The 2026-27 NBA season is now just over a month away. Teams have finalized their offseason moves and are now preparing for the year ahead. However, as the season nears, the talent pool of available free agents is still quite impressive.
Plenty of players with years of experience and a varying set of skills remain unsigned. Whether they join a team before the season or during, there are some guys flying under the radar that could make a real difference.
Given that, with the offseason the Nuggets just had, there are several free agents that they may want to keep an eye on.
Cam Whitmore Brings Offensive Potential
Denver’s bench has many issues. One of them, though, is that they lack offensive firepower.
The recent signing of DeMar DeRozan does help to alleviate some of those concerns. However, he is just one player. Taking a flyer on a wing who can create and help DeRozan is more than worth it.
Cam Whitmore had a very promising start to his NBA career. The Rockets drafted him in the first round with the 20th pick in 2023, and he averaged 12 points per game his rookie year. He averaged over nine points a game in his next two years, while averaging 45% from the field through all three seasons.
Clearly, the numbers are not the issue. Whitmore’s problems have stemmed from his fit and his injuries. As a high-upside wing, he needs the ball in his hands, and he needs chances to develop.
The Rockets were too good to prioritize development, and the Wizards, where he played last year, had too many mouths to feed. As for the injuries, he has averaged just 40 games played per season.
For the Nuggets, though, he is more than worth the risk. They would be spending nothing to get him, so if he doesn’t pan out or can’t stay healthy, they can just cut him and find a replacement.
But there is also a world where he starts to click offensively, forming a dangerous offensive bench wing duo with DeRozan. As a highly touted prospect with clear scoring potential, Whitmore is at least worth a shot.
Seth Curry Brings Much-Needed Shooting
Shooting is another crucial necessity on Denver’s bench.
Just like DeRozan was the only shot creator on the bench, Spencer Jones is their only knockdown shooter. Plus, starter Christian Braun massively struggled from three last year, shooting just 30% from deep. As a result, Tim Hardaway Jr. ended up playing almost 27 minutes a game off the bench due to his sharp shooting. If the Nuggets can find another shooter, he could end up being vital and playing big minutes.
Despite not being a superstar, Seth Curry has established himself as a fantastic three-point shooter throughout his 12-year NBA career. He is averaging an astonishing 43% on his career, and finished 48% last year.
Granted, his usage has gone down. He only played in ten games last year, and hasn’t been averaging much more than two threes attempted a game. However, in the 2024-25 season, he still shot 45.6% while playing in 68 games. Plus, in years prior, he shot similar percentages while attempting three to six threes a game.
Curry is now 36. He’s not quite who he used to be. But he can still shoot the leather off the basketball, which is a player archetype that the Nuggets desperately lack. Plus, as a guard, Curry is also a solid ball-handler, which is another need of Denver’s.
For a team that dramatically faltered from three when it mattered most last year, picking up one of the best shooters of the last ten years for next to nothing feels like a no-brainer.
Yuki Kawamura Brings Passing and Excitement
After a solid showing in just 11 regular season games, the Nuggets decided to give Tyus Jones the keys to the bench. Jones has bounced around from team to team, struggling to find a home. Yet Denver feels comfortable handing him the reins with almost no backup plan in place.
Yuki Kawamura is one of the most exciting, albeit niche, guards in the NBA. Known for his flashy passes and relentless hustle despite his 5-foot-5 stature, Kawamura is beloved by many true fans. His height has played a large role in his battle for a long-term deal, as he is constantly at a disadvantage. However, his grit and motor allow him to make up for the discrepancy as much as possible.
Having a spark off the bench is always nice. A guy who can come in, play with relentless energy, and make a highlight pass to get the crowd going should always be coveted. Kawamura can perfectly fit that role. He can’t shoot like Jones, but Kawamura brings a whole different set of skills that can complement him. Plus, if Jones struggles or goes down, Denver still has hope at the backup point guard position.
Granted, Kawamura’s sample size is small. He’s only played in 40 NBA games for an average of 7.6 minutes in two years. However, what he offers cannot be measured by minutes or statistics. He may never be a rotation regular, but Kawamura should absolutely have a role as a deep bench piece.
Denver Has Nothing to Lose With Any of These Moves
All three players perfectly highlight Denver’s weaknesses. They need shot creation, shooting, and depth at the point guard position. Thus, the Nuggets should monitor any available player who fits these criteria.
Ultimately, the Nuggets have nothing to lose with any of these guys. Denver would be giving up almost no money, and they can cut them whenever they want.
They likely won’t sign anybody any time soon. But down the line, they may need to address one of those bench issues. Meanwhile, Whitmore, Curry, Kawamura, or whoever else will likely still be waiting.
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