As the 2025-2026 NBA season kicks off, there are still a few big names and regular rotation players who somehow found themselves without a seat when the summer music stopped.
Most NBA teams have already finalized their regular-season rosters, so changes this late will prove to be complicated. But when injuries mount — and some teams have glaring holes in their rosters already — it’s worth remembering there are still a few key players available that could make a difference.
Here are some of the overlooked free agents, and the teams where they can potentially be a bargain addition in a specific role.
Biggest names still available
Malik Beasley
Best fits: Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons
Why it should happen: Malik Beasley is not just the best shooter available; he is the best free agent right now, period. After a breakout year where he hit 319 threes – a mark only bested by three players in NBA history – the 28-year-old was reportedly about to get a three-year, $42 million contract. That’s until a gambling scandal hit. Beasley’s management claims that he is no longer a target in that investigation, but this issue has kept him unsigned until the league moved on and all the cap space dried up.
Beasley will take a massive haircut, and unless he convinces the rebuilding Jazz or Nets to pay him a bit more, he will likely have to settle for a minimum contract. That makes him an insane bargain for contenders, who unsurprisingly have already expressed interest.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are among the most notable suitors, after losing Ty Jerome to free agency and their best shooter in Max Strus to foot surgery. The Knicks and Timberwolves have also reportedly shown recent interest, and both have roster space, so Beasley could help either team as the first wing off the bench. A return to the Pistons can also have him continue in the same role he thrived in, albeit on a far smaller than expected paycheck.
Why it might not happen: The NBA has yet to technically clear Beasley from the gambling investigation. He says he can’t sign until then, but if or when he does, Beasley will be a bargain for any contender.
Ben Simmons
Best fits: Warriors, and so many other teams… potentially.
Why it should happen: Ben Simmons is still just 29 years old. Even with the tumultuous last couple of years, he still has career averages of 13 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. He can defend and play multiple positions, and with this versatility, Simmons can theoretically fill holes on several teams.
The aging Warriors could use some youth, size, defense and athleticism, and in an ideal world, Ben Simmons would be the perfect backup to Draymond Green. Curry and the rest of the shooters can solve any spacing issues from Simmons, and Warriors could retain some of the defense and playmaking when Green sits.
Ideally, coaches can find him a proper role, veteran players can steer Simmons the right way, and he can revive a career that saw him make three All-Star teams and two All-Defensive teams.
Why it might not happen: Getting him to the Warriors is complicated. They’re hard-capped at the second apron, and already waiting for Seth Curry’s prorated minimum to lower so they can sign him first. That’s not even the biggest hurdle, though.
Simmons could be an easy fit with so many teams if everything goes right, if he turns a new leaf, and if they even want him. But that’s a lot of variables, and we don’t even know if Simmons himself still even wants to play basketball at this point.
Markelle Fultz
Best fits: Would the Nuggets, Bucks, or Rockets even be interested?
Why it should happen: Just two years ago, Markelle Fultz started 60 games for the Orlando Magic and averaged 14 points, 4 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.5 steals per game. He’s only 27, still a serviceable defender, and there are several teams that need a second or third point guard.
The Denver Nuggets are banking on Jalen Pickett to make a big leap, but they still need a reliable bench option. There’s also the Milwaukee Bucks, who waived and stretched the injured Damian Lillard, the Houston Rockets, who lost Fred VanVleet for the year, and the Dallas Mavericks, who are somehow using Cooper Flagg as a point guard. There are openings, and maybe a team can see the former No. 1 overall pick as a low risk reclamation project.
Why it might not happen: Fultz slowly lost his rotation spot with the Magic in 2024, before ending up in Sacramento last season, where he barely played at all. The Kings have badly needed point guard help since losing De’Aaron Fox, so it’s a bit telling that they just let Fultz go long before they ended up signing Russell Westbrook.
Perhaps teams are better off looking for either a more proven veteran, or a younger prospect with higher upside. There are actually a bit of both available, and arguably better options in both respects on this list.
Spencer Dinwiddie
Best fits: Dallas Mavericks, Milwaukee Bucks
Why it should happen: As noted earlier, several teams can use a reliable point guard, and Spencer Dinwiddie is arguably the best option right now.
He wasn’t even supposed to be available, as Dinwiddie was one of the early signings when free agency opened. He played 79 games with the Dallas Mavericks, and as a starter in 30 games, Dinwiddie averaged 14.3 points and 6.2 assists. His play got him a $3.6 million deal in free agency, but due to a roster crunch, the Charlotte Hornets released him before he even got to play a single game.
Dinwiddie has somehow hit the open market again, and clearly the best fit is still the Mavericks, who have been experimenting with Cooper Flagg as a point guard during Kyrie Irving’s absence.
The Bucks also need point guard help, and since they’re below the luxury tax, it would be a less complicated signing.
Why it might not happen: The Mavs have a full roster after signing the likes of D’Angelo Russell and Dante Exum, and they’re now hard-capped at the second apron. They can do some maneuvering if they really wanted Dinwiddie, but they probably already had this discussion three months ago and they ended up parting ways. Either way, there will be teams that need a point guard, and Dinwiddie will probably be back in the league sooner or later.
Victor Oladipo
Best fit: Indiana Pacers
Why it should happen: Victor Oladipo was an All-NBA team member and two-time All-Star until injuries derailed his career. He’s been in China gunning for a comeback, so when his Guangzhou Loong Lions got a chance to play two pre-season NBA games, Oladipo absolutely went off.
Oladipo had 44 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists and 7 steals in his two preseason games against the Spurs and Clippers, showing that he clearly still has it at age 33.
Interestingly enough, the team he once led as an All-Star now badly needs guard depth. The Pacers have lost both Tyrese Haliburton and now T.J. McConnell due to injury, and Oladipo could provide much-needed scoring and defense from bench units. An NBA comeback to reunite with the Pacers would be almost poetic.
Why it might not happen: The Pacers are already dealing with injuries, so perhaps they might not roll the dice on someone with Oladipo’s injury history. Teams may also prefer younger guards, which are also available now.
Young players suddenly without a team
Keon Johnson
Best fit: LA Clippers
Why it should happen: Keon Johnson started in 56 of his 79 games for the Brooklyn Nets, but the rebuilding team decided to part ways with another young prospect because they somehow ended up adding six rookies in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Johnson is a lengthy combo guard, who also holds the NBA combine record for his 48-inch vertical. At 23, he’s the same age as some rookies, but he is already capable enough in the NBA to average 10.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1 steal in 24 minutes. He regularly gets deflections and blocks for his position, and can help a good number of teams.
His three-point shooting (31%) and overall offensive game still needs to develop. The aging LA Clippers already have that in abundance though, and could certainly use more youth, athleticism and defense. They can try to develop him into a similar role that Kris Dunn plays for them now, and Johnson could also be serviceable when veteran guards like James Harden, Bradley Beal, Chris Paul or Bogdan Bogdanovic get predictably sidelined.
Why it might not happen: This is his fourth year in the NBA, so Johnson isn’t eligible for a two-way deal anymore and will have to take up an official roster spot. The Clippers are hard-capped at the first apron and only have $1.3 million of space left. The Cavs, Pacers, and Lakers can all use athletic guards, but would need complicated roster moves to add Johnson. He also still needs time to develop, and Nets deemed that he wasn’t doing that fast enough to warrant a roster slot alongside six new rookies. His shooting and strength will have to improve to remain in the NBA, but his age and potential is certainly worth taking a flier on.
Bol Bol
Best fit: Philadelphia 76ers
Why it should happen: The Sixers somehow let Guerschon Yabusele walk, so now they lack bigs and even plan to have Paul George at power forward. With the likelihood of George, Joel Embiid and others missing time again, the Sixers need more size.
The market is thin (pun intended) but 25-year-old Bol Bol is worth a look, as he has length and can space the floor. The 7’3 second-generation NBA player averaged 6.8 points in 12 minutes a game for the Suns, and shot 34.4% from three. Although highly inconsistent, he did flash glimpses of that potential in a couple of big games last season.
Why it might not happen: Embiid is already injury-prone, so adding Bol Bol as well might not be ideal. The Celtics, Pacers, and Hornets are also thin on bigs, but their tax, roster and injury situations make it unlikely. It might also be telling that at 25, many teams and scouts have already given up on Bol Bol.
Yuki Kawamura, Mac McClung
Best fits: Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings, Rebuilding Teams
Why it should happen: Yuki Kawamura and Mac McClung are probably the two most famous two-way players ever. The 5-foot-8 Kawamura captivated fans with his speed and flashy passing as the shortest player in the NBA, while McClung is known for being the reigning three-time slam dunk champion.
Both can play, with the 26-year-old McClung being a former G League MVP, and the second-year Japanese star putting on a show in Summer League to earn a two-way deal.
They each have a sizable following (Kawamura especially), but unfortunately they’re now in the same boat, as the Bulls have released them both before the start of the season. They’re two-way eligible though, making them a far easier signing for teams than others on this list.
Kawamura’s former team in the Grizzlies are now shorthanded with Scottie Pippen Jr. having surgery and Ja Morant still out. I’m not quite sure what direction the Kings or Suns are taking their roster, but they both also need point guard depth. Frankly, all the tanking rebuilding teams might as well just make things fun for their frustrated fanbase. If nothing else, a two-way deal would be a good business decision, given just how massive a mainstream star Kawamura has become in Japan and other countries.
Why it might not happen: McClung was recently signed and then waived by the Bulls in just a three-hour span, likely meaning they already plan for him to play in their G League team.
Kawamura was waived by the Bulls due to a “medical condition” and “right lower leg pain.” There was no timetable on his return, and with the Bulls giving his two-way deal to someone else, could that suggest a more serious issue? Kawamura will reportedly remain with the team while he undergoes treatment, so perhaps he still has a pathway for a return with the Bulls? Either way, should he get cleared, teams can surely use someone like Kawamura (and his large fanbase).
Reliable veterans
Cory Joseph, Monte Morris
Best fits: San Antonio Spurs
Why it should happen: A good candidate for the Spurs is a possible reunion with Cory Joseph, who won a title with the team in 2014.
Joseph is 34, but still showed to be a reliable contributor as he played in 50 games and started every playoff game with the Magic last season. He can take the mentorship role that Chris Paul vacated, and can also fill up some backup minutes now that De’Aaron Fox and Jeremy Sochan are both injured.
Monte Morris can also be a younger option at 30, with the career 39% three-point shooter playing 45 games with the Phoenix Suns last season.
Both players can space the floor and take care of the ball, and the Spurs can certainly use more shooting and veteran stability. As mentioned above, the Kings, Bucks, Rockets, Nuggets and Mavs can all use backup point guard help, and they can do worse than these reliable vets.
Why it might not happen: The Spurs just gave their final roster spot to Bismack Biyombo with a non-guaranteed deal. Things can still change depending on Fox’s prognosis and the team’s depth, but adding either guard would have to come at the expense of someone’s spot on the team. Age is also obviously a factor for both players, Joseph especially, which could make GMs hesitate.
Morris also thought he had a deal with the Pacers, but a calf strain made the team move on before the contract got signed. The injury was said to last the entire pre-season, which was a harsh blow as most teams have finalized their roster by now.
Alec Burks, Torrey Craig
Best fits: Orlando Magic, Cleveland Cavaliers
Why it should happen: Teams always need shooting, which is why both Alec Burks and Torrey Craig have managed to stay in the league for so long. It’s actually a bit surprising that neither have contracts yet, Burks especially, as he shot 42.5% from three and started 14 games for the Heat last season. The “three-and-D” wing in Craig, on the other hand, shot 36.4% and 39.2% in the last two seasons with stints in Boston and Chicago.
The Orlando Magic badly need more shooting, and whoever loses out on the Malik Beasley sweepstakes could also do worse than picking up Burks or Craig.
Why it might not happen: Both players are now 34, and teams might prefer younger, developing players at the end of the bench.
Honorable mentions
Talen Horton-Tucker, Lonnie Walker IV
Once highly regarded prospects Talen Horton-Tucker and Lonnie Walker IV have bounced around in recent years, and are now both out of the league at just age 24 and 26.
Horton-Tucker went from being vastly overvalued and deemed “untouchable” in trade talks for All-Stars, to struggling to make the rotation even for rebuilding teams. Walker seems to have a better shot at finding a proper role, much like his recent stint with the Sixers, but he is also currently without a contract.
Older NBA veteran free agents also include the likes of Jae Crowder, Tristan Thompson, Markieff Morris, DeAndre Jordan and Taj Gibson.
Players available this late are unlikely to swing the title race, but signing the right player in the right role could be crucial to navigating the grueling 82-game slog a lot better.
