By Bobby Marks, 2026-05-22 19:00:00
如果你想在今年夏天换支球队，并且渴望拿到一份年薪超过1500万美元的合同，那这个夏天恐怕不是个好时机。
预计只有三支NBA球队——布鲁克林篮网队、芝加哥公牛队和洛杉矶湖人队——拥有薪金空间。另外11支球队则只能提供1500万美元的非税中产特例。
不过，正如密尔沃基雄鹿队在上个休赛期所展示的那样，创造薪金空间的方法总是有的。密尔沃基通过裁掉并使用延伸条款分摊了达米安·利拉德 (Damian Lillard) 的合同，从而腾出了必要的空间来签下迈尔斯·特纳 (Myles Turner)——他是唯一一位以超过2000万美元起薪换队的自由球员。
联盟各队消费能力的萎缩，是因为在过去两个赛季中，有超过60名球员签下了新秀或老将提前续约合同。但利用薪金空间直接签下球员或使用特例，并不是球员换队的唯一机制。在过去的两个休赛期中，有15名球员——包括邓肯·罗宾逊 (Duncan Robinson)、德马尔·德罗赞 (DeMar DeRozan) 和克莱·汤普森 (Klay Thompson)——通过先签后换的方式实现了换队。
为了更好地了解今年夏天的市场，我们来盘点20位最重磅的潜在自由球员，并探讨他们的下一份合同应该是什么样的。
注：在2026-27赛季拥有球队选项的球员——包括卢根茨·多尔特 (Luguentz Dort)、伊赛亚·哈尔滕施泰因 (Isaiah Hartenstein)、内米亚斯·克塔 (Neemias Queta)、乔纳森·库明加 (Jonathan Kuminga) 和达尼斯·詹金斯 (Daniss Jenkins) 等人——不在此列。
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完全自由球员
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完全自由球员
1. 勒布朗·詹姆斯 (LeBron James)，洛杉矶湖人队
我建议提供的合同： 一年3000万美元，合同包含全额交易否决权。
最适合的球队： 湖人、克利夫兰骑士、圣安东尼奥马刺、丹佛掘金、金州勇士
詹姆斯在常规赛和季后赛中的影响力依然配得上顶薪。他职业生涯第23次入选全明星，创下历史纪录，并连续第三年场均至少得到20分、6个篮板和7次助攻。在今年整个联盟中，只有费城76人队后卫泰雷斯·马克西 (Tyrese Maxey) 的快攻得分比41岁的詹姆斯更多。
3月1日之后，在詹姆斯出战的比赛中，湖人队取得了15胜4负的战绩。在此期间，他场均得分虽不足20分，但他在场时的正负值达到了+7。
在没有卢卡·东契奇 (Luka Doncic) 的季后赛中，湖人队成为了NBA历史上第一支在没有当赛季得分王的情况下赢下系列赛的球队。在首轮对阵休斯顿火箭队的比赛中，詹姆斯场均得到23.1分。
“我们可能从未见过像他这样如此尊重这项运动的球员，”湖人队篮球运营总裁兼总经理罗伯·佩林卡 (Rob Pelinka) 在谈到詹姆斯时表示，“他为队友、为这个组织付出了太多。而我们最想做的，就是予以他同样的回报。……任何球队，包括我们，都会渴望将勒布朗·詹姆斯纳入麾下。”
湖人队能否在给詹姆斯开出5000万美元年薪的同时，依然有能力补强阵容？如果把奥斯汀·里夫斯 (Austin Reaves) 的新合同算进来，答案显然是否定的。
詹姆斯会为了留在洛杉矶而做出妥协吗？一份3000万美元的薪水将允许湖人队重新签下卢克·肯纳德 (Luke Kennard) 和八村垒 (Rui Hachimura)，并使用全额1500万美元的非税中产特例。湖人队也可以选择作为一支拥有空间的球队运作，但不保留八村垒和肯纳德。这样他们将拥有2000万美元的空间，外加940万美元的空间特例。
至于湖人之外的追求者，像克利夫兰、丹佛、金州和纽约这样的球队只能提供390万美元的老将底薪。
“我目前仍处于不急于做决定的阶段，”詹姆斯在最近一期与联合主持人史蒂夫·纳什 (Steve Nash) 录制的播客节目《Mind the Game》中说道，“我甚至还没有真正去想太多。显然，我知道自己是一名自由球员，我可以掌控自己的命运——无论是留在（湖人）可见的未来，还是去往其他地方。”
如果失去詹姆斯，湖人将自2019年以来首次拥有薪金空间，但这将以牺牲他们自己的自由球员（詹姆斯、肯纳德、八村垒）为代价。他们可以重新签下里夫斯，并且依然拥有近5000万美元的空间用于交易或自由市场，但这只有在这三名球员都签下老将底薪的情况下才可行。（具有讽刺意味的是，湖人队自己的自由球员正是今年夏天市场上最好的球员之一。）
2. 诺曼·鲍威尔 (Norman Powell)，迈阿密热火队
我建议提供的合同： 三年6500万美元，最后一个赛季为球队选项。
凭借2000万美元的起薪，迈阿密将能够重新签下鲍威尔，完成一笔关于扬尼斯·阿德托昆博 (Giannis Antetokounmpo) 的交易，并保留足够的灵活性，使用1500万美元非税中产特例的一部分来填补阵容深度。
最适合的球队： 迈阿密
潜在的阿德托昆博重磅交易将对鲍威尔的下一份合同产生影响。在这种情况下，迈阿密在交易中接纳了更多的薪水，从而触发了第一土豪线。迈阿密目前低于该门槛3500万美元，这一数字已将他们的首轮签以及泰勒·希罗 (Tyler Herro) 250万美元的难以实现的奖金计算在内。
32岁的鲍威尔场均得到职业生涯新高的21.7分，但在全明星赛后这一数字滑落至17.5分。上赛季在洛杉矶快船队，鲍威尔在全明星赛前场均得到24.2分，赛后降至14.4分。在这两个赛季中，他在全明星赛后累计缺席了24场比赛。在6月30日之前，鲍威尔都有资格签署提前续约合同。
3. CJ·麦科勒姆 (CJ McCollum)，亚特兰大老鹰队
我建议提供的合同： 两年4300万美元。第一年2070万美元的薪水将允许亚特兰大使用其1500万美元非税中产特例的大部分，且依然保持在工资帽以下。
最适合的球队： 亚特兰大
这位34岁的老将在代表亚特兰大出战的41场比赛中场均得到16.7分，每百回合正负值为+11.5。在季后赛首轮前三场比赛中，麦科勒姆创下了老鹰队史季后赛前三场得分第二高的纪录。但在老鹰队六场出局的最后三场比赛中，麦科勒姆场均仅得11.3分，三分球共计8投1中。
麦科勒姆职业生涯至今已签署过三次提前续约合同，因此这可能是他首次成为自由球员。在6月30日之前，他有资格签署一份最高达三年1.159亿美元的提前续约合同。
4. 科比·怀特 (Coby White)，夏洛特黄蜂队
我建议提供的合同： 三年5400万美元。这份合同比安德鲁·内姆哈德 (Andrew Nembhard) 与印第安纳签署的续约合同少400万美元。第一年薪水为1650万美元，逐年递增，第三年为球员选项。
最适合的球队： 夏洛特、底特律
黄蜂队在2月份的交易截止日交易得到怀特，相当于提前开启了他们的自由市场。他们继承了他的鸟权，这使他们能够作为自由球员签下他并突破工资帽。如果没有这笔交易，夏洛特将没有足够的薪金空间直接签下这位后卫。
在交易完成后替补出战的21场比赛中，怀特场均得到15.6分，三分球命中率为39.1%。在对阵迈阿密的附加赛胜利中，他砍下19分，其中三分球8投5中。这是怀特在23场比赛中第18次得分上双。
5. 阿约·多苏穆 (Ayo Dosunmu)，明尼苏达森林狼队
我建议提供的合同： 三年5100万美元
合同起薪为1700万美元且不递增。鉴于唐特·迪温琴佐 (Donte DiVincenzo) 的阿喀琉斯腱伤势，尽管森林狼队连续第三个赛季成为奢侈税球队且处于第一土豪线之上，但保留多苏穆仍应是他们的首要任务。
最适合的球队： 明尼苏达、底特律、洛杉矶快船、洛杉矶湖人、迈阿密
上个休赛期，森林狼队选择留住朱利叶斯·兰德尔 (Julius Randle) 和纳兹·里德 (Naz Reid)，但代价是失去了尼基尔·亚历山大-沃克 (Nickeil Alexander-Walker)，后者加盟了亚特兰大并成为了2026年的最快进步球员。
今年夏天，多苏穆将是森林狼队休赛期的关键。
“阿约是我们最重要的自由球员，”篮球运营总裁蒂姆·康奈利 (Tim Connelly) 告诉《明尼苏达星坛报》，“我们以前觉得挺了解他，在远处就很欣赏他。现在每天看到他，我们更爱他了。我认为他不仅在场上非常合适，在场下也是如此。我认为他最好的篮球生涯还在后头。”
在截止日从芝加哥交易得到后，多苏穆在代表森林狼出战的24场比赛中场均得到14.4分，投篮命中率为52.1%，其中三分球命中率达41.4%。他在季后赛中打出了森林狼队史替补球员得分最高的前两场比赛。
森林狼队在交易中获得了多苏穆的鸟权，因此他们被允许签下这位后卫，并且依然可以超过奢侈税线和土豪线。他有资格在6月30日之前签署一份三年5240万美元的提前续约合同。而像底特律这样在工资帽之上的球队，则拥有1500万美元的非税中产特例可供提供。
6. 八村垒，湖人队
我建议提供的合同： 四年6400万美元。该合同相当于非税中产特例。
最适合的球队： 湖人、底特律、洛杉矶快船、圣安东尼奥马刺、夏洛特黄蜂、芝加哥公牛、布鲁克林篮网
湖人队在2023年用肯德里克·纳恩 (Kendrick Nunn) 和三个未来的次轮签换来八村垒，被认为是近年来最具性价比的交易之一。八村垒是湖人队史上唯一一位连续三个赛季在至少出手150次三分球的情况下，三分命中率保持在至少40%的球员。本赛季，他的三分球命中率排名联盟第五。
尽管他本赛季的场均得分从13.1分降至11.5分，但八村垒的投篮命中率达到了51.4%。他和凯文·杜兰特 (Kevin Durant) 是过去三个赛季中仅有的两位投篮命中率达到50%且三分命中率达到40%的球员。
7. 托拜厄斯·哈里斯 (Tobias Harris)，底特律活塞队
我建议提供的合同： 两年3800万美元。底特律需要支付高于其他球队能提供的1500万美元非税中产特例的薪水。考虑到活塞队因为要保留杰伦·杜伦 (Jalen Duren) 的预留空间已经超帽，留住哈里斯应该是一个首要任务。
最适合的球队： 底特律、洛杉矶快船、洛杉矶湖人、圣安东尼奥马刺
作为本届自由球员中顶级的空间型前锋，哈里斯在常规赛场均得到13.2分，而季后赛这一数据提升到了18.1分。他有八场比赛至少得到20分，包括在抢七大战击败奥兰多魔术的比赛中砍下30分。但在对阵克利夫兰骑士的最后四场比赛中，哈里斯的得分均不足20分，包括在第6场和第7场活塞被淘汰的比赛中更是只拿到个位数得分。防守端，根据GeniusIQ的数据，哈里斯在常规赛作为最近防守人时，将对手的投篮命中率限制在41.3%，在至少防守了500次投篮的187名球员中排名第三。
“托拜厄斯表现得很棒，”总经理特拉詹·兰登 (Trajan Langdon) 在赛季结束后表示，“我们感激他所带来的一切。我们希望能够带他回来。他是我们非常希望其继续身披活塞战袍的球员。”
8. 凯利·乌布雷 (Kelly Oubre Jr.)，费城76人队
我建议提供的合同： 三年4050万美元。1300万美元的平均年薪虽然仍低于首发级别，但乌布雷的收入将比上赛季翻倍。合同的最后一个赛季为球员选项。
最适合的球队： 费城、布鲁克林、芝加哥、底特律、洛杉矶湖人、孟菲斯、密尔沃基、犹他
今年夏天会是这位30岁的球员签下一份丰厚合同的休赛期吗？
“我当然喜欢这里，但这已经不是我第一次经历这些了，”乌布雷在谈到今年夏天进入自由市场时说道，“我曾在这个联盟里场均拿到20分，但结果却发现自己几乎拿不到合同，对吧？”
乌布雷在2023年与费城签下了一份一年290万美元的合同，随后在第二年签下了一份两年1200万美元的合同。在这三个赛季中，乌布雷在他出战的比赛中首发了80%，每赛季场均至少得到14分。在2024-25赛季三分球命中率仅为29.3%之后，乌布雷本赛季的三分球命中率提升到了36%。
9. 罗伯特·威廉姆斯三世 (Robert Williams III)，波特兰开拓者队
我建议提供的合同： 三年4200万美元。第一年1330万美元为全额保障，但第二年和第三年没有薪水保障。如果威廉姆斯下赛季出场超过50场比赛，他2027-28赛季的薪水将转为全额保障。同样的保护条款也适用于2028-29赛季，但威廉姆斯必须在2027-28赛季达到50场出场才能触发。在八个NBA赛季中，威廉姆斯仅有两次单赛季出场超过59场——本赛季以及2021-22赛季效力于波士顿凯尔特人队期间。
最适合的球队： 波特兰、波士顿、亚特兰大、洛杉矶快船
本赛季的一系列比赛，包括首轮对阵圣安东尼奥马刺的系列赛，都提醒了人们为什么威廉姆斯曾在2022年入选最佳防守阵容。
根据ESPN Research的数据，在系列赛的前三场比赛中，作为干扰投篮的防守者，威廉姆斯将马刺队的投篮限制在20投7中（35%）。当威廉姆斯在场时，开拓者队净胜圣安东尼奥5分；而当他下场时，球队净负27分。在首轮比赛中，威廉姆斯场均得到9.3分、7.5个篮板和1.5次盖帽，上场时间甚至超过了首发中锋多诺万·克林根 (Donovan Clingan)。威廉姆斯有资格在6月30日之前签署一份最高达四年8700万美元的提前续约合同。
10. 米切尔·罗宾逊 (Mitchell Robinson)，纽约尼克斯队
我建议提供的合同： 三年3900万美元。这份合同与史蒂文·亚当斯 (Steven Adams) 上个休赛期与休斯顿签下的续约合同完全相同。但不同于亚当斯合同的逐年递减，这份合同每赛季的薪水固定为1300万美元。
最适合的球队： 纽约、波士顿、亚特兰大、洛杉矶快船
罗宾逊本赛季出战的比赛场次（60场）比前两个赛季的总和（48场）还要多。
根据Cleaning the Glass的数据，在本赛季他上场的2300多个回合中，纽约尼克斯每百回合净胜对手6.7分。当他与杰伦·布伦森 (Jalen Brunson)、麦尔斯·麦克布莱德 (Miles McBride)、乔什·哈特 (Josh Hart) 以及米卡尔·布里奇斯 (Mikal Bridges) 一同在场时，他的正负值达到了惊人的+21.8。
尽管场均出场时间不足20分钟，罗宾逊在常规赛期间场均仍能抢下联盟第二多的4.2个前场篮板。但他依然是罚球线上的软肋；在至少出手100次罚球的球员中，他的罚球命中率是NBA季后赛历史上最差的。
纽约是否跨过第二土豪线的决定将在罗宾逊的未来中起到关键作用。目前，尼克斯在有10名球员身背合同（包括6月的首轮签）的情况下，距离第二土豪线还有1300万美元的距离。除非他们通过交易腾出薪金空间，否则任何高于老将底薪的合同都会将尼克斯推入第二土豪线区域。罗宾逊有资格在6月30日之前签署续约合同。
11. 昆汀·格莱姆斯 (Quentin Grimes)，76人队
我建议提供的合同： 两年3000万美元，第二年为球员选项。格莱姆斯在训练营前与费城签下了一份870万美元的资质报价，并在今年夏天作为市场上最好的完全自由球员得分后卫之一进入休赛期。
除非通过先签后换，否则格莱姆斯的追求者可能主要是那些拥有1500万美元非税中产特例的球队。第二年的球员选项允许格莱姆斯在明年夏天重新进入自由市场，届时预计将有近一半 of 联盟球队拥有薪金空间。
最适合的球队： 费城、芝加哥、底特律、洛杉矶湖人、孟菲斯、犹他
今年夏天，费城可能被迫在乌布雷和格莱姆斯之间做出选择。
如果乌布雷被重新签下，格莱姆斯可能只能拿到1500万美元的非税中产特例，或者从芝加哥这样拥有空间的球队那里拿到可能更高的报价。先签后换也是一个选项，但这需要费城在交易中接纳其他合同。
格莱姆斯连续第二个赛季出战了75场比赛，且场均得分上双。在替补出战的56场比赛中，格莱姆斯场均得到12.3分，三分命中率为38%。但在19次首发中，他的三分命中率暴跌至21.2%。在效力纽约和费城期间的20场职业生涯季后赛中，格莱姆斯的投篮命中率为35.6%，三分命中率为31.9%。在尼克斯首轮击败波士顿的系列赛中，他的三分命中率达到了40%。
其他值得关注的完全自由球员：科林·塞克斯顿 (Collin Sexton)、布兰登·威廉姆斯 (Brandon Williams)、科林·吉莱斯皮 (Collin Gillespie)、拉塞尔·威斯布鲁克 (Russell Westbrook)、盖布·文森特 (Gabe Vincent)、乔丹·古德温 (Jordan Goodwin)、泰厄斯·琼斯 (Tyus Jones)、阿隆·霍勒迪 (Aaron Holiday)、博恩斯·海兰德 (Bones Hyland)、乔丹·克拉克森 (Jordan Clarkson)、兰德里·沙梅特 (Landry Shamet)、布鲁斯·布朗 (Bruce Brown)、卢克·肯纳德、安芬尼·西蒙斯 (Anfernee Simons)、小蒂姆·哈达威 (Tim Hardaway Jr.)、乔什·奥科吉 (Josh Okogie)、马蒂斯·塞布尔 (Matisse Thybulle)、克里斯·米德尔顿 (Khris Middleton)、哈里森·巴恩斯 (Harrison Barnes)、约翰·科林斯 (John Collins)、迪恩·韦德 (Dean Wade)、尼古拉·武切维奇 (Nikola Vucevic)、克里斯塔普斯·波尔津吉斯 (Kristaps Porzingis)、尤素夫·努尔基奇 (Jusuf Nurkic)
奥斯汀·里夫斯和勒布朗·詹姆斯在今年夏天都将成为自由球员。对于洛杉矶来说，同时留住两人可能会变得非常棘手。 Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images
球员选项
1. 奥斯汀·里夫斯，湖人队
我建议提供的合同： 四年1.55亿美元。里夫斯的这份合同需要做出一些权衡。第一年4120万美元的年薪是允许的最大值。但为了保留2027-28赛季的薪金空间，其薪水将在之后降至3800万美元，并在第3年和第4年保持不变。由于里夫斯拥有2090万美元的预留空间，湖人队可以先利用他们现有的薪金空间，然后再与里夫斯签下新合同，即使这会超出工资帽。
最适合的球队： 湖人
里夫斯将在6月29日之前跳出其1490万美元的球员选项，但这并不意味着他会离开湖人。
“他是在这里开启他的湖人职业生涯的，并且向我们非常明确地表示，他希望继续作为一名湖人球员走下去，”佩林卡在赛季结束后表示，“双方都非常明确地表达了希望达成协议的意愿，让他在这里继续他辉煌的职业生涯。”
毫无疑问，里夫斯的表现已经远远超出了他在2023年与湖人签下的四年5380万美元的合同。在圣诞节右小腿受伤之前，里夫斯场均得到26.6分，投篮命中率为50.7%，其中三分命中率为36.5%，外加6.3次助攻。在整个赛季中，当里夫斯得分超过20分时，湖人队取得了23胜4负的战绩。
2. 詹姆斯·哈登 (James Harden)，骑士队
我建议提供的合同： 两年5600万美元。哈登需要拒绝他4230万美元的球员选项，并签下一份起薪为2800万美元的新合同。为了弥补减少的1400万美元薪水，哈登在第二年将同样拿到2800万美元。
最适合的球队： 克利夫兰
哈登在上个休赛期与快船队签下了一份两年8150万美元的合同，该合同包含一个球员选项，这允许双方在他成为自由球员后，以可能更低的年薪协商一份更长期的合同。例如，一份起薪为2800万美元的两年5600万美元合同，即使在阵容填满后，也能让克利夫兰保持在第二土豪线以下。
尽管他原合同中包含球员选项，但其中只有1330万美元是受保障的。如果克利夫兰采取裁掉哈登的方式，他们将拥有1500万美元非税中产特例的一部分来寻找替代者。
在常规赛期间，当哈登和多诺万·米切尔 (Donovan Mitchell) 同时在场时，克利夫兰取得了16胜6负的战绩。两人的进攻效率高达122.1，如果在整个赛季中保持，这一数据将排名联盟第一。但在季后赛中，哈登场均出现职业生涯新高的4.9次失误，投篮命中率和三分命中率分别仅为40.8%和31.8%。他职业生涯至今已有32场季后赛的失误次数超过了运动战进球数。
3. 特雷·杨 (Trae Young)，华盛顿奇才队
我建议提供的合同： 三年1.3亿美元。下赛季4000万美元的薪水将取代杨4900万美元的球员选项。作为杨降低薪水的补偿，合同的最后一年为球员选项。
最适合的球队： 华盛顿
杨在本赛季打出了职业生涯出场次数最少的一个赛季，但他依然是NBA最好的组织者之一。在NBA历史纪录册上，他场均9.8次的职业生涯助攻数仅次于“魔术师”约翰逊 (Magic Johnson) 和约翰·斯托克顿 (John Stockton)。在2025-26赛季效力于亚特兰大期间，他场均送出创职业生涯新高且领跑全联盟的11.6次助攻。
“我们与他的经纪团队关系很好，”奇才队总经理威尔·道金斯 (Will Dawkins) 在赛季期间告诉EssentiallySports的马克·梅迪纳 (Mark Medina)，“因此我们交流过他成为一名奇才球员会是什么样子，因为他真的很想来这里，这对我们很重要。我们希望在进行任何实质性谈判之前，确保每个人都感到舒适，并建立起这种合作与信任关系。”
杨在6月30日之前有资格签署一份三年1.569亿美元的提前续约合同，该合同的第一年将取代下赛季的球员选项。杨也可以选择执行球员选项（他必须在6月22日之前做出决定），并在自由市场开启后签署续约合同，将新合同的生效时间推迟到2027-28赛季。
4. 德雷蒙德·格林 (Draymond Green)，金州勇士队
我建议提供的合同： 两年4000万美元。格林将把他2770万美元的球员选项降至1920万美元，作为补偿，第二年他将获得价值2080万美元的合同。下赛季的降薪将允许金州勇士队使用完整的1500万美元非税中产特例。新合同也与主教练史蒂夫·科尔 (Steve Kerr) 的两年合同年限相契合。
最适合的球队： 金州勇士
球员在签署新合同后的六个月内不得被交易，因此只有当阿德托昆博被交易到其他地方时，格林才可能选择跳出合同并签署新合同。考虑到阵容中除了斯蒂芬·库里 (Stephen Curry) 和吉米·巴特勒三世 (Jimmy Butler III) 之外缺乏大额合同，如果阿德托昆博或其他超级巨星进入交易市场，格林2770万美元的薪水将是配平交易所必需的。
“也许你跳出合同签一份更长的合同，也许你选择执行选项然后续约，”格林上个月在接受ESPN的安东尼·斯莱特 (Anthony Slater) 采访时表示，“我赢得了处于这个位置的权利。我不会滥用它。我从未滥用过。如果你一直在滥用，你不可能在同一个地方待上14年。所有这些都非常重要。”
其他值得关注的球员选项：弗雷德·范弗利特 (Fred VanVleet)、安德鲁·维金斯 (Andrew Wiggins)、扎克·拉文 (Zach LaVine)、小凯文·波特 (Kevin Porter Jr.)、何塞·阿尔瓦拉多 (Jose Alvarado)、德安东尼·梅尔顿 (De’Anthony Melton)、马库斯·斯马特 (Marcus Smart)、肯塔维奥斯·考德威尔-波普 (Kentavious Caldwell-Pope)、加里·特伦特 (Gary Trent Jr.)、德安德烈·艾顿 (Deandre Ayton)、阿尔·霍福德 (Al Horford)。
受限制自由球员
1. 杰伦·杜伦，活塞队
我建议提供的合同： 五年1.8亿美元。合同起薪为3100万美元，在合同期内每年递增8%。第一年的薪水占工资帽的21%，略低于火箭队中锋阿尔佩伦·申京 (Alperen Sengun) 的起薪。
最适合的球队： 底特律
在季后赛开始前，你几乎可以断定杜伦能拿到一份接近五年2.39亿美元的顶薪合同。
作为首次入选全明星的球员，杜伦在常规赛中场均得到职业生涯新高的19.5分，并成为自1988-89赛季的查尔斯·巴克利 (Charles Barkley) 以来，首位在单赛季常规赛中打出四场至少30分、10个篮板且命中率达80%的球员。他的内线得分仅次于阿德托昆博和锡安·威廉姆森 (Zion Williamson)。根据Cleaning the Glass的数据，当杜伦在场时，底特律每百回合正负值提升了12.2分。
常规赛期间的荣誉让杜伦成为了最佳阵容的有力竞争者，并有资格在五年内谈判一份最高达2.87亿美元的合同。然而，他在季后赛的表现可能降低了他获得顶薪的机会。
根据ESPN Research的数据，杜伦在季后赛中场均仅得10.2分，创下了NBA历史上全明星球员在季后赛中相比常规赛得分降幅第三大的纪录。在第五场输给克利夫兰的比赛中，杜伦的正负值为-16，且在第四节和加时赛中遭到弃用。在整个季后赛期间，当杜伦坐在替补席上时，底特律每百回合反而净胜对手3.0分。
“我毫不怀疑我们会制定一个计划，他会在今年夏天像去年夏天一样全力以赴。通过常规赛和季后赛的历练，他会成为一个更好的球员，”兰登在季后赛结束后表示，“我们期待与他的经纪人会面并达成协议，让他继续作为一名活塞球员走下去。”
2. 佩顿·沃森 (Peyton Watson)，掘金队
我建议提供的合同： 四年9000万美元。沃森应该是丹佛的首要任务，即使这意味着要跨过第二土豪线。一旦卡梅隆·约翰逊 (Cameron Johnson) 的薪水在2027-28赛季从工资帽中释放出来，第二年2200万美元的薪水将允许掘金队避开第二土豪线。
最适合的球队： 丹佛、芝加哥、布鲁克林、洛杉矶湖人
掘金队愿意在奢侈税和第二土豪线上走多远？答案可能会决定沃森的下一份合同，以及是否需要通过相应的交易来清理多余的薪水。
“如果我们认为保持原有阵容是对这支球队最具竞争力的做法，那我们可能就会这么做，”掘金队总裁约什·克伦克 (Josh Kroenke) 在谈到支付巨额奢侈税账单时告诉《Denver Post》。
掘金队目前超奢侈税线1800万美元，超第二土豪线2200万美元，但他们拥有一定的灵活性：如果裁掉约纳斯·瓦兰丘纳斯 (Jonas Valanciunas)，可以将其1000万美元的工资帽占用额降低到66.6万美元（将其200万美元的保障金额分摊到三个赛季中）。
在2月4日右大腿后侧肌群受伤之前，沃森场均得到14.9分，投篮命中率为49.6%，三分命中率为41.7%。本赛季他在底角三分线外53%的命中率，在出场时间至少1000分钟的球员中排名全联盟第六。沃森在4月1日伤势加重，未能参加掘金首轮不敌森林狼的比赛。
3. 沃克·凯斯勒 (Walker Kessler)，犹他爵士队
我建议提供的合同： 四年1.25亿美元。合同起薪为2800万美元，这将使凯斯勒在下赛季成为收入前十的中锋。第一年的薪水将给予犹他爵士队使用其完整的1500万美元非税中产特例的灵活性。
最适合的球队： 犹他、亚特兰大、洛杉矶湖人
预测凯斯勒的合同非常困难。爵士队有权匹配任何报价单，但他们甚至还没能看到他与劳里·马尔卡宁 (Lauri Markkanen) 以及小贾伦·杰克逊 (Jaren Jackson Jr.) 并肩作战。凯斯勒在11月份接受了导致赛季报销的肩部手术，此前他仅打了五场比赛。
但如果我们根据马尔卡宁和杰克逊与替补中锋尤素夫·努尔基奇搭档的三场比赛样本来判断，他们的契合度应该是无缝的。
尽管这只是一个小样本，但事实证明，当身高6英尺10英寸的杰克逊和7英尺1英寸的马尔卡宁在“大个阵容”中与一名中锋搭档时，效果非常高效。当这两名球员与身高6英尺11英寸的努尔基奇同时在场时，爵士队每百回合净胜对手9.8分。
在2024-25赛季，凯斯勒场均得到创职业生涯新高的11.1分、12.2个篮板和1.7次助攻，并以66.3%的投篮命中率领跑全联盟。根据GeniusIQ的追踪数据，作为干扰投篮的防守者，他将对手在禁区的命中率限制在48%，排名全联盟第五。
4. 塔里·伊森 (Tari Eason)，火箭队
我建议提供的合同： 四年8510万美元。杜兰特在上个休赛期的续约合同给予了休斯顿重新签下伊森、避开第二土豪线并依然能用底薪合同填满阵容的灵活性。
最适合的球队： 休斯顿、芝加哥
给伊森一份新合同可能会让休斯顿连续第二个赛季超过奢侈税线，但这位25岁的侧翼在赛季结束后得到了总经理拉斐尔·斯通 (Rafael Stone) 的终极支持。
“我确实想赞扬他在每场比赛中无畏拼搏的态度，”斯通告诉Space City Home Network，“你永远不用担心塔里不会去竞争，我非常喜欢他这一点。从根本上说，这就是我们这支球队的特质，也是我们希望继续保持的。我只是觉得他非常适合我们。”
由于杜兰特在首轮大部分时间里因伤缺阵，伊森首发了四场比赛，场均得到13.4分（投篮命中率48%）和6.7个篮板。从2月1日到常规赛结束，伊森场均得到9.2分，投篮命中率为38%，三分命中率为26%。
季后赛防守端，他在163个回合中将勒布朗·詹姆斯的投篮命中率限制在44.7%。
5. 马克·威廉姆斯 (Mark Williams)，菲尼克斯太阳队
我建议提供的合同： 三年4200万美元。合同起薪为1300万美元，并在第三个赛季增加到1500万美元。第一年的薪水比非税中产特例少200万美元。
最适合的球队： 菲尼克斯、亚特兰大、波士顿、芝加哥
在低于奢侈税线1700万美元、低于第一土豪线2500万美元的情况下，太阳队在面对自由球员科林·吉莱斯皮、乔丹·古德温和威廉姆斯时正面临着财务上的走钢丝。
威廉姆斯的耐用性问题困扰了他职业生涯的前三个赛季，期间他因背部、脚部和拇指伤势累计缺席了116场比赛。
在效力太阳队的首个赛季，威廉姆斯因左脚应力性反应缺席了10场比赛，但仍出战了创职业生涯新高的60场比赛。（由于脚部伤势，威廉姆斯未能出现在太阳队首轮季后赛的出局战中。）
威廉姆斯在场均前场篮板上排名联盟前20，并在本赛季太阳队二次进攻得分从全联盟第26位跃升至第6位的过程中发挥了重要作用。当威廉姆斯与吉莱斯皮、德文·布克 (Devin Booker)、狄龙·布鲁克斯 (Dillon Brooks) 以及罗伊斯·奥尼尔 (Royce O’Neale) 同时在场时，太阳队每百回合净胜对手8.5分。
其他值得关注的受限制自由球员：本尼迪克特·马图林 (Bennedict Mathurin)、凯莱布·洛夫 (Caleb Love)、乌斯曼·吉昂 (Ousmane Dieng)
由生成式 AI 翻译，译文内容可能不准确或不完整，以原文为准。
点击查看原文：NBA free agent rankings: Bobby Marks' top 20 players for 2026
NBA free agent rankings: Bobby Marks’ top 20 players for 2026
This is not the summer to switch teams if you are looking for a payday north of $15 million per season.
Just three NBA teams, the Brooklyn Nets, Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers, project to have cap space. Another 11 have only the $15 million non-tax midlevel exception to offer.
But, as the Milwaukee Bucks showed last offseason, avenues exist to manufacture cap room. Milwaukee waived and stretched Damian Lillard to create the necessary space to sign Myles Turner – the only free agent to switch teams on a starting salary of more than $20 million.
The evaporated spending power around the league is a result of more than 60 players signing rookie or veteran extensions over the past two seasons. But signing a player into cap space or using an exception, those are not the only mechanisms for a player to switch teams. In the past two offseasons, 15 players – including Duncan Robinson, DeMar DeRozan and Klay Thompson – changed teams via sign-and-trade.
To better understand the market this summer, we examine the 20 biggest potential free agents and what their next contract should be.
Note: Players with team options for 2026-27 – a group that includes Luguentz Dort, Isaiah Hartenstein, Neemias Queta, Jonathan Kuminga and Daniss Jenkins, among others – are not included.
Jump to a section:
Unrestricted free agents
Player option | Restricted
Unrestricted free agents
1. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
The deal I’d offer: One year, $30 million. The contract includes a full no-trade clause.
Best fits: Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers, San Antonio Spurs, Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors
James’ impact during the regular season and playoffs still reflects a max player. He was named an All-Star for a record-setting 23rd season and averaged at least 20 points, six rebounds and seven assists per game for a third straight year. And only Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey scored more fast-break points this season than 41-year-old James.
After March 1, the Lakers went 15-4 in games in which James played. He averaged under 20 points during the stretch but was plus-7 when on the court.
In the playoffs without Luka Doncic, the Lakers became the first team in NBA history to win a series without that season’s leading scorer. James averaged 23.1 points against the Houston Rockets in the first round.
“We probably haven’t seen a player that has honored the game to the extent that he’s honored the game,” Rob Pelinka, Lakers president of basketball operations and general manager, said of James. "He’s given so much to his teammates, to this organization. And the thing we want to do more than anything else is honor him back. … “Any team, including ours, would love to have LeBron James on their roster.”
Can the Lakers afford to bring back James on a $50 million salary and still be in a position to bolster their roster? When factoring in a new contract for Austin Reaves, that answer is a resounding no.
Would James compromise to return to L.A.? A $30 million salary would allow the Lakers to re-sign Luke Kennard and Rui Hachimura and use the full $15 million non-tax midlevel exception. The Lakers could also act as a cap-space team but without Hachimura and Kennard. They would then have $20 million in room plus the $9.4 million room exception.
As for suitors outside of the Lakers, teams such as Cleveland, Denver, Golden State and New York can offer only the $3.9 million veterans minimum.
“I’m still in the moment of just taking my time,” James said on a recent episode of his podcast “Mind the Game” with co-host Steve Nash. “I haven’t even really thought about it too much. Obviously, I understand that I’m a free agent and I can control my own destiny – being here with [the Lakers] for the foreseeable future or if it’s going somewhere else.”
Without James, the Lakers will have cap space for the first time since 2019, but at the expense of their own free agents (James, Kennard, Hachimura). They could re-sign Reaves and still have nearly $50 million in room to use in a trade or free agency, but only if those three players sign for the veterans minimum. (Ironically, the Lakers’ own free agents are among the best available this summer.)
2. Norman Powell, Miami Heat
The deal I’d offer: Three years, $65 million with a team option in the final season.
With a starting salary of $20 million, Miami would be able to re-sign Powell, swing a trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo and retain enough flexibility to fill out its depth using part of its $15 million non-tax midlevel exception.
Best fit: Miami
A potential blockbuster Antetokounmpo trade would play a role in the next contract for Powell. In the scenario, Miami takes back more salary in a deal and the first apron is then triggered. Miami sits $35 million below the threshold, with the figure including its first-round pick and Tyler Herro’s $2.5 million in unlikely bonuses.
Powell, 32, averaged a career-high 21.7 points but saw that number slip to 17.5 after the All-Star break. Last season with the LA Clippers, Powell averaged 24.2 points before the break and 14.4 after. He missed a combined 24 games after the All-Star break in both seasons. Until June 30, Powell is eligible to sign an extension.
3. CJ McCollum, Atlanta Hawks
The deal I’d offer: Two years, $43 million. The $20.7 million salary in the first year would allow Atlanta to use most of its $15 million non-tax midlevel exception and still remain below the salary cap.
Best fit: Atlanta
The 34-year-old averaged 16.7 points in 41 games with Atlanta and was plus-11.5 points per possessions. In the first round, McCollum scored the second-most points through three games in Hawks playoff history. But in the last three games of Atlanta’s six-game defeat, McCollum averaged 11.3 points while shooting 1-of-8 from 3.
McCollum has signed three extensions in his career and, as a result, could be a free agent for the first time. He is eligible to sign up to a three-year, $115.9 million extension through June 30.
4. Coby White, Charlotte Hornets
The deal I’d offer: Three years, $54 million. The contract is $4 million less than the extension Andrew Nembhard signed with Indiana. The first year is $16.5 million and increases each season with a player option in the third year.
Best fits: Charlotte, Detroit
The Hornets started free agency early when they acquired White at the February trade deadline. They inherited his Bird rights, allowing them to sign him as a free agent and exceed the salary cap. Without the trade, Charlotte did not have cap space to sign the guard outright.
In 21 games off the bench after the trade, White averaged 15.6 points and shot 39.1% on 3-pointers. He scored 19 points, including going 5-of-8 from 3, in a play-in win against Miami. It was the 18th time in 23 games White scored double-digit points.
5. Ayo Dosunmu, Minnesota Timberwolves
The deal I’d offer: Three years, $51 million
The contract starts at $17 million and remains flat. In light of Donte DiVincenzo’s Achilles injury, there should be a priority for Minnesota to retain Dosunmu despite being a luxury tax team for a third consecutive season and being above the first apron.
Best fits: Minnesota, Detroit, LA Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami
Last offseason, the Timberwolves chose to retain Julius Randle and Naz Reid, but at the cost of losing Nickeil Alexander-Walker to Atlanta, where the guard became the 2026 Most Improved Player.
This summer, Dosunmu will be the key to the Timberwolves’ offseason.
“Ayo’s our most important free agent,” president of basketball operations Tim Connelly told The Minnesota Star Tribune. “He’s a guy we thought we knew pretty well, and we liked him from afar. Now seeing him day to day, we love him. I think he fits in not just on the court but off the court. I think his best basketball is in front of him.”
Acquired at the deadline from Chicago, Dosunmu averaged 14.4 points and shot 52.1% from the field, including 41.4% from 3, in 24 games with Minnesota. He finished the playoffs with the two highest-scoring games off the bench in Timberwolves history.
Minnesota acquired Dosunmu’s Bird rights in the trade, so they are allowed to sign the guard and still exceed the luxury tax and apron. He is eligible to sign a three-year, $52.4 million extension before June 30. Teams above the salary cap, such as Detroit, have the $15 million non-tax midlevel exception available to offer.
6. Rui Hachimura, Lakers
The deal I’d offer: Four years, $64 million. The contract is equivalent to the non-tax midlevel exception.
Best fits: Lakers, Detroit, LA Clippers, San Antonio, Charlotte, Chicago, Brooklyn
The Lakers trading Kendrick Nunn and three future second-round picks for Hachimura in 2023 is considered one of the better value trades in recent years. Hachimura is the only player in Lakers history to have three straight seasons of at least 40% shooting from 3 on at least 150 attempts. This season, he ranked fifth in the league in 3-point percentage.
And although his scoring dipped from 13.1 points to 11.5 this season, Hachimura shot 51.4% from the field. He and Kevin Durant are the only two players to shoot 50% from the field and 40% from 3 in each of the past three seasons.
7. Tobias Harris, Detroit Pistons
The deal I’d offer: Two years, $38 million. Detroit would need to pay more than the $15 million non-tax midlevel exception that teams could offer. Considering that the Pistons are already over the cap because of the Jalen Duren hold, retaining Harris should be a priority.
Best fits: Detroit, LA Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio
Harris, the top stretch forward in this free agent class, increased his scoring in the regular season from 13.2 points to 18.1 in the playoffs. He had eight games of at least 20 points, including a 30-point performance in the Game 7 win against Orlando. But in the last four games against Cleveland, Harris scored fewer than 20 points, including single-digit performances in games 6 and 7 as the Pistons were eliminated. Defensively, Harris held opposing players to 41.3% shooting as the closest defender during the regular season, ranking third among 187 players to defend at least 500 attempts, per GeniusIQ.
“Tobias has been great,” GM Trajan Langdon said after the season. “We appreciate everything he’s brought. We hope we can bring him back. He’s somebody we’d love to put in a Pistons uniform.”
8. Kelly Oubre Jr., Philadelphia 76ers
The deal I’d offer: Three years, $40.5 million. A $13 million average salary is still below starter level, but Oubre would double his earnings from last season. The final season of the deal has a player option.
Best fits: Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis, Milwaukee, Utah
Could this be the offseason when the 30-year-old signs a lucrative contract?
“I love it here, of course, but it’s not my first rodeo,” Oubre said of entering free agency this summer. “I’ve averaged 20 points in this league and still found myself barely getting any contracts, right?”
Oubre signed a one-year, $2.9 million contract with Philadelphia in 2023 and then a two-year, $12 million deal the following year. In those three seasons, Oubre started 80% of the games he played, averaging at least 14 points in each season. After shooting 29.3% on 3-pointers in 2024-25, Oubre shot 36% from deep this season.
9. Robert Williams III, Portland Trail Blazers
The deal I’d offer: Three years, $42 million. The first year of $13.3 million is guaranteed, but the second and third have no salary protection. If Williams plays more than 50 games next season, his salary in 2027-28 would become guaranteed. The same protection applies to the 2028-29 season, but Williams has to reach 50 games in 2027-28 to qualify. In eight NBA seasons, Williams has played more than 59 games twice – this season and in 2021-22 with the Boston Celtics.
Best fits: Portland, Boston, Atlanta, LA Clippers
A stretch of games this season, including the first round against San Antonio, provided a reminder why Williams was named All-Defensive in 2022.
In the first three games of the series, Williams held the Spurs to 7-of-20 (35%) as the contesting defender, according to ESPN Research. The Trail Blazers outscored San Antonio by five points with Williams on the court and were outscored by 27 when he was off. During the first round, Williams averaged 9.3 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks while playing more minutes than starter Donovan Clingan. Williams is eligible to sign up to a four-year, $87 million extension before June 30.
10. Mitchell Robinson, New York Knicks
The deal I’d offer: Three years, $39 million. The contract is identical to Steven Adams’ extension with Houston last offseason. But instead of the salary declining, the deal remains flat at $13 million per season.
Best fits: New York, Boston, Atlanta, LA Clippers
Robinson played more games this season (60) than in the previous two seasons combined (48).
In the over 2,300 possessions on the court this season, New York was plus-6.7 points per 100 possessions, according to Cleaning the Glass. He was a plus-21.8 when playing with Jalen Brunson, Miles McBride, Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges.
Robinson averaged the second-most offensive rebounds (4.2) during the regular season despite playing under 20 minutes per game. He continues to be a liability at the free throw line; he has the worst make percentage in NBA postseason history among players with at least 100 attempts.
New York’s decision on whether it enters the second apron will play a role in Robinson’s future. The team sits $13 million below the second apron with 10 players under contract, including its first-round pick in June. A contract for more than the veterans minimum would push the Knicks into second apron territory unless they make a trade to create cap room. Robinson is eligible to sign an extension before June 30.
11. Quentin Grimes, 76ers
The deal I’d offer: Two years, $30 million with a player option in the second year. Grimes signed an $8.7 million qualifying offer with Philadelphia before training camp and enters the offseason as one of the best unrestricted free agent shooting guards.
Barring a sign-and-trade, Grimes’ suitors could be teams that have the $15 million non-tax midlevel exception. The player option allows Grimes to enter free agency next offseason, when nearly half of the league’s teams are projected to have cap space.
Best fits: Philadelphia, Chicago, Detroit, LA Lakers, Memphis, Utah
Philadelphia could be forced to choose between Oubre and Grimes this summer.
If Oubre is re-signed, Grimes could be staring down the $15 million non-tax midlevel exception or potentially more from a cap space team such as Chicago. There is also the sign-and-trade option, but that would require Philadelphia to take back salary in a trade.
Grimes played 75 games for a second consecutive season and averaged double-digit points. In 56 games off the bench, Grimes averaged 12.3 points and shot 38% on 3s. But in 19 starts, his 3-point percentage fell to 21.2%. In 20 career postseason games between New York and Philadelphia, Grimes is shooting 35.6% from the field and 31.9% on 3s. He shot 40% from 3 in the Knicks’ first-round series win against Boston.
Other notable unrestricted free agents: Collin Sexton, Brandon Williams, Collin Gillespie, Russell Westbrook, Gabe Vincent, Jordan Goodwin, Tyus Jones, Aaron Holiday, Bones Hyland, Jordan Clarkson, Landry Shamet, Bruce Brown, Luke Kennard, Anfernee Simons, Tim Hardaway Jr., Josh Okogie, Matisse Thybulle, Khris Middleton, Harrison Barnes, John Collins, Dean Wade, Nikola Vucevic, Kristaps Porzingis, Jusuf Nurkic
Both Austin Reaves and LeBron James are free agents this offseason. Retaining both could get tricky for Los Angeles. Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images
Player options
1. Austin Reaves, Lakers
The deal I’d offer: Four years, $155 million. There is a trade-off on the Reaves contract. The $41.2 million salary in the first year is the maximum allowed. But to preserve cap space in 2027-28, the salary declines to $38 million and then remains flat in years 3 and 4. Due to Reaves’ $20.9 million cap hold, the Lakers can use their available cap room first and then sign Reaves to a new contract even if it exceeds the salary cap.
Best fit: Lakers
Reaves will decline his $14.9 million player option before June 29, but that does not mean he will depart the Lakers.
“He started his journey here as a Laker and has made it very clear to us that he wants his journey to continue as a Laker,” Pelinka said after the season. “Both sides have made it abundantly clear that we want to work something out where he continues his prolific career here.”
Reaves has unquestionably outplayed the four-year, $53.8 million contract he signed with the Lakers in 2023. And before injuring his right calf on Christmas, Reaves was averaging 26.6 points on 50.7% shooting, including 36.5% from 3, with 6.3 assists. For the season, the Lakers were 23-4 when Reaves scored more than 20 points.
2. James Harden, Cavaliers
The deal I’d offer: Two years, $56 million. Harden would need to decline his $42.3 million player option and sign a new contract starting at $28 million. To recoup the $14 million in reduced salary, Harden would earn $28 million in the second year.
Best fit: Cleveland
Harden signed a two-year, $81.5 million contract last offseason with the Clippers, and it has a player option that allows both sides to negotiate a longer contract at possibly less money if he were to become a free agent. For example, a two-year, $56 million contract that starts at $28 million puts Cleveland under the second apron even after the roster is filled out.
Although there is a player option in his original contract, only $13.3 million is guaranteed. If Cleveland took the approach and waived Harden, it would have part of the $15 million of the non-tax midlevel exception for a replacement.
During the regular season, Cleveland went 16-6 with Harden and Donovan Mitchell on the court. The duo’s 122.1 offensive efficiency would have ranked first in the league over an entire season. In the playoffs, Harden is averaging a career-high 4.9 turnovers, while shooting 40.8% and 31.8% from 3. He has 32 playoff games in which he recorded more turnovers than field goals.
3. Trae Young, Washington Wizards
The deal I’d offer: Three years, $130 million. The $40 million salary next season replaces Young’s $49 million player option. As a trade-off for Young lowering his salary, there is a player option in the final year.
Best fit: Washington
Young played the fewest games in his career this season but is still one of the best playmakers in the NBA. His career 9.8 assists per game trails only Magic Johnson and John Stockton in the NBA history books. During the 2025-26 season with Atlanta, he averaged an NBA-best and career-high 11.6 assists.
“We have good relationships with his reps,” Wizards’ GM Will Dawkins told Mark Medina of EssentiallySports during the season. “So we’ve had communication on what it would look like to be a Wizard because he really wanted to be here, and that was important to us. And we want to make sure everybody feels comfortable and builds that partnership and relationship until we have any real conversations.”
Young is eligible to sign a three-year, $156.9 million extension until June 30, with the first year of that deal replacing the player option for next season. Young could also opt in (he has until June 22) and sign an extension after free agency begins, delaying the start of a new contract until the 2027-28 season.
4. Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors
The deal I’d offer: Two years, $40 million. Green would lower his $27.7 million player option to $19.2 million and, as a trade-off, be given a second year worth $20.8 million. The salary reduction next season would allow Golden State access to all of its $15 million non-tax midlevel exception. The new contract also aligns with the two-year deal of coach Steve Kerr.
Best fit: Golden State
A player can’t be traded for six months after signing a new contract, so Green opting out and signing a new contract probably would come if Antetokounmpo is traded elsewhere. With the lack of sizable contracts on the roster outside of Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler III, Green’s $27.7 million salary would be required if Antetokounmpo or another superstar became available.
“Maybe you opt out and do a longer deal. Maybe you opt in and extend,” Green told ESPN’s Anthony Slater last month. “I earned the right to be in this position. I won’t misuse it. I won’t abuse it. I never have. You don’t get 14 years out of a place if you were abusing it. All of that s— matters.”
Other notable player options: Fred VanVleet, Andrew Wiggins, Zach LaVine, Kevin Porter Jr., Jose Alvarado, De’Anthony Melton, Marcus Smart, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Gary Trent Jr., Deandre Ayton, Al Horford.
Restricted free agents
1. Jalen Duren, Pistons
The deal I’d offer: Five-years, $180 million. The contract would start at $31 million and increase 8% over the life of the contract. The first-year salary is 21% of the cap and slightly less than the starting number of Rockets center Alperen Sengun.
Best fit: Detroit
Before the postseason, you could have penciled Duren in for close to a five-year, $239 million max contract.
As a first-time All-Star, Duren averaged a career-high 19.5 points and became the first player since Charles Barkley in 1988-89 to record four games with 30 points, 10 rebounds and 80% shooting during the regular season. He trailed only Antetokounmpo and Zion Williamson for most points in the paint. When Duren was on the court, Detroit was plus-12.2 points per 100 possessions, per Cleaning the Glass.
The accolades during the season made Duren a contender for All-NBA honors and eligible to negotiate his contract up to $287 million over five seasons. His postseason performances probably dampened the chances of Duren receiving the max.
Duren averaged 10.2 points in the playoffs, the third-largest scoring decrease by an All-Star from the regular season in NBA history, per ESPN Research. In the Game 5 loss to Cleveland, Duren was minus-16 and did not play the fourth quarter or overtime. For the playoffs, Detroit was plus-3.0 points per 100 possessions with Duren on the bench.
“I have no doubt that we’ll put a plan together and he’ll attack it this summer, just like he did last summer, and he’ll come back a better player from his experience, not only during the regular season but also in the postseason,” Langdon said after the playoffs. “We look forward to coming together with his representative and getting a deal done, and for him to continue to be a Piston.”
2. Peyton Watson, Nuggets
The deal I’d offer: Four years, $90 million. Watson should be a priority for Denver, even if that means going into the second apron. A $22 million salary in the second year would allow the Nuggets to avoid the second apron once Cameron Johnson’s salary comes off the cap in the 2027-28 season.
Best fits: Denver, Chicago, Brooklyn, Lakers
How deep are the Nuggets willing to go into the luxury tax and over second apron? The answer could determine the next contract for Watson and whether a corresponding trade is needed to clear out additional salary.
“If we deem running it back the most competitive thing we can do for the roster, that’s probably what we’re going to be doing,” Nuggets president Josh Kroenke said to The Denver Post in reference to paying a significant tax bill.
The Nuggets are $18 million over the luxury tax and $2.2 million above the second apron, but they have the flexibility of reducing Jonas Valanciunas’ $10 million cap hit to $666,000 ($2 million of his guaranteed amount stretched over three seasons) if he is waived.
Before injuring his right hamstring Feb. 4, Watson was averaging 14.9 points while shooting 49.6% from the field and 41.7% on 3-pointers. His 53% shooting on corner 3s this season ranked sixth in the NBA among players with at least 1,000 minutes. Watson aggravated the injury April 1 and did not play in the Nuggets’ first-round loss to the Timberwolves.
3. Walker Kessler, Utah Jazz
The deal I’d offer: Four years, $125 million. The contract starts at $28 million and puts Kessler in the top 10 highest-paid centers next season. The first-year salary would give Utah the flexibility to use all of its $15 million non-tax midlevel exception.
Best fits: Utah, Atlanta, Lakers
Projecting a contract for Kessler is difficult. The Jazz have the right to match an offer sheet, but they never got to see him play alongside Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. Kessler played only five games before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery in November.
But if we are judging off the three-game sample when Markkanen and Jackson were paired with backup center Jusuf Nurkic, the fit should be seamless.
It was only a small sample, but the pairing of 6-foot-10 Jackson and 7-1 Markkanen proved to be efficient when the forwards were paired with a center in big lineups. The Jazz were plus-9.8 points per 100 possessions when both players were on the court with 6-11 Nurkic.
In 2024-25, Kessler averaged a career high in points (11.1), rebounds (12.2) and assists (1.7) and shot an NBA-leading 66.3% from the field. He held opponents to 48% in the paint as a contesting defender, fifth best in the NBA, per GeniusIQ tracking.
4. Tari Eason, Rockets
The deal I’d offer: Four years, $85.1 million. Durant’s extension last offseason gives Houston the flexibility to re-sign Eason, avoid the second apron and still fill out its roster with minimum signings.
Best fits: Houston, Chicago
A new contract for Eason probably puts Houston over the luxury tax for a second consecutive season, but the 25-year-old wing received the ultimate backing from GM Rafael Stone after the season.
“I do want to compliment him on his level of fearless fight, every game,” Stone told Space City Home Network. “You don’t worry that Tari is not going to compete, and I love that about him. At its core, that’s who we as an organization are and want to continue to be. I just think he fits us really well.”
With Durant sidelined for most of the first round, Eason started four games, averaging 13.4 points (on 48% shooting) and 6.7 rebounds. From Feb. 1 to the end of the regular season, Eason had averaged 9.2 points on 38% shooting and 26% from 3.
Defensively in the playoffs, he held LeBron James to 44.7% from the field on 163 possessions.
5. Mark Williams, Phoenix Suns
The deal I’d offer: Three years, $42 million. The contract would start at $13 million and increase to $15 million in the third season. The first year is $2 million less than the non-tax midlevel exception.
Best fits: Phoenix, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago
At $17 million below the luxury tax and $25 million below the first apron, the Suns are walking a financial tightrope with free agents Collin Gillespie, Jordan Goodwin and Williams.
Williams’ durability issues plagued the first three seasons of his career, in which he sat out 116 games because of back, foot and thumb injuries.
In his first season with Phoenix, Williams sat out 10 games because of a stress reaction in his left foot but still played a career-high 60 games. (Because of the foot injury, Williams did not appear in the Suns’ first-round playoff loss.)
Williams ranked in the top 20 in offensive rebounds per game and played a significant role in Phoenix’s jump from 26th to sixth in second-chance points this season. The Suns were plus-8.5 points per 100 possessions when Williams was on the court with Gillespie, Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks and Royce O’Neale.
Other notable restricted free agents: Bennedict Mathurin, Caleb Love, Ousmane Dieng
By Bobby Marks, via ESPN