We are almost through the end of July, but with training camp two months away, we have plenty of time to see the remaining NBA free agents latch onto a team.
Kevin Durant’s trade request from the Brooklyn Nets has slowed down the market just a tad, but as time goes on, teams around the league may just elect to operate independently of that domino that may never fall and focus their attention on building out a competitive roster.
A sizable amount of the free agents are still capable of being pieces to the puzzle of a potential championship. Let’s take a look at who is available.
Collin Sexton
It is somewhat of a surprise that a team has yet to put in an offer for restricted free agent Collin Sexton, but he has made it clear that he’s seeking a lucrative contract despite just coming off a torn meniscus injury.
Sexton has proven he can score in bunches, as he averages well over 20 points per game. He can create his own shot from anywhere and get to the rim with force.
Big 3
Sexton is also not the type of guy to back down from anyone. He single-handedly beat the Nets with their Big 3 of Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden back in January 2021.
Sexton is not going to be a franchise-changing talent by any means, but teams that are looking to add a scoring punch to their roster and a little bit of fire could eventually give Sexton the type of contract he’s seeking.
Dennis Schroder
Dennis Schroder is the type of scrappy veteran that many contending teams could use, but sometimes, Schroder is also the type of player who craves to have a larger role when it comes to scoring the ball.
Schroder can break down defenders off the dribble and create good looks in the paint or simply set his teammates up for some great looks.
Schroder Defense
He’s also unafraid to play physically on the defensive side of the ball or chirp at his opponents.
The talent and the intangibles are there with Schroder, but team chemistry could very well be an issue when he’s in the mix of things.
Montrezl Harrell
Montrezl Harrell is a bit undersized for his position, but he actually uses that to his advantage on the offensive end, as his agility and physicality can be tough for opposing big men to handle at times.
A former Sixth Man of the Year, Harrell brings the energy that contending teams crave in the most heated moments of big games, as he has the willingness to do all the little things such as setting good picks and aggressive rolls to the rim and his overall hustle.
He is dealing with legal troubles, as he was found with three pounds of marijuana in a car he was driving, but if he avoids any serious consequences, a team could easily scoop him up.
DeMarcus Cousins
DeMarcus Cousins is nowhere near the same player he used to be, but he still brings a lot of intangibles that contending teams could have a use for.
He can still bully opposing defenders inside the paint with his rugged ability to score the ball. DeMarcus Cousins can also still stretch the floor and knock down the occasional 3-pointer.
He can still also help protect the paint, given his size and strength, and make it tough for opposing big men to score.
Cousins proved last season that he could help anchor a second unit, which gave the Denver Nuggets more than a solid option when Nikola Jokic needed a breather.
Carmelo Anthony
Carmelo Anthony isn’t going to lead his team in scoring anymore, but with his willingness to take on a lesser role, his three-level scoring abilities can still be an asset for a contender.
Melo can still shoot the rock at great efficiency and keep second-unit defenders on their toes just with his scoring IQ alone.
The Los Angeles Lakers have an interest in bringing him back, but he and the New York Knicks have also expressed mutual interest in a reunion, perhaps giving him a chance to retire as a member of his hometown team.
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