Looking to the future: 21 potential NBA free agents in the 2026 class

The free NBA agency is not completely wrapped for 2025. There are still some players named available – Russell Westbrook, Malcolm Brogdon, although Amir Coffey may be the best of them – and some LIGHT AGENTS LIMITED still in search of the best possible dealLike Jonathan Kuminga and Josh Giddey (among others).

Having said that, it is time to look in the future: what about next summer, the class of free agents of 2026?

He is not preparing the deepest class (the free agency is not the way the players of stars generally change teams in the era of the apron) and who is in this group could certainly change between now and next July, but here are the names to look forward to the free agency in a year.

Bigger name

Lebron James

Agent Rich Paul is not so thin when Lebron James has collected his option from $ 52.6 million to play with the Lakers this season Put the NBA commercial voices mill, however, the reality of the market meant that it was always very likely to play this season in Los Angeles.

Next season? This is when things become interesting. What could happen depends largely on how Lebron feels and how this season takes place in Los Angeles – is he still healthy and plays at a high level enough to have contenders willing to make a bold move to make him land? Does he stay in Los Angeles with his family? Lebron will not end his career everywhere, but if he wants to go to the Knicks or return to the knights, is he willing to sign with a very steep discount to make him possible? Could a sign and a trade for the benefit also be developed?

There are many more questions than answers right now, but this will not stop the plots: the potential Agency of Libera Agency of Lebron James will be a great story during this season and it could be the history of the summer of 2026.

Players who probably sign extensions

These are players who, for now, could be free agents but probably will not be next summer.

Kevin Durant: Durant is entering the last year of his contract at $ 54.7 million, but he and Houston Rockets should develop a two -year extension (the longest he can sign due to the rule of over 38). The question becomes: how much haircut on your salary is he willing to take KD to help Houston? Conventional wisdom was always that she would employ a little less to be in a team she wanted to be part of, but at least? What is its market now as an elite marker but who ages, one who is still one of the greatest attractions in the championship? Whatever the number, the expectation is that an agreement will be concluded and KD will remain in Houston beyond this season.

Take Young (player option): The Hawks want to kick young extension interviews along the road, probably next summer, but neither parts are trying to separate. In the end, an extension will be reached, perhaps a shorter one (two years?), But until then, the possibility that young people opt for $ 48.9 million and become a free agent is on the table (and something that the Hawks want to avoid).

Dyson Daniels: The most improved player of the Hawks and the all -defensive wing head towards the free free agency next summer if he does not sign an extension before the start of this season. According to reports, both Daniels and Atlanta want to make an agreement, so probably an extension will meet. But if the Hawks have it low, Daniels could choose the free free agency next year and other teams would have an interest in trying to save him.

Probable free agents without restrictions

KRISTAPS PORZINGIS: His future with the Hawks – and how much request there will be for him throughout the League – it will be based on how healthy it is this season and how it is intertwined with Trae Young. Having said that, protectors for 7 feet rims that can shoot at 3 always have a market and there will be teams that will call KP next summer, but will offer more than $ 30 million who is gaining this season?

Norman Powell: He was exchanged in Miami for the last year of his contract, earning $ 20.5 million. He is coming out of a season in which he has made a jump (in the year 10!) And marked a match on average 21.8 points while shooting 41.8% from beyond the arch. At the age of 32, the clippers were hesitant in giving Powell the longest extension he wanted, who helped lead to trade, but Miami will feel differently (Miami is also trying to keep his books clean to make a great oscillation in a superstar after all)? While Heat and Powell can elaborate an extension, his agency free to hit seems like a very real possibility.

Amphernee Simons: Simons was exchanged with a Celtics team that liked her ability to score, with an average of 19.3 points and 4.8 assists for the game last season. He can get a bucket from anywhere in the field, and Boston needs it next to Jaylen Brown. However, the Celtics have not finished treating and could try to move Simons to the expiry, and even if they don’t, it may not be in their long -term plans once Jayson Tatum returns. The way this season goes for Simons will determine where his salary ranges from $ 27 million he is gaining this season, but it could very well be a free agent.

John Collins: He has collected his option of $ 26.6 million for this season, but he will probably be a free agent (or for a sign) next summer. Collins moves to the Clippers this season, joining a veteran team – Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, Ivica Zubac – who could highlight his skill set and make him even more precious. Collins scored on average 19 points and 8.2 rebounds a game last season when healthy, shooting at 39.9% from over the arch. There are many teams that could use a four like him and it will be requested if he will have a strong season.

COBY WHITE: White signed a $ 36 million $ 36 million contract that came out of shoulder surgery, an agreement that has completely exceeded. He expects to be paid next summer, according to what reported is looking for something in the range of $ 30+ million per year and even if the final number is not below it, a significant increase in pay for the young guard is expected. Bulls could try to lock him up, depending on what happens with the limited free agent Josh Giddey, but in one way or another, White will be paid.

Khris Middleton: How long do the former All-Star and Olympian still have in the tank? The Wizards cling to the veteran forward and try to exchange it during the season, but if an agreement does not meet, they look for a mid -season purchase. All this indicates that he is a free agent next summer, right before his 35 -year -old season. He will have to show that he has remained enough to convince a contender to take him.

CJ McCollum: I feel like I could only copy and paste a lot of what has been written above on Middleton: McCollum is on the wizards and will try to exchange it throughout the season, if not, they could buy it. How much did McCollum left the tank in his 34 -year -old season? When last season he is healthy, he scored an average of 21.1 points and 4.1 assists a game, do it again and there will be a little interest for free agents for him.

Veterans with the player’s options

Austin Reaves: Reaves will be a free agent. There is no possibility that he is taking his option as a player from $ 14.9 million, even if he intends to be with the Lakers. According to reports, Reaves wants to be paid in the Tyler Herro range of $ 30 million per year (and Herro is a good compound in many ways). If Reaves shows this season that can be a high -level scorer next to Luka Doncic and can intensify his game in the playoffs, the Lakers will gladly pay so much to keep him (and Reaves will want to stay). However, if you fight again in the playoffs, the Lakers – who will have a lot of space on the limit – could wonder if this is the best way to spend their money.

James Harden: This summer, Harden has signed a two-year contract with the clippers that gives him an option of a 42.3 million dollar player for the 2026-27 season, and the intelligent bet is that he will collect it. The clipper are working to keep their books clean for the summer of 2027 (not so by coincidence, when Giannis Antetokounmpo could be a free agent) and it is not likely that they offer hardening (35) another extension. Is there a market of $ 40+ million for Harden beyond Clippers? Otherwise, he will take the bag on the table.

Draymond Green: However, the anchor of the defense of the Warriors, Green has an option of $ 27.7 million player for 2026-27. Golden State is still all-in in an attempt to win another ring with Stephen Curry, and with this it is difficult to see Green away (or exchange). But it hangs out there, and it is something to look at. There would be teams interested in his defense and leadership.

Zach Lavine: The future of Lavine depends strongly from where she is playing after the commercial expiration of next February – Sacramento is open to exchange the wing that marked on average 23.3 points per game last season. Lavine has an option of $ 48.9 million player, if he exchanged his new team he may want to elaborate an extension. Otherwise, Lavine will take that bag or possibly goes to the agency free next summer, open to cut some hair from that number a year for the sake of obtaining three or four years of safety? There are more questions than answers to Lavine at this point. Things will be much clearer after the commercial deadline.

Bradley Beal: Beal has a player option for the medium level exception of taxpayers of $ 5.6 million for the 2026-27 season. The clipper plan to keep their books open for the summer of 2027 and to remain flexible; They will not offer an extension that gives Beal a great relaunch. What Beal does next summer will depend on how this season goes. Do you want to be with the clippers at this number, or will it remain healthy and made its way into a relaunch? It can affect the market of free agents if desired.

Fred Vanvleet: Vanvleet has signed a two-year contract for $ 50 million this summer to stay with the Rockets, and with this it has an option of $ 25 million for 2026-27. Most likely he collects it, but he could choose the free agency if he wishes.

Veterans with team options

Lu Dort and Isaiah Hartentein: We are grouping these two together because they are part of the same equation in Oklahoma City: where does the role players like Dort and Hartentein go go to go because the team is deep in the luxury tax? The Thunders will be expected to be approximately $ 24 million compared to the second apron in 2026-27 (when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren will all earn more than $ 40 million per season). The escort of Draft Picks that the Thunder has gives them the ammunition to make moves (or draft players) to enter the roles of boys such as Hartentein and Dort. At some point, thunder will probably cut the salaries around their stars. Does this start with Hartentein ($ 28.5 million of a team option) and/or Dort ($ 18.2 million) next summer?

Brook Lopez: Clippers will probably collect the option of the team of $ 9.2 million for Lopez in a year. However, depending on how this season goes, it is possible that Los Angeles does not bring the veteran center that ranges the floor.

Bogdan Bogdanovic: The Veterana Guard has a team option of $ 16 million for the next season. If the clippers do not exchange it, they probably take the option, especially if the plan is to go in the next season with a list similar to that of this year. If it is mistaken, it could be for a team that tries to make it a free agent to save money.