The legal tampering period for NBA Free Agency open tomorrow at 6 PM EST. This of course means we're only a day away from getting some answers to burning questions like "Will LeBron James go back to the Lakers, sign with the Warriors or retire?", "Where will Norman Powell land now that the Heat can't afford to re-sign him following the Giannis trade"? and "How much will the Cavs overpay James Harden?". Here are the 10 players that I believe are the top prizes available in the 2026 Free Agency Class.
10.Anfernee Simons, point/shooting guard (2025-26 teams: Boston Celtics/Chicago Bulls):
Whether Simons can return to the starting role he had with the Blazers or will remain in the 6th man role he thrived in during his stint with the Celtics last season is unclear at this juncture. What isn't up for debate is that Simons is an electrifying offensive player who is capable of getting stupid hot from the field and completely taking over games. That rare scoring ability should give him a pretty sizable market among contenders and non-contenders alike.
9.Neemias Queta, center (2025-26 team: Boston Celtics):
Queta was kind of a revelation for the Celtics last season as he seamlessly made the leap from a bottom of the rotation player who didn't even see the floor every night to impactful starting center. While his limited offensive range along with the consistent foul trouble he got into during the C's historic playoff collapse against 76ers could limit how much he gets paid on his new deal, there's no question that he's due for a big raise from the $2.3 mil he made last season.
8.Rui Hachimura, power forward (2025-26 team: Los Angeles Lakers):
Since he was traded to the Lakers from the Wizards in early 2023, Hachimura has blossomed into a solid role player. He's athletic enough to make strong drives to the basket and handle quick switches on defense while his outside shooting is downright lethal as he's finished shooting over 40% from deep in 3 straight seasons. With the Lakers already committing a bunch of money to Austin Reaves this offseason, Hachimura may be a cap casualty in LA-which would be great news for other potential contending teams that are in need of a versatile two-way wing who is quietly one of the best 3-point shooters in the league.
7.Tobias Harris, small/power forward (2025-26 team: Detroit Pistons):
Returning to the Pistons absolutely rehabbed Harris' image after his disastrous stint with the 76ers as he quickly emerged as a steady, stabilizing force on a young team who could be counted on to put-up double-digit points, a steal or two and 5-8 rebounds every night. Just how valuable he was to the Pistons make him a strong candidate to return there, but his proven leadership and reliably solid play would be welcomed on any team that is looking to add a quality veteran forward to their roster.
6.Lu Dort, shooting guard/small forward (2025-26 team: Oklahoma City Thunder):
The Thunder are currently facing the same conundrum the Celtics did last offseason as they're now paying the price for running it back with their expensive roster after winning a title and failing to repeat. Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins have already been traded and there will inevitably be more moves to come. With Isaiah Hartenstein reportedly set to re-sign with the team on a 3 year/$75 mil deal, Dort-who has spent the first 7 seasons of his career with the Thunder-could be the next luxury tax sacrifice. Dort is one of the most suffocating perimeter defenders in the league and having someone like him come in set the tone on that end of the floor could completely transform a team overnight.
5.Walker Kessler, center (2025-26 team: Utah Jazz):
Kessler is a throwback to a different era as he's a 7'2 center who pretty much exclusively plays around the rim. Personally, I'd be a little hesitant to give a guy who's already had some issues with durability during his first few years in the league (most notably, he suffered a torn labrum 5 games into the 2025-26 season) a long-term deal, but he's a double double machine and elite shot blocker, so he'll have no problem getting the big payday he's seeking.
4.LeBron James, small forward (2025-26 team: Los Angeles Lakers):
The question here is how much longer can James continue to outrun Father Time. He'll be 42 in December and for the first time in his remarkable career, did show some signs of slowing down in 2025-26 as he had his lowest scoring output since his rookie year in 2003-04 (20.9 PPG) and missed 22 games with injury (14 of which were at the start of the season as he battled through sciatica). That being said, he does appear to have enough gas left in the tank to remain effective if he decides to return for a 24th NBA season and could contribute to a title run if he has a strong enough supporting cast around him.
3.James Harden, point/shooting guard (2025-26 teams: Los Angeles Clippers/Cleveland Cavaliers):
The Cavaliers are the latest team to fall under the spell of Harden. While it certainly won't bring them another title, Harden's tremendous facilitation skills and continued ability to score 20+ points in every regular season game he appears in makes him a great complement to Donovan Mitchell.
2.Norman Powell, shooting guard (2025-26 team: Miami Heat):
Powell has put together the 2 best seasons of his career with 2 different teams (Clippers, Heat) over the past 2 seasons. The bad news for him is that he just turned 33 and had the final months of his 2025-26 campaign derailed by a lingering groin injury, which likely means there will be a limit to just how much he'll be able to cash in on his recent success. Look for him to sign a lucrative short-term deal with a contending team that is willing to overlook his defensive deficiencies in order to land an efficient multi-level scorer.
1.Jalen Duren, center (2025-26 team: Detroit Pistons):
Not even the ill-timed playoff disappearing act Duren pulled this season could put a damper on the size of his market. Duren was a force of nature at the center spot for the Pistons during the regular season (19.5 PPG, 10.5 RPG, .650 FG%, .747 FT%, 0.8 SPG, 0.8 BPG, 2.0 APG, which was good enough to earn him his first All-Star and All-NBA bids) and at just 22 going on 23, his best basketball is still in front of him.
Other Notable Players Available:
Andre Drummond, center (2025-26 team: Philadelphia 76ers)
Andrew Wiggins, small forward (2025-26 team: Miami Heat)
Bennedict Mathurin, shooting guard/small forward (2025-26 teams: Indiana Pacers/Los Angeles Clippers)
Bogdan Bogdanovic, shooting guard (2025-26 team: Los Angeles Clippers)
Bones Hyland, point/shooting guard (2025-26 team: Minnesota Timberwolves)
Bradley Beal, shooting guard (2025-26 team: Los Angeles Clippers)
Brandon Williams, point/shooting guard (2025-26 team: Dallas Mavericks)
Brook Lopez, center (2025-26 team: Los Angeles Clippers)
Bruce Brown, shooting guard (2025-26 team: Denver Nuggets)
Cam Thomas, shooting guard (2025-26 team: Brooklyn Nets/Milwaukee Bucks)
Collin Sexton, point/shooting guard (2025-26 teams: Charlotte Hornets/Chicago Bulls)
Daniss Jenkins, point guard (2025-26 team: Detroit Pistons)
De'Anthony Melton, point/shooting guard (2025-26 team: Golden State Warriors)
Dean Wade, small/power forward (2025-26 team: Cleveland Cavaliers)
Dominick Barlow, power forward/center (2025-26 team: Philadelphia 76ers)
Draymond Green, power forward (2025-26 team: Golden State Warriors)
Gary Payton II, shooting guard (2025-26 team: Golden State Warriors)
GG Jackson, small/power forward (2025-26: Memphis Grizzlies)
Guerschon Yabusele, power forward (2025-26 team: New York Knicks/Chicago Bulls)
Harrison Barnes, small/power forward (2025-26 team: San Antonio Spurs)
Javonte Green, shooting guard (2025-26 team: Detroit Pistons)
Jaxson Hayes, center (2025-26 team: Los Angeles Lakers)
Jeremy Sochan, small/power forward (2025-26 team: San Antonio Spurs/New York Knicks)
Jock Landale, center (2025-26 teams: Memphis Grizzlies/Atlanta Hawks)
John Collins, power forward (2025-26 team: Los Angeles Clippers)
Jonathan Kuminga, small/power forward (2025-26 teams: Golden State Warriors/Atlanta Hawks)
Jordan Clarkson, point/shooting guard (2025-26 team: New York Knicks)
Jordan Miller, small forward (2025-26 team: Los Angeles Clipper)
Jordan Walsh, small/power forward (2025-26 team: Boston Celtics)
Julian Champagnie, small forward (2025-26 team: San Antonio Spurs)
Jusuf Nurkic, center (2025-26 team: Utah Jazz)
Kelly Olynyk, power forward/center (2025-26 team: San Antonio Spurs)
Kelly Oubre Jr., shooting guard/small forward (2025-26 team: Philadelphia 76ers)
Kenrich Williams, power forward (2025-26 team: Oklahoma City Thunder)
Keon Ellis, shooting guard (2025-26 team: Sacramento Kings/Cleveland Cavaliers)
Kevin Huerter, shooting guard (2025-26 teams: Chicago Bulls/Detroit Pistons)
Khris Middleton, shooting guard/small forward (2025-26 teams: Washington Wizards/Dallas Mavericks)
Kristaps Porzingis, power forward/center (2025-26 teams: Atlanta Hawks/Golden State Warriors)
Kyle Anderson, small/power forward (2025-26 teams: Utah Jazz/Memphis Grizzlies/Minnesota Timberwolves)
Landry Shamet, shooting guard (2025-26 team: New York Knicks)
Luke Kennard, shooting guard (2025-26 teams: Atlanta Hawks/Los Angeles Lakers)
Marcus Smart, point/shooting guard (2025-26 team: Los Angeles Lakers)
Marvin Bagley III, power forward (2025-26 team: Dallas Mavericks)
Mitchell Robinson, center (2025-26 team: New York Knicks)
Mo Wagner, power forward/center (2025-26 team: Orlando Magic)
Nick Richards, center (2025-26 teams: Phoenix Suns/Chicago Bulls)
Nikola Vucevic, center (2025-26 teams: Chicago Bulls/Boston Celtics)
Peyton Watson, small forward (2025-26 team: Denver Nuggets)
Quentin Grimes, shooting guard/small forward (2025-26 team: Philadelphia 76ers)
Robert Williams III, center (2025-26 team: Portland Trail Blazers)
Russell Westbrook, point guard (2025-26 team: Sacramento Kings)
Ryan Nembhard, point guard (2025-26 team: Dallas Mavericks)
Sandro Mamukelashvili, center (2025-26
team: Toronto Raptors)
Tari Eason, small/power forward (2025-26 team: Houston Rockets)
Tim Hardaway Jr., shooting guard (2025-26 team: Denver Nuggets)
Tyus Jones, point/shooting guard (2025-26 teams: Orlando Magic/Dallas Mavericks/Denver Nuggets)
Ziaire Williams, small/power forward (2025-26 team: Brooklyn Nets)
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