Spotrac’s Free Agent by Position Series

Point Guards   |   Shooting Guards   |   Small Forwards   |   Power Forwards   |   Centers

2025 NBA free agency is right around the corner. This year’s class is considered a fairly weak one in terms of top-end talent. However, there are still several impact players available. In these rankings, we took a similar approach to the one many teams use when it comes to ranking available players. Each position was broken down into tiers. The tiers are:

• All-Star: These aren’t all necessarily All-Stars, but they have the ability to be an All-Star
• Starters: These players are either starters or they produce at a starter-level of impact
• Rotation: These are solid players that should be in a team’s regular season rotation
• Fringe: These are players at the end of the bench or Two-Way players playing mostly in the G League

Players were then ranked within their tiers. All potential free agents have been ranked, including those with pending options.

ALL-STAR TIER

1. Kyrie Irving – Dallas Mavericks (UFA – PLAYER OPTION)
   Even with his injury, Irving is the best available free agent point guard. But here’s the thing: He’s not really available. Most everyone expects him to re-sign with Dallas on a new deal. How big and long of a deal is the real question here, but expect Irving to do well for at least a few years in his next contract.
2. James Harden – LA Clippers(UFA – PLAYER OPTION)
   Harden is expected to return to the Clippers. He’ll either opt in, or he’ll opt out and sign another 1+1 contract. Either way, Harden is still a productive All-Star-level player, even if the end is starting to close in.

STARTER TIER

3. Fred VanVleet – Houston Rockets (UFA – TEAM OPTION)
   The Rockets and VanVleet agreed to push back this option decision. That means that there’s at least some thought from the Rockets about declining the option. The best path forward for both sides is Houston declines the option, but re-signs VanVleet to a long-term deal. If the option is picked up, keep an eye on VanVleet being used as a large chunk of salary-matching in a trade.
4. Josh Giddey – Chicago Bulls (RFA)
   Giddey isn’t a threat to leave, as only the Brooklyn Nets have enough cap space to sign him to a large enough offer sheet to make the Bulls blink. That’s not going to happen. Expect Chicago to try to squeeze Giddey some, but ultimately, he’ll be back with the Bulls on a long-term contract.
5. Dennis Schroder – Detroit Pistons (UFA)
   Schroder is the first player on this list that is a threat to leave for a new team. The Pistons would love to re-sign him, but Detroit’s first priority is going to be re-signing Malik Beasley. Pending the path that takes, Schroder could get squeezed out. Even as he moves towards his mid-30s, Schroder remains a terrific backup and solid spot starter. That should put him range for Non-Taxpayer MLE deals.
6. Chris Paul – San Antonio Spurs (UFA)
   Paul is still getting it done, but a lessened role. He was very productive for San Antonio, who was able to keep his minutes in a manageable range. That can continue for anyone who needs a veteran point guard. The big question: Where does Paul want to play? He talked about how hard it was being away from his California-based family last season. That could mean he has a self-limited market.
7. Malcolm Brogdon – Washington Wizards (UFA)
   Brogdon’s season was kind of a mess. He was hurt a lot, and the Wizards weren’t focused on playing their vets too many minutes. Still, Brogdon can be a solid contributor as a sixth man or as a lower-usage starter. The veteran’s ability to play either guard spot and on- or off-ball will appeal to playoff contenders.
8. Russell Westbrook – Denver Nuggets (UFA – PLAYER OPTION)
   We’re at the point where signing Westbrook is very much agreeing to take the good with the bad. He can’t shoot. He’s wildly inconsistent. He hasn’t been able to fully tone down his role. But Westbrook is a jolt of energy when he hits the floor. He’s still pretty good at getting downhill to make plays. He’s a willing passer. There’s a good chance Westbrook picks up his option and returns to the Nuggets vs looking for a new spot in free agency.
9. D’Angelo Russell – Brooklyn Nets (UFA)
   Russell is good as a low-end starting point guard. He can do enough on-ball, while being ok off-ball, that you can get by with him in your starting lineup. Russell might look for an opportunity with a contender, but that means taking the Non-Taxpayer MLE. There’s a chance the Nets could give him a slightly bigger one-year deal (or two years with team control on Year 2), as a way to hit the salary floor, while retaining Russell as a potential trade asset.
10. Tyus Jones – Phoenix Suns (UFA)
    Last season didn’t go the way Jones hoped it would. He took a veteran minimum deal, but hoped with a strong year as a starter on a playoff team, that more money might be available this year. Instead, Jones found himself coming off the bench for a bad Suns team. He’s still among the best backup point guards in the league, and a capable fill-in starter. That should garner Jones some offers this summer.

ROTATION TIER

11. Ty Jerome – Cleveland Cavaliers (UFA)
    Jerome stayed healthy and put together a career-year. He’d like to stay with the Cavs, who would love to have him back. The challenge? Cleveland only has Early Bird rights for Jerome. That could limit their offer to him, which makes him available for teams looking for a very good bench guard.
12. Tre Jones – Chicago Bulls (UFA)
    Much like his brother, Jones is really good as a backup point guard and a bit stretched as a full-time starter. That still leaves him as a really valuable player for a lot of teams. That just might not be in Chicago, due to the number of other on-ball playmakers the Bulls already have.
13. Davion Mitchell – Miami Heat (RFA)
    Miami can control the process for Mitchell in restricted free agency. That should leave the Heat in a place to get him back on a relatively team-friendly deal. Mitchell was really good for Miami after landing there at the trade deadline. Look for him to return to the Heat.
14. Ben Simmons – LA Clippers (UFA)
    Simmons isn’t really a point guard anymore, but most of the play-time trackers have most of his minutes coming at point guard last year. He found himself a bit in LA, which was good to see. A big deal isn’t coming for Simmons, but fit is what matters most for him at this point. Don’t rule out a return to the Clippers.
15. Jared Butler – Philadelphia 76ers (UFA – TEAM OPTION)
    Butler did a nice job for both the Sixers and Washington Wizards last season. There’s still a little upside left here too, which is why he’s ranked ahead of some more recognizable names. A team would do well to sign Butler and make him their primary backup point guard, especially on a veteran minimum deal.
16. Spencer Dinwiddie – Dallas Mavericks (UFA)
    Dinwiddie is still solid enough as a backup guard for a playoff contender. He’s overmatched as a starter at this point, but for the vet minimum, you could do a lot worse. He’ll pick a spot with a contender where he can be a part of the backcourt rotation.
17. Monte Morris – Phoenix Suns (UFA)
    Morris is at a crossroads. Can he still be a high-end backup? Or have those days passed him by? Things didn’t go well for him with the Suns, but that entire situation was a mess. Someone will give Morris another shot at being their backup point guard on the veteran minimum.
18. Tre Mann – Charlotte Hornets (RFA)
    There’s a chance the Hornets don’t extend Mann a qualifying offer, which would make him an unrestricted free agent. That feels like it would be a mistake. Mann has shown he can fill the sixth man/bench scoring guard role very well when he’s healthy. Keep an eye on Mann as a potential summer steal for a smart team.
19. Cameron Payne – New York Knicks (UFA)
    Payne remains a productive backup point guard. The Knicks may want him back for another year, or Payne could look for a spot where he could get more playing time.
20. Aaron Holiday – Houston Rockets (UFA – TEAM OPTION)
    Holiday put together another solid season for the Rockets. His main value lies in his ability to defend opposing point guards, while playing off-ball on offense. $4.9 million might be a bit steep, but Houston could pick up this option which would make Holiday a nice piece of salary-matching in a potential trade.
21. Cory Joseph – Orlando Magic (UFA – TEAM OPTION)
    When he took over as the starting point guard, Joseph stabilized things for Orlando on offense. He’s not a big scoring threat, but Joseph can run an offense and keep the ball moving. He’s also a solid defender. Another minimum deal is looming, but the Magic roster is starting to get pretty stuffed.
22. Jordan Goodwin – Los Angeles Lakers (UFA – TEAM OPTION)
    Goodwin did an excellent job on his two-way deal and got promoted to the main roster before the end of the season. Don’t be surprised if the Lakers pick this option up to keep him in the fold for backcourt depth.
23. Ryan Rollins – Milwaukee Bucks (RFA)
    Expect the Bucks to issue a qualifying offer to Rollins to make him a restricted free agent. From there, Milwaukee should look to work out a long-term deal. With Damian Lillard out, the Bucks will need backcourt depth. Rollins can give them that in the form of someone familiar with the team’s scheme on both ends.
24. Collin Gillespie – Phoenix Suns (RFA – TWO-WAY)
    Gillespie outplayed his two-way status by a decent margin. Had the Suns been ticketed for a postseason spot they likely would have converted Gillespie to a standard deal. As it is, Phoenix should bring him back, either on another two-way contract or a standard deal.
25. Jevon Carter – Chicago Bulls (UFA – PLAYER OPTION)
    Carter should pick up his $6.8 million player option for next season, as he won’t see that kind of money in free agency. From there, the Bulls could use him as salary-matching in a trade, which could help Carter find a path toward more playing time elsewhere.
26. Markelle Fultz – Sacramento Kings (UFA)
    Fultz didn’t play a lot after signing with the Kings late in the season. The most important thing? He showed he was healthy. That should see him get some veteran minimum offers to catch on somewhere in a backup role.
27. Vasilije Micic – Phoenix Suns (RFA – TWO-WAY)
    Micic has been rumored to have big offers waiting for him overseas. Normally, $8.1 million would be way too much to pay a non-rotation guard. But the Suns could pick up their option for Micic and then put him into a trade. Don’t be surprised if that happens, then is followed by a buyout. That’s probably best for all parties involved.

FRINGE TIER (UNRANKED AND PRESENTED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)

28. Reece Beekman – Brooklyn Nets (RFA – TWO-WAY)
    Beekman didn’t do a whole lot in the NBA last year in minimal playing time. In the G League, despite only playing 14 games, Beekman was pretty solid. Another two-way contract is likely in his future.
29. J.D. Davison – Boston Celtics (RFA – TEAM OPTION)
    Davison was the G League MVP. He’s long-since outplayed that level. But the lack of a consistent jumper has held him back from making the jump to an NBA rotation. Look for Boston to bring Davison back, as a roster in transition will need some stability.
30. Jeff Dowtin – Philadelphia 76ers (RFA – TWO-WAY)
    Like Davison, Dowtin has proven he’s more than a G League player. He’s point-guard sized, but more of a scorer. In his most significant NBA playing time yet, Dowtin held up pretty well. He should get a look for a depth role in the NBA.
31. Tyson Etienne – Brooklyn Nets (RFA – TWO-WAY)
    Etienne can really shoot it. He was a sniper in the G League. Even more encouraging was his improvement as a playmaker. Another two-way deal should be in the cards for him this offseason.
32. Bones Hyland – Minnesota Timberwolves (RFA – TWO-WAY)
    Hyland hasn’t been able to seize his opportunities in the NBA. He didn’t do much after joining Minnesota on a two-way deal. He’s probably looking at training camp deals or more lucrative deals overseas.
33. Quenton Jackson – Indiana Pacers (RFA – TWO-WAY)
    Jackson flashed in the NBA this season. He also played really well in the G League. He showed improved shooting, which is great given he has terrific size for the point guard position. He might catch on with a team looking for guard depth.
34. Daniss Jenkins – Detroit Pistons (RFA – TWO-WAY)
    Jenkins showed he can be a playmaker in his time in the G League. He’ll have to shoot it better to get more NBA opportunities. Another two-way contract is probably in his future.
35. Yuki Kawamura – Memphis Grizzlies (RFA – TWO-WAY)
    Kawamura is a really fun player and an exceptional playmaker. Unfortunately, his lack of size works against him on defense and he doesn’t shoot it consistently. He could be back on another two-way deal to see if the shooting can improve enough for more of an NBA opportunity.
36. Kyle Lowry – Philadelphia 76ers (UFA)
    We’re about at the end of the line for Lowry. Reports are that he wants to play another year. The Sixers will likely bring Lowry back for one more year as a locker room vet, but his on-court production is just about gone at this point.
37. Mac McClung – Orlando Magic (RFA – TWO-WAY)
    McClung is more than just a Slam Dunk Contest champion. He can score and he can shoot, plus he’s improved his playmaking. Unfortunately, none of that has translated to a real NBA shot yet. If it doesn’t come this year, McClung is probably looking at heading overseas.
38. Jordan McLaughlin – San Antonio Spurs (UFA)
    McLaughlin has slipped after a few productive years as a solid backup. He’s a third point guard now for a team that doesn’t want to be caught shorthanded due to injuries. He’ll get a vet minimum opportunity from someone.
39. Elfrid Payton – New Orleans Pelicans (UFA – TEAM OPTION)
    Payton had some good moments filling in on an injury-decimated Pelicans team. He’s still a solid defender and good playmaker. As ever, the shot holds Payton back from being a regular rotation guard. He’ll probably catch on somewhere on a make-good deal with a training camp opportunity.
40. Patty Mills – LA Clippers (UFA)
    Like a few others on this list, Mills is closing in on the end of a good, long career. Mills might catch on somewhere, because teams value his leadership and his ability to heat up quickly if called upon in an emergency.
41. Dru Smith – Miami Heat (RFA – TWO-WAY)
    Smith’s career has been one major injury followed by another. He keeps battling back and flashes potential. Now, he’ll have to do it again, likely via another two-way contract, possibly somewhere other than Miami.
42. Pat Spencer – Golden State Warriors (RFA)
    Spencer can play. He’s shown enough in the G League and after his late-season conversion with the Warriors to get an NBA deal. Don’t be surprised if the Warriors bring him back on a minimum deal as familiar point guard depth.
43. Isaiah Stevens – Miami Heat (RFA – TWO-WAY)
    Stevens had a solid rookie season in the G League. He’s a first-rate playmaker and can score. Next up is improving his outside shot. That will likely come while on another two-way deal, possibly running it back with the Heat.
44. Keaton Wallace – Atlanta Hawks (RFA – TWO-WAY)
    Wallace flashed in his NBA minutes this season. He also put together his best all-around G League season. Another two-way contract is probably in line for Wallace, as he continues to develop as a shooter and playmaker.
45. TyTy Washington Jr. – Phoenix Suns (RFA – TWO-WAY)
    Things haven’t clicked for Washington in the NBA yet. In the G League, he’s been really good. Washington is simply too quick for minor league guards, and he’s shot it fairly well. Another two-way deal is probably in the cards for Washington, unless he gets a better offer to play overseas.
46. Delon Wright – New York Knicks (UFA)
    Wright doesn’t do enough offensively to lock in a regular role as a backup. He can defend though, and Wright stays ready when his number is called. Those are traits that coaches prefer in a third point guard. He’ll have another shot on a non-guaranteed deal to fill that role for someone next season.

This year, the NWSL debuted a new process by which players/staff who can show consecutive matches without a card can have their total card count toward an accumulation suspension reduced. 

For players, after five yellow cards the next match will have to be missed due to an accumulation suspension. Now, if a player is able to go five consecutive matches without a yellow card, red card, or any supplemental discipline, their total yellow card count towards the five card suspension will be reduced. 

Players can have a yellow card deducted a maximum of three times per season and they must have been subbed in by the 80th minute or start and play at least 10:00 minutes for the match to count towards the consecutive games. At no point can players or staff have a yellow card total go below zero. 

For technical staff, only three cards will have them serving a yellow card suspension and they need 10 games consecutively without a card or supplemental discipline. With only 26 regular season matches, staff can only have their yellow card total deducted twice a season. 

How it’s been going

After Matchday 9 (where Gotham and Portland have had an extra match due to scheduling with the Concacaf W Champions Cup), there have been 112 players who have been carded this season, and four head coaches. 

Of those 112 players, 40 players (almost 36%) have earned a yellow card reduction, with only three of the 40 players being carded in the next available game and only an additional two players have been carded after more than one game after their reduction. 

Only 5 of the 45 players who reached the ⅘ consecutive matches and played the fifth game were carded in what could’ve been their reduction game, an 89% success rate if they can get to that point. 

None of the staff members with cards have seen a reduction yet, Jonas Eidevall currently leads  the pack with 7 out of his 10 needed matches. 

With or without the reduction, no players would’ve had enough cards up to this point to earn the suspension. Only two players currently have four yellows—neither of whom have had a reduction yet—although Jaelin Howell would’ve also been on accumulation warning (4 yellows) if not for her reduction back in April. 

All the Data

NBA ALL-DEFENSIVE FIRST TEAM

Evan Mobley (Cleveland Cavaliers)

2024-25 Salary: $11,227,657
Remaining Contract: 5 years, $224,238,150
Status: Rookie Extension signed last offseason begins

Dyson Daniels (Atlanta Hawks)

2024-25 Salary: $6,059,520
Remaining Contract: 1 year, $7,707,709
Status: Rookie Extension eligible beginning Jul 1, 2025

Luguentz Dort (Oklahoma City Thunder)

2024-25 Salary: $16,500,000
Remaining Contract: 2 years, $35,444,444; includes 2026-27 Team Option
Status: All-Defensive Team triggers $1 million incentive; Extension eligible Jul 2025

Draymond Green (Golden State Warriors)

2024-25 Salary: $24,107,143
Remaining Contract: 2 years, $53,571,428; includes 2026-27 Player Option
Status:  Extension eligible Jul 2025

Amen Thompson (Houston Rockets)

2024-25 Salary: $9,249,960
Remaining Contract: 2 years, $21,949,209; includes 2026-27 Team Option
Status: Rookie Extension eligible in 2026 offseason

NBA ALL-DEFENSIVE SECOND TEAM

Ivica Zubac (LA Clipper)

2024-25 Salary: $11,743,210
Remaining Contract: 3 years, $58,650,480
Status: Extension signed last offseason begins

Jaren Jackson Jr. (Memphis Grizzlies)

2024-25 Salary: $25,257,798
Remaining Contract: 1 year, $23,413,395
Status: Extension eligible

Jalen Williams (Oklahoma City Thunder)

2024-25 Salary: $4,775,760
Remaining Contract: 1 year, $6,580,997
Status: Rookie Extension eligible beginning Jul 1, 2025

Toumani Camara (Portland Trail Blazers)

2024-25 Salary: $1,891,857
Remaining Contract: 2 years, $4,627,882;
Status:  Extension eligible Jul 2025

Rudy Gobert (Minnesota Timberwolves)

2024-25 Salary: $43,827,587
Remaining Contract: 3 years, $109,500,000; includes 2027-28 Player Option
Status: Extension signed last October begins

We're only a quarter of the way through the 2025 MLB season but it's never too early to look ahead towards the 2026 free agents. Spotrac breaks down all of the upcoming option decisions and predicts which players are likely to be available come November.

Summary

Projected Free Agents:
Alex Bregman
Cody Bellinger
Pete Alonso
Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
Shane Bieber
Marcus Stroman
Ha-Seong Kim
Seth Lugo
Jack Flaherty
Robert Suarez

Projected Returning:
Trevor Story
Tyler O’Neill
Edwin Diaz
Kodai Senga
Shota Imanaga
Joc Pederson
Frankie Montas
A.J. Minter
Wandy Peralta

Player Opt-outs (multi-year):

Players who have the ability to opt-out of a current contract after the 2025 season, foregoing future guarantees for free agency.

Alex Bregman (3B - BOS)

The Boras Corporation

2025:  $40M total; $15M base salary + $5M signing bonus (paid 2028) + $20M deferred 
2026 opt-out:  2 years, $80M total; $40M base salary + $40M deferrals + 2027 Player option

Bregman will almost certainly opt-out after settling for a short-term, high AAV deal with Boston last offseason. The Tigers (6 years, $171M; 2027 opt-out), Astros (6 years, $156M) and Cubs (4 years, $120M; 2027 + 2028 opt-outs) all offered higher guarantees but no immediate path back to free agency which emerged as a clear priority in negotiations. Scott Boras used a similar approach in 2024 with third baseman Matt Chapman who signed for 3 years, $54M (w/ opt-outs) before agreeing to a 6 year, $151M extension with San Francisco.

Prediction: Opt-out exercised; UFA

Trevor Story (SS - BOS)

Wasserman Group

2025:  $22.5M base salary
2026 opt-out:  2 years, $55M total; $50M base salary + $5M buyout (from 2028 Club option)

Story can forfeit the remaining $55M owed on his current deal but Boston could void that decision by exercising their 2028 Club option. It would be a $75M commitment over the next three seasons and increase the total value of his original contract from 6 years, $140M to 7 years, $160M. Both scenarios are irrelevant since Story will decline the opt-out. That sets up a less than ideal situation for the Red Sox who have top prospects (2B) Kristian Campbell and (SS) Marcelo Mayer ready to take over the middle infield.

Prediction: Opt-out declined; returning

Tyler O’Neill (OF - BAL)

The Boras Corporation

2025:  $16.5M base salary
2026 opt-out:  2 years, $33M total ($16.5M AAV)

Injuries have been a consistent issue for O’Neill but his production when on the field is evident. He’s played 100+ games only twice (since 2018) but hit 30+ home runs in both campaigns and a third season of similar production could position O’Neill as a top corner outfield option as we head towards free agency. This decision will ultimately come down to health and unfortunately it’s been more of the same for O’Neill who has already visited the Injured List twice to start 2025.

Prediction:  Opt-out declined; returning

Edwin Diaz (RP - NYM)

Wasserman Group

2025:  $12M base salary
2026 opt-out:  2 years, $28M total; $27M base salary + $1M buyout (from 2028 Club option)

This one is hard to predict with much confidence until we see how Diaz finishes 2025. The two-time Reliever of the Year has been less dominant since returning from a torn patellar tendon injury suffered during the 2023 World Baseball Classic and we need to see if he can reestablish pre-injury form over the coming months. Diaz is already well compensated and one of only five relievers currently signed to a multi-year contract with an AAV of at least $14M, so securing an annual raise could be difficult if he shows more signs of regression. 

Prediction:  Opt-out declined; returning

Robert Suarez (RP - SDP)

Amuse Sports

2025:  $10M base salary
2026 opt-out:  2 years, $16M total ($8M AAV)

Suarez increased his 2024 salary to $13M by adding $3M from Games Finished incentives which are also accessible in 2025. His $8M salaries for 2026 and 2027 would be a pay cut and well below market value for a proven closer like Suarez so expect him to test free agency after seeing veteran relievers Kenley Jansen, Kirby Yates, Aroldis Chapman and Blake Treinen agree to deals of at least $10M AAV last offseason.

Prediction:  Opt-out exercised; UFA

Wandy Peralta  (RP - SDP)  

The MAS+ Agency

2025:  $4.25M base salary
2026 Option:  2 years, $8.9M total; $4.45M base salary + 2027 Player option

Peralta already declined the first of three consecutive opt-outs that run through 2027 and hasn’t quite shown enough to forfeit the remaining guarantee.

Prediction:  Opt-out declined; returning

Player Options

Players with an upcoming single season player option for the 2026 season.

Cody Bellinger  (OF, 1B - NYY)

The Boras Corporation

2025:  $27.5M base salary
2026 Player option:  $25M base salary or $5M buyout

Bellinger declined a 2 year, $52.5M opt-out last offseason which prompted his trade to the Yankees but now the 2026 option value decreases ($25M) and the buyout increases ($5M) making a return on his current deal unlikely. Another multi-year guarantee should easily top the $20M Bellinger would leave on the table.

Prediction:  Player option declined; UFA

Pete Alonso  (1B - NYM)  

The Boras Corporation

2025:  $30M total; $20M base salary + $10M signing bonus
2026 Player option:  $24M base salary

Alonso was already the most obvious opt-out candidate but his future outlook is even better now that Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is off the board as a potential option for teams, not to mention his blistering start to the season. Both factors should clear a path for him to sign the lucrative free agent deal he was seeking last offseason. Alonso hired Scott Boras as his agent after declining a 7 year, $158M extension offer from the Mets during the 2023 season. The floor for negotiations likely starts at 5 years, $107.5M ($21.5M AAV) assuming they want to top that previous offer.

Prediction: Player option declined; UFA

Joc Pederson  (DH - TEX)

Excel Sports Management

2025:  $18.5M total; $13M base salary + $5.5M signing bonus
2026 Player option:  $18.5M + 2027 Mutual option

Pederson can opt-out but Texas could void that decision by guaranteeing a third season at $18.5M which is currently a Mutual option. That would restart the 2 year, $37M contract they signed last offseason and raise the overall value of that deal to 3 years, $55.5M. His age, limited profile and disastrous start to this season make a recommitment unlikely so Pederson will gladly exercise the 2026 Player option and hope for a rebound next season if he can avoid getting designated for assignment.

Prediction:  Player option exercised; returning

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (LF - ARI)

Magnus Sports

2025:  $14M base salary
2026 Player option:  $18M total; $13M base salary + $5M buyout (from 2027 Club option)

Arizona controls an undervalued Club option in 2027 so Gurriel Jr. will likely decline this option while he still holds the leverage. His modest but steady profile should earn him another multi-year guarantee at a similar AAV if he tests free agency.

Prediction: Player option declined; UFA

Frankie Montas  (SP - NYM)  

The Boras Corporation

2025:  $17M base salary
2026 Player option:  $17M base salary

Montas has been sidelined since Spring Training with a lat strain injury but we’re fast approaching a potential early June debut. That might be enough time to rehab his value ahead of a potential opt-out but Montas would need a huge second half and that’s hard to project considering his injury history. Instead, assume he will exercise the option and return on his current deal.

Prediction: Player option exercised; returning

Shane Bieber  (SP - CLE)

Rosenhaus Sports

2025:  $10M base salary
2026 Player option:  $16M base salary or $4M buyout

Bieber was positioned to cash in last offseason but his short-term value tanked following Tommy John surgery in April. He rejoined the Guardians on a discounted 2 year, $26M guarantee with a Player option that will surely get declined if Bieber can return for a healthy second half. Cleveland proved to be a lucrative rehab destination for Matt Boyd in 2024 and could provide the same for Bieber in 2025.

Prediction: Player option declined; UFA

Ha-seong Kim  (SS - TBR)  

The Boras Corporation

2025:  $13M base salary
2026 Player option:  $16M

Kim had to settle for a below market deal due to uncertainty surrounding offseason shoulder surgery but his value might have been closer to $20M annually without the injury. Kim will surely opt-out if he finishes the year healthy but Tampa could complicate things by attaching a qualifying offer which was valued at $21.05M this season. 

Prediction: Player option declined; UFA

Seth Lugo  (SP - KCR)  

Ballengee Group

2025:  $15M base salary
2026 Player option:  $15M base salary

Lugo signed with Kansas City as a starter after spending years in the bullpen. He immediately finished 2nd in Cy Young voting and was one of only four starting pitchers to reach 200 innings last season (Logan Gilbert, Logan Webb, Zack Wheeler). Even if he regresses in 2025, the 2026 Player option is already undervalued and Lugo (age 36 next offseason) should want to secure a more appropriately valued multi-year contract ASAP.  

Prediction: Player option declined; UFA

A.J. Minter  (RP - NYM)  

Bledsoe Agency

2025:  $11M total; $10M base salary + $1M signing bonus
2026 Player option:  $11M base salary

Minter is likely to exercise his option and remain with the Mets following a torn lat muscle injury that will cost him the rest of 2025.

Prediction: Player option exercised; returning

Jack Flaherty  (SP - DET)  

Creative Artists Agency (CAA)

2025:  $25M total; $20M base salary + $5M signing bonus
2026 Player option:  $10M base salary + $15M performance incentives

Flaherty took a $14M ‘prove it’ deal in 2024 and capitalized with his best season since 2019. That earned him a significant raise this year and a Player option for 2026 which can vest at $25M if he starts 15 games. The likely earned incentives provide a nice salary floor if things go poorly in the second half but Flaherty has shown enough to command another multi-year guarantee at a similar AAV.

Prediction: Player option declined, UFA

Conditional Player Options

Players who can earn a player option for the 2026 season based on the vesting of a particular statistical threshold.

Marcus Stroman  (SP - NYY)

Roc Nation Sports

2025:  $18M base salary
2026 Player option:  $18M base salary

Stroman has a conditional player option if he reaches 140 innings pitched this season but he’s already missed significant time and doubtful to reach that total.

Prediction:  Not vested/available; UFA

Kodai Senga  (SP - NYM)

Wasserman Group

2025:  $14M base salary
2026 opt-out:  2 years, $28M total ($14M AAV)

Senga has a conditional opt-out that will vest if he pitches 400 combined innings from 2023-25 but the total is almost certainly out of reach thanks to shoulder and calf injuries that cost him most of 2024. Now he needs 228.1 IP in 2025 and only Sandy Alcantara (228.2 IP; 2022) has reached that threshold since 2016.

Prediction:  Not vested/available; returning

Shota Imanaga  (SP - CHC)

Octagon

2025:  $13M base salary 
2026 Player option:  $15M base salary + 2027 Player option  

Chicago can guarantee a 2028 Club option after either of the next two seasons which would escalate the total value of his current deal to 5 years, $80M but Imanaga would subsequently take control of a $15M Player option each time they decline to extend. That guarantees him $30M over the next two seasons with room for more if the option gets exercised. The Cubs should be willing to extend but Imanaga will surely opt-out if they hesitate.

Prediction:  2028 Club option exercised; returning OR Player option declined, UFA

Spotrac's Mike Ginnitti provides a full breakdown of Brock Purdy's 5 year, $265 million contract extension with the San Francisco 49ers, including guarantees, potential outs, cap/cash flow figures, and plenty more.

With the NWSL’s Secondary Transfer/Trade Window opening up July 1st and teams starting to sign players, here’s an up-to-date tracker for every team’s additions/extensions until the window closes August 25th

Italicized = happened ahead of the window actually opening but might impact window movement

Angel City FC 

08/22/25 - Acquired $40,000 in intraleague transfer funds from Portland in return for forward Julie Dufour and a 2025 international spot

07/29/25 - Defender Ali Riley returned to active roster following a 2024 SEI

07/22/25 - Signed German defender Sara Doordoun on a transfer from Frauen-Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt through 2026. Doordoun will utilize Angel City’s eighth and final international spot.

07/21/25 - Signed forward Casey Phair to a new three-year contract through 2028 and subsequently loaned her to Djurgårdens IF in Sweden for six months until December 2025.

07/10/25 - Signed midfielder Evelyn Shores to a four-year contract through 2028. 

05/30/25 - Signed goalkeeper Hannah Seabert as a free agent through 2026. Seabert will join the club on July 1st following the conclusion of her contract with Sporting CP (Portugal) on June 30th. 

05/21/25 - Signed Icelandic forward Sveindís Jónsdóttir as a free agent through 2027. Jónsdóttir most recently played with VfL Wolfsburg (Germany) and will join the club following the conclusion of the Euros (July 2nd-27th). She will occupy one of Angel City’s international spots. 

Bay FC

08/22/25 - Acquired Canadian defender Syndey Collins from North Carolina in return for $60,000 in 2025 intraleague transfer funds. 

08/15/25 - Defender Emily Menges was placed on maternity leave.

08/15/25 - Forward Princess Marfo and Bay FC decided to mutually terminate Princess’s contract through 2025. The Ghanaian forward had yet to appear for Bay FC this season. 

07/28/25 - Loaned defender Jordan Brewster to Liga MX Femenil side Club America for the remainder of the 2025 season

07/18/25 - Signed goalkeeper Leah Freeman through the end of the 2025 season.

07/15/25 - Signed forward Onyeka Gamero for an undisclosed transfer fee from Spanish club FC Barcelona through the 2028 NWSL season. 

07/01/25 - Signed previously short-term contracted Catherine Paulson through the end of the 2025 season

06/20/25 - Acquired  $25,000 in allocation money and $75,000 in intra-league transfer funds across 2025 and 2026 in return for an additional international roster slot for the 2025 and 2026 seasons in a trade with the Washington Spirit 

Chicago Red Stars

08/28/25 - Acquired Colombian forward Ivonne Chacón from Levante U.D. for an undisclosed transfer fee and signed her through 2027. 

08/17/25 - Forward Jameese Joseph returned to the active roster from the D-45 injury list. 

08/13/25 - Named Martin Sjögren as the club’s next head coach and Anders Jacobson as first assistant. Sjögren will finish out the Swedish Damallsvenskan league season before joining the Stars for the start of the 2026 NWSL season. Jacobson will join the team in the coming weeks and serve as interim head coach through the end of 2025. 

08/01/25 - Extended forward Nadia Gomes through the end of the 2025 season. Her previous short-term contract was through July 31, 2025. 

07/31/25 - Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher returned from the D-45 injury list. 

07/29/25 - Midfielder Chardonnay Curran and the club agreed to mutually terminate Curran’s current contract through 2025. 

07/12/25 - Goalkeeper Mackenzie Wood returned from the D-45 Injury List

06/23/25 - Acquired defender, Samantha Cary Angel, from Swedish side, IFK Norrköping, for an undisclosed transfer fee. Angel joins the Stars on a two-year contract through 2027 with a mutual option for 2028.

06/11/25 - Signed German defender Kathrin Hendrich through 2026 with a mutual option for 2027. Hendrich will join the Stars in market following the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 tournament window in July.

06/03/25 - Signed a short-term goalkeeper replacement contract with Stephanie Sparkowski following goalkeeper Mackenzie Wood joining the D45 Injury List

Houston Dash

08/22/25 - Acquired $50,000 in 2025 intraleague transfer funds, $50,000 in 2026 intraleague transfer funds, $30,000 in conditional expansion allocation money, and $35,000 in conditional intraleague transfer funds from Boston Legacy FC in return for midfielder Barbara Olivieri

08/20/25 - Loaned defender Zoe Matthews to Dux Logroño in Spain through June 30, 2026

08/19/25 - Loaned Brazilian defender Rebeca to Dux Logroño in Spain through June 30, 2026

08/11/25 - Signed Italian defender Lisa Boattin on a transfer from Juventus through 2027. The Dash now have only one unused International Spot for 2025. 

07/22/25 - Signed Canadian forward Clarissa Larisey on a transfer from Crystal Palace FC through 2027. The Dash now have two unused International Spots for 2025. 

05/30/25 - Transferred forward Diana Ordonez to Tigres UANL Femenil for an undisclosed transfer fee. Ordonez was on track to be a free agent for the 2026 season

Kansas City Current 

08/22/25 - Defender Gabrielle Robinson returned to the active roster from the 2024 season-ending injury list, 450 days after tearing her ACL. 

08/20/25 - Loaned forward Flora Marta Lache to HB Koge in Denmark through the end of the 2025 season

08/01/25 - Acquired forward Ally Sentnor from Utah in return for $300,000 in transfer funds now, $200,000 in 2026, $100,000 in 2027, and a potential conditional $100,000. This is the highest intra-league transfer fund for the NWSL

07/18/25 - Forward Jereko was loaned from Kansas City to HB Koge in Denmark through the end of the 2025 season

07/11/25 - Forward Alex Pfeiffer returned to the active roster from the 2024 Season-Ending Injury list following an ACL tear

NJ/NY Gotham FC

07/31/25 - Signed forward Katie Stengel from English club Crystal Palace for an undisclosed transfer fee. The contract runs through February 2026

06/10/25 - Signed Danish international midfielder Josefine Hasbo to a multi-year contract through the 2027 season. Acquired 2025 international roster slot from Racing Louisville for $7,000 in intra-league transfer funds to stay in compliance with roster rules. 

North Carolina Courage 

08/22/25 - Acquired $60,000 in 2025 intraleague transfer funds in return for defender Sydney Collins. 

08/06/25 - Fired head coach Sean Nahas effective immediately

07/24/25 - Defender Sydney Collins activated from the 2024 season-ending injury list after 498 days on non-active roster

07/15/25 - Loaned defender Charlotte McLean to Tampa Bay FC of the USL Super League through the 2025 season

Orlando Pride

08/25/25 - Loaned midfielder Morgan Gautrat to Newcastle United W.F.C. for the remainder of the 2025 NWSL season.Gautrat also has announced her retirement from NWSL play, removing her from the pool of available 2026 Free Agents.  

08/21/25 - Acquired Mexican midfielder Lizbeth Jacqueline Ovalle from Tigres UANL Femenil of Mexico’s Liga MX Femenil for a world-record fee. Ovalle joins the Pride through the 2027 season with a mutual option for 2028, pending receipt of her P1 visa/ITC 

08/13/25 - Acquired $75,000 in expansion allocation money and $37,500 in 2025 intra-league transfer funds from Denver Summit FC in return for forward Ally Watt. Watt will remain on loan with the Pride for the remainder of the season. 

08/06/25 - Signed goalkeeper Cosette Morché to a multi-year contract through the 2027 season, with a mutual option for 2028. Morché joins the Pride after spending last season with Fort Lauderdale United FC of the USL Super League.

08/02/25 - Midfielder Luana and forward Simone Charley were activated from the 2024 season-ending injury list. 

07/02/25 - Loaned out forward Amanda Allen to Halifax Tides FC of Canada's Northern Super League and defender Bri Martinez to Carolina Ascent FC of the USL Super League through the end of the 2025 season

07/02/25 - Loaned out goalkeeper Kat Asman to Lexington FC of the USL Super League through June 2026; loaned forward Mariana Larroquette to Lexington FC and midfielder Aryssa Mahrt to Spokane Zephyr FC of the USL Super League through the 2025 season.  

Portland Thorns

08/25/22 - Acquired English midfielder Laila Harbert on loan from WSL-side Arsenal through the end of the 2025 NWSL season. The English youth international signed her first WSL contract in January before heading on loan to WSL 2 side Southampton FC. She will occupy an international spot. 

08/22/25 - Acquired French forward Julie Dufour and a 2025 International Spot from Angel City in return for $40,000 in intra-league transfer funds. She will occupy an international spot.

08/18/25 - Extended short-term contracted midfielder Naomi Powell through the 2025 season

07/30/25 - Midfielder Sophie Hirst retired from professional soccer effective immediately to pursue a medical degree from Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons

07/23/25 - Signed midfielder Naomi Powell to a short-term contract through August 2025. 

06/20/25 - Rookie forward Caiya Hanks placed on season-ending injury list for 2025 after injuring her ACL. 

Racing Louisville

08/12/25 - Loaned defender Allie George to Fort Lauderdale United FC of the USL Super League for the remainder of the 2025 NWSL season.

07/21/26 - Transferred Finnish defender Elli Pikkujämsä to FC Rosengård

06/10/25 - Acquired $7,000 in intra-league transfer funds from Gotham FC in exchange for a 2025 international roster slot.

06/04/25 - Acquired goalkeeper Cristina Roque from Utah for $50,000 allocation funds and extended the soon-to-be free agent through 2026 with an option for 2027

San Diego Wave

07/29/25 - Signed French midfielder Laurina Fazer through the 2027 season. She will occupy an international spot. 

07/24/25 - Acquired Brazilian forward Dudinha from São Paulo FC for an undisclosed transfer fee. Dudinha has signed a contract with the Club through the 2027 NWSL season and will occupy an international spot. 

07/22/25 - Loaned defender Sintia Cabezas to Levante Unión Deportiva Femenina through the 2026 Liga F season

06/23/25 - Transferred forward María Sánchez to Tigres UANL Femenil for an undisclosed transfer fee

06/20/25 - Signed defender Nya Harrison and Jordan Fusco to new contracts through the end of the 2025 season. Harrison and Fusco were previously signed to short-term contracts through the end of June

Seattle Reign

08/20/25 - Extended midfielder Maddie Mercado through the 2026 season, with a player option for 2027. Following her extension, Mercado will join Carolina Ascent FC in the Gainbridge Super League on loan for the remainder of the 2025 campaign.

07/29/25 - Acquired $60,000 in allocation money and $20,000 in 2026 intra-league transfer fee funds in exchange for a 2025 and 2026 international roster slot in an exchange with Portland.

07/25/25 - Mutually agreed to part ways with defender Lily Woodham. Most recently, Woodham was on loan with Crystal Palace of the Women’s Super League (WSL) and represented Wales in the UEFA European Women’s Championship.

07/10/25 - Signed forward Mia Fishel through the 2029 season following a transfer from Chelsea FC

07/09/25 - Loaned defender Julia Lester to Sporting JAX of the Gainbridge Super League through the end of 2025. 

07/09/25 - Loaned midfielder Olivia Van der Jagt to Spokane Zephyr FC of the Gainbridge Super League through the end of 2025

06/03/25 - Signed a short-term goalkeeper replacement contract with Neeku Purcell following goalkeeper Cassier Miller joining the D45 Injury List

Utah Royals

08/13/25 - Signed midfielder Abby Boyan to a roster relief contract through August 31st. She arrived following a season in Denmark’s top division with AaB Kvinde Elitefodbold.

08/13/25 - Signed midfielder Abby Boyan to a roster relief contract through August 31st. She arrived following a season in Denmark’s top division with AaB Kvinde Elitefodbold.

08/08/25 - Canadian forward Cloe Lacasse activated from the 2024 SEI list.

08/01/25 - Acquired $300,000 in transfer funds now, $200,000 in 2026, $100,000 in 2027, and a potential conditional $100,000 from Kansas City in return for forward Ally Sentnor. This is the highest intra-league transfer fund for the NWSL

07/29/25 - Signed midfielder Aria Nagai to a salary cap exempt contract through the end of the 2025 season

07/11/25 - Signed goalkeeper DeAira Jackson through the end of the 2025 season

07/10/25 - Defender Ana Maria Guzman was recalled from her loan by FC Bayern Munich ahead of the 2025-26 Frauen-Bundesliga season beginning

06/04/25 - Acquired $50,000 in allocation funds from Racing Louisville in return for goalkeeper Cristina Roque

06/03/25 - Midfielder Alex Loera placed on season-ending injury list for 2025 after re-injuring her torn ACL from early 2024. 

Washington Spirit

07/31/25 - Defender Paige Metayer returned from the D-45 injury list

07/23/25 - Signed defender Lauren Gogal as a NTRP through August 20. 

07/23/25 - Forward Ashley Hatch was placed on Maternity Leave

07/22/25 - Loaned rookie forward Emma Gaines-Ramos to Tampa Bay Sun FC of the USL Super League through June 30, 2026. As part of the move, Gaines-Ramos was removed from the season-ending injury.

06/20/25 - Acquired an additional international roster slot for the 2025 and 2026 seasons in a trade with Bay FC in return for $25,000 in allocation money and $75,000 in intra-league transfer funds to Bay FC across this season and next.

06/17/25 - Acquired Italian forward Sofia Cantore from Italy’s Juventus for an undisclosed transfer fee and signed her to a three-year deal with a 2028 team option. Will be eligible to join the Spirit July 1st when the transfer window opens. Cantore will occupy the ninth and final international spot for the Spirit.

06/02/25 - Head coach Jonatan Giraldez will transition to lead OL Lyonnes effective July 18th, assistant coach Adrian Gonzalez will be the head coach following Giraldez’s departure. 

Offseason Approach

Resetting around a new core

Actual Cap Space

-$45.7 million

Practical Cap Space

-$43.9 million

Projected Luxury Tax Space

$23.7 million

Under Contract (8)

Devin Carter
Terence Davis (non-guaranteed)
DeMar DeRozan
Zach LaVine
Malik Monk
Keegan Murray
Domantas Sabonis
Jonas Valanciunas

Potential Free Agents (9)

Isaiah Crawford (restricted – two-way)
Jae Crowder (unrestricted – two-way)
Keon Ellis (restricted – team option)
Markelle Fultz (unrestricted)
Isaac Jones (restricted – team option)
Mason Jones (restricted – two-way)
Jake LaRavia (unrestricted)
Trey Lyles (unrestricted)
Doug McDermott (unrestricted)

Dead Cap (0)

None

Projected Signing Exceptions

Non-Taxpayer MLE ($14.1 million)
Bi-Annual Exception ($5.1 million)

Notable Trade Exceptions

Kevin Huerter ($16.8 million)
Chris Duarte ($5.9 million)
Jalen McDaniels ($4.7 million)
Sasha Vezenkov ($4.4 million)

First Round Draft Pick

None

Notable Extension Candidates

Zach LaVine (veteran extension)
Keegan Murray (rookie scale extension)

Analysis

The Sacramento Kings are in an interesting spot this offseason. The Kings have only eight players under contracts, but those eight players account for roughly $161 million in guaranteed money on the books. That’s not a bad thing by any means. It just makes things a bit less flexible for Sacramento than you would like.

The Kings started the offseason by hiring Scott Perry to take over as their new general manager. Perry has also removed the interim tag from Doug Christie, making him the team’s permanent head coach. That’s two issues already resolved, which is good ahead of what looms as an important offseason in Sacramento.

The team doesn’t have a first-round pick at the 2025 NBA Draft. The Kings are also unlikely to trade into the first round, so we’ll skip past draft analysis here and go right to free agency.

Sacramento has a few important free agents this summer. Keon Ellis leads that list. The Kings hold a $2.3 million team option for Ellis, but are likely to decline that option. That might seem odd, as Ellis has far outplayed such a small salary figure, but picking up the option could make it tricky to retain Ellis long-term.

By declining the option, Sacramento would make Ellis a restricted free agent this summer. Making the talented perimeter player a restricted free would allow the Kings to control the free agency process. No one is likely to extend Ellis an offer sheet that Sacramento wouldn’t immediately match.

The other path with Ellis would be to pick up the option, then to agree to a long-term extension. By using what we call “The Dinwiddie Extension”, Sacramento could offer Ellis an extension worth up to $89 million over four years. That high-end is too much for Ellis, but something in the range of $50 to $60 million over four years would make sense.

The first path allows Sacramento to take care of Ellis immediately and to lock him in long-term. The second path keeps Ellis’ salary number down for this year, while also getting him signed to a long-term deal. The risk with this approach is that Ellis chooses to simply play out his deal, then could leave as an unrestricted free agent in 2026.

As the Kings have a decent amount of wiggle room under the tax, we’re banking on them taking the first path and eliminating most of the risk.

After Ellis, the team’s two key free agents are Jake LaRavia and Trey Lyles. Both frontcourt players are guys the Kings would probably like to keep, assuming the contracts are reasonable enough.

Lyles’ situation is a bit easier to explain. He’s an unrestricted free agent and Sacramento has full Bird rights for him. Retaining Lyles will come down to what kind of contract he’s looking for. Something similar to the $8 million he played for this year makes sense. Going higher than that is probably too much, given Lyles is more expendable with Jonas Valanciunas on the roster.

LaRavia is in a more complicated spot. Because his former team, the Memphis Grizzlies, declined their fourth-year rookie scale team option for LaRavia, the Kings are limited in what they can offer the combo forward. When a player has a rookie scale team option declined, their incumbent team can only sign them to a contract that starts at the amount equal to the declined option. That carries over when the player is traded, so Sacramento is limited in an offer to LaRavia.

The best offer Sacramento can do is a five-year, $30 million contract, which starts at $5.2 million. The question then becomes: Is that enough for LaRavia?

On one hand, LaRavia has shown he’s probably worth more than $6 million or so AAV. He’s shown the ability to be a good on-ball scorer, as well as a solid off-ball shooter. He’s a decent, but not great, rebounder. And LaRavia has shown improved playmaking skills over the last two seasons too.

On the other hand, we’re talking a relatively limited sample size, and LaRavia isn’t a great defender. Some of LaRavia’s best production came as the Grizzlies played out a lost season in 2024. Last season was a little messy, as he wasn’t quite as efficient with the Sacramento as he was with Memphis.

The best way forward here is probably to simply re-sign LaRavia for one year at the $5.2 million mark. That leaves room for LaRavia to land a bigger deal in the summer of 2026, while protecting the Kings in case he doesn’t deliver next season. A compromise might be a two-year, $10.7 million deal with an option on the second season.

Outside of those three players, the remaining Kings free agents are a lot less certain to return. Doug McDermott can still shoot, but he offers little else. Jae Crowder and Markelle Fultz didn’t contribute much after being signed in-season. None of the three are locks to return.

Sacramento should pick up their team option for Isaac Jones, as he’s a nice developmental backup big man. Mason Jones will probably be replaced on a two-way deal, but Isaiah Crawford should be brought back on another two-way contract. Crawford did enough in the G League to warrant another season of development.

After all of that, we have trades. Reports are that the Kings will consider trading DeMar DeRozan. He’s far from a perfect fit with the team, given the other offense-first players on the roster. DeRozan has a pretty tradable contract, and could be a good fit for playoff teams that need wing scoring and playmaking.

Malik Monk could be available too, as he’s not really the pure point guard the Kings seem to want alongside Zach LaVine. But Monk is so valuable in his combo guard role, either off the bench or as a starter, that Sacramento shouldn’t move him unless they get something really good in return.

The same is true for Domantas Sabonis. He’s never going to be a defensive anchor, but that doesn’t mean Sabonis isn’t still a very productive player. He’s one of the best rebounders in the NBA and only Nikola Jokic is better as a facilitating center. Sabonis isn’t perfect, and it takes the right guys around him, but the Kings shouldn’t be moving him to move him.

As for those right guys…Sacramento has some tricky extension decisions to make this summer. Zach LaVine is eligible for a new deal, but that’s something the Kings could push off. The only reason to lock in with LaVine now would be if Sacramento feared losing him for nothing in the summer of 2026, after he declines his player option. The other reason to sign LaVine would be if he was giving the Kings some kind of team-friendly terms on an extension. Neither of those seem overly likely, so this one probably pushes off to later in the season (if LaVine declines his option, he could extend through June 30 of 2026) or to the 2026 offseason.

Keegan Murray is also extension eligible. After this first two seasons, it seemed like a big extension was a lock for Murray. Now, that seems less likely.

Murray’s play slipped in Year 3. It’s not all on him, as Murray was often relegated to standing in the corner waiting for a ball that never came. It was easy to see that he struggled to find his rhythm as a shooter/scorer. Murray also wasn’t as good as a defender. He wasn’t bad, but just didn’t have the same impact on that end as he did in the year prior. On the plus front, Murray picked up his production on the glass on both ends of the floor.

The offensive issues can largely be blamed on Murray’s role, but will his role ever be much bigger in Sacramento? That’s probably dependent on what happens with DeRozan this summer. If he’s back, it’ll be more of the same for Murray. If DeRozan is elsewhere, Murray could see his offensive role look more like it was in his sophomore season.

This extension is about upside and projecting where the roster goes. Because Murray can play either forward spot, it gives Sacramento optionality. He’s also shown that he can handle a bigger offensive role and do well with it.

An extension in the range of $130 to $140 million over five years feels like the sweet spot. It’s not a max deal, but still gets Murray paid quite handsomely moving forward. An AAV of $28 million should never land at more than 20% of the cap. That’s makes it a solid value for the Kings, as well as Murray.

This is an important offseason for the Sacramento Kings. Are they going to push back in to be a playoff team again? Or will Perry and the new front office use this year to reset a bit? Sitting in the middle isn’t good enough for the Kings. The Western Conference is deep. The teams behind Sacramento are only going to get better. Standing pat isn’t a real option, as that could leave the Kings out of the mix this year and for several years to come.

Scottie Scheffler wins the PGA Championship. Scheffler earns $3.42 million bringing his 2025 on-course earnings to $10.1 million and his career earnings to $146.9 million.

RBC Heritage Top 10 Payouts

Offseason Approach

Should rebuild, will probably try to reset

Actual Cap Space

-$34.2 million

Practical Cap Space

-$32.6 million

Projected Luxury Tax Space

$47.6 million

Under Contract (12)

Lonzo Ball
Matas Buzelis
Zach Collins
Ayo Dosunmu
Kevin Huerter
Julian Phillips
Jalen Smith
Dalen Terry
Nikola Vucevic
Coby White
Patrick Williams
Jahmir Young (two-way)

View Roster

Potential Free Agents (6)

Jevon Carter (unrestricted – player option)
Josh Giddey (restricted)
Talen Horton-Tucker (unrestricted)
Tre Jones (unrestricted)
E.J. Liddell (restricted – two-way)
Emanuel Miller (restricted – two-way)

View Free Agents

Dead Cap (0)

None

Projected Signing Exceptions

Non-Taxpayer MLE ($14.1 million)
Bi-Annual Exception ($5.1 million)

Notable Trade Exceptions

Zach LaVine ($17.2 million)
Alex Caruso ($2.9 million)

First Round Draft Picks

#12

Notable Extension Candidates

Jevon Carter (veteran extension)
Zach Collins (veteran extension)
Ayo Dosunmu (veteran extension)
Julian Phillips (veteran extension)
Dalen Terry (rookie scale extension)
Nikola Vucevic (veteran extension)
Coby White (veteran extension)

Analysis

The Chicago Bulls are the NBA version of Groundhog Day. Every year is kind of the same. They are never good enough to be contenders. They are never bad enough to be in great shape in the draft. Each year on July 1, the alarm clock goes off and the season repeats itself.

With that exceedingly gloomy picture now set, let’s talk about how the Bulls will likely approach the offseason.

Despite the above, Chicago isn’t in a bad place. They have some really talented players. Unfortunately, most of the talented players have contact-related issues that need tackled. That’s where we’ll start.

Of this summer’s free agents, the most important is Josh Giddey. After not reaching an agreement on a rookie scale extension, Giddey turned in his best all-around season in his first year with the Bulls. He put up career-bests in rebounds and assists, while fitting in well as playmaker and scorer.

Most encouraging? Giddey shot the ball well. From the start of December on, over 49 games, the fourth-year wing hit 38.3% of this 4.2 three-point attempts per game. Considering Giddey came into the year as a 31% shooter from deep, that’s a massive improvement.

For the Bulls to give him a huge contract, they have to believe that shooting improvement is real. If Chicago buys that Giddey can now hit shots, a contract in the range of five years for $125 to $150 million makes sense. That’s a $25 to $30 million AAV, which reflects Giddey’s all-around skillset.

If the team is, no pun intended, less bullish on the shooting, then you probably knock that offer down into the range four years and $80 to $100 million. You lock in for less money and fewer years, unless you are certain Giddey can be a big part of leading this team forward.

It’s been rumored that Giddey is looking for $150 million over five years. That has to be the absolute upper bound for Chicago. And given Giddey’s restricted free agent status, the Bulls can afford to wait him out. Unless the Brooklyn Nets are jumping in with a giant offer sheet, Giddey won’t be in play for rival teams. The biggest threat could be that he signs his $11 million qualifying offer and becomes an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2026.

Bet on Giddey and the Bulls finding common ground on a new deal in the ranges we called out above. Chicago showed how much they valued him by not getting anything else in their deal to acquire Giddey. They aren’t going to mess around too much here.

Beyond Giddey, the team’s other free agents are of far less importance. Jevon Carter should pick up his $6.8 million player option. He won’t see that much money offered his way in free agency. Talen Horton-Tucker is a nice enough player, but he’s a veteran minimum guy to fill out the bench.

Tre Jones is interesting. He’s one of the better backup point guards in the league, but is overmatched as a starter. The issue for Jones with the Bulls is that this team is well-stocked with on-ball guys. He may have to look elsewhere for more playing time, even if it means taking less money.

At the draft, Chicago has the 12th overall pick. Given the draft has good talent throughout the lottery, the Bulls have a chance to add another rotation player. Arturas Karnisovas’ draft record is a bit mixed. He hit on Matas Buzelis and Ayo Dosunmu. Patrick Williams and Dalen Terry weren’t terrible picks, but neither has really hit either. The rest are very much still trying to find their way.

This year, Chicago should be in best-player-available mode at the draft. Yes, they have a glut of guards, but that could clear up relatively quickly. If so, picking a long-term answer at the guard spot could be the play. The team also needs more depth up front, especially at the center spot. And the Bulls need more shooting across just about every position.

At the draft, Karnisovas will be in the range to draft Collin Murray-Boyles or Carter Bryant, as solid two-way combo forwards. If the team wants to go with a guard, Kasparas Jakucionis or Jase Richardson might be on the board. If the idea is to add a big, Derik Queen or possibly Khaman Maluach (if the latter slips) could be available. Shooters/scorers in this range include Kon Knueppel and Liam McNeeley. Finally, if the team wanted to go with another big ballhandler who is a questionable shooter, Egor Demin could be the pick.

The main takeaway: Chicago is in position to add another Day 1 rotation player in this draft. Some may take more time than others, but the Bulls can afford to let players develop a little bit, as they did with Buzelis last season.

Outside of re-signing Giddey and the draft, the next most important decisions of the summer will come with extensions. Several veterans are extension eligible this offseason, including Coby White, Nikola Vucevic and Ayo Dosunmu.

Vucevic is the least likely to extend of that trio. In fact, Vucevic may not even be on the roster come opening night. The Bulls were reportedly close to trading Vucevic at the deadline before a couple of different rumored deals feel apart. With several contenders in need of a stretch big, expect Chicago to re-engage on trade talks involving the veteran center. Even if there is no trade, there won’t be an extension. Vucevic and the Bulls have one year left together before they go their separate ways, at most.

The guards are a more complicated story. Chicago already extended Lonzo Ball, with a two-year, $20 million deal (team option on Year 2) as a reward for Ball making it back from his years-long knee injury to be a rotation guy again.

Having Ball in the fold gives the Bulls a little cover if they can’t work out extensions for White or Dosunmu. And working out extensions for either of the talented combo guards is going to be difficult.

If we go back to when the Bulls signed White and Dosunmu to their current contracts, we all praised Chicago for getting both players on team-friendly deals. Those good feelings last for as long as the deals themselves do. If the player outplays their contract, which both White and Dosunmu have, then they become almost unextendible.

Because both White and Dosunmu look set to make less than the average player salary next season (barely for White and by a large margin for Dosunmu), they are both eligible for what we call the “Dinwiddie Extension”. This moniker is because once upon a time with the Brooklyn Nets, Spencer Dinwiddie was eligible to sign an extension based off the average player salary. It became so talked about, that every Nets fan, and Dinwiddie himself, could quote the exact terms for what he was eligible to extend for.

In the case of White and Dosunmu, their max extensions this summer project to be about $89 million over four years. That’s 140% of the average player salary, followed by 8% raises.

For Dosunmu, that’d be a huge win. While a good player, he’s less dynamic in a primary role than White is. Dosunmu’s value comes in that he can play either on- or off-ball, and that he’s a decent defender against opposing guards. He won’t get a deal worth just north of $22 million AAV. Something in the range of the MLE amount, which projects to roughly $60 million over four years, feels lot more palatable for Dosunmu, if even a touch high. A new deal around $48 million over four years feels a lot better for the young ballhandler, who might be a third guard as the Bulls improve.

For White, $89 million isn’t nearly enough. As his role has increased over the last two seasons, White has improved and maintained his efficiency. He’s now an outstanding scorer, both creating for himself or when playing off others. And White is a much-improved playmaker too.

Given that this extension is the best the Bulls can do for White, he’s better off to let his current deal play out. That doesn’t rule out returning to Chicago in the summer of 2026. It’s just that far more money should be available for White in free agency a year from now, be it from the Bulls or another team.

The pieces are in place for the Chicago Bulls to put together a decent team next season. They’ll probably be somewhere in the range of 36 to 43 wins with a spot in the Play-In Tournament awaiting them. But that’s sort of the issue. It’s the same thing every year. The Bulls either need to push in to add talent to be a lot better. Or Chicago needs to move on from some vets and rebuild. Doing neither isn’t the recommended path, but it’s the one that history tells us the Bulls will take.

With under six weeks until teams have to announce the 2026 options they are exercising (June 30th) and the 2026 Free Agency window opening up the next day (July 1st), it’s time to take a look at how teams are shaping up their 2026 rosters and who is currently at risk of having high turnover. 

There are 212 players on guaranteed contracts for 2026 already, with roughly 15 player average per team. Eight of the 14 teams have 15 or less players under contract. 125 players have contracts expiring at the end of 2025 with no options, and an additional 38 players have options for 2026 (either club, mutual, or player). 

*Vanessa Gilles was included in Angel City’s 2026 under contract and INTL spots utilized

Teams have on average 11.6 players as either free agents or players with options, with Angel City, Houston, Gotham, San Diego, and Washington all at nine or below — meaning they have the opportunity to have the lower percentage of turnover. 

The Washington Spirit have the most players under contract, and the fewest free agents but will have to figure out how to get back into international spot compliance ahead of the 2026 Roster Compliance day ahead of the start of season. Already being over also has the potential to impact the Spirit’s secondary window and their 2025-26 offseason.

Racing, San Diego, and Houston all have no 2026 options they have to be concerned with, but Racing does currently have the highest number of 2026 free agents and the fewest number of players under contract for 2026 leaving them in a bit of a worrisome state. 

Seattle and Kansas City round out the top three on current 2026 free agents leading to potentially high roster turnover. 

With Kansas City at the top of the table, they’ll likely want to reduce some of their potential turnover by re-signing some of the key pieces of their squad like: captain Lo’eau LaBonta, Michelle Cooper, Bia Zaneratto, Kayla Sharples, or Halie Mace. 

Although Racing has the highest number of free agents, and just under 50% of their minutes thus far returning, Chicago has the least amount of minutes played returning for 2026. Only one of their six players with the most minutes this season is currently contracted to return next season. Angel City has the highest percentage of their played minutes returning at 86% with Houston close behind in second with 82%.