While the NBA playoffs are in full swing, more than half of the league has already shifted its focus to the offseason since the 2025 NBA Draft and free agency period are right around the corner.
Free agency will get underway on June 30, but it’s never too early to look ahead at the best available players this summer. While the playoffs will change the outlook for some of these players, here are the top 30 free agents as of today.
1. LeBron James | Player Option
Los Angeles Lakers
As his 22nd season winds down, LeBron James doesn’t appear to be slowing down. The 40-year-old has continued to post numbers roughly in line with his 27/7/7 career averages, all while continuing to shoot over 50% from the field while playing nearly 35 minutes per game. While James did miss seven games in March with a groin injury, he’s otherwise been healthy and will likely make his 21st All-NBA team.
James holds a $52.6 million player option, which he’ll likely opt out of to re-negotiate an extra year. He holds one of two no-trade clauses league-wide (with Bradley Beal having the other), but the Lakers likely have no desire to send LeBron anywhere before seeing a full season of his partnership with Luka Dončić.
2. James Harden | Player Option
Los Angeles Clippers
After an embattled stretch from 2022-24, James Harden stabilized this season to emerge as the reliable conductor of a surprising contender in the Los Angeles Clippers. Harden played his most games since the 2016-17 season, earning his first All-Star appearance in three seasons. While his shooting percentages dropped, he remained invaluable to the Clippers’ offense due to his ability to draw fouls while dishing out over eight assists per game.
Harden will turn 36 in August, but he has been extremely durable — playing over 90% of the games in his two seasons with the Clippers. Even with a checkered playoff history, Harden brings plenty of value to a franchise that has come to value long-term sustainability and consistent postseason berths. He’ll likely opt out of his $36.3 million player option and earn a raise on a short multi-year deal, with Los Angeles surely hoping to keep him around.
3. Myles Turner | UFA
Indiana Pacers
After a few injury-plagued years in the middle of his career, Myles Turner has exceeded 70 games played over the last two seasons while providing excellent two-way value. The Indiana Pacers center shot a career-high 39.5% from three this season, while also averaging over five attempts per game from deep for the first time.
Still only 29 years old, Turner’s combination of shooting and rim protection makes him an extremely valuable stretch big, especially with his improved health track record recently. Indiana is less than $3 million from the tax line before re-signing Turner. Given that the franchise has traditionally avoided tax payments, the Pacers will either have to buck that trend or move other pieces to free up salary if they want to retain Turner.
4. Naz Reid | Player Option
Minnesota Timberwolves
Last year’s Sixth Man of the Year has earned a bigger role with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Naz Reid averaged career-highs in points, rebounds, assists, and minutes per game this season, helping fill the frontcourt void left by the Karl-Anthony Towns trade.
Reid’s shooting percentages are down a bit from 2023-24, but he’s still well above-average at over 38% from three. With only a $15 million player option as he approaches his 26th birthday, Reid is a lock to opt out and earn a hefty raise on a new contract.
5. Julius Randle | Player Option
Minnesota Timberwolves
Julius Randle isn’t a clean fit with every franchise, as his year with the Wolves has indicated. The timing of his trade to Minnesota didn’t help, but Randle averaged his fewest points per game since 2017-18 (his final year with the Lakers), while his 24.7% usage rate was his lowest since 2016-17.
Randle has a $30.9 million player option, but may want to opt out and seek more security with a multi-year deal, as he turns 31 early next season. He may not be in Minnesota’s long-term plans anyway with Naz Reid also needing a new deal, being five years younger, and likely ready for a full-time starting role.
6. Kyrie Irving | Player Option
Dallas Mavericks
Kyrie Irving is the toughest player on this list to rank. Prior to his torn ACL, Irving was thriving as the centerpiece of the post-Luka Dallas Mavericks team, keeping the Mavs afloat with their top three frontcourt players absent. Unfortunately, the timing of Irving’s early March injury ensures that he’ll miss most (if not all) of next season. As a result, it wouldn’t be a shock to see him opt into his $40 million player option.
Irving turned 33 in March, meaning that we may not see him again until he’s nearing his 35th birthday at the start of the 2026-27 season. He’s still an uber-efficient scorer, as evidenced by his 47/40/92 shooting splits this season. But the first season of his next contract is likely to be a wash, and it’s not clear if Irving can maintain his same difficult shot-making in the wake of a major injury as he ages into his mid-30s.
7. Malik Beasley | UFA
Detroit Pistons
One of the frontrunners for Sixth Man of the Year, Malik Beasley enjoyed a surprising breakout season with the Detroit Pistons. Beasley shot over 40% from three on more than nine attempts per game, joining Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Damian Lillard as the only players to do that in NBA history.
As an extremely durable player who has played at least 79 games in four straight seasons, Beasley is due a hefty raise from his one-year, $6 million deal he signed last offseason. The Pistons only hold his non-Bird rights, meaning they’re limited in how much they can offer him in the first year of his next contract. That will likely require Detroit to get creative to generate enough cap space if they hope to keep him on a market-level deal.
8. Josh Giddey | RFA
Chicago Bulls
Few players earned themselves more money after the All-Star break than Josh Giddey. Thanks to an especially effective March, Giddey averaged career-highs in rebounds and assists during his first season with the Chicago Bulls. Critically, he also shot just under 38% from three after shooting 31% during his three seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
It’s unclear if that late-season surge is a mirage, and Giddey’s status as a restricted free agent means that a team may not want to tie up money waiting to see if the Bulls match an offer sheet. Still, it wouldn’t be a shock to see a team gamble on finding out if the toolsy 22-year-old has broken out for good.
9. Fred VanVleet | Team Option
Houston Rockets
After a one-year spike in three-point shooting, Fred VanVleet dipped back to his customary levels this season and shot below 38% from the field for the first time since his rookie year in 2016-17. Still, the 31-year-old has been an important organizer for the Houston Rockets’ offense and still maintained a strong assist-to-turnover ratio.
The Rockets have a $44.9 million team option to retain VanVleet. That’s more than he would earn annually on the open market, so it’s possible the team declines his option and tries to negotiate a multi-year deal on a more reasonable salary.
10. Jonathan Kuminga | RFA
Golden State Warriors
A major ankle injury stalled Jonathan Kuminga’s fourth season, and the fit hasn’t been the cleanest since he returned after the Jimmy Butler trade. Still, a 22-year-old averaging over 15 points per game who shot over 50% from the field in each of his first three seasons will be seen as a valuable commodity.
Kuminga is a restricted free agent, and Golden State likely views him as part of their long-term plans given the franchise’s reluctance to include him in the Butler trade. However, a big offer from a cap-rich team like the Brooklyn Nets could put Golden State in a tough spot.
11. Brook Lopez | UFA
Milwaukee Bucks
Even at 37 years old, Brook Lopez remains an extremely dependable two-way center for the Milwaukee Bucks. Lopez played 31.8 minutes per game this season, his most since the 2016-17 season, and has played at least 78 games each of the past three years.
At this point, Lopez feels like a lock to continue averaging roughly two blocks per game on 37% three-point shooting for as long as he wants. Milwaukee may not be able to offer him $24 million annually like his last contract, but he’s an important piece on a team with a lot of pressure to remain a contender.
12. John Collins | Player Option
Utah Jazz
John Collins played a career-low 40 games with an ankle injury this season, but that was partially a byproduct of the Utah Jazz’s tank job. When he was healthy, Collins averaged 19.0 points per game on 52.7% shooting, including just a hair under 40% from three-point land.
Collins showed enough promise in a higher-usage offensive role that teams might be intrigued if they can pair him with a bigger defensive-minded big to make up for his deficiencies on that end of the court. Collins has a $26.6 million player option, but has a decent chance to make more than that on a multi-year deal in free agency.
13. Quentin Grimes | RFA
Philadelphia 76ers
The stunning star of the Philadelphia 76ers’ tank job, Quentin Grimes earned himself money in a role no one envisioned for him at the start of the season. Grimes starred for the Sixers after a midseason trade from the Mavericks, averaging over 22 points per game on solid shooting efficiency after averaging fewer than 10 points per game during his first three-and-a-half seasons.
Grimes is a restricted free agent this summer, and Philly surely intended to re-sign him even before his breakout. As a 24-year-old who also defends well, Grimes looks like a valuable member of the 76ers’ core that could add a top-six draft pick as well if the lottery falls in their favor.
14. Nickeil Alexander-Walker | UFA
Minnesota Timberwolves
Nickeil Alexander-Walker has steadily improved during his three years with the Timberwolves, turning into an important three-and-D player off the bench for Minnesota. Alexander-Walker shot over 38% from three for the second straight season, giving the Wolves some sorely needed spacing after the Towns trade.
The Timberwolves retain his Bird rights but are only about $12.8 million from the second apron with Randle and Reid hitting free agency as well. More severe penalties would hit Minnesota if it stays over the second apron for a second straight year, including a frozen first-round pick. That could make Alexander-Walker a candidate to get paid elsewhere if the Wolves prioritize their frontcourt free agents.
15. Chris Paul | UFA
San Antonio Spurs
Even as he turns 40 this May, Chris Paul showed he still has a valuable role as a floor general for a young San Antonio Spurs team. Although Paul averaged the fewest points of his career, he played every game and still averaged over seven assists per game. San Antonio’s net rating was roughly 5.5 points per 100 possessions better with CP3 on the court compared to when he was off.
Paul signed a one-year, $10.5 million deal last offseason and is in line for a similar contract this summer (assuming he wants to keep playing). The only question is whether he’d prefer to finish his career out on a more clear-cut contender, or if Paul feels he can elevate the Spurs with a healthy Victor Wembanyama, De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, and another lottery pick arriving this summer.
16. Santi Aldama | RFA
Memphis Grizzlies
Santi Aldama earned a big role for an injury-ravaged Memphis Grizzlies team last season. However, even with the Grizzlies keeping most of their stars relatively healthy this year, Aldama maintained a similar role while averaging career-highs in points, field goal percentage, and three-point percentage.
Aldama is an ideal bench big for today’s game, as he can stretch the floor on offense while being mobile enough on defense that ball-handlers can’t simply hunt him in the pick-and-roll. He just turned 24 in January, so the Grizzlies will likely seek to keep the restricted free agent after trading away Marcus Smart to free up some long-term salary.
17. Al Horford | UFA
Boston Celtics
Approaching his 39th birthday, Al Horford nevertheless remains a critical piece for one of the top title contenders in the NBA. Horford is ostensibly the sixth man for the Boston Celtics but has started over half the games each of the past two seasons with Kristaps Porzingis’ unreliable availability. And although his shooting was down this season, he still shot over 36% from deep while providing valuable defensive versatility.
Horford’s last contract was for two years and $19.5 million, and he probably deserves to stay in the $10 million per year range based solely on his play. However, if he wants to retire with the Celtics, he may need to take a discount with Boston potentially making multiple salary-dumping trades to duck the second apron.
18. Dorian Finney-Smith | Player Option
Los Angeles Lakers
The embodiment of a three-and-D wing for years, Dorian Finney-Smith fits in with virtually any contending team. Finney-Smith shot 41.1% from three, the first time in his career he’s exceeded 40%, maintaining his efficiency from deep after the Nets dealt him to the Lakers in December.
Finney-Smith turns 32 during the playoffs, but could still opt out of his $15.2 million player option given the relative dearth of free agents with his skill set this offseason. As a versatile defender who fits with the Lakers’ desire for big bodies across the board, Finney-Smith will likely be tempted to stay with Los Angeles on a multi-year deal.
19. Ty Jerome | UFA
Cleveland Cavaliers
Of all the things that went right for the Cleveland Cavaliers this season, Ty Jerome’s breakout into a bonafide Sixth Man of the Year candidate was among the most surprising. Jerome was an extremely efficient scorer off the bench, recording 52/44/87 shooting splits after playing in two games due to an ankle injury last season.
The only reason Jerome isn’t ranked higher on this list is due to the sample size, both for his career and the season. Because the Cavs were so deep, Jerome averaged fewer than 20 minutes per game, which ranked 10th on the team. Although Cleveland holds his Bird rights, it’s possible a team projects a bigger role for Jerome and pries him away.
20. Cam Thomas | RFA
Brooklyn Nets
Cam Thomas was on his way to another season as a high-volume microwave scorer before a hamstring injury cut his campaign short. Thomas appeared in only 25 games, but he averaged a career-high 24.0 points per game while shooting just under 35% from three before his injury.
Thomas’ fit is a little tough to project, as he doesn’t bring much beyond his scoring. That makes him a tough sell for a contending team, and no team can outbid the Nets anyway with Thomas being a restricted free agent. Brooklyn has the most cap space in the NBA and will keep Thomas if it wants, but that could be contingent on the Nets’ other targets.
21. Kelly Oubre Jr. | Player Option
Philadelphia 76ers
Kelly Oubre Jr. has good size and mobility to defend ball-handling guards. However, he’s a tricky fit as a poor three-point shooter, as he sank below 30% from deep this season with the Philadelphia 76ers. He did shoot 55.5% from inside the arc, as he has the athleticism to finish around the rim.
Offense-first teams in need of a defensive boost could be interested in Oubre, who is still only 29 years old after his 10th season. His inability to space the floor does make him an awkward fit if he’s not going to be one of the primary offensive creators, though, which means playoff teams might shy away from him.
22. Clint Capela | UFA
Atlanta Hawks
Clint Capela has provided a very defined skill set of rebounding and lob finishes over the years. However, injuries have sometimes made his availability inconsistent, and he missed nearly 30 games this season with a hand injury. Capela averaged just over 21 minutes per game for the Atlanta Hawks, his fewest since the 2015-16 season (his second in the NBA).
With Capela turning 31 and Onyeka Okongwu looking capable in a bigger role, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Hawks move on. Capela did average double-digit rebounds for seven straight years before this season, though his rebounds per 36 averages have slowly declined in five straight seasons. Still, a team in need of more size could do worse than buying low on the Swiss center.
23. Caris LeVert | UFA
Atlanta Hawks
After being minimized in Cleveland, Caris LeVert has re-emerged in his usual role as a productive bench scorer for Atlanta. LeVert averaged 14.9 points per game on over 48% shooting with the Hawks, including 60% from two-point range. Both those shooting percentages would have been career-highs over the course of a full season.
There will likely be some regression in the shooting department next season, though LeVert is well-established at this point, so a team can feel fairly safe about his floor. He’ll turn 31 in August and is likely hoping for something around the non-taxpayer mid-level ($14.1 million).
24. Russell Westbrook | UFA
Denver Nuggets
Although Russell Westbrook has had his moments as a high-energy creator for a very thin Denver Nuggets team, his limitations have also shown up when pressed into a larger role. Such is life for the 36-year-old former MVP, whose relentless motor holds regular-season value but ultimately doesn’t paper over the holes in his game that make him difficult to rely on for high-level contenders.
Westbrook has been playing on short-term deals the last three years, which figures to be the case again. His synergy with Nikola Jokic makes him more valuable to the Nuggets than other teams, and it’s questionable if he’ll really earn more than the minimum. That could allow Westbrook to exercise his modest $3.5 million player option to stick around in Denver.
25. Tyus Jones | UFA
Phoenix Suns
His contributions were overshadowed by the Phoenix Suns turning into a dumpster fire, but Tyus Jones remains one of the more reliable caretaker point guards in the league. Jones’ calling card is his excellent assist-to-turnover ratio, but he’s also shot above 41% from three each of the last two seasons. This year, his 4.9 three-point attempts per game were a career-high, as he showed the ability to maintain efficiency with higher volume.
Jones got squeezed into taking a veteran’s minimum deal last offseason. But he’ll turn only 29 years old in May, and likely deserves a pay raise. That could price him out of Phoenix, which can only offer him a max of $4.4 million since his contract does not come with Bird rights.
26. Guerschon Yabusele | UFA
Philadelphia 76ers
The French Olympic hero made the most of his return to the NBA, averaging 11 points per game on over 50% shooting from the field and 38% from three-point range. Guerschon Yabusele played a bigger role than expected for the injury-depleted 76ers, but has clearly earned a rotation spot on a one-year deal.
Philadelphia does not have Bird rights on Yabusele and can only offer him $2.9 million unless they use their mid-level exception. The Sixers are about $10.6 million under the tax, which could make about an $8.4 million difference in how much they can pay him. With Quentin Grimes and Kelly Oubre Jr. also hitting free agency, it’ll be interesting to see if Philly is willing to go into the tax to keep together a core that massively underwhelmed this season.
27. Amir Coffey | UFA
Los Angeles Clippers
An underrated bench wing for a few years, Amir Coffey averaged career-highs in minutes and points for the Clippers this season. He thrived with the larger role, shooting nearly 41% from three and over 47% from the field overall. He also made over 89% of his free throws, demonstrating his growth into a three-and-D wing.
Coffey turns 28 years old in June, and has a coveted skill set. The Clippers have his Bird rights, though he’s due a sizable raise from his three-year, $11 million rookie deal. Teams that miss out on Beasley, Finney-Smith, or Alexander-Walker could turn to Coffey as a lower-cost alternative for that skillset.
28. Bobby Portis | Player Option
Milwaukee Bucks
Although he missed 25 games due to a suspension for a banned substance, Bobby Portis remained a reliable bench scorer for the Bucks this season. Portis has hovered around 14 points per game in 25 minutes per game in four straight seasons, making him a very projectable player even as he turned 30 in February.
Portis has a $13.4 million player option that he could exercise to remain in Milwaukee. He likely isn’t seeking a bigger role at this stage of his career, so his free agent destiny could come down to whether the Bucks are willing to play ball on a multi-year contract at a similar rate.
29. Khris Middleton | Player Option
Washington Wizards
Availability is a huge question for Khris Middleton, whose career has been derailed since a seemingly innocuous sprained MCL in the first round of the 2022 playoffs. Since then, Middleton has not played more than 55 games in a season, and he’s played fewer than 40 games in two of the last three years. After his trade to the Washington Wizards, Middleton shot just over 41% from the field, including an abysmal 27.7% from three.
He was far more efficient than that in a smaller role with the Bucks prior to the trade, as Middleton doesn’t really fit in a full rebuilding situation. While he might hold some value as a bench wing for a contender, Middleton could also opt in to his $34 million player option since he won’t make that much on the open market.
30. Jaxson Hayes | UFA
Los Angeles Lakers
The only true center on the Lakers roster after the Luka Dončić-Anthony Davis trade, Jaxson Hayes demonstrated promise as a rim protector and lob threat. Hayes held opponents to just under 54% shooting at the rim this season, 11th-best out of 156 players to defend 150+ field goal attempts at the rim. However, he was also one of the least efficient rebounding bigs, highlighting an area for improvement.
Hayes turns only 25 years old in May, and the Lakers will hold his Bird rights. Los Angeles could certainly pivot away depending on what other moves the front office makes to create a more well-rounded roster, but Hayes is a young option with upside who shouldn’t be particularly expensive.
