The 2025 NBA free agency market is anticipated to have several significant names available.
So, without further ado, here are the 12 best NBA free agents in this offseason.
The list also includes the restricted free agents or players who have a player option and can, therefore, decide not to exercise it and become free agents.
Best available NBA free agents
1. Myles Turner (UFA, Indiana Pacers)
Myles Turner
Myles Turner
Credit USA TODAY Sports-Scanpix
Currently, Myles Turner earns just under $20 million and seeks a raise in his next contract.
The Pacers aim to retain him, but with $165 million already committed to 10 players – excluding Turner – and a projected luxury tax threshold of $188 million, re-signing him without exceeding the tax will be a significant challenge.
Indiana prefers to avoid paying the luxury tax next season and, for this reason, might sacrifice some players currently on the roster.
However, as few teams possess significant salary cap space, the Pacers may face less competition than expected in their efforts to keep Turner.
Myles Turner's stats in the 2024-25 regular season:
MIN 2P M/A 3P M/A FT M/A REB AS BS PTS GP
27:30 54.4%251/461 37.9%175/462 77.6%111/143 64.9/1.1 2.3 0.9 14.2 80
2. Naz Reid (PO, Timberwolves)
Naz Reid
Naz Reid
Credit AP - Scanpix
Last season's Sixth Man of the Year, Naz Reid, has been a key part of the Timberwolves' rotation for some time now.
Reid remains one of the most interesting and athletic big men in the NBA, and the Timberwolves would obviously like to keep him for the foreseeable future.
The player has a $15 million player option, but he will likely not exercise it. He aims to become one of the NBA's best free agents and sign a longer contract.
It is unlikely that Minnesota will let Reid slip through their fingers, but there will certainly be some competition.
Naz Reid's stats in the 2024-25 regular season:
MIN 2P M/A 3P M/A FT M/A REB AS BS PTS GP
27:30 54.4%251/461 37.9%175/462 77.6%111/143 64.9/1.1 2.3 0.9 14.2 80
3. Dennis Schroder (UFA, Detroit Pistons)
Dennis Schroder
Dennis Schroder
Credit Getty Images via AFP
After a very brief stint with the Golden State Warriors, Dennis Schroder has settled in very well with the Pistons as a point guard coming off the bench.
His combination of experience and unpredictability has made him the ideal player to improve Detroit's season.
The Pistons, despite having the lowest payroll, are surprising everyone and are currently in a playoff spot.
While Detroit would certainly have the funds to keep him, the German player's contract, worth a little over $13 million, is expiring, and he could become a highly sought-after player during the offseason.
Dennis Schroder's stats in the 2024-25 regular season:
MIN 2P M/A 3P M/A FT M/A REB AS ST PTS GP
28:04 45.8%209/456 34.2%127/371 83.8%181/216 2.62.3/0.4 5.4 0.9 13.1 75
4. Clint Capela (UFA, Atlanta Hawks)
Clint Capela
Clint Capela
Credit AP Photo/Mike Stewart - Scanpix
Clint Capela has been with the Atlanta Hawks since 2020, but his time with the Georgia franchise may be coming to an end.
The Swiss big man's contract is expiring, and its renewal does not seem to be a priority for the Hawks, who appear to be prioritizing the younger, more cost-effective Onyeka Okongwu.
This year, Capela earns about $22.2 million, but in all probability, his next contract will be for a slightly lower amount.
Nevertheless, even at 30, he remains a solid big man and a strong defensive presence.
Clint Capela's stats in the 2024-25 regular season:
MIN 2P M/A FT M/A REB AS ST BS PTS GP
21:23 56%218/389 53.6%52/97 8.55.4/3.2 1.1 0.6 0.9 8.9 55
5. Cam Thomas (RFA, Brooklyn Nets)
Cam Thomas
Cam Thomas
Credit AP - Scanpix
At just 23 years old, Cam Thomas has already established himself as one of the league's top scorers.
Despite being limited to 25 games this season due to injuries, he has still averaged 24 points per game. His offensive talent is indisputable, even if his limitations in the defensive half of the court are equally evident.
At the end of the season, Thomas will be a restricted free agent should the Nets decide to extend the qualifying offer of $5.9 million on his contract.
While Brooklyn will be one of the teams with the most available salary space and therefore have the resources to retain Thomas, it can't be ruled out that the Nets are not willing to spend too much on him, preferring to maintain greater flexibility.
Cam Thomas' stats in the 2024-25 regular season:
MIN 2P M/A 3P M/A FT M/A REB AS ST PTS GP
31:14 50.6%131/259 34.9%68/195 88.1%133/151 3.32.7/0.6 3.8 0.6 24 25
6. Josh Giddey (RFA, Chicago Bulls)
Josh Giddey
Josh Giddey
Credit Getty Images via AFP - Scanpix
The young Australian player quickly became a very important member of the Bulls.
Josh Giddey will probably never be a particularly effective scorer, but his court vision and his ability to set up his teammates are absolutely out of the ordinary.
The former OKC player will be a restricted free agent in the summer.
The Bulls don't like to overpay their free agents, so Giddey will probably need another team to come in with a hefty offer sheet if he wants to earn more money.
Josh Giddey's stats in the 2024-25 regular season:
MIN 2P M/A 3P M/A FT M/A REB AS ST PTS GP
30:14 51.2%266/520 37.8%105/278 78.1%175/224 8.16.3/1.8 7.2 1.2 14.6 70
7. Nickeil Alexander-Walker (UFA, Minnesota Timberwolves)
Nickeil Alexander-Walker
Nickeil Alexander-Walker
Credit AP-Scanpix
Joining the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2023, Alexander-Walker became a key part of the Timberwolves' rotation, thanks to his defensive strength on the perimeter and his ability to shoot well from three-point range.
A cousin of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nickeil will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.
The Timberwolves have his Bird rights and, therefore, can afford to retain him even at higher figures than expected.
However, it cannot be ruled out that one of the teams with more available salary space, such as the Nets, could enter the race by offering a figure that the Timberwolves are unwilling to match.
Alexander-Walker is also a potential perfect match for Luka on the Lakers.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker's stats in the 2024-25 regular season:
MIN 2P M/A 3P M/A FT M/A REB AS ST PTS GP
25:16 52.4%129/246 38.1%141/370 78%92/118 3.22.6/0.6 2.7 0.6 9.4 82
8. Guerschon Yabusele (UFA, Philadelphia 76ers)
Geurschon Yabusele
Geurschon Yabusele
Credit AP - Scanpix
The Sixers' season has been a real disaster, but one bright spot has been Guerschon Yabusele's impressive performance.
Arriving in the offseason as a frontcourt rotation player, the former Real Madrid forward quickly became one of the Sixers' most effective contributors.
With injuries sidelining Embiid and Drummond, he ended up playing far more minutes than initially expected.
While there will be plenty of suitors for Yabusele in the summer and his salary is bound to rise, Philadelphia would like to keep him, but their already overloaded salary situation might prevent them from doing so.
Geurschon Yabusele's stats in the 2024-25 regular season:
MIN 2P M/A 3P M/A FT M/A REB AS ST PTS GP
27:05 61.6%178/289 38%104/274 72.5%100/138 5.63.7/1.9 2.1 0.8 11 70
9. James Harden (PO, Los Angeles Clippers)
James Harden
James Harden
Credit IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect - Scanpix
After Paul George left in the summer, not many people thought that the Clippers could maintain their high level of performance, especially considering Kawhi Leonard's physical problems.
The Los Angeles team, on the other hand, is having a high-level season thanks in part to the excellent performances of James Harden, who is becoming increasingly important for the Clippers, especially thanks to his playmaking abilities.
The former Houston Rockets and Philadelphia 76ers guard has an option for $36.3 million for next season and is unlikely to exercise it in order to sign a longer contract of at least two years.
If Harden declines his player option, he will be one of the best remaining NBA free agents on the market. The Clippers, for their part, are ready to do whatever it takes to keep him in Los Angeles.
James Harden's stats in the 2024-25 regular season:
MIN 2P M/A 3P M/A FT M/A REB AS ST PTS GP
35:18 47.2%296/627 35.2%235/668 87.4%505/578 5.85.1/0.7 8.7 1.5 22.8 79
10. LeBron James (PO, Los Angeles Lakers)
LeBron James
LeBron James
Credit Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Now, the future of 40-year-old LeBron James is something that needs to be re-evaluated from season to season.
Despite being the oldest player in the NBA, LeBron is still a key player for the Lakers and one of the best in the league.
Looking ahead to next season, James has a player option worth $52.6 million.
The feeling is that he can play at least one more season and, therefore, may decide not to exercise the player option and sign a new 1+1 contract. This could guarantee him the opportunity to fight for the title again, especially after the arrival of Doncic.
At least for now, it seems unlikely that he will leave Los Angeles, also considering the presence of his son Bronny.
LeBron James' stats in the 2024-25 regular season:
MIN 2P M/A 3P M/A FT M/A REB AS ST PTS GP
34:55 57.4%502/874 37.6%149/396 78.2%259/331 7.86.8/1 8.2 1 24.4 70
The decisions of these best remaining NBA free agents could shape the landscape of the league for the upcoming seasons.
Check out the other NBA free agency lists:
Orazio Cauchi
Orazio Cauchi started his career in basketball at 21, having worked for several years at Sportando as the lead writer of the website. He also covered several live events, including the Euroleague Final Four, Italian Cups, Serie A league finals, and EuroBasket. He also contributed to American media, such as LibertyBallers and Def Pen Hoops. Cauchi joined BasketNews in 2021 as a Staff Writer. Holds a degree in Politics & International Relations.
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