Top 10 Remaining 2025 Free Agents
(This list doesn’t include Malik Beasley because he is currently under investigation for illegal gambling.)
No. 10
Ben Simmons
It has been four seasons since Ben Simmons left Philadelphia, and he still hasn’t seemed to find his footing. While Simmons may never return to the same level of production he once had, he can still be viewed as a low-risk, high-reward player for contending teams. Simmons is still a gifted passer and defender for his position.
No. 9
Gary Payton II
He’s getting a little older, but Gary Payton II is still an elite point-of-attack defender. In recent years, health has been a question mark, as Payton II hasn’t played more than 65 games in a season since his breakout year in 2022. If GP2 ultimately chooses to sign with a team other than Golden State, it will be interesting to see how different teams utilize him offensively. Opposite to Simmons, you know exactly what you’re going to get from Payton II on a nightly basis.
No. 8
Malcolm Brogdon
Former Sixth Man of the Year winner Malcolm Brogdon provides steady bench scoring, ball-handling, and playmaking. For his career, Brogdon has averaged 15.3 points on 38.8% shooting from three. Health has certainly been an issue throughout his career, as he’s played fewer than 65 games in seven of his nine seasons in the league. However, it’s still surprising to see that there has been no market for the veteran guard.
No. 7
Al Horford
The adult in the room, Al Horford, turned 39 in June of this year. Don’t let the age fool you—Horford remains a steady presence, bringing spacing and defense. Even at 39, he hasn’t seen a dramatic decline in his minutes or production. In 27.6 minutes off the bench, Horford averaged 9 points and 6.2 rebounds, shooting 36.3% from three. It has been reported that Horford is likely heading to Golden State, but until the Warriors resolve their Jonathan Kuminga situation, Horford remains an unrestricted free agent.
No. 6
De’Anthony Melton
De’Anthony Melton is probably the best 3&D option still available in free agency. Melton looked extremely impressive during his short stint with the Warriors last season, but the small sample size has made front offices more inclined to look elsewhere. Health remains the biggest concern, as Melton only played six games last season after partially tearing his ACL. While he’s most likely going to return to the Warriors, Jonathan Kuminga’s situation is preventing any deal from being finalized.
No. 5
Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook had a bit of a resurgence with Denver last season after playing a much smaller role with the Clippers the year before. In 27.9 minutes per game, Westbrook averaged 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists across 75 games, primarily off the bench. He brought much-needed energy to Denver’s second unit, and that team might’ve legitimately struggled without Westbrook's relentless effort to salvage their bench. In 36 games as a starter, Westbrook averaged 15.3 points, 7 assists, and 6.1 rebounds. I don’t understand all the hesitancy around signing Russ—the Brodie still has it.
No. 4
Cam Thomas
The rest of the list consists of restricted free agents. Cam Thomas is a bonafide bucket-getter. Like the other remaining restricted free agents, Thomas is likely returning to the Nets for at least one more season. Averaging 24 points in 25 games this past season, Thomas is a highly skilled scorer, but he’s yet to fully show what he can do beyond scoring. The Nets simply don’t envision a future where they build a team around him. Next offseason, he’ll certainly have a more substantial market.
No. 3
Jonathan Kuminga
Jonathan Kuminga has been the center of much discussion this summer. He’s drawn significant interest from other teams, leading to a standoff between the Warriors and Kuminga’s camp. Kuminga has shown flashes of star potential, averaging 20.8 points per game during the Timberwolves series in just 27.4 minutes. To put it simply, Kuminga doesn’t quite fit into the Warriors' system, and his relationship with Steve Kerr took a hit after he was left out of the rotation with DNPs toward the end of last season.
No. 2
Quentin Grimes
The Sixers want Grimes, but they just can’t afford him at an expensive deal. After being given the opportunity to step up on an injury-riddled Sixers team last season, Grimes showcased his talent. He proved that he can be more than a 3&D player, excelling as a two-way contributor. In 28 games with the Sixers post-trade deadline, Grimes averaged 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists. Depending on where he lands, Grimes could either become a heavily featured role player or an all-star caliber talent.
No. 1
Josh Giddey
Although Giddey is highly likely to return to the Bulls, he remains the best available free agent. Giddey is a ball-dominant, playmaking guard with good size for his position. After the All-Star break, he became a nightly triple-double threat. In 19 games, Giddey averaged 21.2 points, 10.7 rebounds, 9.3 assists, and even shot 41.2% from three on 4.3 attempts per game. Many teams could benefit from a player like Giddey, but the reason teams have yet to extend an offer is their fear that the Bulls will simply match the deal.
