Through the Phog
Fansided

Kansas basketball: Three former Jayhawks hit NBA Free Agency

By Joshua Schulman

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 20: Kelly Oubre Jr. #12 of the Charlotte Hornets dunks the ball in the second quarter during their game against the Indiana Pacers at Spectrum Center on March 20, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 20: Kelly Oubre Jr. #12 of the Charlotte Hornets dunks the ball in the second quarter during their game against the Indiana Pacers at Spectrum Center on March 20, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

A trio of former Kansas basketball players entered NBA Free Agency today. Find out who they are.

With Gradey Dick and Jalen Wilson being selected in this year’s NBA Draft, the Kansas Jayhawks now boast 13 players in the best basketball league in the world. A handful of them will look for new teams during NBA Free Agency, which officially began at 5:00 p.m. CT.

Kelly Oubre Jr., Svi Mykhailiuk, and Markieff Morris are all unrestricted free agents this summer. Former teammates Oubre and Svi ended the season playing for the Charlotte Hornets, while the veteran Morris twin was part of the blockbuster deal that sent Kyrie Irving to the Dallas Mavericks.

Oubre has had an injury-plagued career but is coming off a season where he averaged 20.3 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. His next contract may approach the six-figure range. However, that is dependent on whether an NBA team is willing to overlook his medical history. The Hornets are reportedly unlikely to retain him, and the Cleveland Cavaliers have been mentioned as a potential suitor.

Mykhailiuk bounced around with the New York Knicks and Hornets last season, ending the year on a scoring tear. His 17-point-per-game average in Charlotte in the final nine games of 2022-23 might earn him a guaranteed deal in free agency. Meanwhile, Markieff is entering his age 35 season and offers very little besides a veteran presence. If he does secure a contract, it will likely be for the veteran’s minimum of $2.72 million per year.

Udoka Azubuike was also a UFA after the Utah Jazz declined his team option, but he already signed a non-guaranteed deal to play for the Boston Celtics in the Summer League. He’ll have an opportunity to fight for a two-way contract if he performs well enough in the offseason tournament.

It’s pleasant to see that nearly a dozen former Jayhawks have ensured a spot on an NBA roster next year. MVP Joel Embiid signed a 4-year, $213,248,000 contract through the 2026-27 season.

Next. Ranking the 25 best Kansas basketball NBA careers. dark

Follow @ThroughThePhog on Twitter and like our page @throughthephog on Facebook for more Kansas Jayhawks coverage.

Home/Kansas Jayhawks Basketball