This 2026 NBA offseason has all the makings of being one for the ages, and we are now about to enter the free agency period. It will begin at 6 p.m. ET on Tuesday, but while a host of big names are hitting the market, some have already been secured by their teams.
Here we take a look at all the moves that will reportedly become official once free agency begins, as well as at the status of various team and player options.
– Harrison Barnes: 1-year, $8M (Spurs)
– Kristaps Porzingis: 2-year, $40M (Warriors)
– Kevin Huerter: 3-year, $27M (Pistons)
– Jusuf Nurkic: 2-year, $22M (Jazz)
– Julian Champagnie: 3-year, $45M (Spurs)
– Landry Shamet: 4-year, $24M (Knicks)
– Lu Dort: $17.7M Team Option accepted (Thunder)
– Brook Lopez: $9.2M Team Option accepted (Clippers)
– Jonathan Kuminga: $24.3M Team Option declined (Hawks)
– Bradley Beal: $5.6M Player Option declined (Clippers)
– Thomas Bryant: undisclosed 1-year deal (Cavaliers)
– Pat Connaughton: $3.8M Team Option accepted (Hornets)
– Marcus Smart: $5.4M Player Option declined (Lakers)
– Ryan Nembhard: $2.3M Team Option accepted (Mavericks)
– Andrew Wiggins: 3-year, $64M (Heat)
– Dominick Barlow: $3.4M Team Option accepted (76ers)
– Trayce Jackson-Davis: $2.4M Team Option accepted (Raptors)
– Malachi Smith: $2.2M Team Option accepted (Nets)
– Deandre Ayton: $8.1M Player Option accepted (Lakers)
– Day’Ron Sharpe: 2-year, $20M (Nets)
– Josh Minott: 2-year, $9M (Nets)
– Sandro Mamukelashvili: $2.8M Player Option declined (Raptors)
– Draymond Green: $27.7M Player Option declined (Warriors)
– Zach LaVine: $49M Player Option accepted (Kings)
– James Harden: $42.3M Player Option declined (Cavaliers)
– Fred VanVleet: $25M Player Option accepted (Rockets)
– Jose Alvarado: 3-year, $14M+ (Knicks)
– Isaiah Hartensteon: 3-year, $75M (Thunder)
– Coby White: 3-year, $74M (Hornets)
– Mark Williams: 3-year, $38M (Suns)
– Al Horford: 2-year, $14M (Warriors)
– Austin Reaves: 4-year, $185M (Lakers)
– Ayo Dosunmu: 5-year, $112M (Timberwolves)
– Trae Young: 4-year, $212M (Wizards)
– CJ McCollum: 1-year, $21M (Hawks)
– Jordan Goodwin: 3-year, $19M (Suns)
– Collin Gillespie: 4-year, $48M (Suns)
– D’Angelo Russell: $6M Player Option accepted (Wizards)
The Los Angeles Lakers have made the second-biggest financial commitment so far by keeping Austin Reaves on a max contract. Reaves wasn’t their only big free agent this summer, though, with LeBron James set to hit the market. As for what’s going to happen on that front, The Athletic’s Dan Woike reports there is still no clarity.
“The Lakers, for their part, are saying almost nothing. No one has offered real hints, according to league sources, about the plans for LeBron James — even to players currently on the roster.”
James is 41 years old, but remains productive on the court. He averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game for the Lakers in 2025-26.
Earlier this month, James’ agent, Rich Paul, had claimed that 10-12 teams were interested in his client. The Golden State Warriors are definitely one of them, and Draymond Green declining that option gives them flexibility to go after the 22-time All-Star. It will be interesting to see where James ends up.
As for other notable free agents, James Harden has declined that player option, but The Athletic’s Joe Vardon reports he is expected to re-sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers on a longer-term deal. This would give Harden more guaranteed money and the Cavaliers more flexibility.
While that partnership looks set to continue, the same can’t be said about Norman Powell and the Miami Heat. HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto reports there is a growing sense around the NBA that Powell won’t return to the Heat. The Chicago Bulls are among the teams expected to pursue the veteran guard, who became an All-Star for the first time in his career in 2026.
Another player who became an All-Star for the first time this year is Jalen Duren. Duren and Walker Kessler are the best centers on the market, but they are both restricted free agents. They’re both reportedly not happy with the contracts their teams have put on the table.
Duren is set to meet with the Lakers and the Sacramento Kings, as he and the Detroit Pistons are far apart in negotiations. The Lakers are also believed to be one of the three teams that have secured a meeting with Kessler, who was said to have turned down a five-year, $140 million deal from the Utah Jazz.
It will be fascinating to see how these situations and the rest pan out. Expect a whole lot of movement over the coming days.
