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2017 NBA free agency: 5 players to stay away from

By Brian Sampson

Apr 18, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) talks with forward Serge Ibaka (9) after beating Milwaukee Bucks 106-100 in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 18, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) talks with forward Serge Ibaka (9) after beating Milwaukee Bucks 106-100 in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 7, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Washington Wizards forward Otto Porter Jr. (22) against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Otto Porter Jr.

Oh, Otto Porter. He is a great example of a conundrum some teams face every year in regards to the salary cap, especially with the cap exploding last season.

There will be some poor team out there who ends up giving this dude max money. Porter, who averaged 13.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists will be getting paid between $20-25 million a year beginning in 2017-18.

I call it the Allen Crabbe effect.

Porter has made improvements every season, increasing his points, rebounds, field goal percentage and especially his long range efficiency. This past season, Porter shot 43.4 percent from the outside on 4.3 attempts per game. Perhaps this is what makes him most attractive.

Per Game Table
Season Age Tm Pos G GS MP FG% 3P% eFG% TRB AST STL PTS
2013-14 20 WAS SF 37 0 8.6 .363 .190 .385 1.5 0.3 0.2 2.1
2014-15 21 WAS SF 74 13 19.4 .450 .337 .495 3.0 0.9 0.6 6.0
2015-16 22 WAS SF 75 73 30.3 .473 .367 .541 5.2 1.6 1.4 11.6
2016-17 23 WAS SF 80 80 32.6 .516 .434 .608 6.4 1.5 1.5 13.4
Career 266 166 24.9 .481 .389 .552 4.4 1.2 1.0 9.3

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table

Don’t get me wrong, Porter is a good player. But he’s just that — good. He can shoot the outside shot, rebound and play some defense. However, he’s never going to be your go-to scorer or a guy who will make huge plays for you late in ballgames.

And that’s OKAY. Not everyone in the league can be that guy. The NBA also needs players like Porter who can excel in their role of supporting cast.

Porter didn’t make this list because he’s a bad player. He’s on this list because of the price it will cost your team to sign him. He’s a restricted free agent and all signs point to the Washington Wizards re-signing him. The only way he might slip away is if a team comes in with a very overwhelming offer.

Next: 2017 NBA free agency tracker - Grades for every deal so far

When I think of a max-contract guy, Otto Porter Jr. just isn’t it. Stay away from him in free agency.