Saddiq Bey, a forward for the Hawks, made his 41st start of the year earlier this week, fulfilling the “starter criteria” for prospective restricted free agents.
The amount of an RFA-to-be’s qualifying offer is determined by meeting two requirements: either he averages 41 starts (or 2,000 minutes) in his final two seasons prior to free agency, or he starts 41 games or plays 2,000 minutes in the final season of his contract.
Bey’s qualifying offer will be worth roughly $2 million more now that he satisfies the starter criteria. Bey, the No. 19 overall selection in the 2020 draft, was originally projected to have a QO worth $6,498,258, but that amount has since been increased to $8,486,620, which is the equivalent of what the No. 9 pick in his draft class would receive.
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Whether or not Bey’s tiny bump will actually affect his free agency is still to be seen. The 24-year-old’s qualifying offer will essentially serve as a stand-in until his new contract is signed if the Hawks extend it and the player signs a multiyear agreement. Despite his intriguing skill set, he has been inconsistent this season, shooting a career-worst 31.6% from three-point range.
The Hawks, who have over $158 million in guaranteed money committed to ten players in 2024–2025, may be hesitant to extend that qualifying offer in light of the increase from $6.5 million to $8.5 million. Additionally, that extra $2 million might make taking the one-year offer appealing if Bey does really earn a QO and isn’t immediately able to find a more tempting multiyear deal.
Bey joins Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey and Bulls big Patrick Williams as the third potential restricted free agent this season to achieve the starter requirements. It was actually reached by former Pistons player Killian Hayes as well, but Detroit waived him later, so he was out of the running for restricted free agency this summer.