With the start of training camp just a month away, several NBA free agents are still available in the market.
From Carmelo Anthony to DeMarcus Cousins, there are still some veteran players ready to fill in the final spot in the teams’ roster.
Dwight Howard
The veteran big man comes off a solid season with the Los Angeles Lakers, averaging 6.2 points and 5.9 rebounds in 60 games.
The 2020 NBA champion and 8-time All-Star can offer decent solutions on both ends, coming off the bench as a backup center.
Trevor Ariza
Trevor Ariza struggled with the Los Angeles Lakers last season, as an ankle injury cost him a few months of action. Since his return, he never found his place in the team’s rotation and played just 24 games, averaging 4 points and 3.1 boards.
However, like Dwight Howard, his veteran experience could make him a valuable piece of a team’s second unit.
Paul Millsap
Paul Millsap is still a free agent after leaving the Philadelphia 76ers in May. He spent last season between the Sixers and the Brooklyn Nets, but never found his place in the rotation.
A decent power forward, capable of scoring from inside the paint and beyond the arc, and an average defender, Millsap can be productive as a backup power forward coming off the bench.
Blake Griffin
A former All-Star and MVP candidate, Blake Griffin knows that his prime years are behind him. Still, though, he can succeed in a complementary role as part of the second unit and has been linked to both the Lakers and the Clippers.
LaMarcus Aldridge
Just like Blake Griffin, LaMarcus Aldridge seeks a return to the high level he used to play during his time with the Portland Trail Blazers (2006-2015) and San Antonio Spurs (2015-2021).
Even though his stint with the Brooklyn Nets was unsuccessful, he can still be productive even on a limited role.
Andre Iguodala
A four-time NBA champion, Andre Iguodala seems to have two options this offseason: either retire or re-sign with the reigning champions Golden State Warriors.
The Warriors have left a spot open for him, as they view him as a locker room leader and mentor for the younger guys.
Montrezl Harrell
A former NBA Sixth Man of the Year, Montrezl Harrell spent the previous season with the Charlotte Hornets, averaging 13.1 points and 6.1 rebounds in 71 games.
He can make the difference on both ends and wants to join a contender and fight for the NBA championship. He was recently linked to the Miami Heat.
DeMarcus Cousins
DeMarcus Cousins is coming off a solid second part of the season with the Denver Nuggets, where he was the backup center of reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, averaging nine points and 5.6 boards in 48 games between the Nuggets and the Milwaukee Bucks.
Despite the injuries that derailed his career, he has shown he is still capable of making the difference on both ends, so joining a title contender wouldn’t come as a surprise.
Carmelo Anthony
Carmelo Anthony was one of the best players of the Los Angeles Lakers last season, averaging 13.3 points and 4.2 boards in 69 games. Even though he did his best to lead the Lakers to the playoffs, the NBA powerhouse got eliminated from the postseason.
However, the franchise aims to bring him back, so expect them to make him an offer soon. Anthony has been linked to the Nets, Nuggets and New York Knicks as well.
Dennis Schroder
One of the best point guards in the NBA, who remains a free agent with a month left before the start of training camp.
He spent the previous season between the Boston Celtics and the Houston Rockets and it comes as a surprise that he hasn’t attracted any interest from contending teams.
Schroder is currently preparing for the FIBA EuroBasket (September 1-18), being the leader of Germany NT.
