EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNBA stars have once again taken center stage during a busy offseason: LeBron James and Jaylen Brown became Philadelphia 76ers, Victor Wembanyama signed a blockbuster extension with the San Antonio Spurs and Giannis Antetokounmpo joined the Miami Heat.Though some players will don new uniforms next season, several free agents are still available. Players such as Jonathan Kuminga, Jalen Duren and James Harden remain in limbo while contract conversations remain in flux and potential suitors put the final touches on their teams.Our NBA insiders break down the nine most important players remaining in free agency, where they stand in their negotiations and what's impacting their signings.Jump to free agent:Restricted free agents | Unrestricted free agentsRestricted free agentsPeyton WatsonWatson, 23, remains one of the best players available, with one major caveat: He's a restricted free agent. The 6-foot-8 guard had his best pro season in 2025-26 in his fourth year in the league, averaging 14.6 points on 49.1% (41.1% from 3), with 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.1 blocks. A persistent hamstring issue limited him to just 54 games last season, however, and caused him to miss the postseason when the Denver Nuggets lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round.The question is whether Watson will continue to hold out to up the Nuggets' offer -- he is eligible to sign a five-year, $251 million extension, and his teammate, Christian Braun, signed a five-year, $125 million extension last October -- or if the Nuggets will focus on trading him. ESPN's Shams Charania reported in late July that Denver is open to sign-and-trade scenarios and would consider a compensation package built around one impact player and one future first-round pick, rather than holding out for the type of haul that the Utah Jazz received from the Los Angeles Lakers for Walker Kessler (two unprotected first-round picks, two first-round pick swaps).The LA Clippers have interest in Watson, sources told ESPN, however, it is unclear whether their pending Kawhi Leonard trade with the Toronto Raptors would affect a Watson pursuit. The Atlanta Hawks, who did not re-sign Jonathan Kuminga; the Milwaukee Bucks, who are in a franchise transition after trading Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat; and the Cleveland Cavaliers, who lost out on the LeBron James sweepstakes, are also "serious candidates" to land Watson, a league source familiar with the situation told ESPN. -- Dave McMenaminJalen DurenThe market for restricted free agents continues to be unforgiving for the second consecutive summer. The teams that entered free agency with cap room have used their space elsewhere, leaving no clear suitor to put significant pressure on the Detroit Pistons by offering Duren a max or near-max contract. The Pistons still have interest in retaining Duren and view the 22-year-old All-Star as a part of their future core, but the two sides remain at an impasse over the value of Duren's next contract after a stellar regular season but disappointing postseason.ESPN's Shams Charania reported last month that Duren could remain unsigned "well into August or September," mirroring the same stalemate Josh Giddey and Kuminga faced last summer before they eventually returned to the Chicago Bulls and Golden State Warriors, respectively. -- Jamal CollierBennedict MathurinMathurin played in 26 games for the Clippers and averaged 17.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.0 steals off the bench after his trade from Indiana. Though he showed flashes of his offensive potential, such as his 38-point explosion in his first game at Intuit Dome as a Clipper on Feb. 19 and his 7-for-11 shooting and 23 points in the play-in loss to the Warriors, Mathurin is one of the players finding restricted free agency difficult, with no deal yet.The wing, such as other restricted free agents, is hoping action will pick up now that James picked Philadelphia. The Clippers, who are still waiting to see what happens with the league investigation involving Leonard, are loaded with wings. If the Leonard trade goes through, Ty Lue would have Brandon Ingram, Rui Hachimura, Derrick Jones Jr., first-round pick Keaton Wagler and Gradey Dick looking to divvy up minutes at guard and forward. Mathurin is just 24 years old and can score. But he still needs to improve on defense and playmaking. The Clippers could entertain a sign-and-trade if it benefits them and adds more assets, such as either a young promising player, picks or both. -- Ohm YoungmisukUnrestricted free agentsJonathan KumingaIt has reached the second month of what has become a second consecutive prolonged Kuminga free agency process. The Lakers met with Kuminga in the early hours of free agency, pitching him on a high-minutes role for a high-profile fringe contender in desperate need of athletic help on the wing. The opportunity appealed to Kuminga, but the sign-and-trade contract offer (years, money, package going back to Atlanta) didn't satisfy all sides. The Lakers remain interested in him, league sources said, but movement toward a deal has remained stalled for weeks.That has left others still calling about Kuminga's availability on shorter-term deals that would get him back to free agency quicker. Two suitors -- the Cavaliers and Timberwolves -- have appealing cases because of their need for a wing in a contending environment. But there is yet to be an alluring enough offer for Kuminga to sign, so the summer waiting game rolls on for a second straight summer. -- Anthony SlaterJames HardenThe Cavs missed out on their biggest free agent target this summer, when James decided against a third reunion with Cleveland to join the Sixers, but Harden remains unsigned while the Cavs canvass the league for a way to pivot. Because the Cavs were over the second apron last year, they are limited in the ways they can add to their roster without reducing salary. Still, Harden is on track for a new multiyear deal to stay in Cleveland; he was in attendance when his All-Star teammate Donovan Mitchell got married earlier this month, and Harden and Mitchell's bond remains strong. -- CollierKevin LoveLove's agent, Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports Management, has been in touch with the Philadelphia 76ers' front office since James picked Philadelphia, sources told ESPN. Though the 6-foot-10 Love and James have remained close since teaming up for four seasons with the Cavaliers and even vacationed extensively together this summer, that bond doesn't necessarily mean there will be a roster spot for the former five-time All-Star by training camp.The Sixers are already at their 15-man capacity after signing another one of James' former teammates, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, to their last spot. And they already have two backup centers behind Joel Embiid in 23-year-old Adem Bona and 24-year-old Ariel Hukporti. Philly would need to make a move to accommodate the 38-year-old Love, who averaged 6.7 points and 5.8 rebounds while shooting 37.3% from 3 off the bench for the Jazz last season.Though Love has interest in pairing with James to pursue a championship, he has maintained a strong relationship with Jazz coach Will Hardy, serving as a veteran voice with that young group, sources said. Utah, however, also has a full roster. -- McMenaminDeMar DeRozanAs ESPN's Shams Charania reported recently, DeRozan has generated interest from the Heat, Nuggets, Cavaliers and Washington Wizards, serving as a high-profile name, proven scorer and durable option for several teams in need of offensive punch at a team-friendly price. His $25.7 million expiring contract was waived by the Sacramento Kings, but he received the $10 million guaranteed portion of that contract.DeRozan has almost exclusively started for the majority of his 17-year career. He came off the bench for 12 games as a rookie, but has started 1,252 of his 1,264 career regular-season games. The question at his next landing spot will be about his comfort level shifting into a possible bench role, depending on the current makeup of his next team. DeRozan turned 37 this week, but has been remarkably available in this advanced stage of his career, logging 76, 74, 79, 77 and 77 games, respectively, the past five seasons. -- SlaterRussell WestbrookWestbrook made it clear over the past calendar year that he had no intention of retiring after his 18th NBA season. So, he's still looking for the correct situation to continue his career. The Kings, his most recent team, remain open to a reunion, team sources said, but are also understanding that Westbrook might not be as interested in playing a reduced role behind prized rookie Darius Acuff Jr.Kings general manager Scott Perry admitted that Westbrook "outplayed" the minimum contract last season that Sacramento can offer. He started 58 games and averaged 15.2 points and 6.7 assists, serving as a valued mentor for the younger layer of Sacramento's roster. Westbrook clearly has no urgent timetable, similar to last summer, when he explored his options and didn't agree to join the Kings until training camp in early October. -- SlaterBradley BealBeal played in just six games for the Clippers last season after suffering a fracture in his left hip that required season-ending surgery. The veteran guard declined his $5.6 million player option to become a free agent. A team such as Miami would seem to be an ideal fit for Beal.After trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis, the Heat need as many veteran shooters as they can get to space the floor for Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo. Beal is a 37.6% 3-point shooter for his career, and Miami could desperately use that. Beal also could be another ball handler for the Heat, as well. After waiting on James and seeing him land in Philadelphia, the Heat are looking at filling their roster with more shooters and scorers, and Beal would be a nice fit. -- Youngmisuk
