By Bobby Marks | ESPN, 2025-11-10 20:16:00
由生成式人工智能翻译，译文内容可能不准确或不完整，以原文为准。
2025-26赛季开赛仅三周，距离自由球员市场开启还有六个多月。但即便场上的表现样本尚小，也并不妨碍我们评选出12位表现突出的潜在自由球员，并展望他们在各自球队的未来。
我们评选这份合同年度全明星阵容时遵循了以下标准：
首先，我们排除了此前曾入选过NBA最佳阵容或全明星的球员。这意味着你不会在这份名单上看到芝加哥公牛队中锋尼古拉·武切维奇 (Nikola Vucevic)、洛杉矶快船队后卫詹姆斯·哈登 (James Harden)、萨克拉门托国王队后卫扎克·拉文 (Zach LaVine)、亚特兰大老鹰队后卫特雷·杨 (Trae Young)——甚至包括洛杉矶湖人队前锋勒布朗·詹姆斯 (LeBron James) 等潜在的夏季自由球员。
其次，当前合同中包含球队选项的球员，如俄克拉荷马雷霆队后卫卢·多尔特 (Lu Dort) 和中锋以赛亚·哈尔滕施泰因 (Isaiah Hartenstein) 也不在考虑之列。毕竟，如果一名球员的表现超出了合同价值，他的球队极不可能放弃执行选项。
尽管勒布朗未能入选我们的阵容，但湖人队仍有多人上榜。让我们就从这里开始，其中一位球员在詹姆斯缺阵期间作为二号选择掀起波澜，并为自己在2026年自由球员市场上争取一份超级合同奠定了基础。
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首发阵容
奥斯汀·里夫斯 | 洛杉矶湖人
2025-26赛季数据： 场均31.1分（48.9%命中率），9.3次助攻，37.8分钟
合同状态： 2026年球员选项（1490万美元）
如果说里夫斯抓住了赛季初期卢卡·东契奇 (Luka Doncic) 和詹姆斯受伤的机会，那都是一种轻描淡写的说法。
里夫斯的场均得分从上赛季的20.2分飙升至生涯新高的31.1分。他目前在联盟场均得分榜上排名第六，仅次于东契奇、泰瑞斯·马克西 (Tyrese Maxey)、谢伊·吉尔杰斯-亚历山大 (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander)、扬尼斯·阿德托昆博 (Giannis Antetokounmpo) 和多诺万·米切尔 (Donovan Mitchell)。根据埃利亚斯体育局的数据，里夫斯成为进攻计时器时代以来，第四位在常规赛或季后赛中砍下50分的落选秀球员。
而更引人注目的是里夫斯的组织策应能力。
在东契奇缺阵的三场比赛中，里夫斯场均送出10次助攻，其中包括10月29日对阵明尼苏达森林狼队时创下的生涯新高的16次助攻。
由于NBA规则限制湖人最多只能为里夫斯提供一份起薪为平均球员薪资140%的续约合同（四年8740万美元，下赛季起薪1950万美元），他极不可能在6月30日之前签下新合同。更可能出现的情况是，里夫斯会放弃他的球员选项，成为一名完全自由球员。
如果他这样做，里夫斯将有资格与湖人签下一份最高五年2.41亿美元的合同。即便里夫斯签下新合同，湖人仍可能拥有近5000万美元的薪金空间。
他也有资格与其他拥有薪金空间的球队签下一份最高四年1.785亿美元的合同。ESPN目前预测有四支球队——布鲁克林篮网、芝加哥公牛、犹他爵士和华盛顿奇才——在今年夏天将拥有至少4000万美元的薪金空间。
里夫斯本赛季1390万美元的薪水在所有得分后卫中排名第26位，在全联盟排名第127位。
诺曼·鲍威尔 | 迈阿密热火
2025-26赛季数据： 场均23.3分（46.7%命中率），4.6个篮板，29.9分钟
合同状态： 2026年完全自由球员
如果我们基于鲍威尔上赛季在快船的前半段表现以及他今年在热火的头几周表现来评估，他很可能正在竞争自己的全明星席位。
“我当然憋着一股劲，因为我觉得我本可以入选的，”鲍威尔在九月告诉Andscape的马克·J·斯皮尔斯 (Marc J. Spears) 。“我上个赛季就应该入选。这为我今年夏天的备战火上浇油，我将如何利用好这个赛季，我必须确保自己成为全明星的必然之选。”
去年在他之前效力的球队，鲍威尔在全明星周末前场均得到24.2分，投篮命中率为49.6%，三分命中率为42.8%。但由于二月下旬的右膝伤势和三月的右腿筋问题，他的产出在2024-25赛季的最后两个月大幅下滑。（鲍威尔在最后15场比赛中场均得到14.4分。）本赛季为热火出战的六场比赛中，鲍威尔场均得到23.3分，并投出了生涯新高的46.2%的三分命中率。
从1月7日开始，鲍威尔有资格与热火签下一份最高四年1.285亿美元的续约合同。如果双方未能达成协议，这位32岁的球员将成为一名完全自由球员。
尽管被交易，鲍威尔的伯德权也随之转移，这使得迈阿密可以在他成为自由球员后超越工资帽重新签下他。预计热火在明年夏天的薪金总额将比第二奢侈税线低6000万美元。
昆廷·格莱姆斯 | 费城76人
2025-26赛季数据： 场均17.2分（47.0%命中率），4.4次助攻，31.0分钟
合同状态： 2026年完全自由球员
随着76人队选中了VJ·埃吉科姆 (VJ Edgecombe) 并且贾里德·麦凯恩 (Jared McCain) 伤愈复出，格莱姆斯在本赛季开始前的位置都成了问题，更不用说他是否能复制上赛季下半程的表现了。
在2025年交易截止日从达拉斯独行侠队被交易来之后，格莱姆斯在28场比赛中场均出场时间（33.7分钟）和得分（21.9分）均创下生涯新高。他成为继阿伦·艾弗森 (Allen Iverson)、马克西和哈尔·格里尔 (Hal Greer) 之后，76人队史上唯一一位在连续10场比赛中场均得分至少达到28.5分的后卫。
在本赛季的前三周，格莱姆斯的上场时间或得分都没有出现下滑。
“教练（尼克·纳斯 Nick Nurse）给我的机会让我在场上拥有很大的自由度，”格莱姆斯在11月4日告诉《费城问询报》。“他给我的时间，对于一个替补球员来说，已经算是首发的出场时间了。” 在作为替补出战的九场比赛中，格莱姆斯的场均出场时间和场均得分均排名第四。
由于上个夏天76人队的薪金压力逼近第二奢侈税线，加上联盟中缺少具备真正消费能力的球队，格莱姆斯签下了一份为期一年价值870万美元的资质报价。
他将在下个休赛期成为一名完全自由球员，而费城队因为拥有他的伯德权，可以超越工资帽重新签下他。
明年夏天，76人队的薪金总额预计将比第一奢侈税线低4400万美元。
八村塁 | 洛杉矶湖人
2025-26赛季数据： 场均15.8分（56.7%命中率），3.7个篮板，34.6分钟
合同状态： 2026年完全自由球员
对于一支拥有里夫斯、东契奇和詹姆斯的湖人队来说，八村塁 (Rui Hachimura) 是本赛季的稳定基石。他是湖人队中三位（另外两位是贾里德·范德比尔特 Jarred Vanderbilt 和杰克·拉拉维亚 Jake LaRavia）打满了全部九场比赛的球员之一，并且是唯一一位每场都首发的湖人球员。
八村塁在场均上场时间、场均得分和投篮命中率（59%）方面均创下生涯新高。自从2023年从华盛顿奇才队被交易来之后，他的三分命中率从33.7%提升到了48.7%。
而且，部分得益于八村塁的防守——尤其是他防守三分射手的诀窍——湖人队在对手25英尺外的投篮命中率限制上排名联盟第二低。
“我们总是说，在单防时，特别是对位像克莱·汤普森 (Klay Thompson) 那样能投进三分的球员，我们想用‘干扰手’，”JJ·雷迪克 (JJ Redick) 在“教练角”节目中告诉ESPN的蒂姆·莱格勒 (Tim Legler) 。“八村塁是我们队里在单防中最会使用‘干扰手’的球员。所以，他能阻止对手的三分出手。”
在6月30日之前，八村塁都有资格签下一份为期四年、价值1.145亿美元的续约合同。
杰伦·杜伦 | 底特律活塞
2025-26赛季数据： 场均19.4分（65.1%命中率），11.8个篮板，27.9分钟
合同状态： 2026年受限制自由球员
杜伦 (Jalen Duren) 是本赛季前12位放弃签下新秀提前续约合同的球员之一。至少从目前来看，他等到2026年自由球员市场的决定是值得的。
这位活塞队中锋有望连续第三个赛季实现场均得分和篮板的两双。他在22岁之前拿下的110次两双，与沙奎尔·奥尼尔 (Shaquille O’Neal) 并列NBA历史第四。
更令人印象深刻的是杜伦博得罚球的能力以及罚球命中率的提升。杜伦的场均罚球次数从去年的3.1次增加到6.2次。他的罚球命中率高达83.9%，而去年仅为66.9%。
“我们在夏天为他制定了一个计划，他对这个计划的投入程度不亚于任何人，”教练J.B.·比克斯塔夫 (J.B. Bickerstaff) 在11月7日告诉《底特律自由报》。“他不知疲倦地打磨自己的技术。他一直都很有天赋。我认为现在他的自信心也上来了。”
根据ESPN Research的数据，杜伦是过去三个赛季（自2023-24赛季以来）中，仅有的七位每个赛季都场均得到10分和10个篮板的球员之一，另外六位是尼古拉·约基奇 (Nikola Jokic)、武切维奇、安东尼·戴维斯 (Anthony Davis)、维克托·文班亚马 (Victor Wembanyama)、多曼塔斯·萨博尼斯 (Domantas Sabonis) 和阿德托昆博。
杜伦将在今年夏天成为一名受限制自由球员，这让活塞队有权匹配任何报价。
替补阵容
科林·塞克斯顿 | 夏洛特黄蜂
2025-26赛季数据： 场均16.1分（51.2%命中率），5.2次助攻，26.4分钟
合同状态： 2026年完全自由球员
甚至在训练营开始之前，黄蜂队主教练查尔斯·李 (Charles Lee) 就已经对塞克斯顿 (Collin Sexton) 赞不绝口。“科林自从来到这里后表现得令人难以置信；他的过渡无缝衔接，”李在黄蜂队媒体日上告诉记者。“你知道，我们追求的是每日进步，而科林也同样追求每日进步。所以，这就像是天作之合。他每天都带着渴望、好奇心和兴奋来训练。他绝对热爱这项运动。我看得出他也爱他的队友们。”
在一笔将优素福·努尔基奇 (Jusuf Nurkic) 送到犹他爵士的交易中被换来后，塞克斯顿在本赛季打出了生涯最佳的投篮命中率（51%）、三分命中率（44%）和场均助攻（5.3次）。
塞克斯顿有资格签下一份为期三年、价值7170万美元的续约合同（从12月29日开始，该合同将增加到四年1.19亿美元），并且可以在明年夏天成为一名完全自由球员。
卡姆·托马斯 | 布鲁克林篮网
2025-26赛季数据： 场均21.4分（40.2%命中率），2.6次助攻，28.3分钟
合同状态： 2026年完全自由球员
我们曾犹豫是否要将托马斯 (Cam Thomas) 列入名单，考虑到这位后卫遭遇了左腿筋拉伤，并将在三到四周后重新评估。托马斯去年因同样伤病缺席了55场比赛，仅出战了生涯最低的25场比赛。
但我们无法忽视托马斯本赛季健康时七场比赛中的得分数据。托马斯在十月底对阵克利夫兰骑士和圣安东尼奥马刺的比赛中合计砍下74分，并在四场比赛中得分至少达到25分。（尽管他的投篮命中率为生涯新低的40.2%。）
根据ESPN Research的数据，托马斯与锡安·威廉姆森 (Zion Williamson) 是过去三个赛季中，仅有的两位在场均出场时间少于32分钟的情况下，每个赛季都能场均得到至少20分的球员。
下个休赛期我们就会知道，托马斯选择赌自己一把的决定是否正确。托马斯在九月份拒绝了篮网队提供的两份合同：一份是两年3000万美元（含球队选项），另一份是一年950万美元（若达成激励条款可增至1100万美元）。他最终签下了一份为期一年价值600万美元的资质报价，并准备在夏天进入完全自由球员市场。
小凯利·乌布雷 | 费城76人
2025-26赛季数据： 场均18.6分（51.1%命中率），5.3个篮板，37.2分钟
合同状态： 2026年完全自由球员
回过头看，乌布雷 (Kelly Oubre Jr.) 在2023年与费城签下一年290万美元的合同，或许可以被视为他职业生涯的一个低谷。在签下这份合同之前，这位2015年的前15号秀上一个赛季在夏洛特场均能得到20分。
实际上，这份老将底薪合同以及他后来与76人签下的两年1680万美元的合同，帮助乌布雷成长为一名更全面的球员。本赛季，为强势复苏的76人效力，乌布雷场均贡献18.6分，投篮命中率达到生涯新高的51%，三分命中率也达到38%。
展望未来，最大的问题在于当保罗·乔治 (Paul George) 伤愈回归后，乌布雷会受到怎样的影响。
“你们都看到了。他整晚大部分时间都在跟（布兰登）英格拉姆 (Brandon Ingram) 对抗，”76人主教练尼克·纳斯在11月7日获胜后说道。“他一直都表现得很稳定，总是去防守联盟中或对方球队里最好的得分手之一，并且不断努力。他表现得非常出色，在身体对抗方面也做得很好。”
因为乌布雷在2024年签下的是一份两年合同，所以他不具备提前续约的资格，并将在六月成为一名完全自由球员。
西蒙尼·丰泰基奥 | 迈阿密热火
2025-26赛季数据： 场均11.2分（50.0%命中率），2.3个篮板，19.6分钟
合同状态： 2026年完全自由球员
热火主教练埃里克·斯波尔斯特拉 (Erik Spoelstra) 在今年夏天交易得到丰泰基奥 (Simone Fontecchio) 之前，就已经有了一份深入的球探报告。
“当我在美国国家队担任助教时，意大利是我的（球探）考察任务，”斯波尔斯特拉在10月27日告诉《太阳哨兵报》。“他在那里是国家队的核心球员，能打出漂亮的数据，并承担起作为头号得分选择的重任。”
在迈阿密的第一个赛季，29岁的丰泰基奥投出了生涯新高的51.2%的三分命中率，在联盟中排名第十。去年在活塞队，他的远投命中率仅为33.5%。
斯波尔斯特拉的球探报告可能没有预料到的是丰泰基奥在防守端能产生的影响。根据GeniusIQ的追踪数据，本赛季当丰泰基奥作为最接近的防守者时，对手球员的投篮命中率为63投22中（34.9%）。在2025-26赛季所有防守了至少50次投篮的超过215名球员中，他排名第七。
丰泰基奥在2024年与底特律签下了一份两年合同，因此不具备提前续约的资格。
约什·奥科吉 | 休斯顿火箭
2025-26赛季数据： 场均8.6分（50.0%命中率），1.3次抢断，22.6分钟
合同状态： 2026年完全自由球员
在休斯顿本休赛期交易或签下的八名球员中，奥科吉 (Josh Okogie) 是最不起眼的一个。
在被夏洛特黄蜂裁掉后，这位前锋在七月底与火箭队签下了一份为期一年、价值310万美元的老将底薪合同。这是自2018年首轮被森林狼选中以来，他效力的第四支球队。
这笔签约旨在提供替补深度，但随着首发控卫弗雷德·范弗利特 (Fred VanVleet) 遭遇赛季报销的膝伤，以及前锋多里安·芬尼-史密斯 (Dorian Finney-Smith) 仍在从休赛期的足部手术中康复，奥科吉从赛季第三场比赛开始便进入了休斯顿的首发阵容。
在进攻端，奥科吉的投篮命中率（50%）和三分命中率（50%）均创下生涯新高。自从奥科吉进入首发阵容以来，火箭队在六场比赛中赢了五场。
根据GeniusIQ的数据，自上赛季开始，当奥科吉作为最接近的防守者时，他将对手的投篮命中率限制在41.9%，在同期防守了至少250次投篮的345名球员中排名第19位。
哈里森·巴恩斯 | 圣安东尼奥马刺
2025-26赛季数据： 场均12.4分（55.2%命中率），2.8个篮板，30.5分钟
合同状态： 2026年完全自由球员
如果我们仅凭赛季前三场的表现来评判，巴恩斯 (Harrison Barnes) 不会出现在这个名单上。在那三场比赛中，巴恩斯的投篮命中率为33%，三分命中率为18%，总共只得到18分。
但在过去五场比赛中，巴恩斯的投篮命中率高达63%，三分命中率达到59%，场均得到15.8分。在战胜休斯顿的比赛中，他得到了赛季新高的24分。他有望连续第二个赛季实现投篮命中率超过50%、三分命中率超过40%以及罚球命中率超过80%。
这位33岁的球员有资格与马刺队签下一份最高四年1.191亿美元的续约合同。
德安德烈·艾顿 | 洛杉矶湖人
2025-26赛季数据： 场均16.8分（67.3%命中率），8个篮板，30.2分钟
合同状态： 2026年球员选项（810万美元）
在与印第安纳步行者队签下一份四年1.329亿美元的顶薪报价合同——最终被菲尼克斯太阳队匹配——之后，艾顿 (Deandre Ayton) 在2023-24赛季开始前被交易到了波特兰开拓者队。他在过去两个赛季3250万和3400万美元的薪水在所有中锋中排名前五。
但艾顿的表现未能匹配他高昂的合同金额。尽管他在这两个赛季都打出了场均两双，但场均得分和投篮命中率均有所下滑。根据GeniusIQ的追踪数据，这种下滑的原因在于艾顿去年在作为掩护人的直接挡拆次数上排名第45位，在2023-24赛季则排名第97位。作为对比，艾顿在2021-22和2022-23赛季作为掩护设立者的得分排名第三。
本休赛期，艾顿与波特兰达成了一份合同买断协议，将他应得的3550万美元降至2550万美元。随后，他与湖人队签下了一份两年1620万美元的合同。本赛季810万美元的薪水在所有中锋中排名第34位。
在湖人队，与明星后卫卢卡·东契奇并肩作战，艾顿的表现更像是我们在菲尼克斯看到的那个球员——太阳队在2018年用状元签选中了他，顺位比东契奇高两位。
艾顿现在在持球掩护次数上领跑全联盟，当艾顿作为掩护人时，湖人每次直接挡拆能得到1.12分。这个效率在所有球员中排名第八，而他66%的投篮命中率也是生涯新高。
“我认为他整个赛季都表现得非常出色，”雷迪克在11月5日说道。“他今年的开局堪称现象级。他融入了队友，接受了自己的角色。他做出了牺牲，甘当掩护人，为队友创造机会。他正在找到自己的定位。他现在正处于一个非常舒适的节奏中。”
如果这种重新找回的节奏能持续整个2025-26赛季，那么艾顿应该会放弃他的球员选项，以在休赛期寻求一份更丰厚的合同。
点击查看原文：NBA Contract Year All-Stars: Reaves, Lakers lead our 12-man lineup
NBA Contract Year All-Stars: Reaves, Lakers lead our 12-man lineup
The 2025-26 season is just three weeks old, and there are more than six months until the start of free agency. But the small body of work on the court should not dissuade us from identifying 12 potential free agents who have stood out and what their future could hold with their respective teams.
There are criteria to how we selected our lineup of contract-year All-Stars:
First, we have disqualified players who have previously made an All-NBA or All-Star team. That means you won’t see potential summer free agents such as Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic, LA Clippers guard James Harden, Sacramento Kings guard Zach LaVine, Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young – or even Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James – on this list.
Second, players with team options in their current contracts, such as the Oklahoma City Thunder guard Lu Dort and center Isaiah Hartenstein are also not considered. After all, if a player is outplaying their deal, it is highly unlikely their teams will decline the options.
And while LeBron doesn’t make our roster, the Lakers are well represented. Let’s start there, as one player is making waves as a second option in James’ absence and setting himself up for a major payday in 2026 free agency.
Jump to:
Starters | Reserves
STARTERS
Austin Reaves | Los Angeles Lakers
2025-26: 31.1 PPG (48.9 FG%), 9.3 APG, 37.8 MPG
Contract status: 2026 player option ($14.9 million)
To say that Reaves has taken advantage of early season injuries to Luka Doncic and James has been an understatement.
Reaves has seen his points per game increase from 20.2 points last season to a career-high 31.1. He currently ranks sixth among all players in points per game, behind Doncic, Tyrese Maxey, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Donovan Mitchell. Reaves became the fourth undrafted player in the shot-clock era with a 50-point game in the regular or postseason, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
What has stood out even more is Reaves’ playmaking.
In three games played without Doncic, Reaves has averaged 10 assists per game, including a career-high 16 against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Oct. 29.
Because NBA rules restrict the Lakers from extending Reaves up to 140% of the average player (four-years, $87.4 million with a starting salary of $19.5 million next season), it is highly unlikely he will sign a new contract prior to June 30. The more likely scenario is for Reaves to decline his player option and become an unrestricted free agent.
If he does, Reaves will be eligible to sign for up to five-years, $241 million with the Lakers. The Lakers could still have nearly $50 million in cap space even if Reaves signs a new contract.
He is eligible to sign for up to four years, $178.5 million with teams who have cap space. ESPN is currently projecting four teams – the Brooklyn Nets, Chicago Bulls, Utah Jazz and Washington Wizards – to have at least $40 million in room this summer.
Reaves’ $13.9 million salary this season ranks 26th among all shooting guards and 127th overall.
Norman Powell | Miami Heat
2025-26: 23.3 PPG (46.7 FG%), 4.6 RPG, 29.9 MPG
Contract status: 2026 unrestricted free agent
If we were evaluating Powell based on the first half of last season with the Clippers and his first few weeks with the Heat this year, he would likely be in the running for his All-Star appearance.
“I definitely have a chip from feeling like I could have made it,” Powell told Andscape’s Marc J. Spears in September. “I should have made it last [season]. It added fuel to the fire this summer on how I am going to capitalize on this [season], that I have to make sure that I’m a surefire pick for an All-Star selection.”
Last year with his former team, Powell averaged 24.2 points, 49.6% shooting from the field and 42.8% on 3-pointers prior to the break. His production took a significant drop across the last two months of the 2024-25 season, largely due to a right knee injury in late February and a right hamstring issue in March. (Powell finished the last 15 games averaging 14.4 points.) In six games with the Heat this season, Powell is averaging 23.3 points and shooting a career-high 46.2% on 3s.
Starting on Jan. 7, Powell is eligible to sign up to a four-year, $128.5 million extension with the Heat. The 32-year-old will be an unrestricted free agent if no agreement is reached.
Despite being traded, Powell’s Bird rights have transferred, allowing Miami to exceed the salary cap to re-sign him if he became a free agent. The Heat are projected to be $60 million below the second apron next summer.
Quentin Grimes | Philadelphia 76ers
2025-26: 17.2 PPG (47.0 FG%), 4.4 APG, 31.0 MPG
Contract status: 2026 unrestricted free agent
With the 76ers drafting VJ Edgecombe and with Jared McCain returning from injury, Grimes’ fit was in question entering the season, let alone if he could duplicate the second half of last season.
Acquired at the 2025 trade deadline from the Dallas Mavericks, Grimes averaged career highs in minutes (33.7) and points (21.9) across 28 games. He joined Maxey, Allen Iverson and Hal Greer as the only guards in 76ers history to average at least 28.5 points in a 10-game stretch.
Through Grimes’ first three weeks of this season, there has been no drop-off in playing time or scoring.
“The opportunity that coach [Nick Nurse] is giving me provides a lot of freedom out there on the court,” Grimes told the Philadelphia Inquirer on Nov. 4. “The minutes he gave me are starter minutes to come off the bench at this point.” In nine games as a reserve, Grimes ranks fourth in minutes and points per game.
With the 76ers pressed up against the salary cap’s second apron last summer and a lack of teams with real spending power, Grimes signed a one-year, $8.7 million qualifying offer.
He is an unrestricted free agent next offseason and Philadelphia can exceed the salary cap to re-sign him because they hold his bird rights.
Next summer, the 76ers are projected to be $44 million below the first apron.
Rui Hachimura, Los Angeles Lakers
2025-26: 15.8 PPG (56.7 FG%), 3.7 RPG, 34.6 MPG
Contract status: 2026 unrestricted free agent
For a Lakers roster featuring Reaves, Doncic and James, Hachimura has been a constant this season. He is one of three Lakers (Jarred Vanderbilt and Jake LaRavia the others) to play in all nine games and is the only Laker to start in every game.
Hachimura is averaging career bests in minutes per game, points per game and field goal percentage (59%). Since he was acquired from the Washington Wizards in 2023, his 3-point percentage has increased from 33.7% to 48.7%.
And thanks in part to Hachimura’s defense – most notably his knack for defending 3-point shooters – the Lakers are allowing the second-lowest field goal percentage on shots outside 25 feet.
“We talk all the time about, in isolation, particularly against guys who can knock down 3s like Klay Thompson, we want to use that stick hand,” Redick told ESPN’s Tim Legler on the “Coaches Corner.” “Rui Hachimura is the best guy on our team at using that stick hand in isolation. So, he prevents the 3.”
Hachimura is eligible to sign a four-year, $114.5 million extension up until June 30.
Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons
2025-26: 19.4 PPG (65.1 FG%), 11.8 RPG, 27.9 MPG
Contract status: 2026 restricted free agent
Duren was one of 12 players to forgo signing a rookie extension prior to the season. The decision to wait until 2026 free agency, at least for now, has paid off.
For a third consecutive season, the Pistons center is on pace to average a double-double in points and rebounds. His 110 career double-doubles before turning 22 are tied with Shaquille O’Neal for the fourth most in NBA history.
What has been more impressive is Duren’s ability to get to the free throw line and improved percentage of makes. Duren has seen his attempts increase from 3.1 last year to 6.2. He is shooting 83.9% from the line. Last year he shot 66.9%.
“We’ve put together a plan over the summer for him and he was as dedicated to that plan as anybody,” coach J.B. Bickerstaff told the Detroit Free Press on Nov. 7.“He worked relentlessly on his game. He’s always had the talent. I think the confidence is coming now, too.”
According to ESPN Research, Duren is one of seven players to average 10 points and 10 rebounds in each of the last three seasons (since 2023-24), along with Nikola Jokic, Vucevic, Anthony Davis, Victor Wembanyama, Domantas Sabonis and Antetokounmpo.
Duren will be a restricted free agent this summer, allowing the Pistons to match any offer.
RESERVES
Collin Sexton, Charlotte Hornets
2025-26: 16.1 PPG (51.2 FG%), 5.2 APG, 26.4 MPG
Contract status: 2026 unrestricted free agent
Even before training camp, Hornets coach Charles Lee was already praising Sexton. “Collin has been unbelievable since he got here; the transition’s been seamless,” Lee told reporters at Hornets media day. “You know, we’re all about daily improvement, and Collin is about daily improvement, as well. And so, it’s like a perfect marriage. He comes in every day hungry, curious, excited to work. He just absolutely loves this game. And I can tell he loves his teammates, too.”
Acquired in a trade that sent Jusuf Nurkic to the Utah Jazz, Sexton is enjoying career bests from the field (51% shooting), from 3-point range (44%) and in assists (5.3 per game).
Sexton is eligible to sign a three-year, $71.7 million extension (the deal would increase to four years, $119 million starting on Dec. 29) and can be an unrestricted free agent next summer.
Cam Thomas, Brooklyn Nets
2025-26: 21.4 PPG (40.2 FG%), 2.6 APG, 28.3 MPG
Contract status: 2026 unrestricted free agent
We were reluctant to include Thomas, considering the guard suffered a left hamstring strain and will be reevaluated in three to four weeks. Thomas missed 55 games last year with the same injury and played a career-low 25 games.
But we couldn’t overlook Thomas’ scoring numbers in the seven games he was healthy this season. Thomas scored a combined 74 points against the Cleveland Cavaliers and San Antonio Spurs in late October and scored at least 25 points in four games. (That’s despite his career-low 40.2% shooting from the field.)
According to ESPN Research, Thomas joins Zion Williamson to average at least 20 points per game while playing fewer than 32 minutes per game in each of the past three seasons.
We will learn next offseason if Thomas made the right decision to bet on himself. Thomas declined both a two-year, $30 million contract with a team option and a one-year, $9.5 million contract – that deal could have increased to $11 million if incentives were reached – from the Nets in September. He eventually signed a one-year, $6 million qualifying offer and is set to hit unrestricted free agency in the summer.
Kelly Oubre Jr., Philadelphia 76ers
2025-26: 18.6 PPG (51.1 FG%), 5.3 RPG, 37.2 MPG
Contract status: 2026 unrestricted free agent
We could look back at Oubre signing a one-year, $2.9 million contract with Philadelphia in 2023 as a low point in his career. The signing came after the former No. 15 pick in 2015 averaged 20 points per game with Charlotte the prior season.
In reality, the veteran minimum contract and the two-year, $16.8 million contract he signed with the 76ers has helped Oubre develop into a more well-rounded player. This season for the resurgent Sixers, Oubre is averaging 18.6 points per game on a career-best 51% from the field and 38% on 3-pointers.
Moving forward, the big question comes with how Oubre is impacted when Paul George returns from injury.
“You saw him. He was fighting [Brandon] Ingram most of the night,” 76ers coach Nick Nurse said after their win on Nov. 7. “He’s done that consistently, where he’s got one of the better scorers in the league or the other team and keeps working and working. He’s been really good and done a good job of playing physical.”
Because he signed a two-year contract in 2024, Oubre is not extension-eligible and will become an unrestricted free agent in June.
Simone Fontecchio, Miami Heat
2025-26: 11.2 PPG (50.0 FG%), 2.3 RPG, 19.6 MPG
Contract status: 2026 unrestricted free agent
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra already had an in-depth scouting report before trading for Fontecchio this summer.
“Italy was my [scouting assignment] when I was an assistant with Team USA,” Spoelstra told the Sun Sentinel on Oct. 27. “He was a stud over there for his national team, putting up big numbers and shouldering that weight you have when you’re the No. 1 option.”
In his first season in Miami, the 29-year old Fontecchio is shooting a career-high 51.2% from 3, good for 10th in the league. Last year with the Pistons, he shot 33.5% from deep.
What Spoelstra’s scouting report probably missed was the impact Fontecchio could have on the defensive side. Per GeniusIQ tracking, opposing shooters are 22-for-63 (34.9%) when Fontecchio is the closest defender this season, seventh among more than 215 players to defend at least 50 field goal attempts in 2025-26.
Fontecchio signed a two-year contract with Detroit in 2024 and is not extension-eligible.
Josh Okogie, Houston Rockets
2025-26: 8.6 PPG (50.0 FG%), 1.3 SPG, 22.6 MPG
Contract status: 2026 unrestricted free agent
Of the eight players Houston traded for or signed this offseason, Okogie is the one that flew under the radar the most.
After being waived by Charlotte, the forward signed a one-year, $3.1 million veteran minimum contract with the Rockets in late July. It was his fourth team since the Timberwolves drafted him in the 2018 first round.
The signing was aimed to provide bench depth, but with the season-ending knee injury to starting point guard Fred VanVleet and with forward Dorian Finney-Smith rehabbing from offseason foot surgery, Okogie started for Houston since the third game of the season.
Offensively, Okogie is averaging career highs in field goal percentage (50%) and 3-point percentage (50%). The Rockets have won five of six games since Okogie joined the starting lineup.
Per GeniusIQ, Okogie has allowed a 41.9% field goal percentage as the closest defender since the start of last season, ranking 19th among 345 players to defend at least 250 attempts in that span.
Harrison Barnes, San Antonio Spurs
2025-26: 12.4 PPG (55.2 FG%), 2.8 RPG, 30.5 MPG
Contract status: 2026 unrestricted free agent
If we were basing the criteria solely on the first three games of the season, Barnes would not be on this list. In those three games, Barnes shot 33% from the field, 18% on 3s and scored a total of 18 points.
But over his past five games, Barnes is shooting 63% from the field, 59% on 3s and is averaging 15.8 points. He scored a season-high 24 points in a win against Houston. He is on pace for a second straight season shooting more than 50% from the field, 40% on 3s and 80% from the free throw line.
The 33-year old is eligible to sign up to a four-year, $119.1 million extension with the Spurs.
Deandre Ayton, Los Angeles Lakers
2025-26: 16.8 PPG (67.3 FG%), 8 RPG, 30.2 MPG
Contract status: 2026 player option ($8.1 million)
After signing a four-year, $132.9 million maximum offer sheet with the Indiana Pacers – it was eventually matched by the Phoenix Suns – Ayton was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers prior to the start of the 2023-24 season. His $32.5 and $34 million salary the past two seasons ranked in the top-five among all centers.
But Ayton’s performance failed to match those lofty contract numbers. He averaged a double-double in both seasons but saw a drop in points per game and shooting percentage. The decline was a result of Ayton ranking 45th last year and 97th in 2023-24 in direct picks as a screener, according to GeniusIQ tracking. For comparison, Ayton ranked third in points scored as a screen setter in 2021-22 and 2022-23.
Ayton agreed to a buyout this offseason with Portland, reducing the $35.5 million owed to him to $25.5 million. He would then sign a two-year $16.2 million contract with the Lakers. The $8.1 million salary this season ranks 34th among all centers.
With the Lakers, and next to star guard Luka Doncic, Ayton more resembles the player we saw in Phoenix, which selected Ayton No. 1 in 2018 – two spots ahead of Doncic.
Ayton now leads the NBA in on-ball screens this season, and the Lakers have generated 1.12 points per direct pick when Ayton is the screener. That ranks eighth among all players, while his 66% field goal percentage is a career high.
“I think he has played phenomenal all season,” Redick said on Nov. 5. “He’s had a phenomenal start to the year. He has embraced his teammates. He has embraced his role. He’s sacrificed, in terms of just being a screener and getting his guys open. He’s finding his spots. He’s just in a really comfortable rhythm right now.”
That rediscovered rhythm, if it continues throughout 2025-26, should result in Ayton declining his player option to pursue a more lucrative deal in the offseason.
By Bobby Marks | ESPN, via ESPN