The 2025 class isn’t the flashiest, but the first two days of free agency have been complete with activity. Heading into Day 3, several notable players still need a new NBA home.
Through the first two days, the richest contract signed by a player joining a new franchise is Myles Turner’s four-year, $107 million deal with the Bucks. Elsewhere, Nickeil Alexander-Walker’s deal to join the Hawks, Dorian Finney-Smith’s contract with the Rockets, and Luke Kornet’s deal with the Spurs are among the most lucrative.
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A new name unexpectedly joined the free agency class as the Bucks waived All-Star guard Damian Lillard to facilitate Turner’s signing. And while Lillard will spend the upcoming season recovering from a torn Achilles tendon, he has the highest pedigree among available players.
Here is where things stand ahead of the third day of free agency.
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Best NBA free agents still available
Damian Lillard, Bucks | Status: Unrestricted free agent
Tuesday, Lillard was waived by the Bucks, with the remainder of his $113 million salary set to be paid out over the next five years. He’s a surprise addition to the free agency class, but it is worth noting that Lillard will likely miss the entirety of the 2025-26 season while rehabbing after surgery to repair a torn left Achilles tendon.
Still, Lillard is the most talented player available, and there will be a team willing to make a relatively bigger investment in the soon-to-be 35-year-old.
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Josh Giddey, Bulls | Status: Restricted free agent
Giddey is a restricted free agent, and all signs indicate that he will re-sign with Chicago, meaning it is a matter of when, not if. Still, there is much to be determined on the financial component for the 22-year-old, who averaged 14.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game in his first season with the Bulls.
If there’s a hang-up on the money side, negotiations could get interesting.
Quentin Grimes, 76ers | Status: Restricted free agent
Philadelphia’s looking to return to full health in 2025-26, but its injury woes afforded Grimes a unique opportunity to average 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists over his 28 appearances with the team.
Will another team bid to give Grimes a similar role? Or will Philadelphia ensure he stays there in a different capacity?
Jonathan Kuminga, Warriors | Status: Restricted free agent
Kuminga fell out of Steve Kerr’s rotation in Golden State, but his status as a restricted free agent allows the Warriors to match whatever contract offer he is given from another franchise.
Conversely, Golden State has leverage in negotiations and could broker a sign-and-trade agreement to receive value in return, should Kuminga’s time in the Bay Area be up.
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Cam Thomas, Nets | Status: Restricted free agent
One of the game’s most impressive scorers, Thomas averaged 24.0 points per game in 2024-25 but was limited to just 23 games due to injury. Brooklyn is retooling this offseason and has acquired a bevy of ball-dominant players, including a trio of guards selected in the 2025 NBA Draft.
News on the Thomas front has been relatively quiet, but the direction the Nets choose will be fascinating.
Malik Beasley, Pistons | Status: Unrestricted free agent
Beasley is coming off a career year from beyond the arc but is currently the subject of a federal investigation into sports betting activity. He brings extreme value as a sharpshooter, but there may be no developments on the free agency front until he is absolved of any wrongdoing.
MORE: Latest details on gambling investigation into Malik Beasley
Al Horford, Celtics | Status: Unrestricted free agent
18 seasons in, Horford can still be one of the more impactful veterans in the right limited role. Last season, the 39-year-old averaged 9.0 points and 6.2 rebounds over 60 games (42 starts), but the Celtics are unlikely to contend for a title in 2025-26, and it is unclear if Horford wants to spend his 19th season with a franchise in a gap year of sorts.
Deandre Ayton, Trail Blazers | Status: Unrestricted free agent
Ayton clears waivers on Wednesday after receiving a buyout from the Trail Blazers ahead of the free agency period. The former No. 1 overall pick will be 27 this upcoming season.
Despite some perceived effort issues, he is averaging a double-double through the first seven years of his career and can be a positive asset in the right situation.
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Chris Paul, Spurs | Status: Unrestricted free agent
The future Hall of Famer appears poised to return for a 21st season in the league after appearing in all 82 games at age 39. He’s not just hanging around, either — Paul averaged 8.8 points and 7.4 assists per game while standing in as a full-time starter for San Antonio last season.
Reports indicate Paul wants to return closer to his family in Los Angeles and the Clippers and Suns appear to be his most likely landing spots.
Ben Simmons, Clippers | Status: Unrestricted free agent
Last year was strange for Simmons, who appeared in 51 games after injuries limited him to 57 total games from 2021 to 2024.
He began the season with the Nets before a buyout led him to the Clippers, where he averaged 2.9 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 18 regular-season games. Simmons appeared in five of LA’s seven playoff games in a limited role and will look to rejuvenate his career at his next stop.
Malcolm Brogdon, Wizards | Status: Unrestricted free agent
Brogdon is a heady veteran point guard entering his 10th NBA season, but availability is the biggest question mark. He’s appeared in 63 games over the past two seasons, though his averages of 14.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 5.0 assists in that span are more than solid.
He could be a valuable addition for a team in need of guard depth that can also manage his role to prevent the risk of injury.
