The 25 Best NBA Free Agents Still Available, Plus Top Landing Spots
NBA free agency is already in progress. Most of the Top 30 (as previously ranked at B/R) have come off the board. The annual moratorium lifted on Sunday, allowing teams to execute a backlog of trades and signings.
Still, several quality veterans remain available. Spending power may be sparse, but teams can find ways to improve their chances for the 2025-26 season.
Some still have their $14.1 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception (NTMLE), $8.8 million room mid-level exception (RMLE), $5.7 million taxpayer mid-level exception (TMLE), or $5.1 million bi-annual exception (BAE).
The following are the 25 best remaining NBA free agents, and some educated guesses (but wilder ones, now that teams have already invested in their rosters) on where they may land.
No. 25: Malik Beasley
1 of 25
Team: Detroit Pistons
Prior: No. 10
2024-25 Salary: $6 million
Rights: Non-Bird
Beasley was among the top free agents after helping the Pistons return to playoff contention. Unfortunately, he is under investigation for gambling-related allegations related to NBA games and proposition bets.
He's innocent until proven guilty, but the talented shooter could face a ban from the NBA. Teams may be hesitant to bring him on under the circumstances.
Prediction: Beasley's situation may preclude a return to the NBA this season.
No. 24: Alec Burks
2 of 25
Team: Miami Heat
Prior: Unranked
2024-25 Salary: $3.3 million
Rights: Non-Bird
Burks is a true NBA veteran. At almost 34, he has played for nine teams as a wing or, on occasion, as a reserve lead guard. He can score and shoot (42.5 percent from three-point range), but with age, durability has become more challenging in recent years.
Prediction: Burks may not get picked up before the season, but he could easily end up on a playoff team's bench with a rotation role.
No. 23: Delon Wright
3 of 25
Team: New York Knicks
Prior: Unranked
2024-25 Salary: $3 million
Rights: Non-Bird
Wright has been in the NBA for a long time. Now 33, he's played for about a third of the league. Most recently, he filled in as the backup point guard for the Knicks, providing the team with an experienced and physical defender at the position.
Unfortunately, he isn't much of a scorer or shooter, limiting his opportunities.
Prediction: Wright may need to wait until an injury to find a roster spot, but his time in the league seems likely to continue.
No. 22: Dalano Banton
4 of 25
Team: Portland Trail Blazers
Prior: Unranked
2024-25 Salary: $2.2 million
Rights: Early Bird
Banton can fill multiple positions, as a lead guard or wing. At 6'9", he has height and length, which were well on display over a 30-game period with the Trail Blazers in 2023-24 (16.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game). His minutes dropped considerably this year as Portland restructured.
Still, the 25-year-old could round out a team's bench, though he doesn't provide shooting support at 30.4 percent from three on his career.
Prediction: Banton gets invited to camp on a non-guaranteed deal, with a shot to stick if he can beat out the competition.
No. 21: Trey Lyles
5 of 25
Team: Sacramento Kings
Prior: Unranked
2024-25 Salary: $8 million
Rights: Full Bird
Will Lyles, who turns 30 in November, continue his career in Sacramento after four years? With changes to the front office and coaching staff (Doug Christie took over the bench during the season), he may be less of a priority. His minutes didn't dip much last year, but his three-point shooting did (from 38.4 percent in 2023-24 to 34.0 percent).
That may have to do with the team losing its point guard via trade (De'Aaron Fox), but it may be time for Lyles to move on.
Prediction: Lyles may not find a home immediately, but he's a proven vet who can help the end of a team's bench or mentor younger players in a rebuild.
No. 20: Precious Achiuwa
6 of 25
Team: New York Knicks
Prior: Unranked
2024-25 Salary: $6 million
Rights: Full Bird
Achiuwa is an undersized (6'8") center lacking an outside shot or notable playmaking skills. He's athletic and plays hard, but he doesn't do enough on offense to offset his liabilities.
Through 49 games with the Knicks during the 2023-24 season (joining the team as part of the OG Anunoby trade), the 25-year-old averaged 7.2 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game. As his minutes dipped this season, so too did his production.
Prediction: Achiuwa seems unlikely to return to New York, but he'll likely turn up elsewhere on a minimum deal before long.
No. 19: Cody Martin
7 of 25
Team: Phoenix Suns
Prior: Unranked
2024-25 Salary: $8.1 million
Rights: None
After spending his entire career with the Charlotte Hornets, the team sent him to the Suns before the deadline. He only played in 14 games, and Phoenix decided to let him go this summer, before his contract's guarantee triggered.
The 29-year-old can fit in as a role player, but his most glaring deficiency is his three-point shot (30.8 percent career).
Prediction: Martin will play in the NBA this year, but probably on a non-guaranteed contract.
No. 18: Cory Joseph
8 of 25
Team: Orlando Magic
Prior: Unranked
2024-25 Salary: $3.3 million
Rights: Non-Bird
Joseph, 34 in August, was never named an NBA All-Star, but he has carved out an impressive career over 14 seasons. The Magic didn't intend to sign him to be a starter in the playoffs, but injuries (notably to Jalen Suggs) led to him starting five games vs. the Boston Celtics in his team's first-round exit.
While he doesn't put up significant stats, Joseph is a welcome addition to any locker room. He could fit on almost any team in the NBA, either helping a younger group develop or a contending team by providing a steady veteran presence.
Prediction: Joseph may not sign quickly, or even to guaranteed salary, but he'll have opportunities to continue his career this season.
No. 17: Landry Shamet
9 of 25
Team: New York Knicks
Prior: Unranked
2024-25 Salary: $1.7 million
Rights: Non-Bird
Shamet had to fight his way back to the NBA through the G League after an injury during training camp. He ended up playing 50 games for the Knicks, shooting 39.7 from three-point range on 3.1 attempts in 15.2 minutes per game.
The 28-year-old didn't get as many attempts in the postseason (1.4), but his role grew in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers as New York needed help spacing the floor.
Prediction: Unless the Knicks land a bigger name (perhaps Chris Paul), Shamet could round out their bench again this season.
No. 16: Garrison Mathews
10 of 25
Team: Atlanta Hawks
Prior: Unranked
2024-25 Salary: $2.2 million
Rights: Full Bird
Mathews possesses a notable and valuable skill in the NBA: He can shoot the ball.
While the 28-year-old has only hit double digits once (10.0 points per game in 2021-22 with the Houston Rockets), he is a career 38.2 percent three-point shooter.
That should land him another opportunity this season, though probably not with Atlanta after the team brought in Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard.
Prediction: Mathews lands a partially guaranteed minimum deal with a team looking for floor spacing.
No. 15: Malcolm Brogdon
11 of 25
Team: Washington Wizards
Prior: Unranked
2024-25 Salary: $22.5 million
Rights: Full Bird
Brogdon is one of the more experienced available point guards, but he has never been exceptionally durable. At 32, he can help a team with his size, playmaking and defense. At this stage, he's more likely to provide bench support.
Prediction: Teams like the New York Knicks and L.A. Clippers may seek players like Chris Paul, but once rejected, may turn to Brogdon.
No. 14: De'Anthony Melton
12 of 25
Team: Brooklyn Nets
Prior: Unranked
2024-25 Salary: $12.8 million
Rights: Non-Bird
The Golden State Warriors made Melton their top free-agent acquisition last summer, but he was felled with a serious knee injury. The team dumped him to the Brooklyn Nets, since he was out for the year.
The most significant question about the 27-year-old is his health. Is he past the injury and capable of resuming at the same level as a sharp defensive guard who isn't a liability on offense?
Prediction: One of several who could be a target for the Warriors. Some of the buzz linking him to the Los Angeles Lakers has died down in recent weeks.
No. 13: Thomas Bryant
13 of 25
Team: Indiana Pacers
Prior: Unranked
2024-25 Salary: $2.8 million
Rights: Non-Bird
Bryant was a vital reserve for the Pacers, hitting big shots in the playoffs to propel the team to the NBA Finals. The Oklahoma City Thunder weren't his best matchup, though, with coach Rick Carlisle going with the more physical Tony Bradley.
The team also acquired Jay Huff from the Memphis Grizzlies, which might hurt Bryant's chances of returning. Still, the vacancy created by Myles Turner's departure for the Milwaukee Bucks may lead to his return.
Prediction: Bryant is a floor-spacing big, who (while not a strong defender) plays hard. He'll land somewhere soon, perhaps back with Indiana.
No. 12: Gary Payton II
14 of 25
Team: Golden State Warriors
Prior: Unranked
2024-25 Salary: $9.1 million
Rights: Full Bird
When one of coach Steve Kerr's favorites, Kevon Looney, left the Warriors for the New Orleans Pelicans, it cast some doubt on Payton's return.
Kerr trusts the 32-year-old as an on-ball defender on a team that has always prioritized defense (despite the widespread attention on Steph Curry's shooting as the team's identity).
Payton isn't a high-level scorer, but he can still finish with athleticism around the basket. And he's an experienced, championship-level player.
Prediction: Don't count out Golden State, but if the team prefers to reshuffle, perhaps the Minnesota Timberwolves give him a look to help replace the departed Nickeil Alexander-Walker?
No. 11: Ben Simmons
15 of 25
Team: LA Clippers
Prior: Unranked
2024-25 Salary: $1.1 million
Rights: Non-Bird
Simmons joined the Clippers late in the season, playing 18 games as a backup point guard.
Since entering the league in 2016 with the Philadelphia 76ers (once healthy), the 28-year-old has been a challenging player to slot into traditional NBA positions. He's a point forward or center with no outside range.
Injuries have limited some of his abilities as an elite defender, but he remains a smart and capable player (though the non-shooting is a concern).
He didn't do much in the postseason for L.A., and with roster space a premium, Simmons may move on. While he'll seek more than the minimum, it's unclear at this stage where he'll land.
Prediction: Could he slot in behind Draymond Green in a similar role for the Golden State Warriors?
No. 10: Chris Boucher
16 of 25
Team: Toronto Raptors
Prior: Unranked
2024-25 Salary: $10.8 million
Rights: Full Bird
Boucher is long and athletic, but at 6'9", 200 pounds and a penchant for launching threes, he's more a small forward than a center. He earns his place in the league with his energy, but at 32 years old, he may not have widespread appeal.
Still, teams gravitate towards size and scoring. Boucher averaged 10 points a game in just 17.2 minutes. He should find a new home before long.
Prediction: This may seem repetitive, but perhaps the Golden State Warriors (who have a few roster spots open) take a flyer?
No. 9: Amir Coffey
17 of 25
Team: L.A. Clippers
Prior: Unranked
2024-25 Salary: $3.9 million
Rights: Full Bird
Coffey is an underrated 3-and-D wing who shot 40.9 percent from three-point range on 3.4 attempts for the Clippers. Currently, the team has 13 players, three of whom are two-ways, and may sign Kobe Sanders (No. 5) in the 14th slot. Unless something changes, Coffey may not secure the final roster spot.
He may be the best, still relatively young (28), role player available on the market. Unfortunately, most teams face a similar issue, with limited roster space.
Prediction: If Coffey gets stuck accepting the minimum, perhaps the Golden State Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets or Minnesota Timberwolves?
No. 8: Bradley Beal
18 of 25
Team: Phoenix Suns
Prior: Unranked
2024-25 Salary: $50.2 million
Rights: None
This starts with the assumption that Beal and the Suns reach a buyout agreement, leading the veteran guard to hit the free-agent market.
NBA buzz suggests this is the inevitable outcome, given the 32-year-old has a no-trade clause and an expensive, difficult-to-move contract.
While Beal has been much maligned for his stint with the Suns, he still averaged 17.0 points per game while shooting 38.6 percent from the field. He could help a contender, provided he's willing to accept a sixth-man scoring role.
Prediction: Los Angeles (and the Lakers) are close to Phoenix, perhaps Beal ends up on a two-year minimum deal (player option on the second year). If not, the Miami Heat have been long linked to the three-time All-Star.
No. 7: Russell Westbrook
19 of 25
Team: Denver Nuggets
Prior: No. 21
2024-25 Salary: $3.3 million
Rights: Non-Bird
Westbrook is an acquired taste. On the same possession, he can seemingly win and lose the game for his team.
The Nuggets went through significant turmoil this year, firing head coach Mike Malone and top basketball executive Calvin Booth right before the playoffs. Was that Westbrook's fault? Hardly.
But Denver needs talent and has minimal spending power. The 36-year-old may still be the best path forward. And given that not every team is willing to take him on, the Nuggets may be his most obvious opportunity.
Prediction: Westbrook could return to Denver on a slightly above minimum contract, but the New York Knicks could use another point guard.
No. 6: Chris Paul
20 of 25
Team: San Antonio Spurs
Prior: No. 18
2024-25 Salary: $10.5 million
Rights: Non-Bird
Paul is already 40 years old, but he was a productive leader on the Spurs—a team fighting for a playoff position before Victor Wembanyama was lost for the season.
San Antonio may want Paul back because of who he is and what he's capable of doing, but with De'Aaron Fox, rookie of the year Stephon Castle and guard Dylan Harper (the Spurs' presumed No. 2 overall pick), the veteran may choose a team giving him a greater opportunity to play.
While he has strong ties to Los Angeles (Lakers and Clippers), where his family has lived (don't count them out), he may go to a team with an injured starting point guard.
Prediction: If not the Clippers, perhaps the Milwaukee Bucks bring in Paul to play with Giannis Antetokounmpo, with Damian Lillard injured (and about to be waived by the franchise).
No. 5: Al Horford
21 of 25
Team: Boston Celtics
Prior: No. 18
2024-25 Salary: $9.5 million
Rights: Full Bird
Joining the Nicolas Batum (back with the L.A. Clippers)/Chris Paul "old man's club," Horford (39) was a huge part of why the Celtics won the championship in 2023-24.
The Jayson Tatum Achilles injury derails the upcoming campaign, and Boston needs to seriously consider trading out of heavy salary to save what could be hundreds of millions in luxury taxes.
Still, keeping Horford needs to be considered, especially with Kristaps Porziņģis traded to the Atlanta Hawks. If both sides can find a reasonable number, he might stick around. Other teams in playoff contention would love to add a vet big who can switch on defense and shoot, even if he's one of the oldest guys around.
Prediction: Unless the Celtics come up with enough, pencil in Horford joining the Golden State Warriors.
No. 4: Cam Thomas
22 of 25
Team: Brooklyn Nets
Prior: No. 14
2024-25 Salary: $4.0 million
Rights: Full Bird (restricted)
Of the names on this list, Thomas is one of the tougher ones to gauge.
There's a perception among some teams that he's empty stats, but he's also an extremely talented scorer who doesn't usually let a mistake or miss deter him from the next attempt. The Nets, who may not be ready to win just yet, must decide how vital he is to the future.
While he's believed to have been seeking over $30 million in prior negotiations, that number may need to be much lower for a deal. Since he's restricted, Brooklyn has all the leverage, and no one else has the kind of cap room to give the 23-year-old an offer sheet of note.
Prediction: As a low-confidence guess, the Nets and Thomas compromise on a three-year deal starting in the $24 million range.
No. 3: Jonathan Kuminga
23 of 25
Team: Golden State Warriors
Prior: No. 7
2024-25 Salary: $7.6 million
Rights: Full Bird (restricted)
The buzz from last offseason was that Kuminga wanted an extension starting in the $35 million range, greater than what the Warriors were willing to pay (perhaps no higher than $30 million).
After the Jimmy Butler trade, Kuminga struggled to stay healthy and found his role diminished.
If the 22-year-old can find a team willing to give what he's seeking, or close to what Golden State was willing to do last year, he'll need an offer sheet as a restricted free agent.
Another path is a sign-and-trade, but that's complicated by multiple rules and the Warriors' potential reluctance to spend under the new rules.
Prediction: The Warriors find a sign-and-trade, perhaps with a team like the Chicago Bulls.
No. 2: Quentin Grimes
24 of 25
Team: Philadelphia 76ers
Prior: No. 6
2024-25 Salary: $4.3 million
Rights: Full Bird (restricted)
Grimes has had a topsy-turvy career.
After two-and-a-half years with the New York Knicks, the 25-year-old was sent to the Detroit Pistons, where he languished (shooting just 21.4 percent from three). The Dallas Mavericks moved on from him around the time of the Luka Dončić trade, after he gave them 10.2 points a game on a steady 39.8 percent from deep. The 76ers were the beneficiary, as injuries allowed Grimes to take a lead scoring role, where he thrived.
Over a 14-game span in March, he averaged 26.6 points with 4.9 assists, shooting 40.3 percent from deep. Can that fit alongside a healthy 76ers squad with Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain, etc.? Philadelphia may need to pay to find out, though he is restricted. Unless another team can come up with an offer sheet, the Sixers hold the leverage.
Prediction: The Sixers (who need to retain talent) give Grimes an above-NTMLE deal, perhaps in the $17 million starting range.
No. 1: Josh Giddey
25 of 25
Team: Chicago Bulls
Prior: No. 5
2024-25 Salary: $8.4 million
Rights: Full Bird (restricted)
Some trades are win-win, and while the Oklahoma City Thunder experienced the ultimate win this past season after acquiring Alex Caruso from the Bulls, Chicago did well with Giddey.
Down the stretch of the season, the Bulls found success with the Coby White/Giddey combo. Giddey has good size, playmaking ability and grew as a shooter (37.8 percent from three).
The question will be price and finding a viable number for both sides.
The Bulls might have been concerned about the Brooklyn Nets deciding to chase Giddey with cap space, but the Nets drafted multiple point guards and burned most of their room via trades.
Chicago can match any team's offer since Giddey is a restricted free agent, but no one appears to have the necessary cap space to pony up.
Prediction: The Bulls retain Giddey in the $25-28 million starting range.
Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on X @EricPincus and Bluesky.
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