2026 NBA FREE AGENCY
This year’s free agent crop is very thin due to all the starts staying with their current teams via extensions or exercising a player option. This already included Trae Young, Austin Reaves, Isaiah Hartenstein, Andrew Wiggins and Coby White. James Harden is likely to join these players by the start of free agency.
Here are the teams with cap space to sign another team’s free agents:
1. Brooklyn Nets: Around $37 million
2. Chicago Bulls: Up to $26 million
3. Detroit Pistons: They could have $20.6 million in cap space while retaining Jalen Duren's $19.4 million cap hold. Though Duren could also be used in a Max Level Deal Sign and Trade.
4. Los Angeles Clippers: Will depend if they renounce John Collins who has a $39 million cap hold and Bennedict Mathurin who is a Restricted Free Agent with a $27.6 million cap hold.
5. Los Angeles Lakers: If LeBron James leaves via free agency they could have about $30 million if they also renounce Rui Hachimura and Luke Kennard
These Teams can offer the $15.0 Million Non-Tax Mid Level Exception. They can use it on one player or split it.
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Atlanta Hawks |
Charlotte Hornets |
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Dallas Mavericks |
Memphis Grizzlies |
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Milwaukee Bucks |
New Orleans Pelicans |
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Portland Trail Blazers |
San Antonio Spurs |
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Utah Jazz |
Washington Wizards |
The remaining 15 teams can only re-sign their own players or trade for free agents via sign and trade with strict trade guidelines
Here is my player list by tiers:
Tier 1: Young Restricted Free Agent Big Men
The current team can match any offer made to
them since they are restricted free agents
1. JALEN DUREN-C
DETROIT PISTONS
6'10''/250
AGE: 22.7
STATS: 19.5 PTS 10.5
REB 2.0 AST
Market Vaue:
Seeking Max Contract of 4 years/$177.0 (44.25 AAV)
Duren had a career year earning All Star and 3rd
Team All-NBA honors. However, he was not very good in the playoffs and still
struggles as a shooter. But with the demand for young athletic big men, he can
command a near Max Salary. The Pistons will let the market dictate his value and
likely match any offer made to him.
2. WALKER KESSLER-C
UTAH JAZZ
7'2''/245
AGE: 24.9
CAREER STATS:
9.5 PTS 9.3 REB 2.4
BLK
Market Value:
Rudy Gobert: 3 years/$109.5 (36.5 AAV)
Myles Turner: 4 years/$108.68 (27.22 AAV)
Kessler is one of the best rim protectors and
shot blockers in the league. He is also a good rebounder and shoots at a high percentage for a big man. When healthy he is a valuable asset. The problem
is he already has an injury history despite being so young.
Tier 2: Proven Starters/Scorers
These guys can score and help a contender but
it will be very interesting to see what their true market value is.
3. LEBRON JAMES-CF/PG
LOS ANGELES LAKERS
|6'8''/260
AGE: 41.5
STATS: 20.9 PTS 6.1
REB 7.2 AST
King James is no longer the best player in the
game but he is still a valuable asset and a quality starter. He is the oldest
player in the league yet still remains more durable than most players over the
age of 34. Will he stay with the Lakers or go to the Warriors? There have also
been rumors of reunions in Miami and Cleveland.
4. NORMAN POWELL-SG
MIAMI HEAT
6'4''/215
AGE: 33.1
STATS: 21.7 PTS 3.5 RPG, 2.5 AST
Powell had a career year in Miami at age 32. He
is still a very good athlete that can get buckets. His (47.0%/38.0%/82.7%) shooting
splits are also elite. His age and injury history may limit a contract longer than
three years though.
5. TOBIAS HARRIS-CF
DETROIT PISTONS
6'8''/226
AGE: 33.9
STATS: 13.3 PTS 5.1
REB 2.5 AST 36.8 3P%
Harris remains a consistent threat to score
from anywhere on the court. He has already made $300,503,505 in career earnings.
That is the most all time by any player that has never made an all-star game.
He can add value to any playoff team out there, but the price point will be
interesting to see.
6. ANFERNEE SIMONS-CG
CHICAGO BULLS
6'3''/190
AGE: 27.0
STATS: 14.3 PTS 2.5
REB 2.4 AST
Simons is the true enigma of this free agency
class. He was a proven 20 PPG scorer in Portland just a season ago. His career (43.2%/38.1%/88.1%)
shooting splits are very good. He is also still only 27 years old. But what is
the market for a small guard that doesn’t create or defend? He can add value to
a team but does any team see him as the missing piece?
Tier 3: High Energy Players
Market Value:
Dillon Brooks: 4
years/$86.0 (21.5 AAV)
Lu Dort: 5 years/$82.5 (16.5 AAV)
7. BENNEDICT MATHURIN-SF/SG
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS (RESTRICTED)
6'5''/210
AGE: 24.0
STATS: 17.6 PTS 5.4
REB 2.4 AST
Mathurin is a proven scorer that is also a
freak athlete and a good defender. He is not a great shooter from long distance
but he’s an excellent free throw shooter and he takes smart shots. The Clippers
drafted shooting guard Keaton Wagler, so there is
a chance they do not see Mathurin as part of the long-term plans.
8. QUENTIN GRIMES-SG
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
6'5''/205
AGE: 26.2
STATS: 13.4 PTS 3.6 REB 3.3 AST 38.5%-3PT 75.5%-FT
Grimes is a durable player that could be a starter
in the right situation. He has always been undervalued throughout his career.
He can score and is very athletic and strong. He could be a steal if a team
gets him on a Mid-Level deal.
9. PEYTON WATSON-SF
DENVER NUGGETS
(RESTRICTED)
6'8''/200
AGE: 23.8
STATS: 14.6 PTS 4.9
REB 2.1 AST 1.1 BPG
Watson had a breakout fourth season in the NBA.
He put up great number and proved as a valuable 3 and D player. However, he has
battled injuries and is not a proven player in the playoffs. He is an upside
swing for a team banking that he can continue improving as a player.
10. JONATHAN KUMINGA-CF
ATLANTA HAWKS
6'8''/210
AGE: 23.7
STATS: 12.2 PTS 5.6 REB 2.3 AST
Kuminga got a change of scenery for Golden
State to Atlanta and he was pretty solid. However, he has been in the league
six season and still has not developed a jump shot. Drafted in 2021, I compared
him to Luol Deng, TJ Warren and Tim Thomas. His trajectory is more Warren than
Deng given his lack of shooting. He can still provide value to a team but likely
as a backup.
11. TARI EASON-SF
HOUSTON ROCKETS
(RESTRICTED)
6'8''/215
AGE: 25.3
STATS: 10.5 PTS 6.3
REB 1.5 AST 1.2 SPG
Eason is an underrated player that does all
the dirty work. He has elite length and athletic ability. He has improved as a
shooter as well. His agents Chafie Fields and Thaddeus Foucher should make sure he gets paid
around the same as Watson and Kuminga.
12. RUI HACHIMURA-CF
LOS ANGELES LAKERS
6'8''/230
AGE: 28.4
STATS: 11.5 PTS 3.3
REB 1.5 AST 1.2 SPG
Hachimura is a prototype 3 and D forward with
great percentages (51.4 FG%, and 44.3 3P%) yet is a bad free throw shooter (69.4%).
He was really good for the Lakers in the post season and they should do
everything they can to keep him in LA.
13. KELLY OUBRE-SF
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
6'8''/210
AGE: 30.5
STATS: 14.1 PTS 5.0
REB 1.6 AST 1.2 SPG
Oubre is a good defender and role player that
cuts, slashes and can hit an open shot. He knows his role and plays it well. He
played major minutes for the 76ers in the playoffs last season.
14. JOHN COLLINS-PF
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
6'9''/230
AGE: 28.8
STATS: 13.6 PTS 5.3
REB
Collins’ was undervalued coming out of high
school and in college at Wake Forest. On Atlanta he was really good but then
became overvalued and overpriced. On Utah he wasn’t a good fit. Last year on
the Clippers he settled into a good role as an athlete and floor spacer where
he had his best 3 point shooting season.
15. COLLIN SEXTON-CG
CHICAGO BULLS
6'3''/190
AGE: 27.5
STATS: 15.4 PTS 2.3
REB 3.3 AST
Sexton is a high energy player that never developed
into a true point guard He put up elite shooting splits last season (48.5%/40.1%/85.1%).
As asked above with Simons, what is the market for a small guard that doesn’t
create or defend? He has never made the playoffs which only proves those that
see him as an empty stats guy on bad teams.
16. MITCHELL ROBINSON-C
NEW YORK KNICKS
7'0''/240
AGE: 28.2
STATS:
5.7 PTS 8.8 REB 1.2
BLK
It happens every free agency period in every
sport. Someone overpays for a guy that was solid in the post season. Someone
will overpay for Robinson this off season. More power to him and his agent. But
the facts are he is a backup high energy big man with injury issues.
Tier 4: Past Prime Starters
These guys are proven players that are no
longer the superstars or great players that they once were.
Market Value:
Non-Tax Midlevel Exception (NTPMLE): $15.0 Million
Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception (TMLE): $6.064 Million
Bi-Annual Exception (BAE) is worth $5.134 Million
17. RUSSELL WESTBROOK-PG
SACRAMENTO KINGS
6'4''/200
AGE: 37.5
STATS: 15.2 PTS 6.7
AST 5.4 REB
One can critique Westbrook for his lack of efficiency
in his career. But I doubt you can find another payer that competes as hard as
him and loves the game of basketball. He can still score, rebound, pass and
hustle.
18. DRAYMOND GREEN-CF/C
GOLDEN
STATE WARRIORS
6'6''/230
AGE: 36.3
STATS: 8.4 PTS 5.5
REB 5.5 AST
Draymond has played his entire career with the
Warriors and is likely to retire alongside Steph Curry and Steve Kerr. He is
still a very good defender and a solid creator. Will he take less money to help
the Warriors get another player to be a true contender in the west?
19. NIKOLA VUČEVIĆ-C
BOSTON CELTICS
6'10''/260
AGE: 35.7
STATS: 15.1 PTS 8.4
REB 3.3 AST
Vučević is a skilled big man that is still an
elite rebounder. He did not fit with the Celtics for unknown reasons. He still
looks like a starter that can play 30 minutes per game.
20. TIM HARDAWAY JR.-SG
DENVER NUGGETS
6'5''/205
AGE: 34.3
STATS: 13.5
PTS 2.5 REB 40.7%-3PT 81.1%-FT
Hardaway Jr. has always been a great shooter that is also a consummate professional. He is very durable as he played in 80 games
last season and averaged 26.6 minutes per game. At this point in his career, he
is as good as Bradley Beal and Khris Middleton.
21. BRADLEY BEAL-SG
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
6'4''/207
AGE: 33.0
It is kind of crazy to think that Beal just
turned 33. He has been in the league for 14 seasons earning multiple all star
game appearances. From 2016-2018 he was the most durable and underappreciated player
in the league. He can still score and shoot, but what is his true value now?
22. KHRIS MIDDLETON-SG
DALLAS MAVERICKS
6'7''/222
AGE: 34.8
STATS: 10.2 PTS 3.7
AST 2.8 REB
Middleton is basically the same player as Beal
at this point in their careers. He can hit open shots and provide value as a
veteran leader. Could he reunite with Giannis in Miami for the veteran minimum?
23. MARCUS SMART-CG
LOS ANGELES LAKERS
6'4''/220
AGE: 32.4
STATS: 9.3 PTS 3.0
AST 2.8 REB
Smart may not be an All-NBA Defensive player
anymore but he still has value with his ability to guard multiple positions. He
is a tough player that can still play close to 30 minutes per game.
24. MIKE CONLEY-PG
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
6'1''/175
AGE: 38.7
STATS: 4.5 PTS 2.9
AST 2.8 REB
The ageless wonder still played 18 minutes per
game in the regular season and was a real factor for Minnesota in the playoffs.
Any contender looking for a backup point guard that is still hungry to win a
title should call him.
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