Checking in on free-agent stock of Lopez, Middleton, more

Lopez has offered one of the NBA’s best comeback stories this season, rebounding from back surgery and a mostly lost campaign -- just 25 games played, including playoffs -- in 2021-22. He has been a major factor in Milwaukee’s league-leading 44-17 record, averaging 14.7 PPG, 6.7 RPG and 2.4 BPG on .508/.370/.766 through 60 games (30.3 MPG).

The veteran center, one of the leading candidates for Defensive Player of the Year, has said he hopes to remain with the Bucks longterm -- an interest which is reportedly mutual. While Lopez's pure body of work deserves a raise, his advanced age, may limit him to something in the neighborhood of a two-year contract.

Khris Middleton, F, Bucks

• 2022/23: $37,948,276
• 2023/24: $40,396,552
• Stock: Down

Middleton’s stock has dipped largely due to injuries, which have limited him to just 20 games played this season. The Bucks have been very cautious with the three-time All-Star, who is averaging his fewest minutes per game (21.5) since his rookie season. Despite the small sample size, it’s worth noting that the Bucks have been terrific with Middleton on the court – he has a plus-9.7 net rating, per NBA.com.

A career 38.9% three-point shooter, Middleton is making just 29.9% from deep this season, which has hurt his offensive efficiency (the rest of his shooting numbers are very close to career norms). That seems more like an aberration than a long-term concern.

How Middleton fairs in the Bucks' remaining 21 regular-season games -- plus the postseason -- will likely determine whether or not the 31-year-old decides to pick up his player option for next season. Middleton averaged 23.6 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 5.1 APG and 1.5 SPG during Milwaukee’s championship run a couple years ago and still has the talent to put up big numbers down the stretch, assuming he can maintain his health.

Ayo Dosunmu, G, Bulls

• 2022/23: $1,563,518
• 2023/24: RFA
• Stock: Neutral 

The 38^th pick of the 2021 NBA Draft, Dosunmu had a strong rookie campaign, earning a spot on the All-Rookie Second Team after averaging 8.8 PPG, 2.8 RPG and 3.3 APG on .520/.376/.679 shooting across 77 games played (40 starts, 27.4 MPG).

His numbers have largely held steady during this, his sophomore campaign, with the 23-year-old averaging 9.3 PPG, 3.2 RPG and 2.8 APG on .498/.316/.806 shooting in 60 games (49 starts, 28.1 MPG). The lack of progression, here, is at least somewhat disappointing.

Advanced stats don't particularly like Dosunmu, either, and the Bulls have been better by a pretty significant margin when he’s not on the court. While Dosunmu may not have made a second-year leap, his defensive potential, work ethic and team-first attitude are all pluses on the resume.

Meeting the starter criteria, the value of Dosunmu's qualifying offer has increased to $5,216,324. It will be interesting to see how his restricted free agency plays out.

Hamidou Diallo, G/F, Pistons

• 2022/23: $5,200,000
• 2023/24: UFA
• Stock: Up

Diallo is challenging to evaluate because his strengths and weakness are more pronounced than most players. While he is a non-shooting wing with sometime-tunnel vision, the 24-year-old is also one of the most athletic players in the NBA and plays with a tremendous amount of energy. That hustle and athleticism shows out in his strong defense, crashing of the boards, and ability to drive and deliver on lobs.

The Pistons have an overall defensive rating of 117.6, which ranks 28^th in the league, but when Diallo is on the court, Detroit has the equivalent of the league’s fourth-best defense. He is shooting a career-high 58.1% from the field in large part because he is converting 71.8% of his attempts at the rim – a better mark than many centers.

Sometimes Diallo’s energy carries over into recklessness. He fouls too much and can be turnover-prone. Despite the more polarizing aspects of his game, a deal in the range of $6-10MM per year could be in play given his upside.

Oshae Brissett, F, Pacers

• 2022/23: $1,846,738
• 2023/24: UFA
• Stock: Down

After averaging 9.6 PPG and 5.4 RPG on .428/.368/.716 shooting in 88 games (41 starts, 23.7 MPG) with Indiana from 2020-22, Brissett had an opportunity to establish himself as a reliable rotation player in a contract year. Unfortunately, those ambitions have not been realized as we head into the spring.

Averaging just 5.5 PPG and 3.4 RPG on .388/.333/.693 shooting in 49 games in ‘22/23, Brissett's playing time has been cut back to 16.0 MPG. He has been a healthy scratch in seven of the Pacers' last eight games.

Still just 24 years old, Brissett should land another (relatively small) deal in free agency — he’s a solid rebounder and defender. But those shooting numbers are a problem at this juncture.