The 2025-26 season is simply three weeks outdated, and there are greater than six months till the beginning of free company. However the small physique of labor on the courtroom mustn’t dissuade us from figuring out 12 potential free brokers who’ve stood out and what their future may maintain with their respective groups.
There are standards to how we chosen our lineup of contract-year All-Stars:
First, we’ve disqualified gamers who’ve beforehand made an All-NBA or All-Star group. Meaning you will not see potential summer time free brokers reminiscent of Chicago Bulls middle Nikola Vucevic, LA Clippers guard James Harden, Sacramento Kings guard Zach LaVine, Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Younger — and even Los Angeles Lakers ahead LeBron James — on this listing.
Second, gamers with group choices of their present contracts, such because the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder guard Lu Dort and middle Isaiah Hartenstein are additionally not thought of. In spite of everything, if a participant is outplaying their deal, it’s extremely unlikely their groups will decline the choices.
And whereas LeBron does not make our roster, the Lakers are properly represented. Let’s begin there, as one participant is making waves as a second possibility in James’ absence and setting himself up for a significant payday in 2026 free company.
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Starters | Reserves
STARTERS
2025-26: 31.1 PPG (48.9 FG%), 9.3 APG, 37.8 MPG
Contract standing: 2026 participant possibility ($14.9 million)
To say that Reaves has taken benefit of early season accidents to Luka Doncic and James has been an understatement.
Reaves has seen his factors per sport enhance from 20.2 factors final season to a career-high 31.1. He at the moment ranks sixth amongst all gamers in factors per sport, behind Doncic, Tyrese Maxey, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Donovan Mitchell. Reaves turned the fourth undrafted participant within the shot-clock period with a 50-point sport within the common or postseason, in keeping with the Elias Sports activities Bureau.
What has stood out much more is Reaves’ playmaking.
In three video games performed with out Doncic, Reaves has averaged 10 assists per sport, together with a career-high 16 in opposition to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Oct. 29.
As a result of NBA guidelines limit the Lakers from extending Reaves as much as 140% of the common participant (four-years, $87.4 million with a beginning wage of $19.5 million subsequent season), it’s extremely unlikely he’ll signal a brand new contract previous to June 30. The extra seemingly situation is for Reaves to say no his participant possibility and turn out to be an unrestricted free agent.
If he does, Reaves shall be eligible to signal for as much as five-years, $241 million with the Lakers. The Lakers may nonetheless have practically $50 million in cap area even when Reaves indicators a brand new contract.
He’s eligible to signal for as much as 4 years, $178.5 million with groups who’ve cap area. ESPN is at the moment projecting 4 groups — the Brooklyn Nets, Chicago Bulls, Utah Jazz and Washington Wizards — to have no less than $40 million in room this summer time.
Reaves’ $13.9 million wage this season ranks twenty sixth amongst all capturing guards and 127th general.
2025-26: 23.3 PPG (46.7 FG%), 4.6 RPG, 29.9 MPG
Contract standing: 2026 unrestricted free agent
If we had been evaluating Powell based mostly on the primary half of final season with the Clippers and his first few weeks with the Warmth this 12 months, he would seemingly be within the working for his All-Star look.
“I undoubtedly have a chip from feeling like I may have made it,” Powell advised Andscape’s Marc J. Spears in September. “I ought to have made it final [season]. It added gasoline to the hearth this summer time on how I’m going to capitalize on this [season], that I’ve to be sure that I am a surefire decide for an All-Star choice.”
Final 12 months together with his former group, Powell averaged 24.2 factors, 49.6% capturing from the sector and 42.8% on 3-pointers previous to the break. His manufacturing took a major drop throughout the final two months of the 2024-25 season, largely attributable to a proper knee damage in late February and a proper hamstring difficulty in March. (Powell completed the final 15 video games averaging 14.4 factors.) In six video games with the Warmth this season, Powell is averaging 23.3 factors and capturing a career-high 46.2% on 3s.
Beginning on Jan. 7, Powell is eligible to enroll to a four-year, $128.5 million extension with the Warmth. The 32-year-old shall be an unrestricted free agent if no settlement is reached.
Regardless of being traded, Powell’s Fowl rights have transferred, permitting Miami to exceed the wage cap to re-sign him if he turned a free agent. The Warmth are projected to be $60 million beneath the second apron subsequent summer time.
2025-26: 17.2 PPG (47.0 FG%), 4.4 APG, 31.0 MPG
Contract standing: 2026 unrestricted free agent
With the 76ers drafting VJ Edgecombe and with Jared McCain getting back from damage, Grimes’ match was in query coming into the season, not to mention if he may duplicate the second half of final season.
Acquired on the 2025 commerce deadline from the Dallas Mavericks, Grimes averaged profession highs in minutes (33.7) and factors (21.9) throughout 28 video games. He joined Maxey, Allen Iverson and Hal Greer as the one guards in 76ers historical past to common no less than 28.5 factors in a 10-game stretch.
Via Grimes’ first three weeks of this season, there was no drop-off in enjoying time or scoring.
“The chance that coach [Nick Nurse] is giving me gives a whole lot of freedom on the market on the courtroom,” Grimes advised the Philadelphia Inquirer on Nov. 4. “The minutes he gave me are starter minutes to come back off the bench at this level.” In 9 video games as a reserve, Grimes ranks fourth in minutes and factors per sport.
With the 76ers pressed up in opposition to the wage cap’s second apron final summer time and an absence of groups with actual spending energy, Grimes signed a one-year, $8.7 million qualifying provide.
He’s an unrestricted free agent subsequent offseason and Philadelphia can exceed the wage cap to re-sign him as a result of they maintain his fowl rights.
Subsequent summer time, the 76ers are projected to be $44 million beneath the primary apron.
2025-26: 15.8 PPG (56.7 FG%), 3.7 RPG, 34.6 MPG
Contract standing: 2026 unrestricted free agent
For a Lakers roster that includes Reaves, Doncic and James, Hachimura has been a continuing this season. He’s one among three Lakers (Jarred Vanderbilt and Jake LaRavia the others) to play in all 9 video games and is the one Laker to begin in each sport.
Hachimura is averaging profession bests in minutes per sport, factors per sport and discipline aim proportion (59%). Since he was acquired from the Washington Wizards in 2023, his 3-point proportion has elevated from 33.7% to 48.7%.
And thanks partially to Hachimura’s protection — most notably his knack for defending 3-point shooters — the Lakers are permitting the second-lowest discipline aim proportion on pictures exterior 25 ft.
“We discuss on a regular basis about, in isolation, notably in opposition to guys who can knock down 3s like Klay Thompson, we need to use that stick hand,” Redick advised ESPN’s Tim Legler on the “Coaches Nook.” “Rui Hachimura is the perfect man on our group at utilizing that stick hand in isolation. So, he prevents the three.”
Hachimura is eligible to signal a four-year, $114.5 million extension up till June 30.
2025-26: 19.4 PPG (65.1 FG%), 11.8 RPG, 27.9 MPG
Contract standing: 2026 restricted free agent
Duren was one among 12 gamers to forgo signing a rookie extension previous to the season. The choice to attend till 2026 free company, no less than for now, has paid off.
For a 3rd consecutive season, the Pistons middle is on tempo to common a double-double in factors and rebounds. His 110 profession double-doubles earlier than turning 22 are tied with Shaquille O’Neal for the fourth most in NBA historical past.
What has been extra spectacular is Duren’s potential to get to the free throw line and improved proportion of makes. Duren has seen his makes an attempt enhance from 3.1 final 12 months to six.2. He’s capturing 83.9% from the road. Final 12 months he shot 66.9%.
“We have put collectively a plan over the summer time for him and he was as devoted to that plan as anyone,” coach J.B. Bickerstaff advised the Detroit Free Press on Nov. 7.”He labored relentlessly on his sport. He is at all times had the expertise. I believe the arrogance is coming now, too.”
Based on ESPN Analysis, Duren is one among seven gamers to common 10 factors and 10 rebounds in every of the final three seasons (since 2023-24), together with Nikola Jokic, Vucevic, Anthony Davis, Victor Wembanyama, Domantas Sabonis and Antetokounmpo.
Duren shall be a restricted free agent this summer time, permitting the Pistons to match any provide.
RESERVES
2025-26: 16.1 PPG (51.2 FG%), 5.2 APG, 26.4 MPG
Contract standing: 2026 unrestricted free agent
Even earlier than coaching camp, Hornets coach Charles Lee was already praising Sexton. “Collin has been unbelievable since he bought right here; the transition’s been seamless,” Lee advised reporters at Hornets media day. “, we’re all about every day enchancment, and Collin is about every day enchancment, as properly. And so, it is like an ideal marriage. He is available in daily hungry, curious, excited to work. He simply completely loves this sport. And I can inform he loves his teammates, too.”
Acquired in a commerce that despatched Jusuf Nurkic to the Utah Jazz, Sexton is having fun with profession bests from the sector (51% capturing), from 3-point vary (44%) and in assists (5.3 per sport).
Sexton is eligible to signal a three-year, $71.7 million extension (the deal would enhance to 4 years, $119 million beginning on Dec. 29) and will be an unrestricted free agent subsequent summer time.
2025-26: 21.4 PPG (40.2 FG%), 2.6 APG, 28.3 MPG
Contract standing: 2026 unrestricted free agent
We had been reluctant to incorporate Thomas, contemplating the guard suffered a left hamstring pressure and shall be reevaluated in three to 4 weeks. Thomas missed 55 video games final 12 months with the identical damage and performed a career-low 25 video games.
However we could not overlook Thomas’ scoring numbers within the seven video games he was wholesome this season. Thomas scored a mixed 74 factors in opposition to the Cleveland Cavaliers and San Antonio Spurs in late October and scored no less than 25 factors in 4 video games. (That is regardless of his career-low 40.2% capturing from the sector.)
Based on ESPN Analysis, Thomas joins Zion Williamson to common no less than 20 factors per sport whereas enjoying fewer than 32 minutes per sport in every of the previous three seasons.
We’ll study subsequent offseason if Thomas made the fitting resolution to guess on himself. Thomas declined each a two-year, $30 million contract with a group possibility and a one-year, $9.5 million contract — that deal may have elevated to $11 million if incentives had been reached — from the Nets in September. He ultimately signed a one-year, $6 million qualifying provide and is ready to hit unrestricted free company in the summertime.
2025-26: 18.6 PPG (51.1 FG%), 5.3 RPG, 37.2 MPG
Contract standing: 2026 unrestricted free agent
We may look again at Oubre signing a one-year, $2.9 million contract with Philadelphia in 2023 as a low level in his profession. The signing got here after the previous No. 15 decide in 2015 averaged 20 factors per sport with Charlotte the prior season.
In actuality, the veteran minimal contract and the two-year, $16.8 million contract he signed with the 76ers has helped Oubre develop right into a extra well-rounded participant. This season for the resurgent Sixers, Oubre is averaging 18.6 factors per sport on a career-best 51% from the sector and 38% on 3-pointers.
Shifting ahead, the massive query comes with how Oubre is impacted when Paul George returns from damage.
“You noticed him. He was combating [Brandon] Ingram a lot of the evening,” 76ers coach Nick Nurse stated after their win on Nov. 7. “He is accomplished that persistently, the place he is bought one of many higher scorers within the league or the opposite group and retains working and dealing. He is been actually good and accomplished a very good job of enjoying bodily.”
As a result of he signed a two-year contract in 2024, Oubre is just not extension-eligible and can turn out to be an unrestricted free agent in June.
2025-26: 11.2 PPG (50.0 FG%), 2.3 RPG, 19.6 MPG
Contract standing: 2026 unrestricted free agent
Warmth coach Erik Spoelstra already had an in-depth scouting report earlier than buying and selling for Fontecchio this summer time.
“Italy was my [scouting assignment] once I was an assistant with Group USA,” Spoelstra advised the Solar Sentinel on Oct. 27. “He was a stud over there for his nationwide group, placing up large numbers and shouldering that weight you’ve while you’re the No. 1 possibility.”
In his first season in Miami, the 29-year outdated Fontecchio is capturing a career-high 51.2% from 3, good for tenth within the league. Final 12 months with the Pistons, he shot 33.5% from deep.
What Spoelstra’s scouting report in all probability missed was the impression Fontecchio may have on the defensive facet. Per GeniusIQ monitoring, opposing shooters are 22-for-63 (34.9%) when Fontecchio is the closest defender this season, seventh amongst greater than 215 gamers to defend no less than 50 discipline aim makes an attempt in 2025-26.
Fontecchio signed a two-year contract with Detroit in 2024 and isn’t extension-eligible.
2025-26: 8.6 PPG (50.0 FG%), 1.3 SPG, 22.6 MPG
Contract standing: 2026 unrestricted free agent
Of the eight gamers Houston traded for or signed this offseason, Okogie is the one which flew beneath the radar essentially the most.
After being waived by Charlotte, the ahead signed a one-year, $3.1 million veteran minimal contract with the Rockets in late July. It was his fourth group because the Timberwolves drafted him within the 2018 first spherical.
The signing was aimed to offer bench depth, however with the season-ending knee damage to start line guard Fred VanVleet and with ahead Dorian Finney-Smith rehabbing from offseason foot surgical procedure, Okogie began for Houston because the third sport of the season.
Offensively, Okogie is averaging profession highs in discipline aim proportion (50%) and 3-point proportion (50%). The Rockets have gained 5 of six video games since Okogie joined the beginning lineup.
Per GeniusIQ, Okogie has allowed a 41.9% discipline aim proportion because the closest defender because the begin of final season, rating nineteenth amongst 345 gamers to defend no less than 250 makes an attempt in that span.
2025-26: 12.4 PPG (55.2 FG%), 2.8 RPG, 30.5 MPG
Contract standing: 2026 unrestricted free agent
If we had been basing the standards solely on the primary three video games of the season, Barnes wouldn’t be on this listing. In these three video games, Barnes shot 33% from the sector, 18% on 3s and scored a complete of 18 factors.
However over his previous 5 video games, Barnes is capturing 63% from the sector, 59% on 3s and is averaging 15.8 factors. He scored a season-high 24 factors in a win in opposition to Houston. He’s on tempo for a second straight season capturing greater than 50% from the sector, 40% on 3s and 80% from the free throw line.
The 33-year outdated is eligible to enroll to a four-year, $119.1 million extension with the Spurs.
2025-26: 16.8 PPG (67.3 FG%), 8 RPG, 30.2 MPG
Contract standing: 2026 participant possibility ($8.1 million)
After signing a four-year, $132.9 million most provide sheet with the Indiana Pacers — it was ultimately matched by the Phoenix Suns — Ayton was traded to the Portland Path Blazers previous to the beginning of the 2023-24 season. His $32.5 and $34 million wage the previous two seasons ranked within the top-five amongst all facilities.
However Ayton’s efficiency did not match these lofty contract numbers. He averaged a double-double in each seasons however noticed a drop in factors per sport and capturing proportion. The decline was a results of Ayton rating forty fifth final 12 months and 97th in 2023-24 in direct picks as a screener, in keeping with GeniusIQ monitoring. For comparability, Ayton ranked third in factors scored as a display screen setter in 2021-22 and 2022-23.
Ayton agreed to a buyout this offseason with Portland, decreasing the $35.5 million owed to him to $25.5 million. He would then signal a two-year $16.2 million contract with the Lakers. The $8.1 million wage this season ranks thirty fourth amongst all facilities.
With the Lakers, and subsequent to star guard Luka Doncic, Ayton extra resembles the participant we noticed in Phoenix, which chosen Ayton No. 1 in 2018 — two spots forward of Doncic.
Ayton now leads the NBA in on-ball screens this season, and the Lakers have generated 1.12 factors per direct decide when Ayton is the screener. That ranks eighth amongst all gamers, whereas his 66% discipline aim proportion is a profession excessive.
“I believe he has performed phenomenal all season,” Redick stated on Nov. 5. “He is had an outstanding begin to the 12 months. He has embraced his teammates. He has embraced his function. He is sacrificed, when it comes to simply being a screener and getting his guys open. He is discovering his spots. He is simply in a extremely snug rhythm proper now.”
That rediscovered rhythm, if it continues all through 2025-26, ought to lead to Ayton declining his participant choice to pursue a extra profitable deal within the offseason.