While most of the top free agents of the summer class of 2025 have either re-signed or joined new teams, there are still some potential impact role players on the market outside of the well-reported restricted free agent group.
Al Horford, Russell Westbrook and Amir Coffey sit atop Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report‘s list of best-available low-cost free agents. Horford has been heavily linked to the Warriors (as have Pincus’s fifth- and sixth-ranked free agents in Gary Payton II and De’Anthony Melton) and reporting has strongly suggested he’ll ultimately end up there once the Jonathan Kuminga situation is resolved.
Westbrook and the Kings have been frequently connected too, but reporting has suggested Sacramento might not have a spot for the former MVP if Malik Monk and/or Devin Carter aren’t traded, so it’s unclear where Westbrook would end up if the Kings decide they don’t have room in their backcourt.
As for Coffey and Pincus’s No. 4-ranked player Ben Simmons, there have been fewer definitive reports linking them to one team or another. Simmons has been connected to the Kings, Suns, Knicks and Celtics, but there hasn’t been much media traction involving Coffey.
We have more from around the basketball world:
- Ahead of the 2025/26 collegiate season, the 2026 NBA draft class looks top-heavy, with three players in A.J. Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer and Darryn Peterson who are in contention to be selected No. 1 overall, Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report writes. Karim Lopez of the NBL’s New Zealand Breakers is Wasserman’s highest-ranked international prospect in the August update of his top-50 list, while Jayden Quaintance of Kentucky is the highest-ranked returning player (No. 4 overall) after he started 24 games for Arizona State in his age-17 season.
- Looking ahead to next offseason, ESPN’s Bobby Marks details the headlines that should dominate the news cycle, including the futures of LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo. James will be an unrestricted free agent next year, and it’s unclear whether he will finish his career with the Lakers. Meanwhile, Curry, Jokic and Antetokounmpo could all be free agents in 2027 if they don’t sign extensions before then.
- One year removed from the 2024 draft, Sam Vecenie of The Athletic re-drafted his top 20 from last year’s rookies. Zaccharie Risacher had a strong rookie season, but slipped from No. 1 to 2 in Vecenie’s re-draft, with 2024/25 Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle overtaking him for the top slot. Jared McCain (from No. 16 to No. 3) and Jaylen Wells (from No. 39 to No. 9) are the biggest risers in the top 10, while Ajay Mitchell jumped from No. 38 to No. 12.
I can see the Lakers letting LeBron walk and signing Joker. Curry isn’t going anywhere and for Giannis I could see him in either Philly or Brooklyn. Possible Knicks move if they don’t progress this year, but it would be a sign and trade.
Both Jokic and Giannis didn’t sign extensions. Both are keeping their options open. In the 2026 offseason they will be under contract for one more year before their player option which means they pretty much can control where they go, and their new team won’t have to give up a huge return to get them, giving their new teams a much better chance of being legit contenders.
Jokic to Lakers and Giannis to the Knicks. Giannis has already said that he wants to see the best European players in large markets and he seems to have an affinity for NYC. If not, then Giannis could want to come to the Lakers.
Dreaming….Lakers fans are adorable.
When you have had lots of success in your life, it is realistic to think (dream) big. When you have chit happen to you all your life, like the experience of most NBA teams, it is hard to think (dream) big!
He moved to NY. They’d still need a sign and trade.
LBJ should save some of his Dr Seuss quotes for next summer
Don’t use all the good ones up this year guy, your bluffs already been called down and they don’t have any reach today
“Horford has been heavily linked to the Warriors (as have Pincus’s fifth- and sixth-ranked free agents in Gary Payton II and De’Anthony Melton) and reporting has strongly suggested they’ll ultimately end up there once the Jonathan Kuminga situation is resolved.”
And this is why the Warriors want Kuminga on his QO.
Gee are we all finally catching up ……. brilliant
There are stories every day why Ben is coming to NY. And why Ben is a bad choice for NY. Just never ends in NY. Probably still more rumors about Giannis coming NY than Ben coming here.
If Knicks are going with Towns. Then I would like to see them add a D 4 to start next to him. Like Jonathan Issac. 24 mins a game and Hart can still get his 30 mins. They can use Mitch and McBride in a three way. Then we can sign Ben, Westbrook, and Shamet.
Towns D has to be addressed. And starting Mitch is not the Answer. Mitch is a trade chip. He’s a FA next year. And Hukporti is ready to be the backup.
Jaylen Wells is why Memphis moved Bane. He is an excellent 2way prospect with size at the SG (2-3). Just a great pick. Shows how NBA teams with all the money they spend on scouting. Still mess it up every year. Jalen went in 2nd rd at 39. Just insane lols.
Then they drafted Cedric Coward this year at #11. Another 2way prospect who got better every year in college. A 2-3 wing who can shoot. And should be a good fit in Memphis. Plus they also added KCP under contract for two years. Grizz got younger and deeper.
I thought Wells couldn’t guard his shadow and still wasn’t the worst starter defensively for Memphis. They traded a class act like Bane because of him ? Coward and KCP will have the opportunity to thrive next year.