2017 NBA free agency: 5 best remaining free agents

4. Nikola Mirotic

Nikola Mirotic is another player who didn’t take a direct path to the NBA. Although his journey wasn’t as nearly long or complicated as Simmons’, it was still unique in its own way.

After three seasons with the Chicago Bulls, Mirotic is finally finding his own in the NBA.

The power forward played the greatest stretch of his NBA career after the All-Star break last season. He posted 14.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game while shooting 41.3 percent from the three-point line.

All of those would be career-highs if they occurred over the course of a full season.

The restricted free agent also posted an 114 offensive rating and 104 defensive rating after the All-Star break.

Although Mirotic struggled in the playoffs, shooting only 28 percent from deep, it’s hard to blame him as the Bulls were going up against the Boston Celtics.

His value lies in his ability to stretch the floor from the power forward position, which is a prize to be had in this league.

Although is suitors are drying up, Mirotic still hopes to command a nice salary going into next season. However, as a restricted free agent he doesn’t have many suitors at this point.

In the end, Mirotic’s ability to carry his post All-Star break performance into next season will be the deciding factor to how effective he can be.