There was a time, and those of us of a certain vintage will remember it well, when NBA free agency was one of the most exciting times on the calendar, not only for the league but for all of sports. Teams would scrape their way under the salary cap (not the tax or the aprons–the cap itself!) and create room to sign certain targeted players. If you can remember 2010, there were eight teams with significant cap space vying for the likes of now-Lakers star LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Carlos Boozer, Amare Stoudemire and … well, Ray Felton.
Now, player empowerment has meant that teams and stars operate differently. Rather than the uncertainty of free agency, players tend to get massive contract extensions, then demand trades to a small set of locations.
That’s changing back somewhat, and this summer, there will be at least three teams with significant ($40 million-plus) cap space–the Bulls, the Lakers and the Nets, with the Pistons ($30 million) also in the mix.
So, who will they be chasing? Here’s a look at the Top 10 guards, forwards and centers expected to be available.
NBA Free Agency: Lakers Guards Will Lead the Way
Austin Reaves, Lakers. He’s eligible for a $241 million deal with L.A. Will the Lakers pay up—and could anyone realistically challenge them?
James Harden, Cavaliers. Chatter suggests he could opt out of $42 million and take a smaller, three-year deal to stay in Cleveland.
Trae Young, Wizards. He’s got a player option at $49 million, which might prove too hefty to decline.
Ayo Dosunmu, Timberwolves. He’s due a big raise after a strong postseason in Minnesota.
Bennedict Mathurin, Clippers. Shooting struggles after his trade to the Clippers could complicate restricted free agency, which is always complicated enough as is.
Coby White, Hornets. Thrived down the stretch off the bench for the Hornets, and it’d be a surprise if Charlotte let him walk.
CJ McCollum, Hawks. He will take a cut from his $30 million last year, but the Hawks have no long-term point guard answer. Running it back with McCollum on a short-term deal makes sense.
Collin Gillespie, Suns. Breakout year with 12.7 points and 40% 3-point shooting should mean a sizable raise.
Luke Kennard, Lakers. Moved back into the spotlight with the Lakers, and an expanded role—an improvement vs. the Thunder is needed.
Marcus Smart, Lakers. Proved his value as a secondary point guard and a leader down the stretch with the Lakers, who want him back.
Free-Agent Forwards: LeBron James Is Back on the Market
LeBron James, Lakers. It’s been eight years since we had a summer in which we were not sure what would happen with LeBron James. We’re ready for another—Lakers, Cavaliers and Warriors are the front-runners.
Peyton Watson, Nuggets. His breakout year was well-timed, as he heads into restricted free agency. But he missed the second half of the season with a hamstring issue, and that will dent his value. Can he attract a big outside offer to force the Nuggets’ hand?
Lu Dort, Thunder. The OKC cash crunch is set to begin this summer, and the team could pass on picking up Dort’s $19 million option.
Norman Powell, Heat. Coming off an All-Star season, Powell is looking for a raise from the $20 million per year he made last season. Miami wants him back, but it could depend on whether the team finally makes a blockbuster trade.
Tari Eason, Rockets. The addition of Kevin Durant did not do much for Eason’s development, and it could knock him back in what he might have earned from the Rockets in his upcoming restricted free agency.
Andrew Wiggins, Heat. He still has a role in the NBA as a solid two-way player, and he’s likely to look to catch on with a contender for next season.
Jonathan Kuminga, Hawks. Kuminga has a $24 million team option, and there is chatter that there is already a handshake agreement for a long-term deal. But it would make sense for Atlanta to keep him on that one-year deal and figure out how he fits in.
Tobias Harris, Pistons. Fan bases always complain about Harris, until the chips are down and you realize how much value he has. He could help a contender on a value contract.
Rui Hachimura, Lakers. That other Lakers free agent has been easy to overlook. His value is tough to pin down.
John Collins, Clippers. He could opt in on $26 million, but he could look for a smaller per-year deal with a longer term.
Getty CJ McCollum is heading into NBA free agency
NBA Free Agency: All Eyes on Restricted Free Agent Centers
Jalen Duren, Pistons. Duren’s struggles in the first round of the playoffs won’t help his case in free agency. But he is still a 22-year-old All-Star coming off a 19.5-point, 10.5-rebound season, and will get a serious payday.
Walker Kessler, Jazz. Kessler will be one of the most closely watched free-agents this summer, with the Bulls and Lakers known to have strong interest. The Jazz want to keep him, but will they pay top dollar to do so?
Isaiah Hartenstein, Thunder. Again, OKC has a cash crunch up ahead, and the team option on Hartenstein’s $28 million would be an easy way to duck some tax trouble. It would sting to lose him, but the Thunder always knew that was a possibility here. Question is, who will pay him?
Deandre Ayton, Lakers. Ayton has an $8 million player option, and despite his improvements with the Lakers, that will not be an easy decision. He could choose to come back on that number next year.
Mitchell Robinson, Knicks. The Knicks’ future depends on how the playoffs unfold, and that includes Robinson. Will another team be willing to gamble on Robinson’s delicate ankles? Will the Knicks?
Kristaps Porzingis, Warriors. The Warriors did not trade for Porzingis just to let him walk, but his lack of availability will limit what they’re willing to pay him to keep him around.
Mark Williams, Suns. He’s an effective rim-running big man but health concerns will limit him to short free-agent offers.
Nikola Vucevic, Celtics. His Boston tenure was a disaster after he was traded from the Bulls. He broke a finger in March, came back, but was benched in the playoffs.
Jaxson Hayes, Lakers. Hayes wants to return to the Lakers, but if he gets a significant offer—with more playing time—he would have to take it.
Nick Richards, Bulls. There are not a ton of center options for the Bulls in, so keeping Richards with an eye on perhaps trading him down the line could be the move here.
NBA Free Agency 2026: 7 Lakers Among the Top 30 Options