Summary

Eight years after being drafted, Kidd-Gilchrist will hit free agency for the first time. The former #2 overall pick as yet to live up to expecations, and that has mostly been due to his complete lack of a jump shot. But in today's NBA, Kidd-Gilchrist could still have value as a small-ball four or even a super-small-ball center. He plays hard, and has the length and athleticism to defend multiple positions. Surround him with enough shooting on offense, and it's possible a team could thrive with him hanging out in the dunker spot or operating at the high post. However, Kidd-Gilchrist is not very skilled to excel at these areas the way other small-ball bigs do.

 

Kidd-Gilchrist essentially fell out of the Hornets' rotation before being waived and signing with the Mavericks. If Kidd-Gilchrist can play well for the Mavericks in the playoffs, he could improve his market. The truth is that the former Kentucky Wildcat is likely a zero on offense, but with his defensive ability he could be a net positive if you can put enough offense around him so that his inabilities do not destroy the offense.

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Cap Considerations

Kidd-Gilchrist will be an unrestricted free agent with a $1.6 million cap hold and Non-Bird Rights. This means that the highest starting salary the Mavericks could offer him using the Non-Bird Exception is $2.8 million. Alternatively, the Mavericks could use their Mid-Level Exception or Bi-Annual Exception, or cap space if they operate under the salary cap, to re-sign Kidd-Gilchrist if he demands more than $2.8 million.

 

Other teams will have multiple ways to sign Kidd-Gilchrist as even teams without cap space could possibly use any of the Non-Taxpayer, Taxpayer, or Room Mid-Level Exceptions to sign him. There is even the possiblity that he only signs a minimum contract this offseason.