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The start of free agency is just hours away. While teams won’t be able to actually sign contracts until July 6th, they can start negotiating on June 30th, and there are a lot of interesting names both in the free agency pool and on the trade block. We’ve already had the massive Giannis Antetokounmpo to Miami move, and there could be more coming.

The Spurs, coming off a Finals appearance in their return to the playoffs, might not go for a big splash, but they do have some roster spots to fill and some roles where they could use an upgrade or more experience. So let’s see what San Antonio needs, how it can get it, and what would make for a successful offseason.

Do the Spurs have cap space? How can they sign free agents?

The Spurs could technically carve up some minimal cap space, but in reality, they’ll act as an over-the-cap team. So what does that mean? Well, they’ll have the non-taxpayer’s mid-level exception worth around $15 million at their disposal, as well as the bi-annual exception worth around $5.5 million since they didn’t use it last year. It should be enough to add some talent.

They will also be able to re-sign their own free agents if they have Bird rights to them without much concern, since they are well below the second apron. Whether they’ll have an interest in bringing most of them back is a different story, but there have been reports that they might try to keep Harrison Barnes. Currently, they have nine players under standard contracts, but that number will move to 11 once they sign their two first-round draft picks.

What about trades? Can the Spurs make something big happen?

The Spurs have young players, draft picks, and contracts large and small to make a big trade, but not without losing key contributors in the process. They had expendable expiring contracts last season, like Kelly Olynyk’s and Harrison Barnes’, to match salaries easily, but now to make a big move for an expensive player, they would have to include guys like Keldon Johnson, Devin Vassell, and/or Luke Kornet, all of whom were in the rotation last year.

Does that mean there’s no chance a trade happens? Not really. Johnson and Kornet struggled in the playoffs, and despite their contributions in the regular season, the front office might consider them expendable. De’Aaron Fox also wasn’t at his best in the postseason, but Brian Wright has said the team remains committed to him. He’s also said he expects most of this group to be back, which likely means that while possible, a big move is unlikely.

What are the Spurs’ needs?

The Spurs have a strong foundation, but there’s one type of player that they are missing: a big forward who can shoot and also spend time as a small-ball center. Now, that type of player is extremely hard to find, and every team that doesn’t have one wants one, so there are not many available. Especially not proven playoff performers who could be had with the mid-level exception.

That said, San Antonio could still use someone who can fill one of the two roles. Among the available big forwards who can shoot, there are names like Tobias Harris, Sandro Mamukelashvili, John Collins, Saddiq Bey, and Rui Hachimura, among others, who will likely sign for mid-level exception money. The Spurs could also retain Barnes to fill that role or rely on the development of Carter Bryant.

Are there any Spurs-related rumors out there?

Unsurprisingly, the Spurs have been linked to a bunch of forwards, but there’s nothing concrete. They are reportedly “expected” to be interested in John Collins and Dean Wade, according to The Stein Line Mark Stein($) and HoopsHype Michael Scotto, respectively. Now, expected to be doesn’t mean they are, but they could be. Stein did say the Spurs are interested in Rui Hachimura, so that seems more of a report than speculation.

The Spurs were also linked to Kawhi Leonard by ESPN’s Bobby Marks and are reportedly one of the two franchises with which Leonard would sign an extension, with the other being the Raptors, according to Stein($). But while Toronto is reportedly interested in a reunion, there has been no news about whether San Antonio is. The answer, considering how badly things ended between franchise and player, is likely “no” even before considering the Clippers’ potentially high asking price.

What’s a realistic scenario for the Spurs in free agency?

Anything can happen in the NBA. We’ve seen signings and trades no one was expecting. But considering how good the Spurs were last season, the tools they have at their disposal to add talent and the few holes on the roster, it wouldn’t be surprising if this offseason is a quiet one for San Antonio.

As mentioned, getting a forward with size who can shoot is the biggest need for the Spurs. They will likely try to find someone using part of the entirety of the mid-level exception. Before the draft, getting a quality third big man seemed like a need, but after selecting two centers, including a seemingly NBA-ready big man in Tarris Reed Jr., it now seems like more of a luxury. Still, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to secure the services of either a shooting big man or a rim protector. If someone who can play is available, either with part of the mid-level exception or the bi-annual exception, it would be smart to secure their services.

It’s hard to name the targets when there haven’t been many reports about who the Spurs want, but a successful offseason would be to get, say, Rui Hachimura and Larry Nance Jr., or John Collins and Simone Fontecchio, for example. While those specific players might not be available, as long as the Spurs add some shooting and size, the offseason would be a success. If they retain Barnes, adding a big man or a guard for cheap to round out their roster would likely be the play.

When does free agency start again? And how can I remain informed?

Teams can start negotiating with free agents on Tuesday, June 30th, at 5 p.m. CT. Make sure to visit Pounding the Rock for all your Spurs-related news and discussion.

Lately I have had several ideas about what piece I wanted to write next. For instance, is Ime Udoka this current Rockets’ version of Don Cheaney, Del Harris, Mark Jackson, or Tom Thibodeau? All guys who changed the trajectory of teams that would eventually become champions under the next head coach that took their place. Or is he Rudy Tomjanovich, Phil Jackson, Steve Kerr, or Mike Brown… the coach who will see the Rockets through to the promised land? While I’d still love to debate that with you all in the comment section, I am saddened by the fact that this will be a different type of article. I am bidding you all farewell as a staff writer.

Two years ago, when former staff writer Lachard Binkley called me and asked if I would be interested in writing for The Dream Shake, I couldn’t believe it. At that time, I had been hosting my own Houston sports podcast for less than a year, and I had invited Lachard onto my show very early on and to my surprise he accepted. I had reached out to so many writers, radio hosts, podcasters, and content creators who all said no if they didn’t just flat put ignore me. Lachard however, responded to the very first message I sent him and was happy to come talk Rockets basketball with anyone who loves this team as much as he does. It felt so amazing for someone I had been looking up to and admiring his work from afar, to see me as his equal.

In my wildest dream I figured that Lachard would just become a regular guest on my show up until the point he moved on to bigger and better things. One day in July 2024 he called me and told me that he had gotten a gig writing for SI.com. Here is where I figured he’d be telling me that he no longer had time to make guest appearances on my show. But no… instead he asked me if I would be interested in replacing him on the writing staff at TDS. There was no way he was serious, not in my mind. Of all the people this man knows and has come across in the course of his career, he’s asking me? Why?

I’ll be honest. I’ve never actually asked Lachard that question. I did however thank him profusely and said, “Hell yeah I wanna write for The Dream Shake!” He encouraged me to slow my roll and informed me I’d still have to apply and get accepted, but he gave me Darren Yuvan’s number and said to give him a call. I immediately hung up and did just that. I left Darren a voicemail and told him that Lachard Binkley gave me his number. In my opinion other than perhaps Kelly Iko respectively… there is no bigger name drop for TDS. I was still in shock. Honestly, I wasn’t convinced that I would hear back from Darren for no other reason than as a show of respect for Lachard who contributed so much to this website. Perhaps Darren wasn’t too optimistic himself. After all, I had zero experience nor any formal training in writing. However, he did call me back and asked that I’d write something Rockets related and send it to him so he could better gauge my ability.

Earlier that month, the great Gene Peterson had just passed, and for my submission to Darren I chose to write a tribute to the man who helped me fall in love with Rockets basketball. I told the story of how when I was a kid, I wasn’t allowed to watch West Coast games because my bedtime was 9:00 pm. So, I would go in my room and hide under my bed with my clock radio turned down very low with my ear to the speaker and listen to Gene and Jim Foley call the games. From that little boy who would literally cry himself to sleep whenever the Rockets lost, to potentially writing for the iconic website named after my favorite players signature move. Talk about full circle.

You can guess the rest… but for the Spurs and Mavs fans who may stumble across this and have a hard time putting two and two together… I got the gig.

It has been a blast covering the Rockets these past two years, and even more fun to engage with my fellow Rockets fans and TDS faithful. Even the ones who think my takes suck and that I have no clue what I’m talking about. Those are actually my favorite! I wish I could continue but due to some health complications I’m dealing with I’ve decided that if I cannot give my all to make sure every piece of work I put out is the absolute best I can do, then I’d be cheating myself and more importantly it would be cheating all of you. Instead, I’m going to revert to being a part of this community as a fan, but I want to thank every one of you who took the time out of your day to give me a voice.

To Lachard Binkley, thank you so much for presenting me with the opportunity of a lifetime and thank you for always being just one of the guys despite your success. To my colleagues Xiane, Holly, Armin, Anthony, and James, you are all so very talented and your love for this team and this website jumps off of every piece you write. It’s been an honor to be in your company. Last but certainly not least to Darren Yuvan… sending you the message of my resignation is one of the toughest things I’ve done in some time. I hope you understand that I love this team and this website too much to let my pride get in the way. You, this site, and the fans deserve my best and I just haven’t been able to give that lately. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the opportunity of a lifetime. This isn’t goodbye, just farewell.

If this is how it ends — the shock over its suddenness and the divisiveness already emerging between fans ahead of the seemingly inevitable Jaylen Brown trade this summer could spark decades of debate.

Some of that could become resolved with answers in the near and long-term. But for now we’re left with: why?

A Jaylen Brown-for-Giannis Antetokounmpo swap, while itself an agonizing decision, would’ve at least garnered some understanding and patience from fans. Let’s see how it goes. For the die-hard Celtics fans, no Brown departure would come without enormous pain. For those more focused on the team’s success and appreciating Antetokounmpo’s all-time credentials, a trade would’ve symbolized new hope after a disappointing playoff loss.

But Giannis never came and, by most accounts, Brown will still leave this offseason. Brad Stevens, at times, spoke in the past tense about his gratitude toward the superstar he coached and helped develop from 2016-2021. When asked if Brown will be on the team next fall, Stevens left the door open to anything happening. And since, reports of the Celtics and numerous teams engaging in trade talks followed with limited push-back from the team. Brian Windhorst went as far as to state it plainly: the Celtics will trade Brown this offs.

“Jaylen Brown is a big part of us,” Stevens said last week. “The one thing I want to make very clear is how valued he’s always been. He’s been amazing. He’s been an amazing teammate. Great person to be around. Whether that run ends 10 years from now when he retires or before, there’s a lot to celebrate. We have a great relationship and an open relationship where we talk about everything. But I don’t want to predict the future.”

It’s unclear for what, exactly. As of Sunday, Michael Scotto cited the Nets, Blazers, Nuggets, Clippers, Hornets, Hornets and Hawks as teams that expressed interest. Many moved on. The Timberwolves and Celtics reportedly discussed a deal that would’ve sent Naz Reid and Rudy Gobert to Boston. Minnesota went with LaMelo Ball. Shams Charania pointed toward a Portland team I’ve also heard has had interest in Brown going back to the first Damian Lillard era there. Yet MassLive indicated Deni Avdija, Toumani Camara and Donovan Clingan are off the table, to varying degrees. The Cavs haven’t shown interest in the Evan Mobley swap that Chris Mannix proposed.

Really? Jaylen’s available and the Celtics can’t dream of Clingan, Reid, or a Jalen Duren sign-and-trade? And Boston, given that market, hasn’t settled on simply retaining Brown with three years left on his contract?

We don’t know what’s going on behind the scenes, and it’s clear the Antetokounmpo letdown and the perception of a disgruntled Brown following his near-ousting opened the floodgates of suitors hoping to land him for a minimal price. The Celtics counteracted that with their demand of four first-rounders, conveyed by Charania. Even if they land that, however, it’s hard to imagine the Celtics standing in a better position today with the players discussed and attainable in all these hypothetical deals. I thought someone put it well last week — Brown and Tatum have at least a punter’s chance at a title in this parity era. The returns we’re talking about would give Boston no chance.

Yet, again, we haven’t heard strong indication that Boston could simply settle to reuniting Brown and Tatum for 2026-27, a combination Stevens has long believed gives the Celtics a shot. Beyond that, Brown’s efficiency scoring inside the arc and getting to the free throw line more often would fit into Stevens’ desire to see more rim pressure from his offense.

The roster around them certainly deteriorated in recent years, to the point where Brown and Derrick White are the only paths to upgrading, or acquiring the assets to do so in the near future. That’s where the team deserves some criticism for a string of roster moves aimed at recovering the maximum salary and luxury tax relief, rather than the best basketball return. The Celtics have nothing to show for Kristaps Porziņģis, Jrue Holiday and Anfernee Simons, while Al Horford and Luke Kornet left in free agency.

Brown becoming the best option left to upgrade isn’t a good reason to trade him.

That’s where the Celtics stand, in a bad position of leverage despite Brown’s heroics in 2025-26. His MVP-caliber season should have positioned him at the peak of his value, whether to Boston or others. Nobody appears fixated on building around him. His exorbitant contract and new restrictive cap penalties certainly play a role in that. Even Antetokounmpo didn’t return one of the league’s most promising young players, depending on your feelings about Kel’el Ware and Kasparas Jakučionis. Teams don’t want to move cost-controlled ascending players who could become stars in the near future. Especially with extension talks opening for Brown on July 26, potentially worth two-years and more than $140 million beginning in his mid-30s.

That’s a possible factor here, especially if the Celtics want to get ahead of that. ClutchPoints reported last week that Brown did not ask out of Boston, and Brown’s made no indication as much through limited-to-no commentary throughout the saga. In fact, shortly after the Celtics lost in the playoffs, Brown expressed a desire to play in Boston for the next decade. He’s made his love for the city known. Though, it’s certainly possible that all sides, through the candid talks between Brown, his agent and Boston last week, reached the conclusion of a break-up as the best path forward. That would tie together some of the questions we have regarding how this unfolded.

Many still wonder why, according to reports, Hugo González, Baylor Scheierman and more first-round picks became the hang-up in an Antetokounmpo deal. That headline put all of the team’s young players in a difficult position following promising steps in their careers. Could Boston at least have parted with some of them, especially knowing what uncertainty would follow with Brown? They also could’ve never entered Antetokounmpo talks knowing that Milwaukee could ask for that much.

If the Celtics simply pursued Antetokounmpo as one of numerous outlets to just move on from Brown, not additional players, that outcome becomes more understandable. It’s unclear, in that case, how they didn’t have alternative Brown trades prepared.

The Celtics might have misjudged Brown’s market, at least relative to their perceived value of him. And thus the increasingly toxic conversation surrounding him reached a new high following Bobby Marks’ note of where one analytics guy ranked Brown. Perhaps that debate yesterday, and the struggle to find value for Brown, serves as some reminder that Brown’s skillset, however flawed, might fit the Boston Celtics best. Through his ability to share responsibilities with Tatum, the knowledge of Boston’s staff to get the best out of him and his own motivation that he’s admitted has stemmed, in part, from slights he’s felt right within the building.

This could be the next one in an everlasting cycle if no trade pans out this offseason, certainly a possibility if low-ball offers continue. Still, this feels different from past Brown trade sagas. The Celtics, at least according to the reporting, have moved with more urgency to find the next possible destination than they have to indicate that they’re focused on moving forward in tandem with Brown. Of course, they might’ve already decided they’re past that point, which would leave a Brown departure all the more hard to swallow. And difficult to understand.

The question we’ll all ask, regardless of the outcome into July: how did it get to this point with one of the greatest players in franchise history? From Finals MVP to proof of performance as a top option to the centerpiece of an Antetokounmpo trade to … bring back whatever the best combination of future assets is?

I’ve never been more perplexed across my years covering this franchise.

“I’ll always keep our conversations private,” Stevens said. “Regardless of what the content of those conversations are like. I don’t love the fact anytime it’s a big public thing. As you know, we try to keep things as close the vest and quiet as possible, at the same time, knowing that the rumor mill is the rumor mill, and there is going to be a lot of noise out there. That’s why you also try to meet and be as upfront as possible. I can’t say enough good things about Jaylen, but I certainly am empathetic toward what that’s probably felt like.”

Sixers exercise team options for Barlow and Terry originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Sixers on Monday exercised the team options for Dominick Barlow and Dalen Terry, a source confirmed to NBC Sports Philadelphia. 

The Athletic’s Tony Jones first reported the news. 

According to Spotrac, Barlow’s 2026-27 salary is approximately $3.4 million and Terry’s is approximately $2.6 million. 

Initially signed to a two-way contract last summer, Barlow inked a standard NBA deal in February. He appeared in 71 games, started 59, and averaged 7.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.7 blocks in 23.8 minutes per contest. 

“Super impactful,” Sixers head coach Nick Nurse said of Barlow after his team’s April 1 win over the Wizards. “Again, just tremendous effort at all times. Just doesn’t really make many mistakes. … You just don’t see him blowing too many switches. You don’t see him missing block-outs. He’s really reliable with the ball. … Just hard play and high IQ.”

Barlow shifted to the bench for his first NBA playoffs and played in nine of the Sixers’ 11 postseason games. The 23-year-old’s best personal moment was a good small-ball center stint in Game 2 of the Sixers’ second-round series with the Knicks. Over 16 minutes, Barlow posted six points on 3-for-3 shooting, two rebounds, two blocks and a steal in a tight loss without Joel Embiid at Madison Square Garden. 

The Sixers signed Terry to a two-way deal in February and converted him to a standard NBA contract in April.

The 23-year-old wing played 14 times for the Sixers in the regular season and averaged 4.1 points, 1.6 assists and 1.6 rebounds in 12.4 minutes per game. He was not part of the Sixers’ playoff rotation. 

The Sixers have declined Trendon Watford’s team option of $2.8 million, a source confirmed. The Athletic first reported the news.

That means the 25-year-old forward is set to hit unrestricted free agency. Teams can officially begin negotiations with all free agents starting Tuesday at 6 p.m. ET.

Sixers exercise team options for Barlow and Terry originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Sixers on Friday exercised the team options for Dominick Barlow and Dalen Terry, a source confirmed to NBC Sports Philadelphia. 

The Athletic’s Tony Jones first reported the news. 

According to Spotrac, Barlow’s 2026-27 salary is approximately $3.4 million and Terry’s is approximately $2.6 million. 

Initially signed to a two-way contract last summer, Barlow inked a standard NBA deal in February. He appeared in 71 games, started 59, and averaged 7.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.7 blocks in 23.8 minutes per contest. 

“Super impactful,” Sixers head coach Nick Nurse said of Barlow after his team’s April 1 win over the Wizards. “Again, just tremendous effort at all times. Just doesn’t really make many mistakes. … You just don’t see him blowing too many switches. You don’t see him missing block-outs. He’s really reliable with the ball. … Just hard play and high IQ.”

Barlow shifted to the bench for his first NBA playoffs and played in nine of the Sixers’ 11 postseason games. The 23-year-old’s best personal moment was a good small-ball center stint in Game 2 of the Sixers’ second-round series with the Knicks. Over 16 minutes, Barlow posted six points on 3-for-3 shooting, two rebounds, two blocks and a steal in a tight loss without Joel Embiid at Madison Square Garden. 

The Sixers signed Terry to a two-way deal in February and converted him to a standard NBA contract in April.

The 23-year-old wing played 14 times for the Sixers in the regular season and averaged 4.1 points, 1.6 assists and 1.6 rebounds in 12.4 minutes per game. He was not part of the Sixers’ playoff rotation. 

The Sixers have declined Trendon Watford’s team option of $2.8 million, a source confirmed. The Athletic first reported the news.

That means the 25-year-old forward is set to hit unrestricted free agency. Teams can officially begin negotiations with all free agents starting Tuesday at 6 p.m. ET.

Cameron Boozer and his fellow rookie teammates, Karim Lopez and Richie Saunders, have been introduced to fans by the Memphis Grizzlies, and Boozer, at least, seems to have gone over well.

The team clearly plans to build around him, and that could mean a tricky transition between the Grizzlies being Ja Morant’s team and Boozer’s.

It’s no secret that Memphis would like to move Morant, who has derailed his career with stupid acts, generally involving guns, or defying what the franchise or his coach wants him to do.

To be clear, he’s not interested in staying with Memphis either, but between his behavior, injuries, and declining performance, there’s just not much of a market for his services right now.

This site suggests trades might be possible with Boston, Miami, and Chicago.

Brad Stevens (Boston) and Pat Riley (Miami) have been around long enough to have clearly defined cultures, and both have already had talented players who had serious issues fitting in. For Stevens, it was Kyrie Irving; for Riley, Jimmy Butler. Both were expensive lessons, and we can’t imagine either wanting to try that again.

Chicago?

Maybe.

Unless and until it happens, it’s going to be difficult for Morant to watch the offense and attention shift to Boozer, who, while still just 18 (he turns 19 on July 18) is already more mature than his older teammate. That dynamic is going to be tough to handle.

In a small bit of other rookie news, Maliq Brown and Isaiah Evans have picked their new numbers. Brown will wear #15, while Evans has taken #33, perhaps to remind him that he lingered in the draft until that point, and now plans to use it as motivation.

• Cameron Boozer is best reason Richie Saunders thrives with Grizzlies
• Duke’s Cameron Boozer Still Named Biggest Steal of NBA Draft
• Grizzlies introduce Cameron Boozer, Karim López and Richie Saunders
• These 3 Ja Morant trades can help the Grizzlies start over with Cam Boozer
• Grizzlies’ top free agent target after drafting Cameron Boozer, trading for Isaiah Stewart
• Cam Boozer Opens as NBA Rookie of the Year Favorite Over Dybantsa, Peterson
• Duke’s Isaiah Evans and Maliq Brown choose new NBA jersey numbers
• Isaiah Evans reveals what Timberwolves teammate he wants to learn from
• What Duke basketball’s Maliq Brown brings to San Antonio Spurs
• Duke’s Maliq Brown a defensive stash for San Antonio Spurs

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After spending a season together on the Utah Jazz years prior, Royce O’Neale and Grayson Allen were once again reunited after the Phoenix Suns acquired O’Neale from the Brooklyn Nets in February 2024, less than six months after Allen was sent to Phoenix in a deal that sent Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks and Deandre Ayton to the Portland Trail Blazers. Now that they have been traded to the Charlotte Hornets in a deal in which the Suns acquired Miles Bridges, it’s time to look back on their Phoenix tenures.

In their three seasons together, the two played a variety of roles while being part of three wildly different Phoenix Suns teams.

After being on a balanced Milwaukee Bucks roster that boasted the best record in the NBA, Allen was quickly thrust into an important role on a Phoenix team short on depth outside of its big three of Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, and Devin Booker once he was traded. Starting in 74 games, the Duke product averaged career highs in minutes, points, rebounds, assists, and, most importantly, three-point percentage, where he led the NBA by shooting 46% from downtown.

With Bradley Beal and Devin Booker in and out of the lineup at times, Allen got ample opportunities to show off his playmaking chops, which were best on display in a February 2024 matchup against one of his former teams.

Amid Allen’s strong year, O’Neale was reunited with his former teammate after he was traded to Phoenix and, like Allen, was quickly thrust into a significant role early in his Suns tenure. Playing mostly the four spot, O’Neale took some of the team’s toughest defensive assignments to help Phoenix’s stars preserve energy for the offensive end, along with putting up a lot of threes.

In his 30 games with Phoenix during the 2023-24 season, he put up 157 threes, shooting 37.6% from deep.

Thanks to a short playoff run and Allen getting hurt, neither made much of an impact when the team got swept by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round, but after signing Tyus Jones in free agency and with Booker, Durant and Beal having another year under their belt playing together, things were supposed to look bright in Arizona until the season happened.

Going 8-1 to start the season, when Kevin Durant got hurt in a game against the Dallas Mavericks in November 2024, Phoenix never recovered, going 28-45 down the stretch, but the root of the team’s struggles wasn’t on either of them. Allen did miss 18 games, but O’Neale averaged a career high in points per game up to that point.

The two of them solidified their status as some of the most impactful Suns role players of the past decade with this past season. Coming into this past season, there were rumblings about both of their long-term futures, considering the financial and roster positions the squad was in. With the team drafting rookies Khaman Maluach and Rasheer Fleming, along with trading for 23-year-olds Jalen Green and Mark Williams, both O’Neale’s and Allen’s positions on a team retooling around Booker looked murky, but both found ways to contribute.

In the team’s 11th game of the year, Allen made history when he hit a franchise record 10 threes during his career-high 42-point performance against the New Orleans Pelicans. The game put the Suns over .500, where they remained for the rest of the season.

When Booker was out, Allen stepped up as a scorer. His 28-point game against the Los Angeles Lakers helped the team end a February they struggled in with a comeback win against a top-six team. With Booker out in a January 29 game against the Eastern Conference’s top-seeded Detroit Pistons, he dropped 24 points while going a perfect 10 for 10 from the charity stripe in a surprising 114 to 96 victory for the team.

Missing nearly 40% of the season mainly because of lower-body injuries, Allen was in and out of the lineup, but remained impactful, averaging over 15 points a game as a reserve.

For O’Neale, unlike Allen, he started the season coming off the bench, but that didn’t last long after his strong shooting to start the season. Starting in 67 of 78 games played, O’Neale built off his career year in the 2024 2025 campaign with even better numbers and productivity in an increased role. He averaged the most points and threes made per game on the best three-point efficiency of his career, hitting nearly 41% of his treys. His shining moment came in the same game Allen scored 28 against the Lakers, when O’Neale scored the team’s final seven points and hit the game-winning three with less than a second left to seal the victory.

Playing in different roles and positions on different types of teams, both found ways to make an impact as strong floor spacers in every minute on the court.

While neither will go down as the most iconic or greatest players to ever don a Phoenix Suns uniform, in their three seasons on the team, Royce O’Neale and Grayson Allen helped a playoff team get back to the playoffs after a down year and helped re-establish a culture that was lacking.

And personally, as a young reporter speaking to them in NBA locker rooms after wins and losses, they gave me the respect and patience to answer my questions not only with thoughtfulness but also with kindness, which will not be forgotten.

Best of luck to them both in Charlotte. They made an impact in Phoenix.

The NBA offseason is already off to a fast start. The draft has come and gone, Giannis Antetokounmpo has been traded to the Miami Heat, and the Charlotte Hornets sent LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a stunning move. It feels like the fireworks are just getting started as the league transitions to free agency, which unofficially opens June 30 at 6 p.m. ET with the start of the negotiation moratorium.

This is not the best class of free agents. The top unrestricted free agent still available is … Norman Powell? Tobias Harris? Soon-to-be 42-year-old LeBron James? The pickings are slim when it comes to elite talents, but every year has a few under-the-radar free agents who end up making a difference in the playoff chase.

The restricted free agent crop is filled with considerably more talent, though their incumbent teams will have the right to match any offer. Want to pry Jalen Duren out of Detroit or Walker Kessler from Utah? It’s going to take a fat bag of cash and potentially some good assets out the door in a sign-and-trade.

Here’s our ranking of the top-69 NBA free agents in 2026. Why 69? That’s just where my long list of names fell, and also I thought it was funny. More analysis after the table.

Let’s get into some of the biggest topics of free agency.

Can anyone pry Jalen Duren out of Detroit?

Jalen Duren earned Third-Team All-NBA honors for the Pistons this past season at age-22. Duren’s incredible leap was unfortunately overshadowed by a rough playoff performance that exposed some holes in his game. After averaging 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds on 68.8 percent true shooting in 70 regular season games, Duren’s averages fell to 10.2 points and 8.5 rebounds on 55.3 percent true shooting in 14 playoff games. Duren is still an elite driver, interior scorer, and rebounder for a big man, but he’s not exactly a defensive anchor, and he also has little shooting range.

Duren reportedly wants $40 million per season on his next contract, but the Pistons are trying to get him back on the lowest number they can. Detroit holds the all chips here because he’s a restricted free agent, meaning the Pistons have the right to match any offer to him.

There’s not a team in the league that has $40 million in cap space to offer him a deal right now. A sign-and-trade is still a possibility, but base year compensation rules will likely make that more complicated than it seems. My guess is Duren goes back to Detroit for something like $34 million per season, which both sides can claim as a win. Still, it’s always possible that Duren comes away with hurt feelings during the negotiations, and that opens the door for someone else to make a push for the league’s best young bigs.

Where will LeBron land?

LeBron James is trying to win the GOAT argument on longevity, and he was still probably a top-50 or top-60 player in the league last season at age-41. Absolutely ridiculous. Even if his play continues to fall again for next season, LeBron is still an impactful player in a right role who could have a strong positive influence on a playoff run.

Right now, it feels like there are three real suitors for LeBron. Here’s how I would rank them:

1. Cleveland Cavaliers
2. Los Angeles Lakers
3. Golden State Warriors

Do the Lakers even want LeBron back? They haven’t offered him a contract thus far, and there has reportedly been very little communication between the two sides. I’ve been predicting a LeBron-to-Cleveland reunion for his retirement tour all year, but that would either require him taking a huge pay cut, or the Cavs being willing to trade Jarrett Allen for him. The Warriors are looming as another possible option to team up James and Steph Curry. My wildcard is the New York Knicks, because that would just be fun.

I still think LeBron ends up in Cleveland based on nothing but gut feeling. I also think this could linger pretty far into the offseason.

Who do you want your team to sign?

Let us know in the comments. I’ll also answer any questions you have about free agency, trades, these rankings, or anything else.