New NBA Rumors on Ayo Dosunmu, Walker Kessler, Robert Williams III and More 'Intriguing Free Agents'

ESPN's Tim Bontemps reported updates on rumors surrounding what he described as the NBA's "more intriguing free agents" ahead of the final stretch of the 2026 playoffs.

These players included pending unrestricted free agents like the Minnesota Timberwolves' Ayo Dosunmu, Philadelphia 76ers' Quentin Grimes and Portland Trail Blazers' Robert Williams III, according to Bontemps.

Donsunmu is expected to return to the Timberwolves by "sources around the league," according to Bontemps.

That could mean the Wolves will beat out most other potential free agency suitors by giving Donsunmu a salary worth more than midlevel exception of just over $15 million, per Bontemps.

Grimes is also expected to stay with the Sixers at "something at or below" that midlevel exception salary, per Bontemps.

Williams is expected to receive less than the midlevel exception on his next deal in part because of injury concerns, Bontemps reported.

According to Bontemps, a short-term contract worth around $15 million "is being seen as the height of [Williams'] market, with the potential of being closer to $10 million per year."

Bontemps also provided updates on pending restricted free agents like the Utah Jazz's Walker Kessler and Denver Nuggets' Peyton Watson.

Kessler is expected to remain with the Jazz on a deal "in the range of $25 million to $30 million a year," Bontemps reported.

Bontemps indicated there is less certainty the Nuggets will retain Walker, who also battled injuries last season but is still expected to sign a deal in the range of $23 million to $25 million.

According to Bontemps, "the belief around the league" is that the Nuggets will ultimately trade either Cameron Johnson or Christian Braun in order to make room to re-sign Watson.

Bontemps' free agency updates come ahead of changes to the NBA draft lottery system that could potentially dampen the trade market this summer.

NBA insider Jake Fischer recently reported that at least one NBA general manager doesn't plan to trade any picks past 2029 amid the league's plan to proposal the value of first-rounders on a trial basis for the next three seasons.

Should teams become less willing to deal or receive future draft picks in trades amid the lottery changes, free agency could become even more critical for teams looking to improve their rosters this offseason.