Chris Bosh Urges NBA Teams To Sign Russell Westbrook, James Harden Amid Lack Of Veteran Moves
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While the NBA free agency is ongoing and most teams are near a complete roster, Chris Bosh is surprised that players like Russell Westbrook, James Harden, and DeMar DeRozan remain unsigned as free agents.
Ever since LeBron James made his free agency decision, the expectation around the league was that it would lead to several other free agency signings as potential suitors would shift to their alternative plans after missing out on the 41-year-old.
But there has been a surprising lack of moves in the league since then. The Heat legend, Chris Bosh, subsequently took to social media and expressed his feelings on the lack of veteran moves in the NBA free agency.
“Has the NBA moved on from the OGs and the veteran presence? I mean, come on, James Harden, Russell Westbrook, DeMar DeRozan, they’re still out there. And these are guys who can still help teams win. I’m very confused by that,” Chris Bosh said.
“And I know that the league is getting younger and younger every year; I definitely get that. But when I was a youngster in the NBA, you had to have that veteran presence. Not only on the bench but in the locker room. Showing guys the ropes, showing guys how to be pros, being that extension, another mouthpiece for the coach to help these guys out,” Bosh explained.
“Back in the day, if you were 36, or 37, or whatever, and still in shape, then you had a job. Usually before, back in the day, those guys were not in shape. Those guys were way over the hill, and they couldn’t play anymore. These guys can still help people win.”
“And not only them, but you also have Jalen Duren and Jonathan Kuminga out there too who are still free agents, amongst other people as well. I’m very surprised. After Bron signed, I thought everything would settle in, and teams would get their salary cap situation intact, and they would start signing guys.”
“But it’s really been interesting. I don’t know what they’re waiting on. We have wonderful pros still out there. And they can not only help a team maybe win a championship. They can just help you win more games and extend what you’re trying to do.”
“I believe they are good pros that can help guys out. They’ve been great for a long time, and they should be able to have at least one more season,” Bosh further added.
“Again, I tell you guys all the time that I didn’t get that season. So I’m always in to letting veteran guys have that season, hopefully. But these guys are hoopers; they’re going to keep playing. I’m sure they’ll find a landing spot soon.”
“It’s a really interesting time right now because it is officially August. Those European jobs, the players who go overseas, those guys are starting to sign now. They’re leaving, and if they haven’t left now, they’ll be leaving soon.”
“So the European pro passage that they could use as leverage is kind of passing by. Maybe they might take a good job overseas. But I’m very surprised that these guys aren’t signed yet,” Chris Bosh said in conclusion.
So the two-time NBA champion remains puzzled as to why veteran players like Russell Westbrook, James Harden, and DeMar DeRozan have still not confirmed their landing destinations among a major pool of talent that also includes young players like Jonathan Kuminga and Jalen Duren.
James Harden is expected to re-sign with the Cavaliers; the details of his contract will be finalized later to give their front office some flexibility to make roster changes.
And Jalen Duren is a restricted free agent, so he will likely re-sign with the Pistons, who reportedly have no intentions of trading him. The only three premier free agents whose future remains uncertain are Westbrook, DeRozan and Kuminga.
Westbrook, who last played for the Kings, averaged 15.2 points, 6.7 assists and 5.4 rebounds while shooting 42.7% from the field and 33.8% from behind the three-point line in 2025-26. He is one of the free agents who could be considering a career overseas.
DeRozan, who was waived by the Kings, averaged 18.4 points, 4.1 assists and 2.9 rebounds while going 49.7% from the field and 32.0% from the three-point range last season.
Both these players could be veteran minimum contract additions for teams who need a solid bench production presence or potentially even a veteran presence for their starting lineup.
Even though Westbrook has received plenty of criticism from scouts and players, the Rockets have emerged as a realistic landing spot for the former MVP to reunite with Kevin Durant. Whereas DeRozan is reportedly interested in rejoining the Raptors.
Meanwhile, Jonathan Kuminga, who last played for the Hawks, is reportedly conflicted between the Lakers, the Timberwolves, and the Cavaliers as negotiations remain ongoing for the 23-year-old’s services.
He ended his last stint with the Hawks averaging 12.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in the 16 games he played for them after a midseason trade.
His combined averages, including the time with the Warriors, would be 12.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists while shooting 46.3% from the field and 33.3% from behind the three-point line.
As Chris Bosh insisted, all of these players can still help any team they join and propel them into potential championship contention. Do you think these veterans and young players are potential championship-ambition-altering pieces at this point in their careers? Let us know what you think in the comments section.