NBA Draft 2019: Top 25 undrafted players since 2000

Kent Bazemore became a solid two-way player at the end of his time at Old Dominion. As a senior, he averaged 15.4 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game while leading the Colonial Athletic Association in steals per contest. He was one of the best defenders in the league as well, thanks to his wingspan and size on the perimeter.

It still wasn’t good enough to get drafted, but he was able to land on the Golden State Warriors’ roster in 2013. But his break came a year later when he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, joining a decimated roster that won just 27 total games. Bazemore averaged 13 points per game in the final 23 games of the season to get a contract from the Atlanta Hawks.

After coming off the bench the first season, Bazemore replaced DeMarre Carroll on the wing as a full-time starter. The 6-foot-5 guard averaged over double figures, while playing very good defense. He was one of the best performers on the 2015-16 Hawks team in the playoffs and even had the defensive assignment on LeBron James against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Bazemore turned the success into one of the largest free agent contracts ever for a former undrafted player, re-signing with Atlanta for four years, $70 million. He’s effectively been the same since, consistently scoring double figures, although the efficiency concerns rose again this past season. There are also questions about where he’ll fit into this new era of Hawks led by Trae Young and John Collins.

Approaching 30 years old this offseason, it’s not likely that Bazemore will get another big free agent contract. But it’s clear that the guard will have a few more years left in the league to contribute at a good level. After next season, look for teams to make a push to land a good wing prospect that can impact the game.

Career stats (483 games): 8.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists per game