NBA Free Agency: 5 Young Restricted Free Agents To Look Out For 

With another NBA season in the books, the attention now shifts to what is touted to be a thrilling offseason in the world’s best basketball league. There is a lot of excitement around free agency this postseason with the future of superstars like LeBron James, Paul George and Kevin Durant still not decided.

Though all the focus is rightfully on the future destinations of these All-Stars, there are also several other restricted free agents in the market this time around who would surely attract a lot of interest from other franchises. Many of them might be looking for a new team next season for a variety of reasons.

While some of them might be offloaded by their present teams to open up valuable salary cap space in order to land bigger names in free agency, others might be looking to leverage a solid season on the court to secure a big money contract elsewhere.

This article focuses on some of those talented youngsters under 25 who are restricted free agents and might be changing the colour of their jerseys in the coming months. Other notable mentions in this context include Jabari Parker, Rodney Hood and Aaron Gordon.

#5 Elfrid Payton

Peyton was traded to the Phoenix Suns this season

Off late, the Pheonix Suns point guard has mostly been in the news for getting what many say was a "much-needed hair cut’. But in the coming days, his representatives will get down to more serious business.

Despite being surprisingly traded by the Orlando Magic to Phoenix earlier in the year, the 24-year-old has been solid this season. The Louisiana native put up 11.8 PPG & 6.2 APG for the season despite average less than 30 minutes of game time this campaign.

There is a good chance that the Suns would not want to let him go this offseason, but Elfrid can be a great addition to one of the many teams that are engaged in the rebuilding process.

#4 Jusuf Nurkic - Portland Trail Blazers

The Bosnian Center might be moving out of Portland this offseason

In a league where quality big men are slowly becoming an endangered species, Nurkic could have quite a few takers if he decides to make a move away from Rip City.

By his own admission, Nurkic did not have a great season this time around. Even then, the center has averaged a healthy double-double this season while shooting at over 50% from the field.

While the Trailblazers would like to hold on to their starting center, Portland has little manoeuvring room at the moment in terms of working around the salary cap. This makes Nurkic one of the prime candidates to be traded.

#3 Fred Van Vleet - Toronto Raptors

Van Vleet was one of the best players for the Toronto Raptors this season

Van Vleet has emerged as one of the fan favourites in Toronto and for many Raptors faithful, he has been their third best player this season after Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan.

But holding on to the point guard might be a difficult task for Toronto with reports suggesting that Van Vleet is looking for a salary of over $10 million a year. Something that the Raptors don’t seem to be too keen on, especially with all the guaranteed contracts they already have on their books for next season.

Moreover, it would make sense for Toronto to take a good look at their core team, after being swept in the East in consecutive years. All these factors can end up putting the diminutive point guard out on the market and see him laughing all the way to the bank.

#2 Marcus Smart - Boston Celtics

Marcus Smart in action against LA Lakers

Marcus Smart is the kind of player that any of the 30 NBA teams would love to have on their roster. Arguably the most under rated defender in the league, Smart makes up for his limited offence with his defensive brilliance and infectious energy.

After another strong year with the Celtics averaging 10 PPG, 5 APG & 4 RPG, Smart might well be looking at a much more lucrative contract this time around. Moreover, with the emergence of Terry Rozier and Jason Tatum, playing time may very well become a concern for him in the upcoming season.

Though unlikely, its still a possibility that if Boston doesn’t agree with the kind of money he demands from them, Smart might look else where and can very well land one of the most lucrative financial deals this off season.

#1 Julius Randle - Los Angeles Lakers

Julius Randle

If the rumour mills are to be believed then the LA Lakers are looking to make the biggest splash this offseason, as they are touted to be one of the front-runners to sign LeBron James and Paul George.

That would need them to free up significant cap space and one of the major candidates to be pushed out for it seems to be Julius Randle. Randle has been arguably the Lakers best player this season averaging 16 PPG and 8 RPG while shooting a staggering 55% from the field.

Though the Lakers might want their free agents to sit tight till the James & George situation has some clarity, it is unlikely that someone like Randle would wait around for that long.

Without a doubt, he is one of the brightest young prospects in the league and there would be a lot of teams clamouring to acquire his services if he decides to exercise free agency.