Why These 5 NBA Free Agents Don't Have a Team Entering Training Camp
With NBA training camps kicking off for the 2025-26 season, several high-level free agents remain unsigned.
From a former league MVP to a Sixth Man of the Year runner-up, why haven't they found new homes?
The following is a list of five interesting free agents, along with explanations as to why they currently don't have NBA contracts.
Jonathan Kuminga (and Others)
1 of 5
The Kuminga stalemate has been a long journey dating back to last season's stalled extension talks. He's a restricted free agent in a year in which almost no teams had cap room.
The 22-year-old remains unsigned as the Warriors are unwilling to meet his contract demands; his restricted status limits his options, diminishing pressure on Golden State to compromise.
The Kuminga decision is also holding up the rest of the Warriors' roster, since the team needs to work around potential apron restrictions to add Al Horford, De'Anthony Melton, Gary Payton II, and Seth Curry (none of whom have publicly agreed to deals, but the buzz is they're ready to sign once Golden State gets its business sorted out).
Still, there is a two- or three-year deal to be hashed out that both sides can live with. Kuminga's almost $8 million qualifying offer expires on October 1, after which the only path to playing in the NBA is at the Warriors' discretion (unless he can get an offer sheet from the Brooklyn Nets as the only team with viable spending power, but that doesn't appear in the cards).
Quentin Grimes
2 of 5
Grimes is in the same situation as Kuminga: a restricted free agent facing the October 1 deadline.
The Philadelphia Sixers will venture into the luxury tax once it brings back Grimes, but the franchise may be attempting to stay under the $195.9 million first apron to maintain flexibility. If so, that leaves $9.8 million starting salary for Grimes as the team's 14th player.
That's just above his $8.7 million qualifying offer, which is a real possibility if a proper deal cannot be forged. The issue for Grimes (and Kuminga) is that a player traded after re-signing on a one-year deal loses their rights. The most their new team can pay them next year is a 120 percent raise over their 2025-26 salary (without using cap room or a larger exception).
Because of that wrinkle, Grimes (and Kuminga with the Warriors) can block any trade, further limiting the Sixers' potential trade market.
The team may be willing to give him a larger one-year deal on the condition Grimes waives the no-trade power.
Ultimately, the 25-year-old would like to be paid as a starter or, at the very least, a sixth man.
Several agents point to PJ Washington's deal with the Dallas Mavericks (a four-year extension starting at $19.8 million) as an appropriate salary for a player of similar stature, which is likely how Grimes and his representation view the situation.
Ben Simmons
3 of 5
Unlike the prior two restricted players, the remaining free agents are unrestricted, available and have accomplished much over the course of their careers.
Simmons was the No. 1 overall pick in 2016, taken by the Philadelphia 76ers. He initially thrived as a 6'10" point guard and all-NBA defender, though it soon became apparent his shooting range (or lack thereof) was a limiting factor.
After a lengthy holdout with the 76ers, which ultimately led to a trade (to the Brooklyn Nets) due to back issues, the 29-year-old has gradually lost stature. He's an odd fit offensively, since he doesn't spread the floor, and he soured several franchises with his ugly exit from Philadelphia.
Simmons, reportedly unhappy with offers at the league minimum salary, parted ways with agent Bernie Lee during recent negotiations with teams including the Knicks and Kings. While there could be more to the story, it hasn't helped the player shake his reputation for being "difficult."
Simmons may eventually sign with a team in need of depth due to injury or major trades.
Malik Beasley
4 of 5
After several frustrating seasons, the Detroit Pistons made a significant competitive step forward, which included adding Beasley last summer as a high-volume, efficient bench scorer.
The 28-year-old finished second in award voting for the Sixth Man of the Year, yet he remains a free agent.
The issue is an ongoing gambling investigation by the U.S. District Attorney's Office. While his attorneys, Steve Haney and Mike Schachter, told ESPN's Shams Charania that Beasley was no longer a target of the investigation, teams remain hesitant because that may not exonerate him from violating NBA rules.
The league has a stringent policy, recently issuing a lifetime ban to Jontay Porterโand that may have teams in a wait-and-see mode.
This may take some time to resolve, but if Beasley can be cleared, he may find several playoff-bound franchises looking to add shooting.
Russell Westbrook
5 of 5
Westbrook was the NBA's Most Valuable Player for the 2016-17 season, averaging a triple-double for the first time since Oscar Robertson in 1961-52. He's a nine-time All-Star and should be a lock for the NBA Hall of Fame.
But Westbrook is a polarizing player with a poor jump shot (30.5 percent from three-point range on his career), questionable decision-making and an often contentious relationship with the media.
The 36-year-old is also well-regarded as a teammate by many of the legends he has played with over his career, even if his run with LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers stands out as a notable miscasting.
Westbrook isn't a natural role player, at least that's how teams tend to see him, and so he remains without a job as training camps convene. Though he was discussed as a possible fit with the Knicks or Kings, no deal materialized. Denver changed course after recent management changes.
Perhaps Westbrook could land in Houston, playing alongside former teammate Kevin Durant. Currently, the Rockets have an apron issue, which means adding even a minimum player (to replace injured guard Fred VanVleet) may have to wait until later in the season.
Provided Westbrook is patient, he should find an opportunity before long for what will be his 18th NBA season.
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