Building an NBA championship team is a constant process.
It does not end during the NBA Draft or after the trade deadline.
General managers constantly evaluate their needs and cap situation to find players who can help them win a title.
With the 2021-22 NBA season underway, teams can still improve by signing free agents.
The skill set that these players offer might be the final piece they need to take home the crown.
Here are three free agents that will continue to field offers from multiple squads.
3. Aron Baynes
Aron Baynes had a career year with the Phoenix Suns just two seasons ago by averaging 11.5 points and 5.6 rebounds per game.
However, his production dipped when he went to the Toronto Raptors.
That was the last time he played in the NBA as the only team in Canada moved on with Khem Birch and Chris Boucher to satisfy their big man rotation.
At 34 years old, Baynes can give any team some solid minutes as a backup center who delivers tough-nosed defense and rebounding tenacity.
Teams that lack frontcourt depth can use the energy and intensity that Baynes brings every game.
The Golden State Warriors might find him helpful while James Wiseman is still out due to injury.
Likewise, the Chicago Bulls can sign Baynes to improve their rim protection when Nikola Vucevic steps out of the game.
2. Jeff Teague
His championship experience will come in handy for any team that will sign him.
Jeff Teague can also provide some points and steady playmaking off the bench.
This underrated point guard will also provide order in executing plays, thanks to his high basketball IQ.
NBA franchises that are looking for a reliable secondary guard will find Teague essential.
His game is not flashy, but he gets the job done.
The Los Angeles Clippers could use him to give Eric Bledsoe or Reggie Jackson some rest.
Teague can contend with Terance Mann and Justise Winslow for minutes in the Clippers’ guard rotation.
Signing Teague should be a no-brainer because teams are getting a quality play-caller without breaking the bank.
1. DeMarcus Cousins
It’s best to assess what DeMarcus Cousins can do now rather than looking at his All-NBA form.
Injuries began to derail his career since his last season with the New Orleans Pelicans in 2017-18.
Since then, his production dropped until he averaged only 7.8 points and 4.5 rebounds per game for the Clippers.
But those numbers are decent enough to land him a spot as a reserve forward/center.
He’s not the 20-point scorer he once was, but he can still make it hard for defenders to stop him for 10 to 15 minutes per night.
However, it’s not yet the end of the line for Cousins’ career, and NBA teams should be in touch with him.
If one of their big men suffered an injury, Cousins has what it takes to fill the vacated role.
The Atlanta Hawks look like a great fit for him because Clint Capela also has an injury history.
When that happens, Cousins and Gorgui Dieng can hold their ground against any opponent.
Signing Cousins is a low-risk, high-reward move, especially if he regains his All-Star form.
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