The 2026 NBA Draft is in the books and yeah, it was loaded. AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer, Caleb Wilson — a class that’ll be remembered for a while. But the real action might not be over.
Giannis got traded to Miami. LaMelo Ball and Julius Randle got moved too. And just when it looked like Austin Reaves would headline free agency, he signed an extension with the Lakers. So where does that leave the market?
Well, LeBron James is still out there as an unrestricted free agent, which is kind of a big deal. But the teams with the most cap space aren’t the usual suspects. Here are three sleepers that could surprise everyone.
3. Utah Jazz
The Jazz tanked hard last year — worst record in the West. But they weren’t just losing; they were building. They traded for Jaren Jackson Jr., which should fix a lot of their defensive issues. Walker Kessler is coming back from injury, and they drafted Darryn Peterson second overall, who some scouts are calling a generational talent.
Pair that with Keyonte George, Lauri Markkanen and Ace Bailey, and you’ve got one of the most intriguing young cores in the league. But here’s the thing: they might still need a veteran who knows how to win. Signing a true superstar is probably a stretch given Jackson and Markkanen are on big deals already, and Kessler needs a new contract too. But if those talks fall apart? Utah could pivot and throw money at a high-end replacement. Don’t sleep on them adding a quality role player or two either.
2. Chicago Bulls
The Bulls were supposed to have the most cap space in the league this summer. Then they jumped into the Julius Randle trade as a third team and picked up Nic Claxton without giving up much. That’s a solid get — Claxton adds defense they desperately needed.
But here’s the kicker: they still have room to spend, especially if they let Anfernee Simons and Collin Sexton walk in free agency. After dealing with a backcourt logjam last season, letting both go makes sense. They also drafted Caleb Wilson, who looks like the future face of the franchise. But Wilson has star potential, not star production yet. Chicago could use a proven veteran to ease the pressure on him. They’ve got the cash. The question is who wants to come to a team that’s been stuck in neutral for years.
1. Brooklyn Nets
The Nets might be the most interesting team nobody’s paying attention to. They’re technically rebuilding — they drafted five first-rounders just a year ago — but they play in New York. That still means something to free agents.
With Claxton gone and the Bulls absorbing his contract, Brooklyn has a massive hole at center. Jalen Duren is a restricted free agent in Detroit, and the Pistons might not want to overpay him after a shaky playoffs. The Nets could swoop in with an offer Detroit can’t stomach matching.
There’s also some intriguing wings out there. Peyton Watson in Denver and Tari Eason in Houston are both young with untapped potential. Their current teams might not be able to match what Brooklyn can offer.
The Nets need a real star — whether that’s a young center like Duren or a veteran who can immediately raise the floor. They’ve got the cap space and the market. Now it’s just a matter of convincing someone to buy in.
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