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With over a month before the 2019-20 NBA season opener, it's time to take a look at some of the top remaining free agents available. After one of the craziest free agency periods, there are still some names out there for teams to consider.
With players possibly getting injured at any point during the season, teams know there are options available. Will they be available once the season starts? That is unclear, considering several free agents this summer signed outside of the NBA, from Chinese Basketball League to the EuroLeague. A few players are closing in on their 40s, so it'll be interesting to see if they will retire or get a chance at one more gig in the league.
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Nonetheless, here are four free agents that in my opinion should be targeted by franchises. They are in no order.
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#1 Jonathon Simmons
Simmons has been in the NBA for 4 years, going undrafted in the 2012 NBA Draft and being selected in the American Basketball League draft in 2013. He later joined the Austin Spurs of the NBA Development League, spending 2 years there before joining the San Antonio Spurs in 2015. Simmons played 133 games for the Spurs (NOT including playoffs), where he averaged 16.6 minutes per game, with 45.1% field goal accuracy, 1.4 assists, and 6.1 points.
In 2017, Simmons became a restricted free agent and after the Spurs withdrew their qualifying offer on him, he signed a 3-year, $20 million contract with the Orlando Magic. That year, Simmons started 50 games of 69, averaging 29.4 minutes per game and 13.9 points per game. 2018 was a quiet year and in 2019 he was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers for Markelle Fultz. He only played 15 games for the Sixers, before being traded in June of 2019 to the Washington Wizards and later being waived.
In other words, Simmons has had a rather up and down journey, but don't be surprised if a team signs him in the middle of the season. He has scored double-digits plenty of times and would be a great off the bench addition.
#2 Jamal Crawford
Last season, Crawford was still a free agent at around this time and I wrote about how he will be signed by a team soon. Crawford, who is 39 now, is entering his 19th season in the league. He has played for the Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors, Atlanta Hawks, Portland Trail Blazers, Los Angeles Clippers, Minnesota Timberwolves, and last season he signed with the Phoenix Suns.
Clearly, he has moved around the league plenty of times, but the 2019-20 season could either be his last season or he will call it a day and we will not see him win a championship after all those years.
Yes, Crawford deserves an NBA championship title after spending years on different teams. But it seems like he simply plays for the love of the game and not to chase a ring, since he could have signed with a contender but chose to sign with the Suns.
He would definitely benefit a young team, being a presence and/or mentor, as well as coming off the bench and scoring once in a while. The 3-time NBA Sixth Man of the Year should hopefully be signed soon, likely after the season starts.
#3 J.R. Smith
Whether he is a "top" free agent or not, that should be a personal opinion. Based off a list of current free agents, Smith stands out as one of the best available if needed. After playing just 11 games last season for the Cleveland Cavaliers, there was a clear determination by the organization and Smith that he will not be in their future plans.
After losing LeBron James that summer, it was clear that the Cavaliers needed to rebuild. At 33 years old, it is unclear what he can bring to the table as of now. There were reports suggesting the Los Angeles Lakers could be interested in signing him, but I would not be surprised if he decides to play for a team outside of the NBA.
Smith has played for the Zhejiang Golden Bulls and could choose to go back to the Chinese Basketball Association.
#4 Carmelo Anthony
To some, it would be a ridiculous idea to sign Carmelo Anthony. However you look at it, Melo is a Hall of Famer and deserves one last chance to get his hands on a championship. Anthony has been spotted working out with several other players, which likely means he is trying to stay healthy and in form, in hopes of getting a call from a team.
It is clear that he does not want to hang up his shoes and retire, with reports suggesting teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers, Brooklyn Nets, and even his previous team, the New York Knicks, are interested in his services. One report is that Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving and All-Star Kevin Durant have been trying to recruit Melo, pushing the Nets organization to sign him. Will he do so? Time will tell. Either way, the 10-time NBA All-Star should get one more chance before calling it quits on his NBA career.
