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2022 Free Agents - Kendrick Nunn

Summary
Nunn had a breakout year in 2019-2020, starting for most of the season and finishing in the top three in Rookie of the Year voting. Nunn has the ability to beat his man off the dribble and get to the rim. He's a super quick straight-line driver, but also has some shake to get by defenders in isolation. He hasn't developed much of a step-back game, but he can hit pull-up jumpers.

You'd like to see him develop into a craftier pick-and-roll playmaker, and doing so could make him into a better lead-guard. As of now, Nunn is best served being a secondary creator next to a playmaking wing like Jimmy Butler, and will try to provide similar value for the Lakers playing next to Lebron James. He can also provide some scoring in 2nd units that don't have much shot creation. Nunn was efficient in the '19-'20 and 20-'21 seasons, as his 54% eFG% was well above-average for a guard.

Nunn was unable to play at all in '21-'22 due to health reasons. Nunn is a little older than most players with his amount of experience, as he'll already be 27 when the '22-'23 season starts. Because he's made relatively little money thus far in his career, I assume Nunn would be eager to lock in as much long-term money as possible, even if it means going to a worse team or a worse fit. However, based on the fact he didn't play at all this year, his best bet may be to opt in and try again in 2023.

 
Cap Considerations
Nunn has a $5.3 million player option for next season, and if he declines that option he will be an unrestricted free agent with an $6 million cap hold and Non-Bird Rights. If Nunn opts for free agency, the Lakers will be somewhat limited in their means of re-signing him. Since they will only have his Non-Bird Rights, the most they could offer him using the Non-Bird Exception is a contract starting at $6 million.

This may not be enough to re-sign Nunn, and the Lakers will most likely only have the Taxpayer MLE of $6.3 million, so Non-Bird rights are the Lakers' best hope of re-signing Nunn. If Nunn returns on a one-year contract, the Lakers could pay him more in 2023 when they have his Early Bird Rights, but even then they would only be able to offer him 5% more than the average salary (around $11 million).

Since Nunn will likely not be able to get more than the full Nontaxpayer MLE of $10.3 million, even teams without cap space could pursue Nunn if he opts out.

Potential Teams: Lakers, Grizzlies, Mavericks, Celtics, Nuggets

Predicted Contract: Opt-In: $5.3 million

Actual Contract: Opt-In: $5.3 million

Actual Contract: Nunn opted in as expected, and will hope to have a healthy season heading into free agency in 2023.

Last updated: 6/22/2022

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