NBA stars have as soon as once more taken heart stage throughout a busy offseason: LeBron James and Jaylen Brown grew to become Philadelphia 76ers, Victor Wembanyama signed a blockbuster extension with the San Antonio Spurs and Giannis Antetokounmpo joined the Miami Warmth.
Although some gamers will don new uniforms subsequent season, a number of free brokers are nonetheless out there. Gamers akin to Jonathan Kuminga, Jalen Duren and James Harden stay in limbo whereas contract conversations stay in flux and potential suitors put the ultimate touches on their groups.
Our NBA insiders break down the 9 most vital gamers remaining in free company, the place they stand of their negotiations and what’s impacting their signings.
Soar to free agent:
Restricted free brokers | Unrestricted free brokers
Restricted free brokers
Watson, 23, stays among the finest gamers out there, with one main caveat: He is a restricted free agent. The 6-foot-8 guard had his greatest professional season in 2025-26 in his fourth yr within the league, averaging 14.6 factors on 49.1% (41.1% from 3), with 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.1 blocks. A persistent hamstring subject restricted him to simply 54 video games final season, nonetheless, and brought on him to overlook the postseason when the Denver Nuggets misplaced to the Minnesota Timberwolves within the first spherical.
The query is whether or not Watson will proceed to carry out to up the Nuggets’ provide — he’s eligible to signal a five-year, $251 million extension, and his teammate, Christian Braun, signed a five-year, $125 million extension final October — or if the Nuggets will give attention to buying and selling him. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported in late July that Denver is open to sign-and-trade eventualities and would think about a compensation package deal constructed round one influence participant and one future first-round choose, moderately than holding out for the kind of haul that the Utah Jazz acquired from the Los Angeles Lakers for Walker Kessler (two unprotected first-round picks, two first-round choose swaps).
The LA Clippers have curiosity in Watson, sources informed ESPN, nonetheless, it’s unclear whether or not their pending Kawhi Leonard commerce with the Toronto Raptors would have an effect on a Watson pursuit. The Atlanta Hawks, who didn’t re-sign Jonathan Kuminga; the Milwaukee Bucks, who’re in a franchise transition after buying and selling Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Warmth; and the Cleveland Cavaliers, who misplaced out on the LeBron James sweepstakes, are additionally “severe candidates” to land Watson, a league supply aware of the scenario informed ESPN. — Dave McMenamin
The marketplace for restricted free brokers continues to be unforgiving for the second consecutive summer season. The groups that entered free company with cap room have used their house elsewhere, leaving no clear suitor to place vital strain on the Detroit Pistons by providing Duren a max or near-max contract. The Pistons nonetheless have curiosity in retaining Duren and examine the 22-year-old All-Star as part of their future core, however the two sides stay at an deadlock over the worth of Duren’s subsequent contract after a stellar common season however disappointing postseason.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported final month that Duren may stay unsigned “nicely into August or September,” mirroring the identical stalemate Josh Giddey and Kuminga confronted final summer season earlier than they finally returned to the Chicago Bulls and Golden State Warriors, respectively. — Jamal Collier
Mathurin performed in 26 video games for the Clippers and averaged 17.4 factors, 5.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.0 steals off the bench after his commerce from Indiana. Although he confirmed flashes of his offensive potential, akin to his 38-point explosion in his first sport at Intuit Dome as a Clipper on Feb. 19 and his 7-for-11 taking pictures and 23 factors within the play-in loss to the Warriors, Mathurin is among the gamers discovering restricted free company troublesome, with no deal but.
The wing, akin to different restricted free brokers, is hoping motion will choose up now that James picked Philadelphia. The Clippers, who’re nonetheless ready to see what occurs with the league investigation involving Leonard, are loaded with wings. If the Leonard commerce goes by way of, Ty Lue would have Brandon Ingram, Rui Hachimura, Derrick Jones Jr., first-round choose Keaton Wagler and Gradey Dick seeking to divvy up minutes at guard and ahead. Mathurin is simply 24 years outdated and may rating. However he nonetheless wants to enhance on protection and playmaking. The Clippers may entertain a sign-and-trade if it advantages them and provides extra property, akin to both a younger promising participant, picks or each. — Ohm Youngmisuk
Unrestricted free brokers
It has reached the second month of what has grow to be a second consecutive extended Kuminga free company course of. The Lakers met with Kuminga within the early hours of free company, pitching him on a high-minutes position for a high-profile fringe contender in determined want of athletic assistance on the wing. The chance appealed to Kuminga, however the sign-and-trade contract provide (years, cash, package deal going again to Atlanta) did not fulfill all sides. The Lakers stay desirous about him, league sources mentioned, however motion towards a deal has remained stalled for weeks.
That has left others nonetheless calling about Kuminga’s availability on shorter-term offers that will get him again to free company faster. Two suitors — the Cavaliers and Timberwolves — have interesting circumstances due to their want for a wing in a contending setting. However there’s but to be an alluring sufficient provide for Kuminga to signal, so the summer season ready sport rolls on for a second straight summer season. — Anthony Slater
The Cavs missed out on their greatest free agent goal this summer season, when James determined towards a 3rd reunion with Cleveland to hitch the Sixers, however Harden stays unsigned whereas the Cavs canvass the league for a option to pivot. As a result of the Cavs have been over the second apron final yr, they’re restricted within the methods they will add to their roster with out lowering wage. Nonetheless, Harden is on monitor for a brand new multiyear deal to remain in Cleveland; he was in attendance when his All-Star teammate Donovan Mitchell received married earlier this month, and Harden and Mitchell’s bond stays robust. — Collier
Love’s agent, Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports activities Administration, has been in contact with the Philadelphia 76ers’ entrance workplace since James picked Philadelphia, sources informed ESPN. Although the 6-foot-10 Love and James have remained shut since teaming up for 4 seasons with the Cavaliers and even vacationed extensively collectively this summer season, that bond does not essentially imply there will probably be a roster spot for the previous five-time All-Star by coaching camp.
The Sixers are already at their 15-man capability after signing one other one in every of James’ former teammates, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, to their final spot. They usually have already got two backup facilities behind Joel Embiid in 23-year-old Adem Bona and 24-year-old Ariel Hukporti. Philly would want to make a transfer to accommodate the 38-year-old Love, who averaged 6.7 factors and 5.8 rebounds whereas taking pictures 37.3% from 3 off the bench for the Jazz final season.
Although Love has curiosity in pairing with James to pursue a championship, he has maintained a powerful relationship with Jazz coach Will Hardy, serving as a veteran voice with that younger group, sources mentioned. Utah, nonetheless, additionally has a full roster. — McMenamin
As ESPN’s Shams Charania reported lately, DeRozan has generated curiosity from the Warmth, Nuggets, Cavaliers and Washington Wizards, serving as a high-profile title, confirmed scorer and sturdy choice for a number of groups in want of offensive punch at a team-friendly worth. His $25.7 million expiring contract was waived by the Sacramento Kings, however he acquired the $10 million assured portion of that contract.
DeRozan has nearly completely began for almost all of his 17-year profession. He got here off the bench for 12 video games as a rookie, however has began 1,252 of his 1,264 profession regular-season video games. The query at his subsequent touchdown spot will probably be about his consolation stage shifting right into a attainable bench position, relying on the present make-up of his subsequent staff. DeRozan turned 37 this week, however has been remarkably out there on this superior stage of his profession, logging 76, 74, 79, 77 and 77 video games, respectively, the previous 5 seasons. — Slater
Westbrook made it clear over the previous calendar yr that he had no intention of retiring after his 18th NBA season. So, he is nonetheless searching for the proper scenario to proceed his profession. The Kings, his most up-to-date staff, stay open to a reunion, staff sources mentioned, however are additionally understanding that Westbrook won’t be as desirous about taking part in a lowered position behind prized rookie Darius Acuff Jr.
Kings basic supervisor Scott Perry admitted that Westbrook “outplayed” the minimal contract final season that Sacramento can provide. He began 58 video games and averaged 15.2 factors and 6.7 assists, serving as a valued mentor for the youthful layer of Sacramento’s roster. Westbrook clearly has no pressing timetable, just like final summer season, when he explored his choices and did not agree to hitch the Kings till coaching camp in early October. — Slater
Beal performed in simply six video games for the Clippers final season after struggling a fracture in his left hip that required season-ending surgical procedure. The veteran guard declined his $5.6 million participant choice to grow to be a free agent. A staff akin to Miami would appear to be a really perfect match for Beal.
After buying and selling for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis, the Warmth want as many veteran shooters as they will get to house the ground for Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo. Beal is a 37.6% 3-point shooter for his profession, and Miami may desperately use that. Beal additionally might be one other ball handler for the Warmth, as nicely. After ready on James and seeing him land in Philadelphia, the Warmth are filling their roster with extra shooters and scorers, and Beal could be a pleasant match. — Youngmisuk
