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NBA free agency has slowed down, but there are still a few big names waiting for the right fit and the right deal. While most contenders have already made their splash, a handful of teams still have glaring holes to fill. With the top free agent and a handful of others yet to decide where they’re headed this off-season. There’s still a lot to be done. These three remaining free agents could be the final pieces that shape the 2026-27 season.
MORE: LeBron James looking to turn 2026-27 NBA season into ‘Last Dance’-style series
May 9, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) reacts after a foul in game three of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Philadelphia makes the most sense if LeBron James is serious about winning another championship. The 76ers have already put together one of the best offseasons in the league and still have an opening at power forward. The position James happens to play.
He wouldn’t have to carry the offensive workload every night alongside Jaylen Brown and Tyrese Maxey, allowing LeBron to focus on doing what LeBron does best: making everyone else around him better. A move to Philadelphia also keeps him in a massive market while giving him arguably his best chance at one last title.
Don’t rule out Golden State or Minnesota, though. Pairing LeBron with Stephen Curry would be a storybook ending after years of battling in the NBA Finals. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves have quietly built one of the deepest rosters in basketball this offseason and are still searching for a starting-caliber power forward.
Apr 3, 2026; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings guard DeMar DeRozan (10) during the third quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
After the Giannis trade, Miami is in desperate need of scoring in the backcourt. DeMar DeRozan solves that issue immediately. After losing multiple guards and key players in their offense this offseason, the Heat are lacking a reliable shot creator who can score at will
DeRozan may not be in his prime anymore, but he still puts pressure on the rim and is one of the league’s most dependable mid-range scorers. He would take pressure off Miami’s frontcourt while giving the offense another proven veteran.
Pairing Derozan with Giannis and Bam immediately changes the outlook on their off-season.
Apr 20, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Jonathan Kuminga (0) dunks against New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (8) and center Mitchell Robinson (23) and guard Mikal Bridges (25) during the fourth quarter of game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Jonathan Kuminga is one of the most intriguing free agents left on the market. The talent has always been there, but consistency hasn’t. The Lakers have already improved their roster a ton after losing LeBron, and adding Kuminga could add to an already impressive offseason.
Kuminga would be a low-risk, high-reward move. He fills the team’s need at power forward, brings athleticism on both ends of the floor, and still has plenty of room to develop. If he puts everything together, this could end up being one of the biggest steals of free agency.
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MORE: LeBron James looking to turn 2026-27 NBA season into ‘Last Dance’-style series
LeBron James
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May 9, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) reacts after a foul in game three of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Philadelphia makes the most sense if LeBron James is serious about winning another championship. The 76ers have already put together one of the best offseasons in the league and still have an opening at power forward. The position James happens to play.
He wouldn’t have to carry the offensive workload every night alongside Jaylen Brown and Tyrese Maxey, allowing LeBron to focus on doing what LeBron does best: making everyone else around him better. A move to Philadelphia also keeps him in a massive market while giving him arguably his best chance at one last title.
Don’t rule out Golden State or Minnesota, though. Pairing LeBron with Stephen Curry would be a storybook ending after years of battling in the NBA Finals. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves have quietly built one of the deepest rosters in basketball this offseason and are still searching for a starting-caliber power forward.
DeMar DeRozan
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Apr 3, 2026; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings guard DeMar DeRozan (10) during the third quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
After the Giannis trade, Miami is in desperate need of scoring in the backcourt. DeMar DeRozan solves that issue immediately. After losing multiple guards and key players in their offense this offseason, the Heat are lacking a reliable shot creator who can score at will
DeRozan may not be in his prime anymore, but he still puts pressure on the rim and is one of the league’s most dependable mid-range scorers. He would take pressure off Miami’s frontcourt while giving the offense another proven veteran.
Pairing Derozan with Giannis and Bam immediately changes the outlook on their off-season.
Jonathan Kuminga
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Apr 20, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Jonathan Kuminga (0) dunks against New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (8) and center Mitchell Robinson (23) and guard Mikal Bridges (25) during the fourth quarter of game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Jonathan Kuminga is one of the most intriguing free agents left on the market. The talent has always been there, but consistency hasn’t. The Lakers have already improved their roster a ton after losing LeBron, and adding Kuminga could add to an already impressive offseason.
Kuminga would be a low-risk, high-reward move. He fills the team’s need at power forward, brings athleticism on both ends of the floor, and still has plenty of room to develop. If he puts everything together, this could end up being one of the biggest steals of free agency.
— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead —
Continue reading...
