The 2026 NBA Draft gets underway tonight, and then free agency kicks off a week from today, allowing some of the league’s biggest names to find new homes. Here’s a look at the top-20 players set to hit the market this offseason and where they could potentially land.
1) LeBron James, F, UFA
2025 Team: Los Angeles Lakers
Arguably, the greatest player of all time appears to be returning for at least one more NBA season. The Los Angeles Lakers have to decide whether to offer him a lucrative deal or let him take his retirement tour elsewhere.
Potential Landing Spots:Â Lakers, Warriors, Cavaliers
2) Austin Reaves, G, Player Option
2025 Team: Los Angeles Lakers
Austin Reaves is an elite third option with the potential for something greater. A team with cap space may offer him a long-term deal to become their top scoring option. A return to Los Angeles is also in the cards if the price is right.
Potential Landing Spots:Â Lakers, Nets, Bulls
3) James Harden, G, Player Option
2025 Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
James Harden is past his prime, but still an elite playmaker and long-range shooter. Everyone needs a lead guard, but not everyone has the money to afford one. A Harden return to Cleveland on a one- or two-year deal seems most likely.
Potential Landing Spots:Â Cavaliers, Timberwolves, Rockets
4) Jalen Duren, C, RFA
2025 Team: Detroit Pistons
Jalen Duren’s 2026 postseason was one to forget, as he single-handedly cost himself a max contract. The Lakers and Bulls are both center-needy and have money to spend, but it remains to be seen if they can extend an offer sheet that the Detroit Pistons won’t match.
Potential Landing Spots:Â Pistons, Lakers, Bulls
5) Isaiah Hartenstein, C, Team Option
2025 Team: Oklahoma City Thunder
As an NBA champion, elite rebounder, and strong defender who also happens to have an underrated offensive skill set, Isaiah Hartenstein fits on every NBA roster.
However, the Thunder may decline his $28.5 million team option and make Chet Holmgren their full-time five given the cost of their roster.
Potential Landing Spots:Â Thunder, Nets, Lakers
6) Walker Kessler, C, RFA
2025 Team: Utah Jazz
Walker Kessler reportedly turned down a five-year, $140 million extension from the Utah Jazz, and the two sides reportedly aren’t close to an agreement. It’s hard to imagine that many other teams will offer him more, but if either the Lakers, Bulls, or Nets are willing to offer a near-max deal, the Jazz will almost certainly move on.
Potential Landing Spots:Â Jazz, Lakers, Bulls
7) Zach LaVine, G, Player Option
2025 Team: Sacramento Kings
More likely than not, Zach LaVine will accept his $48,967,380 player option and ride out one more season with the Sacramento Kings. He is set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2027 unless extended by Sacramento or another organization.
Potential Landing Spots:Â Kings, Lakers, Nets
8) Norman Powell, G, UFA
2025 Team: Miami Heat
Norman Powell has remained one of the most underrated scoring guards this decade. Unfortunately, there aren’t many teams able to offer him the contract he deserves. The veteran’s best bet is to take a short-term deal with a team in need of scoring.
Potential Landing Spots: Pistons, Raptors, Celtics
9) Coby White, G, UFA
2025 Team: Charlotte Hornets
Coby White played meaningful basketball for the first time in his career during the final stretch of the Charlotte Hornets’ season. Hitting big shot after big shot, the 26-year-old may have worked himself into a multi-year deal as a starting guard.
Potential Landing Spots:Â Hornets, Nets, Heat
10) Mitchell Robinson, C, UFA
2025 Team: New York Knicks
Mitchell Robinson is arguably the best backup five in the NBA. He is an elite rebounder and an excellent interior defender who just helped the New York Knicks win the NBA championship.
If New York cannot retain him, center-needy teams are expected to target him as either a starter or as a sixth man.
Potential Landing Spots:Â Knicks, Lakers, Hornets
11) Rui Hachimura, F, UFA
2025 Team: Los Angeles Lakers
Rui Hachimura was a key contributor in the Lakers’ playoff run, consistently hitting shots from behind the arc. Standing at 6-foot-8, Hachimura is the ideal shooting forward that has become so coveted in today’s game.
Potential Landing Spots:Â Lakers, Spurs, Suns
12) Tobias Harris, F, UFA
2025 Team: Detroit Pistons
Similar to Hachimura, Tobias Harris stepped up during the 2026 postseason. The veteran forward averaged the second-most points on the Pistons and consistently came through when the offense stagnated. Contenders should be calling his line when free agency opens.
Potential Landing Spots:Â Pistons, Spurs, Warriors
13) Kristaps Porzingis, C, UFA
2025 Team: Golden State Warriors
Kristaps Porzingis has played for five teams in the last five years. Is he willing to make it six in six years? It remains to be seen if the Golden State Warriors want to re-sign him or if another organization is willing to take a chance on a talented but injury-prone center.
Potential Landing Spots:Â Warriors, Celtics, Nets
14) Lu Dort, G, Team Option
2025 Team: Oklahoma City Thunder
Reigning NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander reportedly wants Lu Dort to return, but the question is whether Oklahoma City’s decision-makers can afford him. He is currently up for a $17,722,222 team option. Expect the Thunder to decline his option and potentially try to re-sign him to a cheaper deal.
Potential Landing Spots:Â Thunder, Lakers, Pistons
15) Bennedict Mathurin, G, RFA
2025 Team: Los Angeles Clippers
Bennedict Mathurin struggled with his efficiency after being traded from the Indiana Pacers to the Los Angeles Clippers. Regardless, he still put up solid point totals night in and night out. If a team is willing to spend on the high-upside guard, Los Angeles may let him go.
Potential Landing Spots:Â Clippers, Mavericks, Bucks
16) Anfernee Simons, G, UFA
2025 Team: Chicago Bulls
Another sparkplug scoring guard on the market, Anfernee Simons was solid for the Boston Celtics this past season before being traded to the Bulls. With Chicago heading towards a rebuild, Simons will likely walk and sign with a team in need of guard help.
Potential Landing Spots:Â Mavericks, Nuggets, Kings
17) John Collins, F/C, UFA
2025 Team: Los Angeles Clippers
There is always a need for forward-center hybrids who are athletic and can stretch the floor, and John Collins fits that bill. Boston struck out on Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Minnesota moved on from Julius Randle. Collins could fill the gap for those two contenders.
Potential Landing Spots: Celtics, Timberwolves, Spurs
18) Khris Middleton, F, UFA
2025 Team: Dallas Mavericks
Very quickly, Khris Middleton found himself in two ugly situations last season with the Washington Wizards and the Dallas Mavericks.
He was a key contributor with the Bucks years ago and, heading into his age-35 season, could look to join a contender.
Potential Landing Spots:Â Lakers, Warriors, Cavaliers
19) Mark Williams, Center, RFA
2025 Team: Phoenix Suns
Coming off the most healthy year of his career, Mark Williams showed what he was capable of in Phoenix. At just 24 years old, he could command a solid long-term deal from either the Suns or another organization.
Potential Landing Spots:Â Suns, Hawks, Celtics
20) Robert Williams III, Center, UFA
2025 Team: Portland Trail Blazers
Robert Williams III may be the odd man out in Portland, as they already have two valuable young centers in Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen. Teams in need of a shot-blocking lob threat will be targeting the 28-year-old this offseason.
Potential Landing Spots:Â Celtics, Lakers, Warriors
