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NBA: Five Under-The-Radar Free Agents Your Team Needs To Know

By Maxwell Ogden

Jan 24, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward Patrick Patterson (54) during the first half at an NBA game against the San Antonio Spurs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward Patrick Patterson (54) during the first half at an NBA game against the San Antonio Spurs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 27, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks guard Justin Holiday (8) celebrates with Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 27, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks guard Justin Holiday (8) celebrates with Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

Justin Holiday, UFA

Position: Guard/Forward
Age: 28 (4/5/1989)
Experience: 4th Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .433/.355/.825
2016-17 Season Averages: 20.0 MPG, 7.7 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 1.2 APG, 0.8 SPG, 1.2 3PM

Don’t let the name on the front of the jersey trick you into thinking Justin Holiday abandoned defense in 2016-17. 10 members of the New York Knicks saw at least 1,000 minutes of court time, and Holiday led them all with a Defensive Rating of 105.0.

That number dropped to 111.4 when he came off the floor—a difference of 6.4 points per 100 possessions.

With a versatile offensive skill set, a high ceiling on defense, and an uncanny ability to make the right play when it’s needed most, Holiday could be the ultimate glue guy for a contender.

Holiday is a solid 3-point shooter who converted 97 of his 273 attempts in 2016-17—good for a clip of 35.5 percent. He’s also a capable ball-handler who can create off the bounce in a pinch, as well as a solid passer who can work the pick and roll.

Holiday may not be a featured offensive player for the team he signs with, but he selflessly works without the ball and picks his spots when he looks to score or create.

Beyond the numbers and the skills is what truly makes Holiday a special player. Whether it’s a 3-point field goal to stymie an opposition’s run, a long rebound that none of his teammates are going for, or a key defensive stop, Holiday simply finds himself in the right place at the right time.

On a team with its stars already in place, Holiday could be the perfect high-level role player to help close out games and round out a championship rotation.

For what it’s worth: of the shooting guards who played at least 20.0 minutes per game in 2016-17, Holiday ranked No. 5 in Defensive Real Plus-Minus.