
Latest 2025 NBA Free Agents Rumors and Predictions for Kyrie Irving, More
The NBA playoffs might have the full attention of the basketball world for now, but free agency isn't too far down the road.
In fact, it might be top of mind—or second behind only the upcoming draft—for the franchises that have already been knocked out of the championship race.
With that group growing by the completion of the play-in tournament, the rumor mill is starting to pick up around some of this summer's top free agents. We're here to break down the latest buzz and use to make it educated guesses about what's to come.
Mavs Looking to Align Kyrie Irving with Anthony Davis
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For all of the hot takes and passionate arguments made about the Dallas Mavericks trading away Luka Dončić, one thing can't be denied. Dallas never really got the chance to see the roster it constructed in his absence.
The Mavericks are hoping that won't be the case much longer. While Kyrie Irving suffered a torn ACL in March, "there's optimism that he'll be back by January," per ESPN's Shams Charania.
And Dallas' plans for Irving run well beyond a hopefully early 2026 appearance. The Mavs want Irving "to rip up his [$44 million] player option" and sign a three-year deal that aligns him with Anthony Davis (and general manager Nico Harrison), per Charania.
It's hard to figure out why Irving wouldn't be on board with this plan. A 33-year-old rehabbing a serious injury should be open to more financial security, and the on-paper fit with Irving and Davis looks seamless.
Prediction: Irving opts out to sign a longer deal to stay in Dallas.
Josh Giddey Eyeing Big Pay Raise
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Josh Giddey's first season with the Chicago Bulls was a success—individually at least. The fourth-year floor general hit a number of new statistical high marks, including his 8.1 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 1.5 three-pointers and 37.8 percent splash rate.
It was, by and large, a good year for the 6'8" point guard, but was it good enough to get him paid in restricted free agency? He apparently thinks so.
Per Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, Giddey wants "at least $30 million per year." And while it's merely speculation, Cowley expects Chicago will hand Giddey the five-year, $150 million deal he's hoping to get.
If the Bulls are believers in what Giddey showed down the stretch, they should have no trouble thinking he's worth that kind of investment. In 19 games after the All-Star break, he averaged 21.1 points, 10.7 rebounds and 9.3 assists while posting an eye-opening 50/45.7/80.9 shooting slash.
Prediction: Giddey signs a five-year contract to stay in Chicago.
Jonathan Kuminga Unlikely to Stay in Golden State
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The Golden State Warriors played their two biggest games of the campaign to date this week: their season finale, which could have gotten them the No. 6 seed, and their play-in tournament game, which gave them the No. 7 seed. Jonathan Kuminga, the No. 7 pick of the 2021 draft and a restricted free agent to be, didn't see the floor in either contest.
These weren't injury-related absences, either, just simple benchings that paint a pretty clear picture of how the Warriors feel about their fit with the bouncy swingman. As head coach Steve Kerr told reporters when discussing Kuminga's role reduction, "Sometimes things go in a different direction."
This all feels like the precursor to an offseason split.
"The likely situation is [Jonathan Kuminga]'s not going to be on the Warriors next season," Tim Kawakami of the San Francisco Standard said. "Things can change, but all things being equal, it was probably going to be a tricky situation for him to come back to the Warriors anyway."
Kuminga needs room to grow his game, and Golden State has neither the time nor the touches to help facilitate that growth. All arrows point toward a divorce.
Prediction: Kuminga is sign-and-traded to the Brooklyn Nets.

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