Eight former Wildcats await offers now that NBA Free Agency has begun

If you lined up Brinks trucks around New Circle Road, you probably still would not have enough storage space for the amount of cash signed to former Kentucky players in the NBA. This summer alone, teams have committed $456 million to just three former ‘Cats in the free-agent pool. This doesn’t even include Bam Adebayo’s $165 million extension that won’t take effect until the 2025-26 season.

Tyrese Maxey maxed out his deal at five years and $203.5 million to remain the star guard in Philly, Immanuel Quickley signed a five-year $175 million deal to become the cornerstone in Toronto, and Malik Monk is getting $78 million for four more years in Sacramento.

NBA Free Agency officially begins at 12:01 a.m. Saturday morning, July 6, (although teams have been negotiating with players since June 30). As dozens of players wait for their phones to ring, here are the Kentucky guys who played in the league last season, but are still hoping for an NBA offer (or a better offer than what they have).

TyTy Washington Jr. | Unrestricted Free Agent

After a draft-day slip to the end of the first round, TyTy Washington has yet to find a footing in the NBA. He played last year for the Milwaukee Bucks (mostly with their G League affiliate), however, the franchise declined his $1.87 million qualifying offer and now he will be looking for what will technically be his seventh team in three years due to getting bounced around in trades.

Washington has had some huge games in the G League, but will likely need to make an impact for an NBA team this season to stay in the league.

Brandon Boston Jr. | Unrestricted Free Agent

After much hype, Brandon Boston Jr. was part of the most forgettable season in Kentucky history. Despite that, his potential landed him with the LA Clippers, where he has served at the end of the bench for three years. Now he will be looking for a new home, as the Clips declined his $2.48 million qualifying offer.

Boston has had several games where he flashed signs of tremendous upside, including a 27-point outbreak against the Celtics in December of 2021. Unfortunately, those spots have been few and far between and he is now looking for another team to take a chance on him.

Olivier Sarr | Unrestricted Free Agent

Olivier Sarr also played for the Kentucky team we shall not speak of and has since found himself on the fringe of NBA rosters. He spent last season on a two-way deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder, but they declined his $2.17 million qualifying offer, making him an unrestricted free agent.

The Washington Wizards just drafted Sarr’s younger brother, Alex, with the second-overall pick in the NBA Draft, so could we see a courtesy signing in our nation’s capital shortly? Only time will tell, but Sarr’s length, shooting touch, and now blood relation will likely be enough for another team to pick him up.

Ashton Hagans | Unrestricted Free Agent

Ashton Hagans made a surprise resurgence into the NBA last year, signing a two-way contract with the Portland Trailblazers and serving on their active roster for a good chunk of time at the end of the season. He even got a couple of starts due to injuries and played well during his time on the court. Unfortunately, Portland decided to decline his $1.87 qualifying offer and he will once again be on the lookout for a new home.

Hagans has been a steady hand in the G League since he left Kentucky, but his improvement last season landed him on an NBA roster. Let’s see if that momentum will carry forward to another team.

Hamidou Diallo | Unrestricted Free Agent

Technically, Hamidou Diallo is not on the NBA’s official list of free agents, but he played for the Wizards last season on a 10-day contract so I included him on this list. The former Slam Dunk champion spent most of his career with the Detroit Pistons but played almost entirely in the G League last year.

Diallo can still jump over a house and his experience should not be discarded. It will be interesting to see if he sticks around in the NBA next season or opts to explore offers overseas.

Oscar Tshiebwe | Restricted Free Agent

To absolutely no one’s surprise, Oscar Tshiebwe dominated the G League last year. Unfortunately, the most noise he made during an Indiana Pacers game was getting into a squabble with Giannis Antetokounmpo over who got to take home the game ball.

The Pacers picked up his $1.87 million qualifying offer as a two-way player, so unless another team comes around and offers more, we will see Big O back with Indiana next season.

Jacob Toppin | Restricted Free Agent

Kentucky’s other two-way contract rookie, Jacob Toppin, participated in All-Star weekend even though he didn’t see much time on the floor for the New York Knicks. Although he got hosed in the Slam Dunk Contest, the Knickerbockers picked up his $1.87 million option to stick around in the Big Apple for another season.

A different team could offer him more as a restricted free agent, but it is safe to say he will give it another go with New York.

Johnny Juzang | Restricted Free Agent

Yes, I still consider Johnny Juzang a former Kentucky Wildcat even though he transferred. Don’t at me. The man who had a remarkable NCAA breakout wearing the wrong color blue has been a reliable shooter as a professional.

The Utah Jazz picked up his $2.09 million qualifying offer, so barring a bigger paycheck somewhere else, Juzang will remain in Utah next season.