2022 NBA Free Agency: 3 small forwards that need to be signed
By Dalton Sell
It has now been several weeks since 2022 NBA Free Agency first began, and the market has gone quiet as of late. As teams look to put the finishing touches on their roster ahead of next season, they should scour which players remain in free agency, as there are several that could still be worth a roster spot for the 2022-23 season.
One particular position of interest is the small forward position, as there are three names that immediately come to mind that would be solid additions to most teams. After looking at the point guard and shooting guard positions, let us now look at three small forwards that are yet to be signed and could make for intriguing pickups this offseason.
2022 NBA Free Agency: 3 small forwards that need to be signed – Jordan Nwora
After being selected in the second round of the 2020 NBA Draft, Jordan Nwora has had a difficult time trying to carve out a role for himself with the Milwaukee Bucks. Due to their title-contending status, the Bucks have relied heavily on experienced veterans over young talent, which has mainly kept Nwora out of the rotation. The 23-year-old is currently a restricted free agent, and whoever eventually signs him could potentially land a hidden gem.
While Nwora’s playing time was inconsistent this past season, he often showed potential in the games when he received significant time. Nwora shined when he started for the Bucks last season, having averaged 16.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 34.9 minutes per contest across 13 games.
If a team were able to offer a prominent role, he could potentially put up numbers like this more consistently. At 23 years old, Nwora still has plenty of room to develop, but his limited action in Milwaukee could be holding him back to some degree.
At the time of this writing, Nwora remains a restricted free agent. That means Milwaukee is able to match any offer made to Nwora, but it is unclear whether or not they would, depending on how much an opposing team offers.
A young team like the Oklahoma City Thunder or Orlando Magic should take a closer look at Nwora, as the soon-to-be third-year forward could fit snugly into their rebuild and potentially become a nightly contributor in the proper role. The minutes just are not there for the 23-year-old in Milwaukee, and any team that takes a flyer on Nwora may land a potential steal.