RealGM

Posted: **Mon May 26, 2025 3:40 pm**

Where will the top 25 free agents sign this off-season?

Kevin Pelton's Top 25 2025 NBA Free Agents
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/45320766/nba-free-agent-rankings-futures-lebron-turner-more-stars

1. LeBron James, Player Option
2. James Harden, Player Option
3. Kyrie Irving, Player Option
4. Julius Randle, Player Option
5. Fred VanVleet, Team Option
6. Myles Turner
7. Josh Giddey, Restricted
8. Quentin Grimes, Restricted
9. Jonathan Kuminga, Restricted
10. Keon Ellis, Team Option
11. Dorian Finney-Smith, Player Option
12. Brook Lopez
13. Chris Paul
14. Al Horford
15. Ty Jerome
16. Malik Beasley
17. Naz Reid, Player Option
18. Caris LeVert
19. Gary Trent Jr.
20. Santi Aldama, Restricted
21. Nickeil Alexander-Walker
22. Chris Boucher
23. Tim Hardaway Jr.
24. Dennis Schroder
25. Tyus Jones

Hoopshype goes on to include the following in their Top 25 as excluded from the list above:
https://hoopshype.com/lists/2025-nba-free-agent-rankings-the-best-players-available-this-summer/

Cam Thomas, Restricted
Kelly Oubre, Player Option
Bobby Portis, Player Option
John Collins, Player Option
Clint Capela
Mo Wagner, Team Option

Teams with Cap Space/Non-Tax MLE (https://www.spotrac.com/news/_/id/2643/post-trade-deadline-2025-nba-cap-space-and-spending-power-projections)

Cap Space:
Brooklyn Nets $55 Million

Non-Tax MLE:
Atlanta Hawks
Charlotte Hornets
Chicago Bulls
Detroit Pistons
Houston Rockets
LA Clippers
Memphis Grizzlies
San Antonio Spurs
Utah Jazz
Washington Wizards

Posted: **Mon May 26, 2025 4:13 pm**

The 5 top Player options stays with their teams. No one can pay them

Chris Paul or Tyus Jones or both sign with the Mavs
Myles Turner stay with Indiana
Brooke Lopez sign for the Lakers for the minimum
AI horford sign for the Lakers I don’t know how
Naz Reid sign with Spurs for the MLE (one can hope)

Posted: **Mon May 26, 2025 4:17 pm**

I think all of the top 8 stay where they are, and would be legitimately surprised to see any of them move, except maybe FVV if he's needed as salary filler for like a Giannis/Booker/KD trade

After them, it's kind of a free for all. I'll predict:

9) Kuminga S&T to Chicago
12) Brook Lopez returns to Milwaukee if Giannis stays, goes to the Lakers on a cheap deal if Giannis is traded
16) Malik Beasley to Grizzlies
19) Trent to BRK
25) Tyus Jones to Charlotte

The rest stay home

Posted: **Mon May 26, 2025 4:20 pm**

Fred probably has his option declined and he signs back with Houston on a lower figure. Steven Adams isn't listed, but he should be returning.

Posted: **Mon May 26, 2025 4:51 pm**

NYG wrote:Where will the top 25 free agents sign this off-season?

Kevin Pelton's Top 25 2025 NBA Free Agents
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/45320766/nba-free-agent-rankings-futures-lebron-turner-more-stars

1. LeBron James, Player Option Exercises PO, stays with LAL
2. James Harden, Player Option Exercises PO, stays with LAC
3. Kyrie Irving, Player Option Exercises PO, stays with DAL
4. Julius Randle, Player Option Exercises PO, stays with LAL
5. Fred VanVleet, Team Option Houston exercises TO
6. Myles Turner Re-signs with Indiana 4 years $140M
7. Josh Giddey, Restricted Re-signs with Chicago 4 years $110M
8. Quentin Grimes, Restricted Re-signs with Philadelphia 3 years $60M (last year PO)
9. Jonathan Kuminga, Restricted S&T to Brooklyn for TPE, 4 years $90M
10. Keon Ellis, Team Option Sacramento exercises TO
11. Dorian Finney-Smith, Player Option Exercises PO, stays with LAL
12. Brook Lopez Signs with Golden State 2+TO full MLE
13. Chris Paul Signs with Brooklyn, 1 year $12M
14. Al Horford Re-signs with Boston 1 year vet min
15. Ty Jerome Signs with Atlanta 3 years $45M
16. Malik Beasley Re-signs with Detroit 2 years $20M
17. Naz Reid, Player Option Declines PO, extends with Minnesota
18. Caris LeVert
19. Gary Trent Jr.
20. Santi Aldama, Restricted Re-signs with Memphis 3 years $75M
21. Nickeil Alexander-Walker Signs with Chicago full MLE
22. Chris Boucher Signs with Detroit 2 years $18M
23. Tim Hardaway Jr. Re-signs with Detroit 1 year $5M
24. Dennis Schroder
25. Tyus Jones

Hoopshype goes on to include the following in their Top 25 as excluded from the list above:
https://hoopshype.com/lists/2025-nba-free-agent-rankings-the-best-players-available-this-summer/

Cam Thomas, Restricted
Kelly Oubre, Player Option
Bobby Portis, Player Option
John Collins, Player Option
Clint Capela
Mo Wagner, Team Option

Teams with Cap Space/Non-Tax MLE (https://www.spotrac.com/news/_/id/2643/post-trade-deadline-2025-nba-cap-space-and-spending-power-projections)

Cap Space:
Brooklyn Nets $55 Million

Non-Tax MLE:
Atlanta Hawks
Charlotte Hornets
Chicago Bulls
Detroit Pistons
Houston Rockets
LA Clippers
Memphis Grizzlies
San Antonio Spurs
Utah Jazz
Washington Wizards

Still working on the rest TBH

Posted: **Mon May 26, 2025 5:46 pm**

gswhoops wrote:
NYG wrote:Where will the top 25 free agents sign this off-season?

Kevin Pelton's Top 25 2025 NBA Free Agents
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/45320766/nba-free-agent-rankings-futures-lebron-turner-more-stars

1. LeBron James, Player Option Exercises PO, stays with LAL
2. James Harden, Player Option Exercises PO, stays with LAC
3. Kyrie Irving, Player Option Exercises PO, stays with DAL
4. Julius Randle, Player Option Exercises PO, stays with LAL
5. Fred VanVleet, Team Option Houston exercises TO
6. Myles Turner Re-signs with Indiana 4 years $140M
7. Josh Giddey, Restricted Re-signs with Chicago 4 years $110M
8. Quentin Grimes, Restricted Re-signs with Philadelphia 3 years $60M (last year PO)
9. Jonathan Kuminga, Restricted S&T to Brooklyn for TPE, 4 years $90M
10. Keon Ellis, Team Option Sacramento exercises TO
11. Dorian Finney-Smith, Player Option Exercises PO, stays with LAL
12. Brook Lopez Signs with Golden State 2+TO full MLE
13. Chris Paul Signs with Brooklyn, 1 year $12M
14. Al Horford Re-signs with Boston 1 year vet min
15. Ty Jerome Signs with Atlanta 3 years $45M
16. Malik Beasley Re-signs with Detroit 2 years $20M
17. Naz Reid, Player Option Declines PO, extends with Minnesota
18. Caris LeVert
19. Gary Trent Jr.
20. Santi Aldama, Restricted Re-signs with Memphis 3 years $75M
21. Nickeil Alexander-Walker Signs with Chicago full MLE
22. Chris Boucher Signs with Detroit 2 years $18M
23. Tim Hardaway Jr. Re-signs with Detroit 1 year $5M
24. Dennis Schroder
25. Tyus Jones

Hoopshype goes on to include the following in their Top 25 as excluded from the list above:
https://hoopshype.com/lists/2025-nba-free-agent-rankings-the-best-players-available-this-summer/

Cam Thomas, Restricted
Kelly Oubre, Player Option
Bobby Portis, Player Option
John Collins, Player Option
Clint Capela
Mo Wagner, Team Option

Teams with Cap Space/Non-Tax MLE (https://www.spotrac.com/news/_/id/2643/post-trade-deadline-2025-nba-cap-space-and-spending-power-projections)

Cap Space:
Brooklyn Nets $55 Million

Non-Tax MLE:
Atlanta Hawks
Charlotte Hornets
Chicago Bulls
Detroit Pistons
Houston Rockets
LA Clippers
Memphis Grizzlies
San Antonio Spurs
Utah Jazz
Washington Wizards

Still working on the rest TBH

Why would brooklyn waste cap space for Kuminga or Chris Paul?
Especially when they are the only team with cap space

Either they attract huge stars (Giannis and another) and contend
Or they could help teams from cap space hell (Boston, Phoenix, etc) while taking big assets in compensation

Posted: **Mon May 26, 2025 5:51 pm**

eric365 wrote:
gswhoops wrote:
NYG wrote:Where will the top 25 free agents sign this off-season?

Kevin Pelton's Top 25 2025 NBA Free Agents
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/45320766/nba-free-agent-rankings-futures-lebron-turner-more-stars

1. LeBron James, Player Option Exercises PO, stays with LAL
2. James Harden, Player Option Exercises PO, stays with LAC
3. Kyrie Irving, Player Option Exercises PO, stays with DAL
4. Julius Randle, Player Option Exercises PO, stays with LAL
5. Fred VanVleet, Team Option Houston exercises TO
6. Myles Turner Re-signs with Indiana 4 years $140M
7. Josh Giddey, Restricted Re-signs with Chicago 4 years $110M
8. Quentin Grimes, Restricted Re-signs with Philadelphia 3 years $60M (last year PO)
9. Jonathan Kuminga, Restricted S&T to Brooklyn for TPE, 4 years $90M
10. Keon Ellis, Team Option Sacramento exercises TO
11. Dorian Finney-Smith, Player Option Exercises PO, stays with LAL
12. Brook Lopez Signs with Golden State 2+TO full MLE
13. Chris Paul Signs with Brooklyn, 1 year $12M
14. Al Horford Re-signs with Boston 1 year vet min
15. Ty Jerome Signs with Atlanta 3 years $45M
16. Malik Beasley Re-signs with Detroit 2 years $20M
17. Naz Reid, Player Option Declines PO, extends with Minnesota
18. Caris LeVert
19. Gary Trent Jr.
20. Santi Aldama, Restricted Re-signs with Memphis 3 years $75M
21. Nickeil Alexander-Walker Signs with Chicago full MLE
22. Chris Boucher Signs with Detroit 2 years $18M
23. Tim Hardaway Jr. Re-signs with Detroit 1 year $5M
24. Dennis Schroder
25. Tyus Jones

Hoopshype goes on to include the following in their Top 25 as excluded from the list above:
https://hoopshype.com/lists/2025-nba-free-agent-rankings-the-best-players-available-this-summer/

Cam Thomas, Restricted
Kelly Oubre, Player Option
Bobby Portis, Player Option
John Collins, Player Option
Clint Capela
Mo Wagner, Team Option

Teams with Cap Space/Non-Tax MLE (https://www.spotrac.com/news/_/id/2643/post-trade-deadline-2025-nba-cap-space-and-spending-power-projections)

Cap Space:
Brooklyn Nets $55 Million

Non-Tax MLE:
Atlanta Hawks
Charlotte Hornets
Chicago Bulls
Detroit Pistons
Houston Rockets
LA Clippers
Memphis Grizzlies
San Antonio Spurs
Utah Jazz
Washington Wizards

Still working on the rest TBH

Why would brooklyn waste cap space for Kuminga or Chris Paul?
Especially when they are the only team with cap space

Either they attract huge stars (Giannis and another) and contend
Or they could help teams from cap space hell (Boston, Phoenix, etc) while taking big assets in compensation

I could see the Nets doing a hybrid

Like signing Ty Jerome and Quentin Grimes then using the rest on acquiring assets from teams dumping salary/as a third team in trades

Posted: **Mon May 26, 2025 6:26 pm**

NYG wrote:
eric365 wrote:
gswhoops wrote:Still working on the rest TBH

Why would brooklyn waste cap space for Kuminga or Chris Paul?
Especially when they are the only team with cap space

Either they attract huge stars (Giannis and another) and contend
Or they could help teams from cap space hell (Boston, Phoenix, etc) while taking big assets in compensation

I could see the Nets doing a hybrid

Like signing Ty Jerome and Quentin Grimes then using the rest on acquiring assets from teams dumping salary/as a third team in trades

Or they might focus on expirings to kick the can toward a better free agent year.

Posted: **Mon May 26, 2025 6:32 pm**

brackdan70 wrote:
NYG wrote:
eric365 wrote:

Why would brooklyn waste cap space for Kuminga or Chris Paul?
Especially when they are the only team with cap space

Either they attract huge stars (Giannis and another) and contend
Or they could help teams from cap space hell (Boston, Phoenix, etc) while taking big assets in compensation

I could see the Nets doing a hybrid

Like signing Ty Jerome and Quentin Grimes then using the rest on acquiring assets from teams dumping salary/as a third team in trades

Or they might focus on expirings to kick the can toward a better free agent year.

They can still be paid to take on expirings in dumps as well, and that is likely their preference. Majority (>50%) of salary dumps historically have been expiring contracts since most teams don't want to pay additional assets to to entice a team to take longer paid money.

IF I was the Nets I would not spend a dime on FA until it is evident that no one wants to pay me for the use of my capspace. You can always give a bloated one year deal to a FA if you need to hit the salary floor.

Posted: **Mon May 26, 2025 6:41 pm**

psman2 wrote:
brackdan70 wrote:
NYG wrote:
I could see the Nets doing a hybrid

Like signing Ty Jerome and Quentin Grimes then using the rest on acquiring assets from teams dumping salary/as a third team in trades

Or they might focus on expirings to kick the can toward a better free agent year.

They can still be paid to take on expirings in dumps as well, and that is likely their preference. Majority (>50%) of salary dumps historically have been expiring contracts since most teams don't want to pay additional assets to to entice a team to take longer paid money.

IF I was the Nets I would not spend a dime on FA until it is evident that no one wants to pay me for the use of my capspace. You can always give a bloated one year deal to a FA if you need to hit the salary floor.

Which teams meet all 3...

1. Need to dump money
2. Have players worth using assets to get rid of
3. Have the assets

Posted: **Mon May 26, 2025 6:53 pm**

eric365 wrote:Naz Reid sign with Spurs for the MLE (one can hope)

That isn't going to happen, lol. Naz's low # probably starts at $20m. Mle is what, 14? He took a paycut before to stay in Minnesota, so I don't see him leaving for a number that's lower than his PO($15m).

Posted: **Mon May 26, 2025 7:11 pm**

NYG wrote:
psman2 wrote:
brackdan70 wrote:Or they might focus on expirings to kick the can toward a better free agent year.

They can still be paid to take on expirings in dumps as well, and that is likely their preference. Majority (>50%) of salary dumps historically have been expiring contracts since most teams don't want to pay additional assets to to entice a team to take longer paid money.

IF I was the Nets I would not spend a dime on FA until it is evident that no one wants to pay me for the use of my capspace. You can always give a bloated one year deal to a FA if you need to hit the salary floor.

Which teams meet all 3...

1. Need to dump money
2. Have players worth using assets to get rid of
3. Have the assets

Boston- might pay some to get less money back as part of a bigger trade with Nets likely eating some salary from a team that gets KP or Jrue.

Memphis. Might pay something to dump Konchar and Clarke, neither are expiring but small contracts in hope to renegotiate JJJ.

Giannis/KD trades. Likely a good opportunity to eat some money here to help team circumnavigate the aprons requirements.

Maybe Minny pays something to dump Conley to bring back all their FAs.

FA is barren for a team like the Nets. Unless a young player falls through the cracks and is a bargain, I would not be excited about the idea of giving anyone on that list a top of the market offer. I am already dreading the contract they are likely going to give Cam Thomas, I would be hoping for a SNT there too for some kind of asset.

Posted: **Mon May 26, 2025 8:43 pm**

moss_is_1 wrote:
eric365 wrote:Naz Reid sign with Spurs for the MLE (one can hope)

That isn't going to happen, lol. Naz's low # probably starts at $20m. Mle is what, 14? He took a paycut before to stay in Minnesota, so I don't see him leaving for a number that's lower than his PO($15m).

Yes he will probably take the PO if no one can pay him (free agency or sign and trade)

But I’m sure we’ll see players takes paycut to come to the spurs. Maybe not this summer but not long after

And the $14m MLE in texas without tax is in fact a little bit more than the $15m in Minesota

Posted: **Mon May 26, 2025 9:46 pm**

Lowkey this year’s free agency isn’t very impressive & from what I understand there isn’t a lot of cap money regardless.

I think a lot of players are going to make deals to return to their teams based on bird rights.

The three guys I think we might see a bidding war for are Giddey, and Jerome. I also think Kuminga ends up leaving.

If I had to predict Brooklyn tries to get Giddey but the Bulls Match unless it’s outlandish, I also think if it does then the Bulls pull a S&T for Kuminga, or if Brooklyn can’t get Giddey they go Kuminga. Basically Kuminga is the 2B option this FA.

As for Turner or Randle I legit thought Detroit would makes a run for one of them with all their cap space but the Cade contract increase situation has really limited them. I can’t fathom what they do now except maybe try to add Ty Jerome next to Cade, though they have Ivey so I could also see them maybe overpaying someone for one year to get access to that money next year’s free agency.

Posted: **Mon May 26, 2025 10:13 pm**

NYG wrote:
Teams with Cap Space/Non-Tax MLE (https://www.spotrac.com/news/_/id/2643/post-trade-deadline-2025-nba-cap-space-and-spending-power-projections)

Cap Space:
Brooklyn Nets $55 Million

Non-Tax MLE:
Atlanta Hawks
Charlotte Hornets
Chicago Bulls
Detroit Pistons
Houston Rockets
LA Clippers
Memphis Grizzlies
San Antonio Spurs
Utah Jazz
Washington Wizards

Are any of those teams Sam Hauser fits?

Posted: **Mon May 26, 2025 10:48 pm**

NYG wrote:
NYG wrote:
Teams with Cap Space/Non-Tax MLE (https://www.spotrac.com/news/_/id/2643/post-trade-deadline-2025-nba-cap-space-and-spending-power-projections)

Cap Space:
Brooklyn Nets $55 Million

Non-Tax MLE:
Atlanta Hawks
Charlotte Hornets
Chicago Bulls
Detroit Pistons
Houston Rockets
LA Clippers
Memphis Grizzlies
San Antonio Spurs
Utah Jazz
Washington Wizards

Are any of those teams Sam Hauser fits?

Hawks would take Hauser.

Posted: **Mon May 26, 2025 10:50 pm**

NYG wrote:
NYG wrote:
Teams with Cap Space/Non-Tax MLE (https://www.spotrac.com/news/_/id/2643/post-trade-deadline-2025-nba-cap-space-and-spending-power-projections)

Cap Space:
Brooklyn Nets $55 Million

Non-Tax MLE:
Atlanta Hawks
Charlotte Hornets
Chicago Bulls
Detroit Pistons
Houston Rockets
LA Clippers
Memphis Grizzlies
San Antonio Spurs
Utah Jazz
Washington Wizards

Are any of those teams Sam Hauser fits?

I like it at SPURS

Posted: **Mon May 26, 2025 10:54 pm**

Mike Conley and 17 to the Nets for 27?

That gives the T'Wolves the flexibility to re-sign Naz and combine salaries for a KD deal should they wish to pursue one.

Posted: **Mon May 26, 2025 10:59 pm**

NYG wrote:Mike Conley and 17 to the Nets for 27?

That gives the T'Wolves the flexibility to re-sign Naz and combine salaries for a KD deal should they wish to pursue one.

I love it from the Nets perspective, but I don't think the Wolves would do it. That's too expensive to dump a relatively small expiring. The Nets would probably have to offer another late pick. Honestly, #31 is probably enough to dump Conley.

Posted: **Tue May 27, 2025 2:24 am**

gswhoops wrote:
NYG wrote:Where will the top 25 free agents sign this off-season?

Kevin Pelton's Top 25 2025 NBA Free Agents
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/45320766/nba-free-agent-rankings-futures-lebron-turner-more-stars

1. LeBron James, Player Option Exercises PO, stays with LAL
2. James Harden, Player Option Exercises PO, stays with LAC
3. Kyrie Irving, Player Option Exercises PO, stays with DAL
4. Julius Randle, Player Option Exercises PO, stays with LAL
5. Fred VanVleet, Team Option Houston exercises TO
6. Myles Turner Re-signs with Indiana 4 years $140M
7. Josh Giddey, Restricted Re-signs with Chicago 4 years $110M
8. Quentin Grimes, Restricted Re-signs with Philadelphia 3 years $60M (last year PO)
9. Jonathan Kuminga, Restricted S&T to Brooklyn for TPE, 4 years $90M
10. Keon Ellis, Team Option Sacramento exercises TO
11. Dorian Finney-Smith, Player Option Exercises PO, stays with LAL
12. Brook Lopez Signs with Golden State 2+TO full MLE
13. Chris Paul Signs with Brooklyn, 1 year $12M
14. Al Horford Re-signs with Boston 1 year vet min
15. Ty Jerome Signs with Atlanta 3 years $45M
16. Malik Beasley Re-signs with Detroit 2 years $20M
17. Naz Reid, Player Option Declines PO, extends with Minnesota
18. Caris LeVert
19. Gary Trent Jr.
20. Santi Aldama, Restricted Re-signs with Memphis 3 years $75M
21. Nickeil Alexander-Walker Signs with Chicago full MLE
22. Chris Boucher Signs with Detroit 2 years $18M
23. Tim Hardaway Jr. Re-signs with Detroit 1 year $5M
24. Dennis Schroder
25. Tyus Jones

Hoopshype goes on to include the following in their Top 25 as excluded from the list above:
https://hoopshype.com/lists/2025-nba-free-agent-rankings-the-best-players-available-this-summer/

Cam Thomas, Restricted
Kelly Oubre, Player Option
Bobby Portis, Player Option
John Collins, Player Option
Clint Capela
Mo Wagner, Team Option

Teams with Cap Space/Non-Tax MLE (https://www.spotrac.com/news/_/id/2643/post-trade-deadline-2025-nba-cap-space-and-spending-power-projections)

Cap Space:
Brooklyn Nets $55 Million

Non-Tax MLE:
Atlanta Hawks
Charlotte Hornets
Chicago Bulls
Detroit Pistons
Houston Rockets
LA Clippers
Memphis Grizzlies
San Antonio Spurs
Utah Jazz
Washington Wizards

Still working on the rest TBH

Unlikely Sac exercises that team option. It’s only a one year option and if they do then Keon becomes unrestricted free agent the next year. Sac will let Keon hit the market but try to resign him at a good number. The problem is he may draw better offers than people think and Sac has LeVine playing his spot.

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