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NBA: 5 Best Remaining Free Agents

By Gerald Bourguet

Jan 25, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Dion Waiters (23) defends a shot by Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith (5) in the first quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Dion Waiters (23) defends a shot by Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith (5) in the first quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 23, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Maurice Harkless (4) dunks the ball against Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) during the first quarter of the game at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Maurice Harkless

Another restricted free agent, Maurice Harkless is the last potential piece of the puzzle for general manager Neil Olshey’s summer.

The Portland Trail Blazers had a mixed bag this offseason, overpaying Evan Turner (even under the new salary cap) after missing out on Chandler Parsons; grabbing an absolute steal in Festus Ezeli at $14.7 million over two years; and once again overpaying to match a four-year, $75 million offer from the Brooklyn Nets on Allen Crabbe.

Despite Portland’s two overpays, or perhaps because of it, no one has tested the Blazers on 23-year-old swingman Mo Harkless.

It makes sense, given his raw skill set at this point. Last season marked Harkless’ fourth in the NBA, but he only averaged 6.4 points and 3.6 rebounds in 18.7 minutes per game for a very young but surprisingly competitive Trail Blazers team.

The Orlando Magic were unwise to pass on his potential in the first place (which has been a recurring theme for the Magic over the last year or so), but with Harkless possibly playing out the 2016-17 season on his $4 million qualifying offer, a team with enough cap space looking to burn some extra money might consider Harkless a viable option.

Then again, considering how Olshey was so quick to match a massive offer for Crabbe, his unwillingness to blink might scare away some prospective buyers and leave Harkless to his qualifying offer.

Next: No. 2