NBA Free Agency: 5 high-impact veterans still available for the 2019-20 season

The NBA offseason has slowed down as teams are finding their identities. Some teams signed big-name players and established themselves as contenders in hopes of winning a championship. For example, the Los Angeles Clippers signed Kawhi Leonard, and the Brooklyn Nets signed Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. The big-name free agents are long gone, but there are more free agents left on the market.

With the remaining free agents, teams (contenders or rebuilding) can fill voids in their roster while they prepare for next season. Teams can pick up solid pieces and make their teams better. There are a few veterans that can come in and help a team succeed. Here are five high-impact veterans still available for the 2019-20 season.

#5 J.R. Smith

While some fans may remember J.R. Smith for his 2018 Finals blunder, he is a solid player. Smith is a shooter that is deadly when he gets hot. He gives a team scoring when they need it most. He is a player who isn't afraid to take big shots, regardless of if he makes them or not. He proved this during his time with Cavs.

J.R. Smith last played for the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs acquired him in a three-team trade that involved the Oklahoma City Thunder and the New York Knicks. The Cavs received both Smith and his teammate Iman Shumpert from the Knicks through the trade.

In his first season with the Cavs, Smith averaged 12.7 points and 3.5 rebounds. Smith managed to shoot 39 percent from 3-point range at that time. Then, he was a part of the Cavaliers' 2016 championship team. He averaged 12.4 points in the regular season and 11.5 points in the playoffs. After their championship, Smith remained with the Cavs until a disagreement.

Last season, the Cavs started their first season post-LeBron James (again). James left the Cavaliers to sign with the Lakers, and the Cavs took a step backward. The Cavaliers started their season with a record of 0-6 and fired their head coach Ty Lue. The Cavs ended up starting their season 2-13 as they dealt with injuries.

Cleveland was without Kevin Love for most of the season due to a toe injury, and Smith had a reduced role. This angered Smith, and he voiced his opinion. He felt that the Cavs were trying to tank rather than compete. After expressing his displeasure, Smith and the Cavs decided to part ways.

On November 20, 2018, Cleveland announced that Smith would no longer be with the team. The Cavs said they would work with Smith and his representation in hopes of finding a resolution. Both sides wanted to determine Smith's future as time progressed.

The Cavs tried trading Smith but could not find the right offer. So, they decided to waive him earlier this summer.

Smith played 11 games last season and last played on November 19, 2018. It has been a while since he played, but he can still help a team.

When he was waived, the Milwaukee Bucks met with him. However, no deal was established. If the Bucks or any other team signs J.R. Smith, they gain a shooter who can make crucial shots. It is worth taking a chance.

#4 Jeremy Lin

Jeremy Lin (middle) became a champion this year

Jeremy Lin has had a bittersweet year. He became an NBA champion but now anxiously awaits for his next opportunity. For now, Lin remains on the market.

Lin's championship journey began when he signed with a new team in February. On February 13, he signed with the Toronto Raptors. He signed with them after he reached a buyout with the Atlanta Hawks two days earlier. Lin played 23 games with the Raptors and averaged seven points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists.

Lin joined the Raptors as they were the second-best team in the East. He joined them with roughly two months left in the season, but he was just in time for their playoff run.

The Raptors had an impressive playoff run that led to their championship win. Toronto beat teams such as the Orlando Magic, the Philadelphia 76ers, and the Bucks to reach the NBA Finals. They met the Golden State Warriors and beat them in six games.

The Raptors won their first championship in franchise history, which led to several players winning their first championship. Veterans Kyle Lowry, Marc Gasol, and Serge Ibaka all won their first championship through the Raptors' win. At the same time, young players such as Pascal Siakam won their first championship.

Lin was also one of those veterans players that won their first championship. He played limited minutes, but as a member of the Raptors, he became an NBA champion.

Winning a championship is a high accomplishment, but Lin cannot celebrate like he wants. He seeks his next opportunity. Recently, Lin spoke of his situation and was in tears as he described this free agency as "rock bottom". Lin referred to this offseason as tough and felt like the NBA gave up on him. The veteran guard is having a hard time as the summer progresses.

Lin has received offers, but outside the NBA. He received an offer from CSKA Moscow but turned it down.

Lin's lack of offers is surprising. He is a solid point guard that can help a team, especially off the bench. The summer is winding down, but there is still time. Lin could find the right fit and help that team succeed.

#3 Vince Carter

Vince Carter last played for the Atlanta Hawks

The high-flying player we once knew may be a thing of the past, but Vince Carter is a productive player. As he prepares for his final season, Carter is looking for his final destination.

Last summer, Carter joined the Atlanta Hawks. He joined a young team undergoing a rebuild. The veteran stepped in and mentored the team throughout the season.

During his time with the Hawks, Carter averaged 7.4 points and 2.6 rebounds. He also played 76 games for Atlanta. He started in nine games but came off the bench for most of them.

The Hawks were Carter's eighth NBA team. He started his career with the Toronto Raptors and played for several teams afterward.

Carter played for the New Jersey (now Brooklyn) Nets, Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings, and the Hawks. As he progressed through his career, his role kept becoming smaller and smaller.

With the Raptors, Carter was their star player. The Raptors drafted Carter in 1998, a few years after their inaugural season. Carter put the team on the map with his dazzling dunks and scoring ability. While with the Raptors, he averaged a career-high 27.6 points in 2000-01. Carter played seven seasons with the Raptors (including a lockout season in his rookie year) before being traded to the Nets.

In 2004, the Raptors traded Carter to the Nets in exchange for Alonzo Mourning, Aaron Williams, Eric Williams and two first-round draft picks. Carter went on to play five seasons with the Nets before being traded to the Orlando Magic. After that, he played for other teams.

Vince Carter is approaching his 22nd NBA season. He is the oldest active player in the league and the fifth oldest player of all-time. Ideally, Carter could end his career with the Raptors, but he could land on any team. Whichever team signs him, it will be a special moment.

#2 Jamal Crawford

Jamal Crawford played for the Suns last season

Jamal Crawford finished his 19th season in the league last year as he played for the Phoenix Suns. He averaged 7.9 points and 3.6 assists in 64 games. Now, he is searching for his next team.

The Suns were Crawford's eighth team. The Cleveland Cavaliers drafted him in 2000, but they traded him in a draft-day deal. Crawford ended up with the Chicago Bulls, where he played for four years. Then, the Bulls traded him to the New York Knicks, where he stayed for another four years.

During his time with the Knicks, he averaged a career-high in points. In his 2007-08 season, Crawford averaged 20.6 points as he played a career-high 39.9 minutes. After averaging his career-high (in points), the Knicks traded him to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for Al Harrington. He stayed with the Warriors for one season before they traded him to the Atlanta Hawks.

After a stint with the Hawks, he went on to play for teams such as the Portland Trail Blazers, the L.A. Clippers, the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the Suns. Crawford played well for each team.

For the Suns, he was a veteran player who provided guidance from a bench role. Crawford is a three-time Sixth Man of the Year and provided numerous teams with an offensive spark off the bench. He won the Sixth Man honors during his time with the Hawks and Clippers.

Last season, Crawford averaged single digits in points for the first time since 2001-02. He averaged 9.3 points in that season. Despite his second-lowest career average last season (he averaged 4.6 in 2000-2001), Crawford can still help a team. If his offensive game is not what it used to be, he can still contribute. If he joins a young team, he is a veteran that can provide players with guidance. If he joins a contending team, he can give them offense off the bench.

Crawford is a valuable veteran who should be with a team next season.

#1 Carmelo Anthony

As the summer progresses, Carmelo Anthony is still searching for a home. The 16-year veteran last played for the Rockets, as they tried to become a championship team. However, his time was cut short.

Anthony joined the Rockets after signing a one-year, $2.4 million deal. The Oklahoma City Thunder traded Anthony to the Atlanta Hawks, and he received a buyout from Atlanta. Once he officially cleared waivers, he joined Chris Paul and James Harden in Houston.

With the Rockets, Anthony averaged 13.4 points and 5.4 rebounds. His stats were low, but in the right role, Anthony could have potentially helped the Rockets succeed. If he contributed enough, the Rockets might have become a championship team.

Anthony played 10 games with the Rockets before Houston parted ways with him. The decision led to the Rockets trading Anthony in January. On January 22, the Rockets traded Anthony to the Bulls in exchange for the draft rights of Tadija Dragicevic. The Bulls waived him in February.

Since then, Anthony has been waiting for an offer. The Lakers were tied to rumors of signing Anthony, but nothing happened. As the season went on, Anthony remained a free agent. Now, Carmelo's name is back in the news. He is trying to get back in the league for at least more year. If Anthony is set to retire, he wants a farewell tour (similar to friend Dwyane Wade) to say goodbye. However, he has received little interest.

Anthony has remained in shape in hopes of getting another chance. His trainer said that he is NBA ready and better than 70 percent of the NBA. While both statements may or may not be right, Anthony has not received his opportunity to prove it.

Shams Charania reported that NBA executives are in "serious doubt" about Anthony's NBA future. So, there is a chance that teams may pass on the 35-year-old forward.

However, if a team gives him a chance, Carmelo Anthony can contribute and help them achieve success.