As the 2025-26 NBA season approaches, most teams are finalizing their rosters. Nevertheless, several free agents remain unsigned; some are locked in contract disputes, while others are still undecided about their next destination. Jonathan Kuminga, Josh Giddey, and Russell Westbrook are among the notable players seeking to clarify their futures.
Our NBA insiders delve into the current standing of the seven most prominent free agents, their negotiation points, and how the restricted salary cap is influencing the league`s landscape.
Russell Westbrook
It seems Russell Westbrook, who spent the initial 11 years of his career with the Oklahoma City Thunder, is set to join his sixth franchise in seven seasons. A return to the Denver Nuggets is not on the cards after a turbulent season where Westbrook placed seventh in the Sixth Man of the Year voting. The NBA`s all-time triple-double leader won`t be following the trend of veteran point guards returning to their former teams for a nostalgic homecoming. While the Thunder plan to retire Westbrook`s No. 0, the reigning champions lack both roster and rotation space, and have no desire to disrupt the chemistry that led to their title.
League sources indicate the Sacramento Kings are the most probable destination for Westbrook, who will turn 37 early in the season. If he joins the Kings, Westbrook would likely come off the bench again, sharing ball-handling responsibilities with newly acquired free agent Dennis Schroder.
Jonathan Kuminga
Jonathan Kuminga`s situation has seen no significant developments in the past two weeks, according to sources. Kuminga recently returned to Miami, his current offseason training base, from his home country, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, maintaining his stance on the Golden State Warriors` two-year, $45 million offer. Sources indicate the Warriors initially presented this as a trade-friendly deal, hoping to satisfy both parties` long-term goals once he becomes eligible for trade in January. This explains Golden State`s desire for a team option in the second year and their request for Kuminga to waive his inherent no-trade clause.
However, this is precisely why Kuminga continues to reject the proposal. Sources report he is unwilling to accept such a team-favorable deal, finding the prospect of signing a contract that makes him easily tradeable mid-season unappealing. This summer, Kuminga sought a contract that would affirm his role as a foundational player for the Warriors or another franchise. His representatives proposed an $82 million, three-year agreement, which the Warriors declined. As of last weekend, no progress towards a compromise had been made.
Consequently, the situation remains unchanged from ten days prior. The Warriors have not increased their offer, and Kuminga has conveyed to those close to him that the $7.9 million qualifying offer is more appealing than Golden State`s current proposal. A resolution must be reached before the October 1st deadline.
Ben Simmons
Ben Simmons faces a significant roster crunch. He is among nearly 75 players who completed the regular season on a team`s roster but currently lack a home for the upcoming season.
The primary reason for this predicament stems from the 41 drafted players who have signed first- and second-round contracts, effectively displacing veterans like Simmons from next season`s rosters. Furthermore, most teams, aside from Golden State, have largely finalized their squads or are unable to sign new players due to salary cap constraints or the luxury tax apron. For instance, the Lakers, despite having an open roster spot, are restricted from signing a player until January 18th.
Out of 442 players currently under contract for the next season, 393 hold guaranteed deals, averaging 13.1 guaranteed contracts per team.
Al Horford
Within the league, there`s a prevailing belief that Al Horford will ultimately sign with the Warriors once the free agency landscape settles. The ongoing Kuminga situation continues to impede the Warriors` operations, keeping Horford in a holding pattern.
However, Horford is content to wait. While sources indicate retirement remains an option, the Warriors appear to be planning as if he is a definite part of their roster for the upcoming season. Horford would likely step in as the starting center, reducing Draymond Green`s regular-season workload, which is a key objective. Horford`s passing and defensive skills align well with the Warriors` system, and his ability to shoot from the center position fills a significant void they`ve experienced.
At 39 years old, Horford has not been playing both games of back-to-backs. The Warriors cannot expect him to be a nightly 25-minute contributor, but their aim is to have him on the court when it truly matters, creating space for five-man lineups that would particularly benefit dynamic players like Kuminga.
Cam Thomas
Among the four notable restricted free agents this summer, Cam Thomas appears most likely to play next season under his qualifying offer.
The 23-year-old scoring guard`s contract value has been challenging to determine since he dropped to the late first round in the 2022 draft. Despite averaging 24 points last season, the nature of the offers he`s receiving remains unclear, which in turn affects fellow restricted free agents Kuminga, Grimes, and Giddey this summer.
If Brooklyn does reach an agreement with Thomas, it`s anticipated to structurally resemble the one-year deals with second-year team options that the Nets previously signed with center Day`Ron Sharpe and forward Ziaire Williams earlier this offseason.
Josh Giddey
Contract negotiations between Josh Giddey and the Chicago Bulls have extended for months, yet both parties are highly likely to reach an agreement before summer`s end. Giddey remains integral to the team`s long-term vision, having been acquired from the Thunder in exchange for Alex Caruso last summer. After a slow start, Giddey showcased his potential as a primary playmaker in the second half of the season, averaging 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists following the All-Star break.
Giddey has been seeking an annual contract in the range of $30 million, a price the Bulls have not agreed to. With limited cap space available across the league, particularly for restricted free agents, the Bulls have benefited from holding out for a more team-friendly deal.
Quentin Grimes
Quentin Grimes finds himself in a similar predicament to Kuminga in Golden State, Giddey in Chicago, and Thomas in Brooklyn. He is a talented player who should be attracting offers. However, as a restricted free agent, with hardly any teams possessing available cap space to pursue him, he`s in a tough negotiation spot.
Grimes would also face stiff competition for playing time on the Philadelphia 76ers` roster. The team`s two most recent first-round picks – Jared McCain, last season`s leading Rookie of the Year candidate before season-ending meniscus surgery, and VJ Edgecombe, this year`s third overall pick – both play the same position. Furthermore, the 76ers are focused on building their future around another guard, Tyrese Maxey.
Uncertainty also surrounds the health statuses of Joel Embiid and Paul George. Should Grimes accept Philadelphia`s qualifying offer, rather than a long-term, eight-figure annual contract, the 76ers might enter the season a few million dollars into the luxury tax. This strategy could allow them to potentially dip below the tax line if the season unfolds similarly to the last.
