If the Sixers don’t land LeBron James, who should fill their final roster spot? Here are a few options.

Coming out of the holiday weekend, the 76ers and NBA at large are still on LeBron James Watch.

Free agency’s initial wave also is over, with players beginning to officially sign new contracts after the moratorium lifted. The Sixers’ new deals with Dean Wade and Anfernee Simons were officially announced Monday afternoon, as was the blockbuster trade for All-NBA forward Jaylen Brown.

Those moves leave the Sixers with only a veteran’s minimum contract available to fill their final full-time roster spot. One two-way slot also is available.

» READ MORE: Sixers officially announce Jaylen Brown trade and Anfernee Simons, Dean Wade signings

It is still possible, however, to find productive players on those types of small deals. Kelly Oubre Jr. joined the Sixers on a veteran’s minimum contract in September of 2023, before three productive seasons. Last year, Dominick Barlow signed a two-way contract in the middle of summer league, before becoming a part-time starting forward and getting converted to a standard deal.

If James decides to play elsewhere, here is a breakdown of still-available free agents that could fill that spot instead:

After the Sixers declined the team option for 2026-27 in Watford’s contract, the versatile forward remains uncommitted to a new team. Perhaps he has already signaled his plans to move on no matter what, after he posted Future’s song “Ain’t Coming Back” on his Instagram story shortly after his option was declined. But if he lingers on the market, could a return to Philly be possible? Though Watford was not a consistent member of the Sixers’ rotation, his close friendship with All-NBA guard Tyrese Maxey is a perk.

Brown played a critical role on the Denver Nuggets’ 2023 NBA championship team. Though his return to Denver last season did not feature the same scoring impact, he is still regarded as an offensive connector and played in all 82 games. He averaged 7.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists last season.

Once an All-Star and running mate for Giannis Antetokounmpo on the Milwaukee Bucks’ 2021 title team, the 34-year-old Middleton has been derailed by injuries in recent seasons but still flashes ability to get his own shot. He averaged 10.2 points on 42% shooting, along with 3.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists, in a 2025-26 season split between the Washington Wizards and Dallas Mavericks.

DeRozan, who was reportedly waived by the rebuilding Sacramento Kings Monday, is still a professional scorer. The six-time All-Star is expected to choose a contender as his next destination, after averaging 18.4 points on nearly 50% shooting along with 4.1 assists in 77 games last season. Though deadly from the midrange, the 36-year-old DeRozan has never been a high-volume three-point shooter.

» READ MORE: The Jaylen Brown trade benefits VJ Edgecombe, who will now have the time he needs to develop

If the Sixers are a tad wary of the raw, unpredictable play of Adem Bona (whose $2.3 million salary for 2026-27 becomes guaranteed Tuesday) and free-agency addition Ariel Hukporti, Richards is a capable veteran option at backup center. He averaged 5.8 points and 5.1 rebounds in 14.6 minutes last season split between the Phoenix Suns and Chicago Bulls.

A rare feel-good story during the Sixers’ disastrous 2024-25 season, Yabusele parlayed his NBA comeback into a pay raise with the New York Knicks. To say things did not work out in New York is an understatement, and he was traded at the deadline to the Bulls. Could he successfully slide back into a complementary frontcourt role with the Sixers? Or will his performance two seasons ago go down as a career anomaly on a bad team?

A Bob Myers connection, Looney spent his first 10 NBA seasons developing into a well-regarded big man on the Golden State Warriors dynasty teams. The 30-year-old only played in 21 games last season for the New Orleans Pelicans, but is another beloved locker room presence.

The Los Angeles Clippers declined Batum’s $5.9 million team option last weekend, making him an unrestricted free agent. Sixers coach Nick Nurse (and Joel Embiid) had an affinity for Batum’s veteran savvy during his time with the Sixers in the 2023-24 season, when he swung the play-in game against the Miami Heat with his three-point shooting and even became the team’s designated inbounds passer. But he is 37 years old, and feels deep family connections to Los Angeles and the West Coast.

The former Sixers wing was once a member of the NBA’s All-Defensive Team before being traded at the 2023 deadline. He went through injury struggles in parts of four seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers but had a strong finish to 2025-26. He averaged 2.0 steals and shot 39.8% on 3.3 three-point attempts in 30 regular-season games, and played double-digit minutes in three of Portland’s five playoff games against the San Antonio Spurs.

The former Sixer is a non-shooter but hyper-athletic forward who is a lob threat with defensive versatility. He also displayed ability as a small-ball center, and in playing in the short roll alongside Maxey. Last season, he played for the Ningbo Rockets of the Chinese Basketball Association.

Another Myers connection, Payton has been a physical defender even going back to his college days. The 33-year-old averaged 7.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 73 games for the Warriors last season.

Coffey boasts prototypical wing size at 6-foot-7 and 210 pounds. He also is a career 38.2% shooter from beyond the arc, including when he connected on nearly 41% on 3.4 attempts in 72 games for the Los Angeles Clippers in 2024-25.

Obligatory inclusion of Simmons, who recently told Men’s Health that he is attempting an NBA comeback and would consider a return to the Sixers.