Every year there are always a few guys that somehow fall totally out of the draft but still have the sills and talent to play for an NBA team. This year's deep draft class has produced more of those guys than usual, including big names like Aaron Craft and James Michael McAdoo.
So, who are the 11 best rookies left, and which teams should try to sign them?
11) Aaron Craft, PG, Ohio State
Best fit: Cleveland Cavaliers
Craft is already a hero in Ohio, so why go anywhere else? He won't give you much of anything on the offensive end, but his defensive skills are off the charts. Craft would be nice change of pace from Kyrie Irving, who doesn't play a lot of defense.
10) Jordan Bachynski, C, Arizona State
Best fit: Los Angeles Lakers
LA was not a good defense team last year, and they had no rim protector. Bachynski would immediately help that (4.03 bpg his senior season) nullify a lot of errors his teammates may make on that end.
9) Bryce Cotton, PG, Providence
Best fit: Charlotte Hornets
Charlotte needs someone to back up Kemba Walker with Luke Ridnour on the free agency market, and Cotton is an intriguing prospect. He's small (6'1", 163 lbs.), but led Providence to the Big East title while averaging 21 ppg, six apg, and 39.9 minutes per game (they play 40 in college). Cotton's 46-inch vertical got attention of scouts, and his athelticism, scoring, passing, and leadership make him a perfect option to lead a bench unit that struggled to score last year.
8 ) C.J. Fair, SF/PF, Syracuse
Best fit: Boston Celtics
Boston needs someone who will be able to replace an aging Gerald Wallace off the bench, and Fair is a good option. He's not the defender Wallace is, but he's good enough offensively and on the glass towarrant a spot in the rotation.
7) Melvin Ejim, SF, Iowa State
Best fit: Toronto Raptors
This works because 1) Ejim is from Toronto and 2) He'd provide them with a versatile option off the bench. Ejim has below-average athleticism for a small forward, but is too short to play power forward. However, his scoring and rebounding abilities should get him on the roster.
6) Sean Kilpatrick, SG, Cincinnati
Best fit: Chicago Bulls
Chicago made strides in improving their offense by drafting Doug McDermott, they need to continue to look for scorers. Kilpatrick scored over 2,000 points during his college career and can effectively defend his position. He'd be perfect for Chicago.
5) LaQuinton Ross, SF, Ohio State
Best fit: Detroit Pistons
The Pistons need to get deeper on the wing, and Ross might be the best one available. He does come with some attitude concerns, but he plays good enough defense and is a solid spot-up shooter that would be great in Stan Van Gundy's penetrate-and-kick system.
4) Patric Young, C, Florida
Best fit: Los Angeles Clippers
Lob City has been looking for a third big man to come off the bench behind Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, and no one is better suited for that role than Young. He'd drastically improve the Clippers weak rebounding numbers and would provide them with a toughness inside they haven't had.
3) James Michael McAdoo, PF, North Carolina
Best fit: Washington Wizards
The Wizards also need to add depth to their big man rotation, and who better than McAdoo? He's a great rebounder and is supremely athletic - someone who could run the floor effectively with John Wall and Bradley Beal.
2) DeAndre Kane, PG/SG, Iowa State
Best fit: Oklahoma City Thunder
With Reggie Jackson entering the starting lineup, OKC needs some backcourt help off the bench. At 6'6", Kane has great vision, can play either guard spot, and can score inside and out. He'd provide the Thunder with the versatility they need.
1) Jahii Carson, PG, Arizona State
Best fit: Minnesota Timberwolves
Carson has been compared to Nate Robinson for his small size (5'10") but big ability to score points in a hurry. He'd be a great bench option behind the taller, more offensively-challenged Ricky Rubio.
Who do you think is the best undrafted free agent? Where should these guys go? Send your thoughts and responses to @brauf33.
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