If you lined up Brinker trucks around New Circle Road, there wouldn't be enough space to store the money from signing former Kentucky players to the NBA. Just this summer, the team has spent $456 million on three former Kentucky players in the free-agent pool. That doesn't include Bam Adebayo's $165 million extension, which doesn't take effect until the 2025-26 season.
Tyrese Maxey He signed a five-year, $203.5 million contract max extension to remain Philadelphia's star guard. Immanuel Quickley He signed a five-year, $175 million contract to become a cornerstone of Toronto. Malik Monk He will receive $78 million over the next four years in Sacramento.
NBA free agency officially begins at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, July 6 (though teams have been negotiating with players since June 30). As dozens of players wait for the phone to ring, here are some Kentucky players who played in the league last season but are still hoping for an offer (or a better offer than they currently have) from the NBA.
TyTy Washington Jr. | Unrestricted Free Agent
After falling to the end of the first round on draft day, Tytai Washington He has yet to find his footing in the NBA, spending last year with the Milwaukee Bucks (mostly with their G League affiliate) before turning down a $1.87 million qualifying offer from the team and bouncing around in trades, leaving him searching for his seventh team in three years.
Washington has had some impressive games in the G League, but he will need to make an impact with an NBA team this season to stay in the league.
Brandon Boston Jr. | Unrestricted Free Agent
After much publicity, Brandon Boston Jr. It was one of the most memorable seasons in Kentucky history. Despite that, his potential led him to join the Los Angeles Clippers, where he played at the end of the bench for three years. The Clippers turned down his $2.48 million qualifying offer, so he's now looking for a new team.
There were some games in Boston where he showed signs of great improvement, including a 27-point performance against the Celtics in December 2021. Unfortunately, those moments have been few and far between, and he is now looking for another team to give him an opportunity.
OLIVIER SARRE | UNRESTRICTLY FREE AGENT
Olivier Sarr He also played for a Kentucky team we won't mention here and has been on the fringe of NBA rosters ever since. He spent last season on a two-way contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder, but the team rejected his $2.17 million qualifying offer, making him an unrestricted free agent.
The Washington Wizards just selected Sarr's brother, Alex, with the No. 2 overall pick in the NBA Draft, so maybe we'll see a signing in the U.S. capital soon. Time will tell, but Sarr's height, shooting touch and family connections could be enough to lure other teams into acquiring him.
Ashton Hagans | Unrestricted Free Agent
Ashton Hagans He made a surprise return to the NBA last year by signing a two-way contract with the Portland Trail Blazers and being a part of the active roster for a significant period towards the end of the season. He played well while on the court, even missing a few starts due to injury. Unfortunately, Portland decided to decline his qualifying offer of $1.87, and he will once again be searching for a new team.
Hagans has been a steady player in the G League since leaving Kentucky, but his development last season earned him a spot on an NBA roster, so we'll see if that momentum carries over to other teams.
Hamidou Diallo | Unrestricted Free Agent
Technically, Hamidou Diallo He's not on the NBA's official free agent list, but we're including him here because he played last season with the Wizards on a 10-day contract. The former slam dunk champion spent most of his career with the Detroit Pistons, but spent most of last year in the G League.
Diallo still has the ability to fly far beyond home and his experience shouldn't be wasted, so it will be interesting to see if he remains in the NBA next season or chooses to explore offers overseas.
Oscar Tshiebwe | Restricted Free Agent
Nobody was surprised, Oscar Tshiebwe He took the G League by storm last year, but unfortunately, his biggest moment against the Indiana Pacers was getting into an altercation with Giannis Antetokounmpo over who would bring home the game ball.
The Pacers received a qualifying offer of $1.87 million as a two-way player, so unless another team makes a higher offer, the Big O will likely return to Indiana next season.
Jacob Toppin | Restricted Free Agent
Kentucky's other rookie on a two-way contract: Jacob ToppinDespite not seeing much time on the court with the New York Knicks, he participated in All-Star Weekend and lost in the Slam Dunk Contest, but the Knicks picked up his $1.87 million option to keep him in New York for another season.
It's possible that other teams will offer him more as a restricted free agent, but it's safe to say he'll give New York another shot.
Johnny Juzang | Restricted Free Agent
Yes, still under consideration Johnny Juzang Despite transferring schools, the former Kentucky Wildcats player — don't blame me — was a standout performer in the NCAAs wearing the wrong color blue, and has since turned pro and become a reliable shooter.
The Utah Jazz accepted his qualifying offer of $2.09 million, so Juzang is likely to remain with Utah next season unless he takes a bigger salary elsewhere.
