NBA Free Agency: LeBron, Harden, Draymond Still Unsigned
LeBron, Harden, Draymond: Who’s Left in NBA Free Agency?
With 38 of the top 50 free agents already off the board, the remaining big names—LeBron, Harden, Draymond and more—could redefine the 2026-27 title race.
The NBA free-agency sprint is leaving fewer marquee names standing. After 38 of the league’s projected top 50 free agents signed in under 48 hours, the remaining tier-one players still searching for deals carry outsize leverage: LeBron James, James Harden, Draymond Green and Jalen Duren. LeBron James remains the most coveted unsigned veteran.
At 39, he’s no longer the focal point of a rebuild; instead, contenders with championship windows—think Denver or Boston—are gauging whether his veteran savvy can elevate rosters already built to win now. Harden, 35, brings a different calculus: his playmaking and scoring can stabilize second-tier contenders chasing a deep playoff run, but his defensive liabilities limit the markets willing to bet seven or eight figures on him. Draymond Green, 34, is hunting a two-way deal after Golden State’s youth movement pushed him toward the exit.
His defensive intensity and locker-room presence still draw interest, but teams want guarantees he can anchor a frontcourt without ceding too much spacing. Jalen Duren, 22, is the youngest of the group and the only restricted free agent left among the top names; Detroit can match any offer sheet, but his restricted status gives him leverage to extract a long-term commitment from a team willing to part with draft capital. The ripple effects extend beyond the headline names.
Peyton Watson, Tari Eason and Rui Hachimura are unsigned restricted free agents whose teams may face tough choices: retain them as rotation staples or risk losing them for pennies on the dollar. Jonathan Kuminga, Anfernee Simons and Bennedict Mathurin are among the higher-upside wings still available, offering flexibility for teams needing 3-and-D or sixth-man production. Spencer Jones, the 21-year-old forward, rounds out the tier as a potential reclamation project for a rebuilding club.
The market’s stratification is clearer than ever. Veteran anchors like LeBron and Draymond are being treated as luxury add-ons, not foundational pieces, while younger players like Duren and Kuminga are viewed as long-term investments. This divide reflects a league in transition, where experience is now priced against upside and teams are forced to choose one over the other.
Teams with cap space are now forced to make binary decisions. Do they chase the last remnants of proven talent—accepting the risk of overpaying for declining production—or do they bet on upside at lower cost? The answer will shape the 2026-27 season before it even tips off, with contenders either seizing their final shot or conceding ground to rivals who moved faster.
The league’s salary-cap mechanics are amplifying the urgency. With teams like the Spurs and Magic sitting on significant cap space but hesitant to commit to aging stars, the remaining unsigned veterans are becoming bargaining chips in larger trade discussions. A contender like the Bucks could package a young asset with cap filler to pry Draymond loose from a rebuilding team, while a team like the Mavericks might use Harden’s bird rights to facilitate a sign-and-trade that keeps their core intact.
The cap’s flexibility is now a weapon, not just a constraint. This isn’t just about roster construction—it’s about franchise identity. The teams that land LeBron or Harden aren’t just adding a player; they’re signaling a commitment to winning now, even at the cost of future flexibility.
For franchises like the Hawks or Pelicans, who have oscillated between contention and mediocrity, these signings could be the difference between a one-and-done playoff run and a sustained push. The remaining unsigned pool is a microcosm of the NBA’s broader shift: experience is a premium, but only if it accelerates a championship timeline. League executives are framing the next 72 hours as the final window to swing a championship-altering move.
"The market’s telling us that only the most proven veterans and the youngest high-upside players are still in play," said one front-office source. " What's next: The clock is ticking. The next 72 hours will decide whether LeBron, Harden or Draymond land in Denver, Boston or another contender—or if they remain unsigned past the summer’s first major roster freeze.
For restricted free agents like Duren, the pressure is on Detroit to match offers before other teams lock in their rosters. The ripple effects will be immediate: teams that act decisively could vault themselves into contention, while those that hesitate may watch their championship windows slam shut before the season even tips off. Read at Hoops Rumors
Why this matters
The NBA’s free-agency carousel is accelerating, and the remaining unsigned stars aren’t just filling roster spots—they’re deciding title races. LeBron, Harden and Draymond represent the last wave of proven championship experience, while Duren and the younger wings offer cost-controlled upside. Teams that act decisively can vault themselves into contention; those that hesitate risk watching their windows slam shut before the season even tips off. The market’s polarization—between veteran anchors and high-upside gambles—reflects a league in transition, where every remaining name falls into one of two extreme buckets. The next 72 hours will reveal which teams are still serious contenders and which have already conceded ground. The salary-cap mechanics and franchise identity stakes make this free-agency period uniquely high-stakes, with long-term consequences for teams that misfire.
Frequently asked
Who are the biggest unsigned free agents in the NBA right now?
LeBron James, James Harden, Draymond Green and Jalen Duren remain the top unsigned names after 38 of the top 50 free agents signed in under two days.
Why is LeBron James still unsigned?
At 39, LeBron is no longer the centerpiece of a rebuild; contenders with championship windows are evaluating whether his veteran leadership can elevate rosters already built to win now.
What makes James Harden’s free agency different this time?
Harden’s playmaking and scoring appeal to second-tier contenders, but his defensive liabilities limit the markets willing to bet big on him.
Is Draymond Green still in demand?
Yes, but teams want guarantees he can anchor a frontcourt without ceding spacing. His defensive intensity and locker-room presence remain valuable.
Why is Jalen Duren’s status significant?
As a restricted free agent, Duren’s leverage is high. Detroit can match any offer sheet, but his status gives him power to extract a long-term commitment.
Which younger players are still unsigned?
Peyton Watson, Tari Eason, Rui Hachimura, Jonathan Kuminga, Anfernee Simons, Bennedict Mathurin and Spencer Jones are among the remaining unsigned wings and forwards.
