The NBA's free-agency frenzy has passed, ushering in the dog days of the offseason. And yet, several marquee players and reliable contributors are still available.
Here's a look at the top 10 free agents remaining on the open market:
2025-26 stats with Pistons:
| GP | PTS | REB | AST | FG% | 3PT% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 70 | 19.5 | 10.5 | 2 | 65 | 0 | 74.7 |
2025-26 earnings: $6.5M
Duren torpedoed his value with a horrid playoff display after a career-defining All-Star regular season. But by earning All-NBA status, the 22-year-old became eligible to receive a five-year supermax contract worth up to $287 million, which explains why the Detroit Pistons are attempting to negotiate a more team-friendly deal. While Duren may be inclined to ink his $9.6-million qualifying offer to try to boost his worth again with another standout regular season, it's a risky call.
2025-26 stats with Cavaliers:
| GP | PTS | REB | AST | FG% | 3PT% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 70 | 23.6 | 4.8 | 8 | 43.4 | 37.5 | 88.4 |
2025-26 earnings: $39.4M
Harden declined a $42.3-million player option earlier in the summer amid reports that he was slated to sign a multi-year pact to remain with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Though Harden, like Duren, had an underwhelming postseason, the poor performance likely won't dissuade Cleveland. The holdup reportedly stems from the Cavs exploring potential sign-and-trade deals for Peyton Watson and/or Jonathan Kuminga, which they'd like to finalize before the 36-year-old Harden signs on the dotted line.
2025-26 stats with Nuggets:
| GP | PTS | REB | AST | FG% | 3PT% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 54 | 14.6 | 4.9 | 2.1 | 49.1 | 41.1 | 73 |
2025-26 earnings: $4.3M
The Los Angeles Clippers, Atlanta Hawks, Milwaukee Bucks, and Cavaliers are all apparently seeking a starting forward of Watson's ilk. The Denver Nuggets could entertain a sign-and-trade for the 23-year-old and reportedly offered him a five-year, $70-million deal, but they'll need to move salary to escape the second apron after retaining Spencer Jones. Losing Watson would be a significant setback for a Nuggets team trying to keep a rapidly shrinking championship window open.
2025-26 stats with Warriors/Hawks:
| GP | PTS | REB | AST | FG% | 3PT% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | 12.2 | 5.6 | 2.3 | 46.3 | 33.3 | 72.4 |
2025-26 earnings: $24.3M
Kuminga became an unrestricted free agent after the Atlanta Hawks declined his $24.3-million team option for the 2026-27 season. It's hardly uncharted territory for a player who languished in limbo during the final season of his mercurial stay with the Golden State Warriors. Still, the 23-year-old is unlikely to be short on suitors, and many of those interested teams are probably eyeing Watson, too. Kuminga's reportedly seeking a contract worth more than $20 million annually, which could be a stumbling block.
2025-26 stats with Pacers/Clippers:
| GP | PTS | REB | AST | FG% | 3PT% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 54 | 17.6 | 5.4 | 2.4 | 43 | 31.5 | 86.9 |
2025-26 earnings: $9.2M
Mathurin averaged 17.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in 26 games after joining the Clippers from the Indiana Pacers in the Ivica Zubac trade. Los Angeles owns Mathurin's Bird rights and will likely match an estimated $8.8-million qualifying offer for the 24-year-old Canadian wing. However, the Clippers could be delaying their decision until the NBA completes its investigation into the organization's alleged cap circumvention - and that doesn't appear to be coming anytime soon.
2025-26 stats with Kings:
| GP | PTS | REB | AST | FG% | 3PT% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 77 | 18.4 | 2.9 | 4.1 | 49.7 | 32 | 86.8 |
2025-26 earnings: $24.5M
A notoriously dysfunctional Sacramento Kings front office made a surprisingly shrewd move by waiving DeRozan and his $25.7-million cap hit for 2026-27 after failing to find a viable destination through a trade. Releasing the 36-year-old drops the Kings below both salary cap aprons while also allowing DeRozan to continue climbing the league's all-time scoring list with another team. He enters the season with 26,711 regular-season points, just 236 points from passing Hakeem Olajuwon for 15th.
2025-26 stats with Nets/Bucks:
| GP | PTS | REB | AST | FG% | 3PT% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42 | 13.5 | 1.7 | 2.6 | 41 | 31 | 81.1 |
2025-26 earnings: $5.9M
Perhaps we're overvaluing Thomas, but there's something alluring about one of the league's foremost heat-check merchants. The 24-year-old is a cautionary tale for this year's unsigned restricted free agents after he turned down a guaranteed multi-year deal with the Brooklyn Nets and bet on himself by inking a one-year, $6-million qualifying offer last offseason. The gamble backfired: Thomas was waived by the Nets in February, then briefly joined the Milwaukee Bucks before getting waived again in March. Efficiency be damned, at least Thomas is fun to watch.
2025-26 stats with Mavericks:
| GP | PTS | REB | AST | FG% | 3PT% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 66 | 13 | 2.9 | 3.9 | 47.2 | 23.2 | 79.3 |
2025-26 earnings: $2.2M
The Dallas Mavericks are facing a roster crunch after Kyrie Irving's return, and Williams might be the odd man out. Among the remaining free agents, the 26-year-old ranked eighth in points and fifth in assists last season, and he proved to be a vital contributor for the Mavs in Irving's absence. However, Williams' struggles from beyond the arc and the limited number of guaranteed roster spots are working against him. Meanwhile, the Warriors might need a backup point guard and have two standard contract spots available.
2025-26 stats with Kings:
| GP | PTS | REB | AST | FG% | 3PT% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 64 | 15.2 | 5.4 | 6.7 | 42.7 | 33.8 | 69.4 |
2025-26 earnings: $2.3M
Prospective employers know exactly what they'll be getting from Westbrook at this point in his career. He's affordable, inefficient, and potentially cantankerous, but he's also a reliable backcourt depth piece. With far fewer roster spots available than five weeks ago when free agency kicked off, the 37-year-old's chances of inking a guaranteed deal are in peril. The modern NBA's desire for plug-and-play guards who can defend their position might no longer need the nine-time All-Star and former MVP.
2025-26 stats with Nuggets:
| GP | PTS | REB | AST | FG% | 3PT% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 82 | 7.9 | 3.9 | 2.1 | 47.5 | 38.5 | 76.2 |
2025-26 earnings: $2.3M
Brown's numbers may not be eye-popping, but he appeared in all 82 games last season and has a deep bag of the type of intangibles that competitive teams value: hustle, grit, and championship DNA. He can also play multiple positions, is a proficient ball-handler, and embraces coming off the bench. The 29-year-old is shockingly still young-ish and can be had for a team-friendly deal. Expect Brown to sign with a playoff contender, recording 20 minutes a night and doing the dirty work that many players shy away from.
Other notable available free agents: Gabe Vincent, Bradley Beal, Aaron Holiday, Trendon Watford, Nick Richards, Nicolas Batum
