NBA free agency has been open for a week now, and the usual frenzy of signings has come and gone. But unlike most years, the biggest names are still sitting there. No max deals for superstars. No blockbuster announcements. Just a handful of role players taking smaller contracts while the market waits on two men: LeBron James and Jalen Duren.
It’s a weird spot for the league. LeBron is 41, turning 42 during the season, and he’s reportedly taking his time choosing between six teams. The Heat, Cavaliers, Nuggets, Timberwolves, Warriors, and 76ers are all in the mix, according to reports. He’s not the best player in the league anymore, but he’s still good enough to swing a contender’s fortunes. And until he decides, a bunch of other dominoes just sit there.
Meanwhile, Jalen Duren is the other name holding things up. He’s 22, an All-Star this past season, and helped Detroit lock up the No. 1 seed in the East. But his playoff performance was rough, and the market hasn’t given him the max he expected. The Pistons have right of first refusal, so they can match any offer. But Duren reportedly got frustrated with the team’s reluctance to pay him, and a sign-and-trade with the Kings was floated. For now, he’s still available, and nobody’s quite sure what happens next.
Russell Westbrook Is Still Waiting. Again.
Russ has been here before. Teams are scared of his style, his ball dominance, his unwillingness to accept a smaller role. But here’s the thing: when he actually gets a chance, he plays well. He was the Kings’ best player at times last year. He was useful for the Nuggets the year before. He’s a future Hall of Famer. And yet, at 36, he’s still sitting there while lesser players have signed. It’s not hard to see why teams are hesitant, but it’s also kind of wild that nobody’s taken a flier on him yet.
Jonathan Kuminga is in a similar boat. The former No. 7 pick had a rough stretch with Golden State, got traded to Atlanta, and then the Hawks declined his team option. Now he’s an unrestricted free agent at 23, and it’s unclear if anyone will give him a real shot or if he’ll have to take a prove-it deal off the bench. The talent is there. The consistency hasn’t been.
James Harden Might Be the Best Free Agent Nobody’s Talking About
People are so focused on LeBron that they’re forgetting James Harden is still out there. He’s 36, which is younger than LeBron, and he’s still one of the best passers in the league. He declined his player option with Cleveland to help them navigate free agency, but the expectation is he’ll go back. He’s a former MVP, three-time scoring champ, and he fits the Cavs well. If he signs elsewhere, it’d be a shock.
Rui Hachimura already made his move, signing with the Clippers after a strong playoff run with the Lakers. That one happened quietly, but it’s a solid pickup for LA. Draymond Green is still out there, though it feels like he’s just helping Golden State manage their cap. It’d be weird to see him in another uniform, but reports say it’s not a lock he returns. Steve Kerr knows how to use him. A different coach might not.
The Rest of the Board
Spencer Jones turned down a multi-year deal from Denver last season and bet on himself. It worked — he shot nearly 40% from three and started 37 games. He’s a restricted free agent, and the Nuggets probably want him back. Peyton Watson broke out for Denver this year, averaging nearly 15 points per game and playing elite defense. He’s also restricted, and Denver is prioritizing him.
Bennedict Mathurin came to the Clippers in the Ivica Zubac trade and has settled into a spark-plug scorer role off the bench. He’s restricted too, and the Clippers likely keep him. None of these guys are moving the needle alone. But together, they represent a market that’s stuck in neutral, waiting on two guys to decide before anyone else can move.
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