2023 NBA Free Agents: Latest Rumors, Predictions for Kyrie Irving, James Harden, More
With the 2023-23 NBA season nearing the finish line, much of the league is preparing for either the play-in tournament or the postseason proper. However, the 2023 edition of free agency isn't too far off, with the market set to open on July 6.
You can bet that non-playoff teams and those unlikely to advance past the play-in are already focused heavily on free agency and the offseason.
While this offseason's market won't feature a ton of top-level talent, a few quality players are expected to be available—with several others, like James Harden and Fred VanVleet, facing player-option years.
How might early free agency unfold in 2023? Let's take a look at some of the latest buzz and make a few predictions.
Kyrie Irving
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The Dallas Mavericks are one of the teams looking ahead to the offseason. Dallas was eliminated from the play-in on Friday in what appeared to be a deliberate choice.
According to Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press, the league has launched an investigation into why Dallas sat several key players against the Chicago Bulls when it still had a mathematical shot at extending its season.
Perhaps the Mavs wanted to move on to important offseason decisions like whether or not to retain Kyrie Irving. The former Brooklyn Nets standout was acquired at the trade deadline in a move that was supposed to catapult Dallas to contention. Irving and Luka Dončić, after all, made for a formidable tandem on paper.
Things didn't play out that way, however, and there's a chance that Irving's Dallas tenure lasts for mere months. According to Bleacher Report's Chris Haynes, Irving wants to test free agency, while Dallas is interested in re-signing him:
"The plan is still to re-sign the star guard, league sources told Bleacher Report. Irving is eligible for an extension, but he will instead allow his future to be decided in free agency this summer, sources said."
Complicating matters is the reality that Dončić may also be looking toward a future outside of Dallas.
According to ESPN's Tim MacMahon, "fear exists" within the Mavs organization that Dončić could request a trade as soon as the 2024 offseason. Considering this, and the way the 2022-23 season ended for Dallas, the prediction here is that Irving will be ready to try to make things work elsewhere.
Prediction: Irving departs in free agency.
James Harden
2 of 3
Philadelphia 76ers guard Jame Harden is a 10-time All-Star who has never won an NBA title. He might have a realistic shot this year, as the 76ers are in contention in the East. His future beyond this year, though, is a bit cloudy.
Harden has a player option, and there's been some buzz about him leaving to return to the Houston Rockets. According to Sam Amick and Kelly Iko of The Athletic, both Harden and Houston are interested in a reunion:
"Houston is widely expected to pursue the 13-year veteran point guard if, as is expected, he declines his player option for the 2023-24 season. And even more surprisingly, sources with knowledge of Harden's outlook say he's as serious about a possible return now as he was when he left town."
While Harden has been a fine addition to the Sixers, he has struggled to stay healthy and isn't the same elite player he once was. According to Sean Deveney of Heavy, Philadelphia may not make a strong effort to retain him.
"There are some in that organization who would not mind at all if Harden left," one NBA general manager told Deveney.
A lot could hinge on how the Sixers fare in the postseason this year. If Harden finally wins his championship, he may be more than comfortable returning to Houston and forgoing another chance to chase a ring.
Even if the 76ers don't win it all, it doesn't sound as if Harden is in line for a lengthy extension in Philadelphia. If Harden is looking for a long-term max deal, he'll likely end up signing elsewhere.
Prediction: Harden opts out and rejoins the Rockets
Kyle Kuzma
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The Washington Wizards are another team looking ahead to the offseason and free agency. While the 2022-23 campaign didn't go as standout Kristaps Porziņģis—who was acquired via trade in 2022—might have envisioned, it hasn't soured him on a future in Washington.
"It's been great," Porziņģis said, per Ava Wallace of The Washington Post. "I believe this is a great place for me also, going forward."
According to The Athletic's Shams Charania, the Wizards and Porziņģis are already hashing out a long-term agreement.
Per Charania, the deal would involve Porziņģis opting out of the 2023-24 season and signing a new contract. He's not the only notable Wizard facing an option year, however. Forward Kyle Kuzma also has a player option and is expected to opt out.
"Kuzma is on track to decline his $13 million player option for the 2023-24 season and become an unrestricted free agent, though there is mutual interest in a new deal from both sides," Charania wrote.
The question is whether Washington will be able to re-sign both Porziņģis and Kuzma on the open market. The Porziņģis deal is likely a lock, but if Kuzma has multiple suitors, Washington may be willing to let him walk.
This could come to fruition. ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported back in November that "various teams" were interested in trading for Kuzma if he was made available at the deadline. If he opts out this offseason, those same teams will likely be interested again.
Prediction: Kuzma departs Washington in free agency.
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