It’s been 15 years since LeBron James made one of the biggest moves in NBA free agency, broadcasting his decision to go from the Cavs to the Heat. That was a different era of the league, where teams kept their books clean in the hopes of luring multiple big fish.
Free agency hasn’t worked that way in recent years. Consider that Paul George, DeMar DeRozan, and Klay Thompson were probably the biggest names to switch teams last summer. And it took complicated multi-team sign-and-trades to get DeRozan and Thompson to their new teams.
This summer is going to be even more underwhelming. It’s a good year to pick up role players or solid starters, but most of the game-changers are going to re-sign with their own team or have already come to terms on contract extensions during the season.
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Only the Nets have significant cap space to lure an opposing free agent away. Most other teams will be restricted to the $14.9 million mid-level exception or less. If you want your team to make big changes, it will have to through sign-and-trades or more conventional trades.
MORE: SN’s latest 2-round NBA Mock Draft
Here are the best options in a free agent class that is weak up top but does have good depth throughout.
Ranking the top 30 NBA free agents in 2024
All-Stars who aren’t going anywhere
1. LeBron James, Lakers | Status: Player option
LeBron is in the same situation that he was in last season, where he had the choice to opt into the final year of his contract or renegotiate a new one. He chose to take a little bit off his maximum, signing a one year deal with a player option in the second year that also gave him a no-trade clause.
He will almost certainly do the same thing this summer, although early reports indicate that he is not willing to take a pay cut again.
MORE: LeBron James contract option, explained: How opt-in impacts Lakers
2. James Harden, Clippers | Status: Player option
Harden has a $36.3 million player option that he will probably decline. He was an All-Star last season and carried a Clipper offense that needs him badly to return next year. He’s still capable of creating a decent shot any time and one of the better passers in the league.
Look for him to re-sign with the Clippers on a two or three-year deal.
3. Kyrie Irving, Mavericks | Status: Player option
Irving has a $44.0 million player option next season. He will likely sit out the entire year as he rehabs from his torn ACL.
He could take that money and become a free agent in the summer of 2026, but the more likely option is that the Mavericks renegotiate that contract to keep him for a few more years at a lower number. He was fantastic for the team before suffering that injury.
High-end starters
4. Julius Randle, Timberwolves | Status: Player option
Randle had a nice regular season and overcame his reputation as a poor playoff performer during the first two rounds of the playoffs, showing that his bully ball style still works in the right matchups. He was one of the team’s best passers before facing troubling against the Thunder’s swarming defense.
Randle might be the best free agent to switch teams. The Wolves could still use his scoring, but they have a good replacement in Naz Reid who they will also have to make a decision on.
5. Naz Reid, Timberwolves | Status: Player option
Reid has a $15 million player option. That’s an underpay for his level of production, but there aren’t many teams out there who can give him a raise. He may extend in Minnesota or try to find a sign-and-trade suitor somewhere else.
6. Fred VanVleet, Rockets | Status: Team option
VanVleet’s stats don’t jump off the page, but his teams always seem to play better with him. He’s a good facilitator and willing shooter, and he’s one of the toughest defenders at the guard position.
VanVleet has a $44.9 million team option that is an overpay for his level of production, but the Rockets could use that option to create a potential trade chip for matching expiring salary. They could also try and extend him.
Given how vital he was to the Rockets last year, they will probably either try to re-sign him or use him in a trade to bring in a better player.
7. Myles Turner, Pacers | Status: Unrestricted free agent
Turner has been in trade rumors for seemingly forever. He’s probably staying in Indiana now. They don’t have cap space to go out and replace him if he walks. He’s not quite the defender that he used to be, but shot-blocking centers who can stretch out to 3 are a rare commodity. He’s a good fit in their offense.
8. Josh Giddey, Bulls Status: Restricted free agent
Giddey played well for the Bulls to close the season, and they gave up a lot in Alex Caruso to get him only a year ago. He’s almost certainly re-signing with Chicago. The question is at what price. Expect him to get $25-30 million annually.
Starters / Rotation players
9. . Quentin Grimes, Sixers | Status: Restricted free agent
Grimes was one of the few bright spots for the Sixers last season, coming in via trade and becoming one of their best two-way players. He averaged a stunning 21.9 points per game in his 28 appearances after the trade deadline.
Grimes’ role will scale down with the return of Joel Embiid and Paul George. Is he capable of that March production throughout an entire year? He’s the type of player that the Nets might go after and force Philadelphia to match any deal that he gets.
10. Dorian Finney-Smith, Lakers | Status: Player option
Finney-Smith was crucially important to the Lakers defense after being acquired at the trade deadline. He has experience playing with Luka Doncic through their Mavericks days and was one of JJ Redick’s favorite teammates in Dallas. The Lakers aren’t going to let him go.
Finney-Smith has a $15.4 million player option. He could either opt into that or pursue a multi-year deal with Los Angeles at a similar annual average value.
11. Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Timberwolves | Status: Unrestricted free agent
12. Jonathan Kuminga, Warriors | Status: Restricted free agent
MORE: Jonathan Kuminga contract prediction: Where he could go, and possible sign-and-trades
13. Santi Aldama, Grizzlies | Status: Restricted free agent
14. Cam Thomas, Nets | Status: Restricted free agent
15. Malik Beasley, Pistons | Status: Unrestricted free agent
16. Keon Ellis, Kings | Status: Restricted free agent
17. John Collins, Jazz | Status: Player option
18. Brook Lopez, Bucks | Status: Unrestricted free agent
19. Al Horford, Celtics | Status: Unrestricted free agent
20. Chris Paul, Spurs | Status: Unrestricted free agent
21. Khris Middleton, Wizards | Status: Player option
22. Kelly Oubre, Sixers | Status: Player option
23. D’Angelo Russell, Nets | Status: Unrestricted free agent
24. Bobby Portis, Bucks | Status: Player option
25. Caris LeVert, Hawks | Status: Unrestricted free agent
26. Clint Capela, Hawks | Status: Unrestricted free agent
27. Ben Simmons, Clippers | Status: Unrestricted free agent
28. Tyus Jones, Suns | Status: Unrestricted free agent
29. Malcolm Brogdon, Wizards | Status: Unrestricted free agent
30. Ty Jerome, Cavaliers | Status: Unrestricted free agent
Best of the rest: Tre Jones, Kevin Porter Jr, Bruce Brown, Duncan Robinson, Gary Trent Jr., Luke Kennard, Dennis Schroder, Russell Westbrook, Luke Kornet, Jake LaRavia
