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Ranking NBA's best remaining free agents after LeBron James decision
LeBron James finally made the NBA's most intriguing offseason decision when he signed with the Philadelphia 76ers , but free agency isn't over.
Nearly three months before the 2026-27 NBA season tips off, a surprisingly large batch of intriguing players still remain available. The wait for James also meant teams waited to know how best to allocate the last remaining spots on their roster within the league's salary cap constraints.
So there are emerging stars dealing with complicated and increasingly contentious contract standoffs like Jalen Duren of the Detroit Pistons and Denver Nuggets wing Peyton Watson . There are former superstars trying to extend their career like Russell Westbrook , Bradley Beal and Kevin Love on the market. There are familiar faces and proven role players who can help a team over the course of the 2026-27 regular season. There are more moves to be made.
James may have been the biggest domino to fall in NBA free agency, but there are more pieces on the board. Here are the 20 best NBA free agents still on the market:
NBA: Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo top free agent class for 2027
Ranking the 20 best NBA free agents still available
Most recent NBA team in parentheses
1. C Jalen Duren ( Detroit Pistons )*
2. G James Harden (Cleveland Cavaliers)
3. F Peyton Watson ( Denver Nuggets )*
4. F Draymond Green (Golden State Warriors)
5. F Jonathan Kuminga (Atlanta Hawks)
6. G/F Benedict Mathurin ( Los Angeles Clippers )*
7. G DeMar DeRozan ( Sacramento Kings )
8. G Bradley Beal (Los Angeles Clippers)
9. G Russell Westbrook (Sacramento Kings)
10. G Bruce Brown (Denver Nuggets)
11. G Cam Thomas ( Milwaukee Bucks )
12. F Jeremy Sochan ( New York Knicks )
13. F/C Kelly Olynyk ( San Antonio Spurs )
14. G Gabe Vincent (Atlanta Hawks)
15. C Nick Richards ( Chicago Bulls )
16. G Brandon Williams ( Dallas Mavericks )
17. G Gary Payton II (Golden State Warriors)
18. F Kevin Love ( Utah Jazz )
19. F Nicolas Batum (Los Angeles Clippers)
20. G Seth Curry (Golden State Warriors)
*Restricted free agent
NBA free agency predictions: Where top remaining free agents could sign
Jalen Duren : Though the Pistons and Duren might not come to terms on a long-term deal this offseason, he doesn't have many options than to play in Detroit for at least the 2026-27 season.
James Harden : The 17-year veteran is expected to resign with the Cleveland Cavaliers after opting out of his pre-existing contract to allow the franchise more financial flexibility in its pursuit of James.
Peyton Watson : The Nuggets' salary cap situation got trickier when they had to match the Thunder's offer on restricted free agent Spencer Jones and Denver might decide to shed salary as a result. Doing that, however, would be in an effort to retain Watson, who is still waiting on an offer from another team the Nuggets would have to match.
Draymond Green : The Warriors are expected to re-sign Green to a new multi-year deal after he opted out of the $27.7-million player option for the 2026-27 season in order to better facilitate the team's pursuit of James.
Jonathan Kuminga : The Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers remain intriguing landing spots for Kuminga, but it's likely to be at a lower salary figure than he hoped for when free agency began.
DeMar DeRozan : The Miami Heat, Golden State Warriors, Cleveland Cavalier and a return to the Toronto Raptors have been among the reported possible destinations for DeRozan, who was released by the Sacramento Kings earlier this offseason.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ranking NBA's best remaining free agents after LeBron James decision
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