Five Free Agents To Watch As 2022-23 NBA Season Nears Opening

The 2022-23 NBA season is roughly a week away and there remain a lot of notable names in free agency.

While most are at the crossroads of their NBA career, there are players like Carmelo Anthony and Rajon Rondo who could still crack the roster of teams, something that may happen after the preseason games.

But of course, there are also other cagers still waiting for a call.

Hassan Whiteside

Hassan Whiteside was once a promising big man that the Miami Heat would have loved to keep.

However, it was before his temper got the better of him, something that led to him moving from one team to another.

He tried his luck with the Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings and Utah Jazz.

While he did do well in Portland, his performance slid with the Kings and Jazz.

With years wasted, it remains to be seen which NBA team will take him in, likely as a backup center.

Rodney Hood

At 29, there is no question that Rodney Hood can still develop into a better player.

He proved that with the Utah Jazz during the 2017-18 season but sputtered when he was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2017.

Since then, the 23rd overall pick of the 2014 NBA Draft has moved from one team to another.

Given that most teams are filled with young players who have similar things to offer, an advantage Hood has is his experience.

However, getting playing time with any team will be risky unless the 6-foot-8 cager can flourish in that team's system.

Tristan Thompson

Although his name has been frequently linked to news involving Khloe Kardashian, Tristan Thompson can still be of use to any NBA team if he can focus and deliver a credible performance.

Since leaving the Cavaliers in 2020, the 31-year-old has failed to find a new team where he best fits in.

He split last season with the Indiana Pacers and Chicago Bulls, but his numbers were hardly a shade of his averages with the Cavs.

His experience matters but may only make sense for teams in need of a veteran who is ready to mix it up inside.

Carmelo Anthony

Although he is already 38 years old, there is no doubt that Carmelo Anthony would be a fit for any team in need of instant offense.

He is a spot-up shooter who can knock it down from deep, perhaps even more if his next NBA team gives him the right playing time.

LeBron James previously called out Anthony to return to the Los Angeles Lakers. So far nothing has gone down.

Anthony remains in waiting, but he is bound to be picked up by teams yearning for more offensive firepower.

Dwight Howard

After seemingly finding a new identity at the slot, Dwight Howard could be of use to teams in need of height and muscle.

He may be far from the All-Star that most knew him to be, but the 36-year-old remains a defensive pillar.

Like Anthony, he too would make sense as a returnee to the Lakers as a backup to Anthony Davis.

Nothing has been set in stone yet, but a call could be made in the coming days with the 2022-23 NBA season set to open.