The NBA’s 2025 free agency period is underway. While contracts can’t be signed until 12:01 p.m. ET on July 6, teams and players have begun negotiating and agreeing to deals.
The 2025 NBA free agency class had some big names, including LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden — all of whom agreed to new deals before the free agency period opened. So, which players are remaining in the free-agent pool? Here’s a look at the top free agents who are still available.
Ranking the NBA’s Top Remaining Free Agents
14) Isaiah Jackson, C, Indiana Pacers
Isaiah Jackson has been a solid backup center during his four-year tenure with the Indiana Pacers since being drafted in 2021, posting career averages of 7.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game. However, his 2024-25 season ended in early November as he went down with a torn Achilles. Known for his springy athleticism on both ends of the court, his recovery will be a key development as far as his market in free agency is concerned.
Chances of Signing Elsewhere: Moderate. The Pacers shockingly let starting center Myles Turner sign with the Milwaukee Bucks, so it’s unclear what they will do to replace him. The cheap late-season additions of centers Thomas Bryant and Tony Bradley, who each contributed in the playoffs, plus his injury may hurt Jackson’s prospects of being re-signed.
13) Precious Achiuwa, F, New York Knicks
Achiuwa signed a one-year, $6 million deal with the Knicks last summer and averaged 6.6 points and 5.6 rebounds in a reserve role. He’s seen little time and therefore had little impact in the postseason for New York, but his height (6’8″), wingspan (7’2″), and athleticism make a difference when given a chance. He’ll be an interesting guy to watch, as he should have a market, but the contract number remains unknown.
Chances of Signing Elsewhere: Very high. The Knicks’ roster is very top-heavy, meaning unless Achiuwa is willing to sign for the veteran’s minimum, he probably won’t be back. Considering he has seen little burn in the playoffs, he’ll likely look to play somewhere else in 2025-26.
12) Kyle Lowry, G, Philadelphia 76ers
At 39 years old and finishing up his 19th year in the league, Kyle Lowry has reportedly shot down talks of his retirement. His 2024-25 season was ravaged by injuries, as he played in just 35 games. Still an elite competitor off the bench and a valued veteran voice in the locker room, Lowry will likely be targeted by several contending teams this summer.
Chances of Signing Elsewhere: Moderate. With the 76ers seeing themselves as playoff contenders heading into next season, Lowry’s leadership could be the main reason they re-sign him. But if they decide to let him walk, he’d likely sign for the veteran’s minimum somewhere else. Keep an eye out for Toronto, as he was a beloved figure during his nine-year tenure and could finish his career as a Raptor.
11) Alec Burks, G, Miami Heat
The 33-year-old Alec Burks continues to prove his scoring prowess, consistently providing pop off the bench in limited minutes. He was key in helping the Heat secure a Play-In Tournament spot late in the season.
Chances of Signing Elsewhere: Moderate. The Heat, after signing him to the veteran’s minimum, may not want to re-sign him to a longer-term deal, leaving Burks searching for a team to latch onto. He should have a market, as he’s a low-ego veteran who shot 42.5% from deep last season and is fine with a smaller role.
10) Al Horford, C, Boston Celtics
Turning 39 years old as of June 3, Al Horford has been a year-to-year retirement candidate for a couple of years now. Yet he’s still a solid backup stretch big, averaging 9.0 points and 6.2 rebounds on 36.3% shooting from deep. He hasn’t publicly commented on the decision, but speculation is that he will return.
Chances of Signing Elsewhere: Unlikely. The feeling is that Horford will finish his career in Boston. But entering the summer as an unrestricted free agent and the Celtics having to navigate through their cap issues, the form of his contract may have to be a veteran’s minimum. It remains to be seen if a team like the Warriors or Lakers can lure him away.
9) Chris Paul, G, San Antonio Spurs
The 40-year-old Chris Paul is already solidified in NBA history as one of the best point guards to ever play the game. But after playing all 82 games for the first time in his career, it’s clear that he still can play. Despite a career-low in points (8.8), he averaged 7.4 assists per game and controlled the pace of the game for the Spurs in 28.0 minutes a night.
Who else wants to see Chris Paul back in Phoenix? 🙋♂️ pic.twitter.com/rdqQTp9LAY
— PHNX Suns (@PHNX_Suns) June 29, 2025
Chances of Signing Elsewhere: Likely. Paul’s motivation to compete on a rebuilding team in the stacked Western Conference — albeit with star Victor Wembanyama — in the twilight of his career for another year seems low. Expect him to sign with a contender in a bench role, with the Clippers and Suns being mentioned as possibilities, so he can be close to his family.
8) Quentin Grimes, G, Philadelphia 76ers
Grimes joined Philadelphia after the trade deadline and immediately became the team’s impromptu go-to scorer, averaging 21.9 points per game as a member of the 76ers. Though that won’t be the case with the way the team is built next season, he’d be a key shooter to be brought back. Otherwise, he’ll be coveted by other teams who need shooting.
Chances of Signing Elsewhere: Moderate. This depends entirely on what teams across the league are willing to pay for Grimes, who enters the summer as a restricted free agent. The 76ers are far above the first apron of the salary cap, meaning they can only match his contract up to a certain point.
7) Russell Westbrook, G, Denver Nuggets
Westbrook was a revelation for the Nuggets, putting together a solid rebound season after flaming out at his previous two stops for both LA teams. However, the rollercoaster experience ended on a low, as he was simply not good in the second round of the playoffs after being a difference maker in the first round. At this point in his career, you never know what you’ll get with Westbrook.
Chances of Signing Elsewhere: Medium. Westbrook had a player option worth $3.4 million for next season, but he declined it. Now, Westbrook will test the market, with the Kings among the interested teams. Denver may still try to keep him, but it’s no sure thing.
6) Malcolm Brogdon, G, Washington Wizards
Malcolm Brogdon has spent the past two seasons largely in anonymity with the Trail Blazers and Wizards. He’s still a solid backup point guard, as he averaged 12.7 points and 4.1 assists while playing just 24 games due to injuries last season. He should be a player that contending teams target this summer.
Chances of Signing Elsewhere: Very high. An unrestricted free agent, Brogdon should be scrambling to get away from losing franchises. In 2023, with Boston, was the last time he was on a relevant team, and he won Sixth Man of the Year, something he very well could do again.
5) Malik Beasley, G, Detroit Pistons
Malik Beasley’s one-year, $6 million signing with the Pistons was largely an afterthought last summer. But after averaging 16.3 points, nailing the second-most three-pointers in the league (319) and finishing second in the Sixth Man of the Year voting, he’s an afterthought no more. Still just 28, he’s the type of player who could contribute on any team in the league with his shooting ability.
Beasley was initially ranked higher on this list, but it was announced that he is being investigated for allegations of gambling related to NBA games. He was reportedly nearing a new deal with the Pistons at the time of this announcement, which led to those talks being put on hold.
Chances of Signing Elsewhere: Moderate. Strictly from a basketball standpoint, the Pistons should want Beasley back. However, the gambling allegations make this situation way more complicated, and their talks are currently paused.
4) Cam Thomas, G, Brooklyn Nets
One of the most contentious players in the league, Cam Thomas’s restricted free agency will be very interesting. His scoring is unquestioned, as he averaged 24.0 points per game last season on 43.8% shooting from the field. Every other aspect of his game is a question mark, putting a clear cap on his ceiling as a winning player.
Chances of Signing Elsewhere: Moderate. If the Nets want to get out of the Thomas business, they could just let him sign with another team. But if they believe in his potential, it wouldn’t hurt to sign him to a short-term deal to see his progression as a passer and defender for a couple more seasons if that’s on the table.
3) Jonathan Kuminga, F, Golden State Warriors
Jonathan Kuminga, still just 22 years old and extremely talented, fell out of the rotation late in the season for the Warriors despite averaging double-digit scoring and solid defense. But injuries forced him back into the lineup in Golden State’s second-round series, and he showed up in a big way, scoring 20.8 points per game on 54.3% shooting from the field and 42.1% from deep.
Chances of Signing Elsewhere: Very low. Kuminga and Warriors coach Steve Kerr have had their public bouts, with Kerr benching him in multiple separate instances. The 6’7″ forward’s time with the franchise seems to have come to an end, as he’ll enter the open market looking for a big contract as a young, athletic scoring wing. A sign-and-trade seems possible, with the Chicago Bulls being mentioned as a possible suitor. However, Kuminga is a restricted free agent, so Golden State could opt to match any offer sheet he receives.
2) Josh Giddey, G, Chicago Bulls
In his first season at the helm for the Bulls, Josh Giddey put together a solid campaign in which he averaged 14.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game. More importantly, though, was his career-high 37.8% from three-point range, a major hole in his game during his first three seasons in the league with the Thunder.
Chances of Signing Elsewhere: Low. Chicago gave up Alex Caruso for Giddey last summer and had hopes of grabbing their point guard of the future. Giddey did nothing to dissuade them from that belief, pointing all signs towards him being re-signed for the future. It’s worth noting that Giddey is a restricted free agent, so the Bulls can match any offer sheet he receives.
1) Damian Lillard, G, Waived
The Milwaukee Bucks took a big swing on the second day of NBA free agency, signing former Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner to a four-year, $107 million deal. To make the deal work, they’re waiving All-Star point guard Damian Lillard and stretching the remaining $113 million left in his contract.
Lillard would be No. 1 on this list if he were healthy, but he may miss the entire 2025-26 season due to a torn Achilles. This obviously complicates his free agency. Will a team sign Lillard to a multi-year deal, allowing him to rehab with them throughout the 2025-26 season and then play in 2026-27? Will Lillard wait until he’s closer to returning to sign?
This is certainly a situation worth monitoring, as it’s not often a nine-time All-Star gets waived. The Miami Heat are among the teams already expressing interest in Lillard’s services.
