffs.
In the series against the LA Lakers, when Chris Paul wasn't fully fit for several games, Payne stepped up to the occasion, averaging 12.5 points and 1.2 steals on 40% three-point shooting.
In the recently-concluded Western Conference Finals against the LA Clippers, Payne scored a career-best 29 points and nine assists in Game 2 in CP3's absence. Payne can play a supporting role or take up a leading role with ease, which makes him a solid player to have. So it wouldn't be a surprise to see a huge market for him this off-season.
#1 Reggie Jackson
Reggie Jackson had a mixed regular-season campaign, but he turned it around in the 2021 NBA Playoffs.
He averaged a whopping 17.8 points per game in the postseason and was key in helping the side make their debut NBA Conference Finals appearance. He played a solid cameo with Paul George in the absence of Kawhi Leonard and was even promoted to a full-time starting role as the postseason progressed.
Jackson had nine 20-point games throughout the playoffs and shot 40% from downtown and 48% from the field. He made an impressive 58 three-pointers in the postseason and ranked third for minutes played by a player in the ongoing 2021 NBA Playoffs.
Reggie Jackson's staggering numbers will likely fetch him a huge contract this summer, which the LA Clippers may not be able to afford unless Jackson takes a pay cut and decides to stay on with the team.
