The NBA rumors are flying and speculation is swirling with the start to the league’s free agency period. There’s just one catch.
At the moment, only a few teams actually have an abundance of salary cap space to spend on free agents this year. Instead, blockbuster trade discussions and contract extension negotiations (and the subsequent fallout from them) are dominating the lead up to NBA free agency in 2026.
Giannis Antetokounmpo was already traded from the Milwaukee Bucks to the Miami Heat and LaMelo Ball went to the Minnesota Timberwolves thanks to the first of two major trades by the Charlotte Hornets. The ripple effects from those moves have started.
Draymond Green could be positioning the Golden State Warriors to get LeBron James and moves involving stars like Jaylen Brown, Kawhi Leonard and Ja Morant are among those anticipated in the coming days. The NBA’s negotiating window for free agents officially opens on Tuesday, June 30 at 6 p.m. ET and a wave of transactions are expected to follow.
Here’s a ranking of the eight NBA teams most likely to shape free agency this year:
1 / 10
Every player selected in the NBA Draft 2026 first round in photos
NBA commissioner Adam Silver poses with 2026 draft prospects before the NBA Draft at Barclays Center.
(Brad Penner, Imagn Images)
1 / 10
Every player selected in the NBA Draft 2026 first round in photos
NBA commissioner Adam Silver poses with 2026 draft prospects before the NBA Draft at Barclays Center.
(Brad Penner, Imagn Images)
2 / 10
Every player selected in the NBA Draft 2026 first round in photos
NBA commissioner Adam Silver shakes hands with AJ Dybantsa after h is drafted first overall by the Washington Wizards during Round One of the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 23, 2026 in New York City.
(Arturo Holmes, Getty Images)
3 / 10
Every player selected in the NBA Draft 2026 first round in photos
NBA commissioner Adam Silver shakes hands with AJ Dybantsa after he is drafted first overall by the Washington Wizards during Round One of the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 23, 2026 in New York City.
(Arturo Holmes, Getty Images)
4 / 10
Every player selected in the NBA Draft 2026 first round in photos
AJ Dybantsa is drafted first overall by the Washington Wizards during Round One of the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 23, 2026 in New York City.
(Arturo Holmes, Getty Images)
5 / 10
Every player selected in the NBA Draft 2026 first round in photos
NBA commissioner Adam Silver speaks during Round One of the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 23, 2026 in New York City.
(Arturo Holmes, Getty Images)
6 / 10
Every player selected in the NBA Draft 2026 first round in photos
Cameron Boozer awaits the start of Round One.
(Arturo Holmes, Getty Images)
7 / 10
Every player selected in the NBA Draft 2026 first round in photos
Caleb Wilson poses with family prior to Round One of the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center.
(Arturo Holmes, Getty Images)
8 / 10
Every player selected in the NBA Draft 2026 first round in photos
Chris Cenac Jr. poses for a photo with Kelvin Sampson prior to Round One.
(Arturo Holmes, Getty Images)
9 / 10
Every player selected in the NBA Draft 2026 first round in photos
Mikel Brown Jr. awaits the start of Round One of the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center.
(Arturo Holmes, Getty Images)
10 / 10
Every player selected in the NBA Draft 2026 first round in photos
An interior view of Barclays Center prior to Round One of the 2026 NBA Draft on June 23, 2026 in New York City.
(Caleb Bowlin, Getty Images)
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Ranking NBA teams to watch during free agency
The Warriors’ interest in LeBron James, and a report that they could also be eyeing reuniting James with former Lakers’ teammate Anthony Davis, have quickly turned Golden State into the team that can make the biggest splash this offseason. The potential of teaming Steph Curry and Draymond Green with James is there if James is willing to accept less money than he’s used to making.
The future of Jaylen Brown now hovers over the Celtics offseason after he was so publicly dangled in Giannis Antetokounmpo trade talks. The team is still reportedly exploring moving him. Can he and the franchise reconcile at this point? Many front offices around the league are watching closely to see if they can pounce on a potential ending. GM Brad Stevens previously said Boston is also in the market for reinforcements inside this offseason.
The Lakers will either convince LeBron James to stay or be one of the few teams in the league with a significant amount of cap space to build around Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Either way, their next move will be fascinating. Los Angeles is likely in the market for a center, despite DeAndre Ayton’s decision to opt in to his contract for the 2026-27 season.
The Clippers are reportedly interested in trading Kawhi Leonard as part of a pivot to get younger, though his desire for a new contract could limit potential suitors. They also could have cap space to operate with this offseason. The franchise is still awaiting the results of an NBA investigation into its agreement with Leonard and possible collective bargaining agreement violations related to Leonard’s endorsement deal with Aspiration.
1 / 13
Knicks parade celebrates first NBA title since 1973. See the moment
Fans arrive ahead of the New York Knicks Championship ticker tape parade and victory rally celebrating winning the 2026 NBA Finals on June 18, 2026 in New York City. The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs in five games to win their first NBA Championship in 53 years.
(Michael M. Santiago, Getty Images)
1 / 13
Knicks parade celebrates first NBA title since 1973. See the moment
Fans arrive ahead of the New York Knicks Championship ticker tape parade and victory rally celebrating winning the 2026 NBA Finals on June 18, 2026 in New York City. The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs in five games to win their first NBA Championship in 53 years.
(Michael M. Santiago, Getty Images)
2 / 13
Knicks parade celebrates first NBA title since 1973. See the moment
New York Knicks fans with a Dominican Republic flag pose for a photograph before the parade in New York City, New York, June 18, 2026.
(Eduardo Munoz, REUTERS)
3 / 13
Knicks parade celebrates first NBA title since 1973. See the moment
A New York Knicks fan poses for a photograph before the parade.
(Eduardo Munoz, REUTERS)
4 / 13
Knicks parade celebrates first NBA title since 1973. See the moment
Fans arrive ahead of the New York Knicks Championship ticker tape parade and victory rally celebrating winning the 2026 NBA Finals on June 18, 2026 in New York City.
(Michael M. Santiago, Getty Images)
5 / 13
Knicks parade celebrates first NBA title since 1973. See the moment
General view of police officers patrolling before the parade.
(Eduardo Munoz, REUTERS)
6 / 13
Knicks parade celebrates first NBA title since 1973. See the moment
General view of the New York City Hall before the parade.
(Mike Segar, REUTERS)
7 / 13
Knicks parade celebrates first NBA title since 1973. See the moment
General view of New York Knicks fans before the parade.
(Mike Segar, REUTERS)
8 / 13
Knicks parade celebrates first NBA title since 1973. See the moment
Police officers patrolling before the parade.
(Eduardo Munoz, REUTERS)
9 / 13
Knicks parade celebrates first NBA title since 1973. See the moment
New York Knicks gather near Woolworth Building before the parade.
(Mike Segar, REUTERS)
10 / 13
Knicks parade celebrates first NBA title since 1973. See the moment
Fans arrive ahead of the New York Knicks Championship ticker tape parade and victory rally celebrating winning the 2026 NBA Finals on June 18, 2026 in New York City.
(Michael M. Santiago, Getty Images)
11 / 13
Knicks parade celebrates first NBA title since 1973. See the moment
General view of the One World Trade Center as New York Knicks fans queue before the parade.
(Eduardo Munoz, REUTERS)
12 / 13
Knicks parade celebrates first NBA title since 1973. See the moment
New York Knicks fans arriving by Subway before the parade.
(Eduardo Munoz, REUTERS)
13 / 13
Knicks parade celebrates first NBA title since 1973. See the moment
General view of police officers patrolling as New York Knicks fans are seen before the parade.
(Eduardo Munoz, REUTERS)
The Pistons followed a tremendous regular season with a playoff run that highlighted how limited they are offensively outside of star Cade Cunningham. Surrounding him with a better supporting cast appears to be a priority after Detroit offloaded Isaiah Stewart’s contract and traded for Isaiah Joe. The Pistons reportedly covet Tyler Herro, who was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The Raptors are one of the teams in the running for Leonard after winning a title with him in 2019 and they’ve been mentioned in speculation related to several possible trades this offseason. Toronto has a collection of players, draft picks and contracts, most notably, RJ Barrett, to put together a package for any stars that come available. The Raptors’ motivation to compete with the Knicks and Cavaliers in the East could prompt a major move.
The Trail Blazers have a new owner who is used to winning with his NHL team and has money available to spend under the NBA salary cap. They’ve been mentioned as a team interested in making a major deal after the franchise’s first playoff appearance in five years. Portland can use the contracts of Jerami Grant, draft picks and several players from their young nucleus, and it seems to be in the mix for Brown.
The Nets could be one of the few teams with actual cap space to spend after already acquiring Julius Randle from the Minnesota Timberwolves via trade. Michael Porter Jr. is on an expiring contract worth $40.8 million this season and could be an attractive trade option in exchange for Jaylen Brown, or up until the trade deadline. The Nets could also sign him to a contract extension after he had a career year in Brooklyn last season.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA free agency: Ranking 8 teams poised to make biggest moves
