Top 25 NBA free agents: The best potential options this summer
The 2025 NBA free agency period begins June 30 at 6 p.m. ET, as teams start negotiating with players before official announcements are made July 6.
Here, we take a look at the 25 best options available on the open market, including restricted free agents (RFA), unrestricted free agents (UFA), player options (PO), and team options (TO).
Statistics listed are from the 2024-25 season.
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 70 | 51.3 | 37.6 | 78.2 | 7.8 | 8.2 | 24.4 |
2024-25 earnings: $50.7M
James reportedly plans to trigger his player option, but he's still the best potential free agent. The NBA's all-time leading scorer dominated during his age-40 season, making a 21st consecutive All-NBA team. James' choice to remain in L.A. is most likely to get a full season alongside Luka Doncic after the duo played in just 21 games together after Doncic was acquired in February.
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 47.3 | 40.1 | 91.6 | 4.8 | 4.6 | 24.7 |
2024-25 earnings: $40M
Irving is almost certainly staying in Dallas as he recovers from a torn ACL. Plus, the Mavs are set to create a Big Three with him, Anthony Davis, and Cooper Flagg. Irving has been a consistent star since joining the NBA - his option will give him the chance to prove his capabilities following a major injury.
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 69 | 48.5 | 34.4 | 80.6 | 7.1 | 4.7 | 18.7 |
2024-25 earnings: $29.3M
Randle had a shaky start in Minnesota but became the dependable secondary option the Timberwolves hoped for when they acquired him for Karl-Anthony Towns before the season. His defensive effort wasn't consistent, but he had sporadic moments as a tenacious, on-ball defender that Minnesota will miss if he leaves in free agency.
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 72 | 48.1 | 39.6 | 77.3 | 6.5 | 1.5 | 15.6 |
2024-25 earnings: $20.5M
Turner is one of the NBA's best defensive centers. He's averaged two-plus blocks per game in seven of his 10 seasons in the league. In addition to his defensive skills, he's progressed offensively. Turner had the best 3-point shooting campaign of his career in 2024-25 on a career-high 5.5 attempts per game.
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 79 | 41 | 35.2 | 87.4 | 5.8 | 8.7 | 22.8 |
2024-25 earnings: $35M
Even at 35 years old, Harden is still among the best offensive guards. He consistently puts up 20-plus points a night despite not having the scoring ability he did in his prime. Harden has also developed into one of the Association's premier playmakers.
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 | 37.8 | 34.5 | 81 | 3.7 | 5.6 | 14.1 |
2024-25 earnings: $42.8M
If the Rockets are intent on bringing VanVleet back, they'll need to either exercise his $44.9-million option or compromise on a new multi-year deal worth more but with a lighter annual salary. The 31-year-old's numbers were down across the board in his second year in Houston, but he was still a critical and productive vet at the point for a young Rockets core that got its first taste of the playoffs.
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80 | 46.2 | 37.9 | 77.6 | 6 | 2.3 | 14.2 |
2024-25 earnings: $14M
Reid is arguably the most underrated free agent this offseason. The 6-foot-9 big man has been a consistent contributor in Minnesota for six seasons. He improved even further after winning Sixth Man of the Year in 2023-24, averaging averaged career highs in points, rebounds, and assists this past season while playing a personal-high 27.5 minutes a night.
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 70 | 46.5 | 37.8 | 78.1 | 8.1 | 7.2 | 14.6 |
2024-25 earnings: $6.8M
As a restricted free agent, it's highly unlikely Giddey plays anywhere other than Chicago next season. However, what his next deal will look like is unknown following a breakout second half last season. He averaged 21.2 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 9.3 assists following the All-Star break.
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 47 | 45.4 | 30.5 | 66.8 | 4.6 | 2.2 | 15.3 |
2024-25 earnings: $6.2M
Kuminga, 22, is an RFA after he and the Warriors failed to agree on an extension last summer. The former seventh overall pick averaged the seventh-most minutes for Golden State this season but also found himself out of Steve Kerr's rotation in multiple playoff games until Stephen Curry's hamstring injury, potentially weakening his case in coming negotiations.
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | 43.8 | 34.9 | 88.1 | 3.3 | 3.8 | 24 |
2024-25 earnings: $2.6M
Thomas is widely expected to remain with the Nets as an RFA after appearing in just 25 games last season. The 23-year-old is one of the league's up-and-coming shot creators, and the Nets appear to value him as their offensive cornerstone. Thomas scored 30-plus points six times this season, and he had one 43-point outburst.
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 65 | 48.3 | 36.8 | 69.1 | 6.4 | 2.9 | 12.5 |
2024-25 earnings: $2.6M
The Grizzlies will likely be quick to match any offers for Aldama after he had another season as one of their most trusted options off the bench. The Spanish forward, 23, also made an impression in 16 spot starts, where he boasted a 4.9 net rating and helped Memphis go 8-8 despite having to fill in for injured stars like Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane, and Ja Morant.
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 82 | 43 | 41.6 | 67.9 | 2.6 | 1.7 | 16.3 |
2024-25 earnings: $6M
Beasley had a career resurgence with the Pistons, posting his highest points-per-game average since 2020-21 and the third highest of his NBA tenure. He also shot the second-highest 3-point percentage of his career on a personal-high 9.3 attempts per contest. Beasley's 981 points off the bench this campaign were the second most across the entire NBA.
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 63 | 44.8 | 41.1 | 66.7 | 3.9 | 1.4 | 8.7 |
2024-25 earnings: $13.9M
Of the seven Lakers players who totaled at least 40 playoff minutes, Finney-Smith had the biggest on-off differential (14.3). Only Luka Doncic's brief rest periods resulted in a bigger offensive drop-off. Finney-Smith slid into his role with the Lakers almost seamlessly after arriving midseason from Brooklyn, and they'll be hard-pressed to find a better fit for their system.
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | 52.7 | 39.9 | 84.8 | 8.2 | 2 | 19 |
2024-25 earnings: $25M
Collins missed the most games of his career this season, but he also posted some of his best numbers. However, playing for the league's worst team could decrease his value on the open market. The 27-year-old may be forced to take less money for an opportunity on a contending team.
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75 | 46.7 | 38.5 | 75.7 | 4.3 | 3 | 14.6 |
2024-25 earnings: $2.8M
Grimes had a breakout fourth season split between the Mavericks and 76ers, capitalizing on his opportunity with Philadelphia amid its injury-plagued season. He averaged 21.9 points in 28 games with a 59.2 true-shooting percentage, the highest of any Sixers guard this season.
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 74 | 43.1 | 41.6 | 84.8 | 2.3 | 1.2 | 11.1 |
2024-25 earnings: $2.6M
Trent took a one-year prove-it deal with the Bucks after not getting the offer he hoped for last summer. However, his production didn't prove much. Trent played just 25.6 minutes a game and had his lowest points-per-game average in five years. He can only hope his 18.8 points per contest in the playoffs will boost his value.
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 70 | 51.6 | 43.9 | 87.2 | 2.5 | 3.4 | 12.5 |
2024-25 earnings: $2.5M
Jerome was one of Cleveland's most productive players during its first-round sweep over Miami, but he struggled to find his stroke in Round 2 against the Pacers. Still, the 27-year-old was critical to the league's third-best bench offense, likely making him a focal point of the Cavs' plans this summer.
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 82 | 43.8 | 38.1 | 78 | 3.2 | 2.7 | 9.4 |
2024-25 earnings: $4.5M
Alexander-Walker has developed into one of the league's more serviceable 3-and-D options during his three-year run with the T-Wolves. He's not the type of player who will load up the stat sheet, but he does all the little things on the court. The Canadian also boasts great passing abilities as a wing.
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80 | 50.9 | 37.3 | 82.6 | 5 | 1.8 | 13 |
2024-25 earnings: $24M
Lopez, 37, felt like a lock to re-sign with Milwaukee as the Bucks chased another title in the twilight of his career. However, Damian Lillard's Achilles injury has obfuscated Milwaukee's outlook, which could prompt the 7-footer and the Bucks' longtime interior anchor to consider other contenders in free agency.
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 49 | 46.6 | 36.5 | 83.6 | 8.4 | 2.1 | 13.9 |
2024-25 earnings: $12.1M
Portis has been a consistent scoring threat off Milwaukee's bench for five seasons. However, his suspension for violating the drug policy this past year may have stunted his value. He appeared in a career-low 49 games and had his worst shooting season since 2019-2020. At 30, his best option might be to accept his option.
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 64 | 46.7 | 37.3 | 71 | 3.2 | 3.4 | 12.1 |
2024-25 earnings: $16M
Atlanta will reportedly prioritize re-signing LeVert, but the 30-year-old vet could slide onto many rosters as one of the better 3-and-D guards on the open market. His 3-point rate took a dip with an uptick in usage following his midseason trade from Cleveland, but he'll still interest teams as a backup ball-handler who can create his own offense and hold his own defensively.
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75 | 40.6 | 34.2 | 83.8 | 2.6 | 5.4 | 13.1 |
2024-25 earnings: $12.7M
Schroder spent time with three different teams in 2024-25, and, besides his time with the Warriors, he showed his value as a premier backup guard. He consistently provides double-digit points, and he showed flashes of his defensive capabilities with the Pistons. Schroder also excelled in the playoffs, shooting a team-high 47.6% from deep while averaging 1.2 steals per contest.
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 58 | 39 | 31.4 | 83.4 | 2.8 | 5.1 | 12.6 |
2024-25 earnings: $18M
Russell had one of the worst statistical seasons of his career in 2024-25. He also suited up for just 29 of 47 games with Brooklyn due to repeated ankle injuries after being dealt by the Lakers in December.
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 82 | 42.7 | 37.7 | 92.4 | 3.6 | 7.4 | 8.8 |
2024-25 earnings: $10.5M
A 40-year-old Paul may be slowing down as he enters his 21st NBA season, but he can still be trusted to run any offense. Paul started in all 82 games this past season and showcased his passing abilities. A veteran mind like Paul could be the perfect complimentary piece to any young team, like he was with the Spurs.
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 | 47 | 29.3 | 75.1 | 6.1 | 1.8 | 15.1 |
2024-25 earnings: $8.2M
Oubre's defensive work and occasional scoring bursts make him the ideal fit in a limited role behind Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey. However, he was probably given too much offensive responsibility with each of the trio missing chunks of the season; the 76ers won just four of the 17 games in which Oubre attempted 15-plus shots.