A memorable NBA offseason has been dominated by big names like LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jaylen Brown, and potentially Kawhi Leonard changing teams. But for every superstar acquisition, multiple deals involving lesser names can slip through the cracks.
Here are the five most underrated additions of the offseason thus far.
Dean Wade to the 76ers
As talented and top-heavy as the new-look Sixers are, there are genuine questions as to how all the pieces fit together (on both ends of the court). Wade's presence should help Philadelphia figure that out.
Wade is a low-maintenance, 3-and-D forward who can play alongside any combination of the team's ball-dominant stars. Though he now projects as a reserve on a loaded Sixers team, he can also moonlight as a starter when need be.
Wade has never averaged more than six points per game, but Philly doesn't need another scorer. What the Sixers do need is a cheap, dependable glue guy who's willing to do the dirty work. That's Wade, who emerged as a versatile defensive forward over seven years in Cleveland. He's also shot better than 35% from deep in every season of his career and has converted 37.1% of his long-range attempts over the last three seasons. On a four-year contract that pays him about 5% of the salary cap, Wade should prove to be a bargain.
Naz Reid to the Hornets
Charlotte's acquisition of Reid was overshadowed by the Hornets trading former franchise star LaMelo Ball in the same transaction. However, Reid is so much more than a salary-matching vet. The former Sixth Man of the Year will finally get his chance to be a full-time starter, and he should run with it.
Reid is a solid two-way big man who can play as a power forward or a small-ball center, and he's a career 37% 3-point shooter who can stretch opposing defenses. A smart and respected player, Reid should fit into what the Hornets are trying to build around Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller. Expect him to quickly become a fan favorite in Charlotte, just as he was in Minnesota.
Reid turns 27 in August and is on a reasonable long-term contract that pays him less than 15% of the annual cap, so he's still young enough to factor into the Hornets' long-term plans.
John Collins to the Pistons
Collins never reached the All-Star ceiling many envisioned for him, but the veteran forward is probably underrated at this point. The 28-year-old is a productive and efficient big man who's improved as a defender and shooter.
Collins was one of just four qualified players to shoot better than 60% inside the arc and 40% from deep last season. In addition, among 83 players who averaged at least 13 points per game, Collins' true shooting percentage of 64.3% ranked sixth. A three-year, $51-million contract in which only the first year (and $17 million) is guaranteed represents a clear offseason win for Detroit in an otherwise disappointing summer.
Assuming the Pistons eventually retain All-Star center (and reportedly disgruntled restricted free agent) Jalen Duren, Collins can act as a floor-spacing frontcourt partner with him or as an interior scorer in smaller lineups.
Matisse Thybulle to the Lakers
After losing James and remaking their roster to optimize Luka Doncic, the Lakers were left in an uninspiring place. Los Angeles looks like an incomplete, one-way team that no longer has the financial flexibility or assets to address its glaring needs in the coming years. However, Thybulle - who signed a one-year, veteran's minimum contract - could help the Lakers mask some of those deficiencies.
Thybulle is an elite stopper and defensive playmaker who's offered glimpses of an improved 3-point stroke. The 6-foot-5 wing player converted 41.1% of his long-range attempts over his last two injury-derailed seasons, and he should get plenty of open looks playing with Doncic and Austin Reaves. It wouldn't shock me if Thybulle nudges his way into the Lakers' starting lineup and emerges as one of the team's most important players.
To do that, however, he'll have to stay healthy. After averaging 69.6 appearances per 82 games over the first five years of his career, the 29-year-old missed 119 games over the last two seasons due to thumb, ankle, and knee injuries.
Zaccharie Risacher to the Mavericks
A three-team trade between the Hawks, Thunder, and Mavericks was headlined by longtime Thunder starter Lu Dort landing in Atlanta and the fact that Oklahoma City ducked the second apron. But it was Dallas that acquired a former No. 1 overall pick in the deal, giving up Ryan Nembhard in order to take a flier on Risacher.
His current claim to fame is being the top pick sandwiched between Victor Wembanyama's and Cooper Flagg's draft classes. Now the French forward will get to play with Flagg.
The 21-year-old is unlikely to live up to the expectations that come with his draft slot, but he's a good defensive prospect and a solid enough (36%) 3-point shooter in a 6-foot-8 body. There's still the potential for plenty of value there. Expect the Mavs to find some of it as part of their rebuild.
Risacher isn't burdened with the same weight of expectations in Dallas that he carried in Atlanta. If he can emerge as even a consistent 3-and-D starter beside Flagg, the Mavs will be celebrating.
Honorable mention: Ryan Nembhard to the Hawks
In the same transaction that sent Risacher to Dallas and Dort to Atlanta, the Hawks also acquired Nembhard. Don't dismiss the 23-year-old guard, who averaged 6.6 points and 5.3 assists as a rookie. He's a young floor general with great playmaking instincts, and he averaged roughly 13 points and seven assists on 70% true shooting in his first eight games as a starter in November and December.
Joseph Casciaro is theScore's lead NBA reporter.
