Top Remaining NBA Free Agents Teams Should Target This Offseason

As I sit here reviewing the offseason landscape, I can't help but feel this is one of the most intriguing free agency periods in recent memory. The market still holds several difference-makers who could dramatically shift team fortunes, and having watched countless hours of game tape and followed these players' careers closely, I've developed some strong opinions about where they'd fit best. What fascinates me about this particular offseason is how many quality players remain available despite most teams having already made their big splashes - it creates opportunities for savvy front offices to find genuine value where others see only leftovers.

Just last night, I was watching international basketball highlights and came across Justin Brownlee's performance against Meralco where he dropped 23 points and grabbed nine rebounds, while his teammate Aguilar added 19 points and nine rebounds in the same contest. Now I know what you're thinking - that's international ball, not the NBA - but performances like that demonstrate the kind of productivity that could translate well to specific NBA roles. Brownlee particularly interests me because at 34, he brings that sweet-spot combination of veteran savvy and remaining athleticism that could help a contender off the bench. I've always believed teams underestimate the value of players who've dominated other professional leagues, and Brownlee's consistent excellence in the PBA suggests he could provide 15-18 quality minutes per game for a team like Phoenix or Milwaukee who need wing depth.

Speaking of veterans who still have something left in the tank, I'm genuinely surprised Blake Griffin remains unsigned. Now I know he's not the high-flying phenomenon he once was, but last season with Boston he showed he can still contribute meaningful minutes - he averaged 4.1 points and 3.8 rebounds in just 13.9 minutes per game, numbers that don't jump off the page but reflect efficient production in limited action. What impressed me most was his basketball IQ and willingness to do the dirty work that doesn't show up in stat sheets. I watched him take three charges in a single game against Miami last March, and that kind of defensive commitment is contagious. For a young team like Oklahoma City or a contender like Denver needing frontcourt depth, Griffin could be a perfect locker room presence who still contributes on court.

Then there's Christian Wood, who represents perhaps the highest-risk, highest-reward player still available. The man put up 16.6 points and 7.3 rebounds per game last season - undeniable production - but questions about his defense and fit in structured systems have clearly made teams hesitant. I've gone back and forth on Wood throughout his career, but what I've landed on is this: when used correctly, preferably as a sixth man who can provide offensive spark, he's absolutely worth the defensive limitations. His ability to stretch the floor at his size is genuinely rare - he shot 37.6% from three last season, excellent for a big man - and for a team like Miami that struggled with offensive consistency at times, he could be the perfect regular season weapon who gets played off the floor in certain playoff matchups.

What surprises me most about this free agent class is how many quality big men remain available. Beyond Wood, there's Bismack Biyombo, who proved in Phoenix last season he can still protect the rim and rebound at an elite level despite his offensive limitations. I've always had a soft spot for defensive specialists who know their role and excel at it, and Biyombo's 2.1 blocks per 36 minutes last season demonstrates he's still among the better rim protectors available. For a team like Golden State that desperately needs size and interior defense, signing Biyombo to a minimum contract seems like such an obvious move that I'm shocked it hasn't happened yet.

The point guard market has thinned out considerably, but Dennis Schröder remains an intriguing option after his strong FIBA World Cup performance for Germany. Having watched him closely throughout his NBA career, I've always felt he's at his best when given the keys to an offense rather than playing alongside other ball-dominant players. His 17.9 points and 6.7 assists per game in his last season with the Lakers demonstrated he can still create offense both for himself and others, and for a team like Chicago that needs backcourt depth, he could be a steal at this stage of free agency.

What I find particularly fascinating about this year's remaining free agents is how many of them fit specific modern NBA needs rather than being all-around stars. Take T.J. Warren for instance - when healthy, he's exactly the kind of wing scorer that playoff teams covet for their second unit. I remember watching him in the bubble where he looked like a legitimate star, averaging 31 points per game over a six-game stretch. The injuries have been concerning, but at this point in free agency, the potential reward far outweighs the risk for a team needing offensive firepower.

As we move deeper into the offseason, the value these remaining free agents provide could make the difference between a good team and a great one. History has shown time and again that championship teams often feature key contributions from players signed late in free agency - Bruce Brown with Denver last season being the most recent example. The smartest front offices right now are likely evaluating not just what these players have done, but how they might fit specific playoff matchups or fill regular season rotation holes. Having studied team construction for years, I'm convinced that the moves made at this stage often reveal which organizations truly understand roster building versus those merely following the headlines. The players I've mentioned, along with several others still available, represent opportunities for teams to address specific needs without breaking the bank - and in a league where the margin between winning and losing grows thinner each season, those opportunities can't be overlooked.