Top 15 NBA free agents: Restricted options headline class

Even though it may feel like NBA free agency barely exists anymore, the start of it is still a key day on the league’s calendar. 

Despite trades being the main way players switch teams in today’s era, you still never know who may hit the open market and who could change the future of a franchise. Star players may or may not be available, but a team could find a sneaky pick-up that ends up being exactly who they’ve been missing.

Here’s a list of the top 15 free agents in the 2026 class who can officially begin negotiating with new teams on Tuesday at 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT.

1. LeBron James, F, 41 years old, Unrestricted free agent

The arguably greatest of all time has a massive decision to make this summer. Will James retire, return for a record 24th season and remain a Laker, or will he finish out his career on a new team or somewhere he’s been before? Despite being 41, James is still playing at a very high level, and he may have an interest in getting one last title before he heads off into the sunset. 

2. Jalen Duren, C, 22 years old, Restricted free agent

Duren broke through in 2025-26 and proved himself as one of the elite big men in the NBA. He averaged 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds to make his first all-star team and the all-NBA third team. Duren’s now eligible for a five-year, $287.1 million extension that the Pistons may not be willing to pay, per The Athletic. If they can’t afford Duren, another team could swoop in to grab themselves a centre for the future.

3. James Harden, G, 36 years old, $42.3 million player option

After finding himself on his fifth team since 2020, with a deadline move to the Cavaliers last season, you never know where Harden may go next. Now at 36, Harden has adjusted his game to become a great point guard and playmaker. It appears likely he will remain alongside Donovan Mitchell in Cleveland, but it’s unclear what that deal will look like or if he’ll accept his option. 

4. Norman Powell, G/F, 33 years old, Unrestricted free agent

The Heat kick-started their off-season with a blockbuster deal to bring in Giannis Antetokounmpo. That move changed the landscape of Miami basketball, but it also may have pushed Powell out of the equation. Powell averaged 21.7 points on 47 per cent shooting in 2025-26 to make the first all-star team of his career. Any team looking to add a scoring threat could make a huge offer for the 2019 NBA champion. 

5. Zach LaVine, G, 31 years old, $49 million player option

It would most likely be in LaVine’s best interest to get himself out of Sacramento. The Kings won just 22 games last season, and LaVine can’t waste time at age 31 sitting through a rebuild. After one of the worst statistical seasons of his NBA tenure, he will most likely opt out to explore a new opportunity in a better situation. He’s previously been a two-time all-star and could showcase those skills on a contender.

6. Jonathan Kuminga, F, 23 years old, $24.3 million team option

A mid-season trade to the Hawks was a great move to rejuvenate Kuminga’s career. In Atlanta, he averaged 12.3 points and 5.3 rebounds, but he showed flashes of greatness with a few 20-plus point performances. It feels likely that the Hawks will accept his cap-friendly team option to give him the chance to spend a full season in Atlanta and show just what he can do alongside its young core. 

7. Bennedict Mathurin, G, 24 years old, Restricted free agent

The Canadian Mathurin was shipped to the Clippers at the 2026 trade deadline and appeared to be a seamless fit into their system. He averaged 17.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and a steal in L.A. while playing 28 minutes a night. The Clippers appear headed toward a rebuild, and holding onto Montreal’s Mathurin feels near guaranteed. Locking up the young scoring threat to be the future of their backcourt appears essential. 

8. Walker Kessler, C, 24 years old, Restricted free agent

The Utah Jazz may finally be ready to compete, and if that’s the case, they need to hold onto Kessler. The big man played in just five games in 2025-26 due to a torn labrum, but in those limited appearances, he averaged a double-double. If the Jazz give Kessler his big contract, they can pair him up with Darryn Peterson and Ace Bailey as a big three that can take this franchise into the next decade behind veterans Jaren Jackson Jr. and Lauri Markkanen. 

9. Mitchell Robinson, C, 28 years old, Unrestricted free agent

With the Knicks seemingly not being interested in going over the second apron, Robinson will likely find a new home this off-season. The big man raised his value as a defensive-minded centre as the Knicks won their first NBA Championship in 53 years. Talented centres seem hard to come by in the modern NBA, and several teams will throw money at Robinson to have his seven-foot frame hold down their front-court. 

10. Luguentz Dort, F/G, 27 years old, $18.2 million team option

The Canadian 3-and-D specialist may be the odd man out on the Thunder. Dort has been in OKC his entire seven-year career, but he’s now due for a payday, and the Thunder have plenty of younger players they could replace him with. The Thunder already gave Isaiah Hartenstein a big extension this off-season, which made it seem likelier that Dort will bring his physicality to a new team come 2026-27. 

11. Tari Eason, F, 25 years old, Restricted free agent

Eason has been a defensive juggernaut for the Rockets since entering the NBA in 2022-23. He can stall opponents’ offence, which has been a big plus for Houston. However, the Rockets have a lot of youngsters to pay, which may allow a team to swoop up Eason’s talents at a price tag Houston cannot afford.

12. Draymond Green, F, 36 years old, $27.7 million player option

It’s hard to imagine a world where Green doesn’t play for the Golden State Warriors, and it feels highly unlikely that will ever happen. The Warriors appear ready to make one final push for a title with Green, Stephen Curry and Steve Kerr. It’s unclear if Green will accept his option or take a more team-friendly deal so the Warriors can build up their roster. 

13. Kristaps Porzingis, F/C, 30 years old, Unrestricted free agent

Injuries over the past three seasons have largely limited Porzinigis, and in 2025-26, he appeared in just 32 games between the Hawks and Warriors. However, when healthy, the seven-foot-two Porzingis is a dominant two-way player. He is a solid shooter for his size and a tremendous rim protector. Porzingis very well may be one of the most sought-after big men on the open market. 

14. Peyton Watson, F, 23 years old, Restricted free agent

The 23-year-old Watson broke out in 2025-26, he averaged 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists on 49.1 per cent shooting from the field and 41.1 per cent from three. He proved himself to be a key part of the Nuggets’ rotation and someone they cannot afford to lose. Watson was particularly impressive in his 40 starts when he put up 17.3 points on 60.3 per cent true shooting. 

15. Rui Hachimura, F, 28 years old, Unrestricted free agent

Hachimura has developed into one of the league’s best floor-spacing three-point specialists. He is a career 39.4 per cent shooter from deep and has consistently been a double-digit scorer. Last season, he specifically broke through in the playoffs, where he started in all 10 of the Lakers’ games. In those contests, he averaged 17.5 points with a 56.5 per cent clip from three on 5.8 attempts per game.