Ranking Top 10 Minimum-Contract NBA Free Agents Still Available
The NBA offseason has slowed as most of the previously ranked top-30 free agents have resolved. Several restricted players remain, such as Josh Giddey, Jonathan Kuminga, Cam Thomas and Quentin Grimes; anyone else left without a contract may not get more than minimum offers.
Veterans can sign for up to two years at the minimum, ranging from $2 million (for those with one year of experience) to $3.6 million (for over 10 years). While various franchises may have some mid-level exception money available ($5.1 million to $14.1 million), they may choose to take that spending power into the season or avoid using it altogether to avoid luxury taxes or other apron issues.
The following is a list of the top-10 (likely) minimum contract NBA free agents still available.
No. 10: Cory Joseph
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Last Team: Orlando Magic
2024-25 Salary: $3.3 million
Rights: Non-Bird
Nearly 36, Joseph offers experience and stability to a younger team needing a mentor. Last season, he was pushed into the starting lineup with the Magic through five playoff games (with starter Jalen Suggs out injured). He averaged 5.0 points and 3.0 assists per game, shooting 31.3 percent from three.
Orlando didn't anticipate needing to start him and has since pivoted to veteran Tyus Jones. The team also drafted guard Jase Richardson at No. 25, which may preclude a return.
No. 9: Landry Shamet
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Last Team: New York Knicks
2024-25 Salary: $1.7 million
Rights: Non-Bird
After a preseason injury, Shamet spent time in the G League before playing 50 games with the Knicks. He ended with a small postseason role, shooting an impressive 46.7 percent from three-point range in 11 appearances (scoring 12 points in the final loss to the Indiana Pacers).
New York only has 12 players under standard contract, but it can only bring in one veteran (along with one of its recently drafted players like Mohamed Diawara). That spot could still go to Shamet.
No. 8: Garrison Mathews
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Last Team: Atlanta Hawks
2024-25 Salary: $2.2 million
Rights: Full Bird
Shooting is a premium in the NBA, and Mathews hit 39 percent from deep last season for the Hawks (and 44 percent in 2023-24). Nearing 29, he would help any number of teams looking for a shooter off the bench.
Atlanta acquired three wings this summer (Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Luke Kennard and Caleb Houston), suggesting Mathews will need a new NBA home this coming season.
No. 7: Malcolm Brogdon
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Last Team: Washington Wizards
2024-25 Salary: $22.5 million
Rights: Full Bird
Brogdon played a bit part in 2024-25 for the Wizards, making 24 appearances after various injuries. He averaged 12.7 points and 4.1 assists per game, but he struggled with his outside shot (28.6 percent).
Almost 33, he could still help a team with playoff aspirations as an experienced point guard off the bench.
Teams like the L.A. Clippers and Dallas Mavericks had shown interest, but they went with Chris Paul and D'Angelo Russell, respectively. The most obvious team in need may be the Golden State Warriors.
No. 6: De'Anthony Melton
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Last Team: Golden State Warriors
2024-25 Salary: $12.8 million
Rights: Non-Bird
The Golden State Warriors are an odd team this offseason, yet to officially add anyone to the roster. The stalemate with restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga appears to be the holdup. The Warriors must consider apron restrictions if he returns on a contract starting over $20 million for 2025-26.
Melton, presumably at a minimum, started last season with Golden State before suffering a knee injury. Many around the league expect him to re-sign once Kuminga is resolved.
No. 5: Gary Payton II
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Last Team: Golden State Warriors
2024-25 Salary: $9.1 million
Rights: Full Bird
Similar to De'Anthony Melton, Payton appears to be waiting on the Warriors to either sign or move on from Jonathan Kuminga (perhaps via sign-and-trade). The veteran defensive wing has been a staple with the franchise.
Payton's ability to defend in the backcourt is an important complement to Steph Curry. Expect him back in Golden State before long.
No. 4: Ben Simmons
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Last Team: L.A. Clippers
2024-25 Salary: $1.1 million
Rights: Non-Bird
It's hard to believe but Simmons is a year removed from a max contract. Last year, he was let go by the Brooklyn Nets to sign with the Clippers for the end-of-season playoff run.
He played 18 games for the Clippers, averaging 2.9 points and 3.1 assists per game in 16.4 minutes. Those numbers dipped in the playoffs, as his time was cut almost in half. And now that L.A. has added John Collins and Chris Paul, Simmons doesn't seem likely to return.
The Golden State Warriors could be an interesting fit for Simmons in a reserve Draymond Green-like role.
No. 3: Amir Coffey
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Last Team: L.A. Clippers
2024-25 Salary: $3.9 million
Rights: Full Bird
Coffey is a low-maintenance 3-and-D wing and still just 28 years old. The 6'7" veteran is coming off his best overall shooting season at 40.9 percent from three on 3.4 attempts in 24.3 minutes per game. He averaged 9.7 points for the Clippers, but didn't get any action in the postseason (in a series L.A. lost to the Denver Nuggets in seven games).
With the addition of Bradley Beal, Chris Paul, Brook Lopez and John Collins, the Clippers appear to be going in a different direction.
Any team with roster space left needing defensive and shooting on the wing should look at Coffey (perhaps the Golden State Warriors or New York Knicks).
No. 2: Russell Westbrook
9 of 10
Last Team: Denver Nuggets
2024-25 Salary: $3.3 million
Rights: Non-Bird
The former NBA Most Valuable Player (2016-17), Westbrook is the biggest name without a job and still a productive player. Last year, he averaged 13.3 points, 6.1 assists and 6.1 rebounds per game.
The 36-year-old is a high-impact player, but he doesn't shoot the three well (32.3 percent last year) and is mistake-prone on the court.
He's not for everyone, but he did find ways to contribute with Denver last year. Leadership and coaching changes over the last year could lead to Westbrook needing a new home.
No. 1: Al Horford
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Last Team: Boston Celtics
2024-25 Salary: $9.5 million
Rights: Full Bird
The Golden State Warriors have been linked to Horford for most of the summer. The delay in signing is believed to be the unresolved Jonathan Kuminga situation. Whatever the outcome, expect the Warriors to bring on the championship-level veteran big.
Horford may be one of the NBA's oldest players (39), but he's still extremely valuable to a team like Golden State with title aspirations.
The Celtics are using the injury to Jayson Tatum as an opportunity to rest their finances this year—likely leading to Horford's exit.
Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on X @EricPincus and Bluesky.
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