James Harden re-signed with the Cavaliers for a mind-blowing $97 million, a move Bleacher Report dropped mere minutes ago that has the whole league buzzing. It’s August 20, 2026, and this 2026 free agent period has already been an absolute whirlwind, with stars flying off the board and teams making huge shifts. Honestly, can you even keep up?
The Kings Have Already Moved Their Crowns
Talk about a crazy offseason! LeBron Watch 4.0 finally ended back on July 24, with The King himself joining the 76ers. Yeah, you read that right, LeBron is now a Sixer. And guess who’s joining him in Philly? Jaylen Brown! That duo alone is wild. Meanwhile, Kawhi Leonard made a big decision, heading right back to Toronto. The Lakers made a flurry of moves too, landing Walker Kessler in a sign-and-trade. This market has been bonkers, and that’s only scratching the surface of the biggest names already off the board. The landscape of the league looks completely different.
Who’s Still Out There To Make A Difference?
With so much action already done, you gotta wonder who’s still available to help a team. The list of remaining free agents has some serious talent, even if they aren’t the mega-stars. Take Gabe Vincent, for example. The dude’s an experienced veteran guard with a strong playoff resume from his Miami Heat days. He spent years with the Lakers as an occasional starter before getting traded to the Atlanta Hawks before the deadline. His three-point shot was solid with L.A. at 36.9 percent, though it dipped to 30 percent in Atlanta. He could easily be bench leadership on a minimum contract for the right squad.
Then there’s Nicolas Batum, who the Clippers declined a $5.9 million team option on, giving them cap flexibility. The Clippers are definitely going younger after those James Harden and Ivica Zubac trades, bringing in guys like Darius Garland, Bennedict Mathurin, and the No. 5 pick. Batum, much like Al Horford, is a seasoned vet who knows the game inside and out, still hitting clutch open shots. He’s got value, especially for postseason contenders. Bruce Brown Jr. is another one who just fits a team perfectly. He helped the Nuggets win a championship in 2022-23 and returned on a minimum deal, shooting 38.1 percent from deep last season, 38.5 percent the year before, his second-best career mark. He plays defense, feeds Jokic, does whatever it takes. Even on a one-year deal, he could easily return to Denver.
Need a big man? Nick Richards is available. The Bulls grabbed him from the Suns ahead of the deadline, desperate for a starting-capable center. He’s an old-school, physical presence, averaging 9.4 points and 7.6 rebounds over 20 games. He might be best as a backup, but he can absolutely start if needed. Chicago might keep him behind Nicolas Claxton, who’s joining the Bulls in July. And don’t forget Jonathan Kuminga. ESPN reports the Atlanta Hawks are declining his $24.3 million team option. The Warriors finally traded Kuminga after… well, the article kinda cuts off there, but you get the picture: he’s on the market!
Who among these players will find their perfect home as this wild 2026 NBA free agent period continues? Teams are still looking to fill out their rosters, and these guys could be the missing piece for some serious contenders.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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