21. Delon Wright, Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks signed Delon Wright to a bargain contract, adding a strong defensive complement to Luka Doncic in the backcourt. Wright’s numbers took a hard turn in the right direction at the trade deadline last season, when he joined Memphis as part of the Marc Gasol trade.
Entering his prime at 27 years old, Wright is a long, versatile perimeter defender who can handle both guard spots for Dallas. He’s also a skillful in-between scorer and facilitator, but his 3-point stroke is a bit shaky.
20. Ricky Rubio, Phoenix Suns
A strong facilitator with well-defined limitations, Ricky Rubio will add stability to the Suns’ backcourt next season. He will take a load off Devin Booker, providing Phoenix with a next-level basketball I.Q. who can manipulate defenders with his court vision and passing chops.
Where Rubio falls short is his scoring. He simply doesn’t pose a major deep threat — even after a jump to 3.7 attempts per game last season. His rickety outside shot, in conjunction with general ineffectiveness as a scorer, place a clear ceiling on Rubio’s impact.
19. Goran Dragic, Miami Heat
Injuries have gotten to Goran Dragic, who’s 33 years old and is going into his 12th NBA season. His future in Miami is uncertain, and there’s a chance Justise Winslow and more unconventional point guard options eventually take priority for Erik Spoelstra.
Still, there’s reason to believe the former All-Star can find new life next season. The Heat will strive for a new competitive level with Jimmy Butler, while Dragic — for the time being — is healthy. He’s still a heady player who can put the ball in the basket.