The Top 10 BIGGEST NBA Free Agents This Summer

Joel Piton
8 hours ago
7 min read

by Joel Piton

Sportz Nation - 6/16/2026

With the NBA Finals officially wrapped, the league has wasted no time turning the page toward the future. The offseason is here, and with it comes one of the most unpredictable stretches on the basketball calendar: free agency. Every summer brings the same questions. Who is staying home? Who is chasing a bigger role? Who is ready to join a contender? And which team is willing to hand over the contract that changes everything?

This year’s free-agent class has no shortage of heavy hitters, from all-stars to role players who could swing the balance of power a different direction. Some may choose comfort and re-commit to their clause. Others may look for a fresh start, a larger spotlight, or a legitimate chance to compete for a championship. Either way, these decisions will shape not only the futures of the players involved, but the direction of the teams pursuing them.

With front offices preparing their pitches and contenders looking for the missing piece, here are the top 10 biggest NBA free agents to watch this summer.

Ayo Dosunmu (MIN)

2025-26 Stats:

14.8 PPG · 3.4 RPG · 3.6 APG · 51.7% FG

Ayo Dosunmu balled out in the post season for the Timberwolves, looking like a borderline All-Star. The efficiency, the energy, the pacing—let's just say it: the price went up. I'd expect him to hit the open market so that he can play at full swing without having to come off of the bench for the likes of Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo. A luxury "tax-apron" team like the Wolves aren't realistically going to pay him what he deserves, and my gut tells me he'll get the chance to cash in on a massive salary spike elsewhere.

Bradley Beal (LAC)

2025-26 Stats:

8.2 PPG · .8 RPG · 1.7 APG · 37.5% FG

This was a rough season for Bradley Beal. ESPN described it as "a steep-decline from his All-Star days" which is the most accurate conclusion you can draw following a brutal, injury-riddled season. Still, it's hard to imagine all of prime Bradley is gone, and if I'm a GM looking to find a veteran who can get me points from beyond the arc in a flurry, I'm still looking at Beal. I think Beal is ready to move on to a clean situation where he doesn't have to be pressured into averaging 20 plus points a night. Still, with the Clippers likely planning to flip Bogdan or let him walk, there's a good chance he sticks.

Coby White (CHA)

2025-26 Stats:

17.4 PPG · 3.4 RPG · 4.0 APG · 44.6% FG

Flipped to the Hornets from Chicago for multiple guards, White finished the season strong in Charlotte after a late-career resurgence, but does it make sense for him to leave Charlotte? As an outright free agent, he's looking for structure and undoubtedly wants to be the brightest scorer on a competitive team. Insert one Kon Knueppel and that likely doesn't happen. Rebuilding teams with massive cap space are prepared to hand him a foundational multi-year bag that Charlotte may not be able to justify long-term. I see Washington being one of those teams. White's scoring impact and efficiency could kickstart any squad into playoff contention.

Russell Westbrook (SAC)

2025-26 Stats:

15.2 PPG · 5.4 RPG · 6.7 APG · 42.7% FG

Russell Westbrook is turning 38 this year and is still one of the best in the game at what he does. Operating strictly on the veteran market, it's clear he can go to any team in the league and have an impact at this point. While Sacramento was statistically the worst team in the Western Conference, none of that really falls on Westbrook's shoulders. The guy averaged 15 points and did everything and more to keep the Kings afloat. I see Russ being a spark plug on and off the bench for at least two more seasons. The athleticism hasn't really faltered, and it's clear he's taking care of himself enough to remain a threat.

Tobias Harris (DET)

2025-26 Stats:

13.3 PPG · 5.1 RPG · 2.5 APG · 46.9% FG

Tobias Harris was a key contributor to Detroit's success all season long as they maintained the best record in the Eastern Conference. For a guy in his thirties, I don't think Harris gets quiet the respect he deserves. He can stop on a dime and drain the mid-range jumper, rebound, stretch the floor and defend. A pure plug and play veteran who's contract is on the books, you'd have to imagine that if he doesn't stay in Detroit, another contender will be more than willing to pick up the phone. Harris may not be the flashiest name on the market, but he’s exactly the kind of steady, proven forward who can slide into a winning situation and make life easier for everyone around him.

Khris Middleton (DAL)

2025-26 Stats:

10.2 PPG · 3.7 RPG · 2.8 APG · 42.0% FG

NBA champion "Khash Money" Middleton is at a crossroads right now. We know the guy's mid-range jumper is unbeatable but age seems to be catching up with him quickly. As a full time starter in Washington this season with the keys to the perimeter, he only averaged 10 points on a team that needed buckets and was literally the worst in the league. Now on Dallas, Middleton has a chance to prove there’s still some winning basketball left in the tank and that he can be a valuable asset on a contender. He no longer has to be a primary option, but if he can stay healthy, knock down open shots, I can see him being a bail out option for multiple teems. The defensive impact doesn't go unnoticed either.

LeBron James (LAL)

2025-26 Stats:

20.9 PPG · 6.1 RPG · 7.2 APG · 51.5% FG

After a sour playoff exit with no Luka Doncic, the pairing of LeBron and Doncic has seemingly failed. At 41, LeBron's offseason strategy is built around leveraging his longevity and dictating a winning situation entirely on his terms. He's going to exercise the hell out of his player option by seeing just how far the Lakers are willing to go to keep him. Winning a title in LA isn't impossible, but it'll take elbow grease. If a new squad gives him a better opportunity, expect the NBA legend not to hesitate. He has no qualms about exploring a ready-made contender willing to give him one last shot.

Austin Reaves (LAL)

2025-26 Stats:

23.3 PPG · 4.7 RPG · 5.5 APG · 49.0% FG

Reaves' market value is sky-high after playing the best basketball of his life last season. A 51-point explosion and 23 points per night made him a borderline All-Star last season, and I don't see why he wouldn't decline his player option and go for an absolute bag, especially if LeBron doesn't stay. Right now, it's looking like the Brooklyn Nets are gearing up to offer a serious contract, and honestly, it makes a ton of sense. Reaves gives them a polished three-level scorer who can handle the ball, create for others and bring some toughness to a team still searching for a new identity. The Lakers would love to keep him, but if the price gets uncomfortable, they may be forced to let him go.

Collin Sexton (CHI)

2025-26 Stats:

15.4 PPG · 2.3 RPG · 3.3 APG · 48.5% FG

The Collin Sexton (and Anfernee Simons) tandem appears to be at a crossroads, and with Jaden Ivey getting released mis-season it looks like the combo guard experiment is over. The Bulls are systematically trying to clear cap space and Sexton's contract is a big reason why he could be the odd man out. Sexton can still give you instant offense, downhill pressure and fearless shot-making, but Chicago seems ready to move in a different direction. At this stage, he feels less like a long-term project and more like a spark-plug scorer who might be better suited helping a playoff team off the bench. This a guy who once led Cleveland in scoring with 24 points per night. In the right system, "Young Bull" is a ferocious player.

Kristaps Porzingis (GSW)

2025-26 Stats:

16.7 PPG · 5.2 RPG · 2.5 APG · 44.6% FG

A champion and former All-Star, Porzingis had yet another quiet season due to injury, playing just 32 games. For a guy now entering his thirties, things are starting to look dangerous. Over the span of an eleven-year career, Porzingis has only managed to play at least 60 games three times. Golden State has the option to try and lock him in, but at this point, availability may be too big of a gamble to ignore. Porzingis can still be an elite, floor-spacing big when healthy, but the key word here is "when", and committing long-term money to a player with this kind of injury history is a gamble.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

With the Finals in the rearview and the offseason officially underway, the next few weeks could reshape the landscape for next season. Free agency, trades, extensions, and surprise moves are all on the table, and every fan base has a reason to believe their team can take a step forward.

So, what are you most excited about this summer? Which free agent do you want your team to go after? And what does your front office need to accomplish before next season tips off?

The NBA's offseason has officially begun, starting with the NBA Draft next Tuesday 🚨 Can't keep up with the drama? Be sure to stay tuned into Sportz Nation for your sports updates on all things basketball.

Thanks for reading!

-Joel Piton

(@jpiton7)