Plenty of free agents have already signed new contracts, but some intriguing players are still available.
Let’s take a look at the best players still on the market.
1. LEBRON JAMES
LeBron James has opted out of the final year of his contract with the Lakers, meaning he is technically a free agent.
But with the Lakers signing his buddy JJ Redick as their head coach, while also drafting his son Bronny, no one actually thinks LeBron is leaving LA this offseason.
James could even take a pay cut if it allows the Lakers to sign a big-name free agent, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. After missing out on Klay Thompson, DeMar DeRozan is the Lakers’ last remaining option if they want to make a major free agency splash this summer.
Otherwise, James is expected to sign the maximum three-year, $162 million deal that he is eligible for.
2. DEMAR DEROZAN
DeMar DeRozan’s days in Chicago are over, according to The Chicago Sun Times’ Joe Cowley.
Cowley reports that the Bulls trading Alex Caruso for Josh Giddey was the “final straw” for DeRozan.
The Lakers will undoubtedly be an intriguing option for the LA native, who has long been linked to his hometown team.
Whether the Lakers can get a deal across the line is another story.
3. MILES BRIDGES
Miles Bridges sat out the whole 2022-23 season after pleading no contest to felony domestic violence charges in November 2022.
After missing the first 10 games of 2023-24 through a suspension from the NBA, Bridges returned to the court after opting into his $7.9 million qualifying offer as a restricted free agent. That means he enters this offseason as an unrestricted free agent.
The Hornets have previously had no issue employing Bridges despite his past, but it will be interesting to see whether some other teams have reservations about making him an offer.
MORE FREE AGENTS
4. TYUS JONES
5. GARY TRENT JR.
6. CALEB MARTIN
7. BUDDY HIELD
8. ISAAC OKORO
9. SIMONE FONTECCHIO
10. LUKE KENNARD
