Ranking the top 10 current NBA free agents and their projected landing spots featuring Carmelo Anthony, DeMarcus Cousins & more

The list of potential NBA free agents remaining offers some fascinating names. With the NBA trade deadline just around the corner, organizations are eager to upgrade their rosters.

While every NBA trade deadline offers the hope of acquiring new assets, it can also present an opportunity for roster spots to open up. With those available slots, NBA teams will revisit the idea of adding a potential free agent to their team.

There's still plenty of big name NBA free agents on the open market. With NBA teams preparing for the second half of the season, it could be time for some veteran players to receive some interest. Veterans, such as Carmelo Anthony and DeMarcus Cousins, are sure to be rumored as potential additions.

Here's a look at the top 10 current NBA Free Agents on the open market, as well as some potential teams of interest.

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Top 10 current NBA free agents

#10 - Isaiah Thomas

Isaiah Thomas during his time with the Charlotte Hornets

Veteran point guard Isaiah Thomas remains a popular name available when it comes to NBA free agents. Thomas has bounced around the league since the 2018-19 season.

He spent the second half of the 2021-22 season as a member of the Charlotte Hornets. In 17 games, Thomas went on to average 8.3 points, 1.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. Thomas could intrigue a team looking for a veteran scoring option off the bench.

#9 - LaMarcus Aldridge

Former Brooklyn Nets big man LaMarcus Aldridge

Veteran big man LaMarcus Aldridge is one of the oldest remaining NBA free agents. But Aldridge could still offer some upside in a rotation. Aldridge is a versatile big man who has shown he can still impact the game at this stage of his career.

He last played with the Brooklyn Nets during the 2021-22 season. During that year, Aldridge went on to average 12.9 points and 5.5 rebounds per game while shooting 55.0% from the field in 22.3 minutes. He could intrigue playoff teams looking for a veteran to add to the end of their roster.

#8 - Dwight Howard

Veteran NBA big man Dwight Howard

Dwight Howard remains one of the biggest names remaining in the NBA free-agent market. Howard has shown that he can still be an impactful force in a rotation in limited minutes.

He spent the 2021-22 season as a member of the LA Lakers. During that season, Howard went on to average 6.2 points and 5.9 rebounds in just 16.2 minutes. He's currently playing overseas in Taiwan, but Howard could intrigue playoff teams looking for a rotation big man. Teams like the Boston Celtics and LA Clippers could kick the tires on adding Howard.

#7 - Rajon Rondo

Rajon Rondo could be a name to watch on the NBA free agents list

If NBA teams find themselves looking for a veteran floor general in their rotation, then Rajon Rondo could be in the mix. Rondo spent the 2021-22 season as a member of the LA Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers.

The 36-year-old point guard is known as one of the smartest floor generals in the game of basketball. Rondo could be a candidate for a playoff team, especially if a team finds themselves dealing with injuries.

With the Cavaliers last year, Rondo went on to average 6.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game while shooting 42.9% from the field. A reunion in Philadelphia with former head coach Doc Rivers could make some sense for both parties.

#6 - Kemba Walker

Former New York Knicks guard Kemba Walker

Veteran guard Kemba Walker finds himself back on the free-agent market once again. Walker spent nine games as a member of the Dallas Mavericks during the 2022-23 season. In those nine games, Walker went on to average 8.0 points and 2.1 assists per game.

Walker spent the 2021-22 season as a member of the New York Knicks. Despite inconsistent performances, Walker still showed flashes of ability on the court. With the Knicks, Walker went on to average 11.6 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. He could be an emergency option for playoff teams that are in need of a veteran guard in their rotation.

#5 - Hassan Whiteside

Hassan Whiteside is still on the NBA free agents list

One of the most productive players that remains an NBA free agent is veteran big man Hassan Whiteside. Still just 33 years old, Whiteside showed he can be an impactful presence last year with the Utah Jazz.

During the 2021-22 season, Whiteside was effective as a rotation big man for the Jazz. He went on to average 8.2 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game for the Jazz. Whiteside could be a rotation big man for teams such as the Celtics, Nets and Clippers.

#4 - Derrick Favors

Derrick Favors is a potential free agent to monitor

Derrick Favors remains one of the youngest free agents who offers versatility in the free-agent market. Just 31 years old, Favors has been a rotation piece around the league for the last couple of years.

During the 2021-22 season, Favors spent the year playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder. He went on to average 5.3 points and 4.7 rebounds per game in just 16.7 minutes. Favors will be a popular name connected to playoff teams, especially after the end of the NBA trade deadline.

#3 - Lou Williams

Lou Williams finds himself on the NBA free agents list

If teams are in need of perimeter scoring off the bench, then veteran Lou Williams should be the first of interest. The veteran guard still has the ability to be a microwave scoring option off the bench.

Although he is 36 years old, Williams showed he can still contribute during the 2021-22 season with the Atlanta Hawks. He went on to average 6.3 points per game in just 14.3 minutes.

#2 - DeMarcus Cousins

DeMarcus Cousins could be the next to come off the NBA free agents list

One of the most popular names on the free-agent market includes veteran big man DeMarcus Cousins. The veteran center has already been mentioned to have interest from teams such as the LA Lakers.

The 32-year-old center has shown that he can be a crucial piece of a rotation in recent years. Cousins spent the 2021-22 season with both the Milwaukee Bucks and Denver Nuggets. He was impressive with his play for the Nuggets during the final stretch last season. Cousins went on to average 8.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game with Denver in just 13.9 minutes.

#1 - Carmelo Anthony

Carmelo Anthony remains at the top of the NBA free agents list

Veteran forward Carmelo Anthony remains the biggest name on the NBA free-agent list. With the NBA trade deadline approaching, Carmelo's market could heat up once the deadline has passed. The 38-year-old forward is in the twilight of his career but has shown the ability to be productive on the court.

Carmelo spent the 2021-22 season as a member of the LA Lakers. During that season, Anthony went on to average 13.3 points and 4.2 rebounds per game while shooting 44.1% from the field. He could intrigue playoff hungry teams, such as the Miami Heat, who are looking for a spark off the bench.