Which Top 26-27 NBA Free Agents Still Remain After Mid-September?
With a little over a month before the 2026-2027 NBA season tips off, rosters have almost fully rounded out. Preseason is less than three weeks away, and while some teams are ready to go, others are still finalizing their squads. For example, the Heat can use help at guard, the Trail Blazers may want to improve their forward depth, and the Knicks haven’t yet signed a center after Mitchell Robinson left. For teams in the latter category, some players are still available who can make an impact. Even though it’s unlikely that a true game-changer will come out of what has remained in free agency, there’s definitely still value worth discussing.
The first name that jumps out is Bruce Brown. The 2023 NBA Champion with the Nuggets did not come to an agreement with Denver following last season, which has led him to search for a new destination. Officially listed as a six-foot-four combo guard, Brown leans more into the shooting guard role. From beyond the arc, the former Pistons draftee made 38.5% of the threes he took, which marked the second-highest percentage in his eight-year career. The 30-year-old’s scoring numbers don’t pop as a bench player, but his efficiency as well as his overall offensive versatility make him an asset worth considering. He wasn’t the defender he once was, but I’d be surprised to see him not rostered in the upcoming campaign.
Cam Whitmore was part of a five-team trade that sent Peyton Watson to Cleveland, but his stint as a member of the Cavaliers lasted just eight days. After clearing waivers, the former Rocket and Wizard has yet to find a new home, despite being an exciting young player. Whitmore exploded in his rookie year with Houston, averaging 12.3 points per game and showing promising signs as an offensive weapon. Now at 22 years old and going into his fourth year, Whitmore can still polish out the rest of his game, but he’s worth taking a look at for any team that looks to cultivate talent.
To finish off this brief list, I refuse to believe that Gabe Vincent does not have any role in one of the NBA’s 30 teams. The eighth-year sharpshooter has seen valuable playoff minutes across his tenures with the Lakers and the Heat, and brings tons of experience while having at least a few more years ahead of him. He may not fill up the stat sheet, but Vincent’s decision-making and feel for the game make him a rosterable option. The 2023 NBA Finalist won’t wow anyone as a signing, but his leadership and character can bolster an organization, especially for guard-needy teams.
