Key Takeaways
- The 2025 NBA free agency period has been eventful, with blockbuster deals left and right.
- Kevin Durant ended up on the Houston Rockets, while Chris Paul and Bradley Beal joined the Los Angeles Clippers.
- There are still some quality free agents available, and we discuss the five best names below, including Al Horford and Jonathan Kuminga.
Jonathan Kuminga #00 of the Golden State Warriors (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
This summer’s NBA free agency period has been an eventful one. We’ve seen a plethora of deals and trades, with Kevin Durant heading to the Houston Rockets, while Myles Turner left the Indiana Pacers to join forces with Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks. The Los Angeles Clippers also made some noise, adding Bradley Beal and Chris Paul to their experienced core.
While most of the free agency noise has already come and gone, there’s still some quality talent on the open market. Below, we’ll discuss 5 of the best free agents still available ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.
Al Horford
Horford has had a very solid career and remains the best big man who is unsigned. The Boston Celtics probably would’ve brought him back if it wasn’t for Jayson Tatum’s Achilles tear, shifting their direction over the next season as they also decided to trade Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis. Horford is still an impactful player on both ends of the floor who averaged 9.0 points and 6.2 rebounds per game in 2024-25, playing just under 28 minutes per night for the C’s.
The 39-year-old has been linked to the Golden State Warriors after the departure of Kevon Looney, but no deal has come to fruition quite yet. Horford can space the floor and has always shown the ability to drain shots from deep as well. Aside from his production, Horford is also an experienced player who served as a key piece in Boston’s title run in 2024.
Russell Westbrook
No, Westbrook isn’t an MVP-caliber player anymore, but we’re still talking about a future Hall of Famer who makes an impact every time he steps on the hardwood. Although Russ does turn the ball over at an alarming rate, the point guard still injects energy into his squad. Westbrook put up 13.3 points, 6.1 assists, and 4.9 rebounds per night last season with the Denver Nuggets. The last three teams he’s played for – the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, and Nuggets – decided not to bring him back, so that’s not exactly something playing in his favor in free agency.
But, Westbrook is an extremely hard worker and can give a team valuable minutes off the bench, especially when he’s taking care of the basketball. At this point in his career, Westbrook’s best asset would be his playmaking. Someone will give him another opportunity. It’s hard to find players with such an impressive motor, especially at his age.
Quentin Grimes
Maybe not the most well-known name a year ago, Grimes ultimately landed in the City of Brotherly Love as part of the Luka Doncic trade and thrived in his new surroundings. The guard averaged 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists in 28 games for the Philadelphia 76ers, starting 25 contests. With an increased role, the former Houston Cougar rose to the occasion.
He’s, of course, a restricted free agent at the moment and has yet to ink a new deal with the Sixers, with his asking price reportedly in the ballpark of $25 million per year. That’s a hefty price tag considering the small sample size last season. There’s still a chance he returns to Philadelphia, but also, Grimes would make just $8.7 million next season on a qualifying offer. The 76ers certainly want to keep him after how he played post-trade, but any team can match an offer that he does get from Philly, when that does happen.
Cam Thomas
Another restricted free agent, The Brooklyn Nets are not in a rush to hand Thomas a new contract, per numerous reports. He could also play on a qualifying offer and enter unrestricted free agency next summer. While he may not get the respect he deserves around the league, the 2021 first- round pick is a walking bucket. He averaged over 24 PPG last season in 25 appearances, missing substantial time due to a hamstring injury. NBA insider Zach Lowe recently said that Thomas is viewed as a “ball hog” across the Association and not worthy of a big investment.
It does appear no one sees him as a franchise cornerstone, and that’s understandable. But the guard has shown that he can catch fire and be a productive offensive player, whether that’s as a second or third option. Or, even coming off the bench. Thomas is probably going to have his biggest role staying in Brooklyn, but other teams should have him on their radar as well.
Jonathan Kuminga
Kuminga is essentially in the same boat as Thomas. He’s hungry for more minutes with the Warriors, and Steve Kerr has already discussed the possibility of Kuminga leaving. The restricted free agent is reportedly seeking $30 million per season across four years, while Golden State is more in the ballpark of $20 million across three years. There’s still a very real possibility he returns to the Bay Area, but the asking price is steep either way.
Regardless, Kuminga is an impactful piece on both ends of the court who has shown flashes of brilliance, especially with a bigger role. Last season, he averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per contest in 47 appearances. With the new CBA, the Dubs need to be smart financially, which is likely why they’ve yet to seriously engage in talks with Kuminga. The Phoenix Suns were reportedly interested in a trade for him, but the asking price is too high for them.
