NBA News NBA News, Match Reports and Updates
The first three weeks of the 2026 NBA offseason — from June’s NBA Draft through the initial rush of the 2026 free agency period — have seen scores of signings and trades, with a number of potential needle-movers changing ZIP codes and uniforms. That doesn’t mean, though, that the market’s bone-dry; there’s still a number of talented players of all shapes, sizes, experience levels and skill sets who might be able to meaningfully help a club next season.
Let’s take a look at some of the best unsigned talent still on the board, starting with … well, I mean, come on. There’s really only one place we can start, right?
Yes, he turns 42 in December. Yes, he’s entering his 24th season, after no other player in NBA history had even played a 23rd. Yes, he’s missed an average of 21 games a season for the past six years. There are legitimate concerns!
Advertisement
And yet:
Twenty-eight players were named to the NBA’s 2026 All-Star team, and only 10 players who qualified for the minutes per game leaderboard averaged at least 20 points, five rebounds and five assists per game last season. LeBron’s in both camps, and he’s the only one you can sign on the open market.
Some advanced metrics (player efficiency rating, value over replacement player, box plus-minus) graded LeBron out as a top-25 player last season. Some others (estimated plus-minus, win shares, DARKO daily plus-minus) took a dimmer view, putting him more in the 55-to-85 range. Split the difference, and you’re talking about a top-40ish player — someone who just averaged 23-7-7 in the playoffs and was the best player on a team that won an opening-round series — who’s evidently willing to sign for pennies on the dollar in what feels to him like the right situation.
Advertisement
He’s arguably the best point guard, wing and big (if you consider him a power forward and break-in-case-of-emergency small-ball 5) on the market … which is wild, considering he made his NBA debut while Kill Bill: Vol. 1 was still in theaters. It’s preposterous, hilarious and wonderful. I don’t know if, in 2026, LeBron James can change the shape of the championship chase. But I do know…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/nbas-best-available-free-agents-lebron-james-and-the-top-bigs-ball-handlers-and-wings-180124349.html
Author : Dan Devine
Publish date : 2026-07-14 18:01:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
