NBA free agency is right around the corner. This event used to dominate the summer months in the sports world, as huge signings of some of the top players in the league would dominate the newsfeed. Those days seem to be over, as the NBA has backed itself into a self-induced salary cap nightmare. Poor cap rules and slow revenue growth have ruined NBA free agency.
The only team with the money to offer a max contract is the Brooklyn Nets, and depending on specific options and cap restructuring, no other team may be able to offer more than the mid-level exception (14 million dollars!). The NBA’s cap rules, which obviously were negotiated with the players’ union as part of the CBA (collective bargaining agreement), were designed to be extremely player-friendly without much thought given to the repercussions it would have on free agency or team building.
The built-in salary increases and “Bird rights” extensions (a contract given to players on the roster that allows teams to go over the soft salary cap. It also allows them to offer more than a maximum contract) of this current CBA have made free agency toxic for both players and teams. Almost every team in the league right now is above the soft cap and has no plans on downsizing. That means they have the mid-level exception, and that’s all they can spend in free agency. Players also hate free agency because they can get so much more money on an extension than on a mid-level exception.
To put it simply, NBA free agency is broken. No teams have money, and no impact players want to go onto the open market knowing that they’ll either only make 14 million or, worse yet, have to play for the Nets!
It’s a terrible system that has ruined a once great element of the league, but they’re still going to do it, and fools like me are still going to get excited about it. It’s about to be June! The NFL offseason is effectively over, the MLB’s trade deadline is two months away, the NBA is unfortunately all we have, and beggars can’t be choosers… we can be complainers, but we can’t be choosers.
If you need some sports offseason moves and drama, I suppose this is the place to get it. It might not be sexy, but there are a few players in free agency who might be a valuable addition to your favorite team. There are certainly guys that would sign to the MLE in NBA 2K25 on this list. Speaking of 2K, we will be comparing the top free agents based on 2K overall with the top free agents based on 2024-2025 stats to determine the most valuable free agents in this cycle.
Player Options
Most of these guys are not going to opt out, as they are due to earn more than 14 million dollars next year and/or don’t want to play for the Nets, but there are a few impact players on small contracts who likely will try to pick up an MLE.
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LeBron James, 40, Lakers, PF/PG – 96 OVR
- Chance of opting out: 0%
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Kyrie Irving, 33, Mavericks, SG/PG – 92 OVR
- Chance of opting out: 0%
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James Harden, 35, Clippers, PG/SG – 90 OVR
- Chance of opting out: 1%
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Julius Randle, 30, Timberwolves, PF/C – 86 OVR
- Chance of opting out: <5%
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John Collins, 27, Jazz, C/PF – 85 OVR
- Chance of opting out: 25%
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Bobby Portis, 30, Bucks, PF/C – 83 OVR
- Chance of opting out: 55%
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Russell Westbrook, 36, Nuggets, PG – 82 OVR
- Chance of opting out: 95%
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Naz Reid, 25, Timberwolves, C/PF – 82 OVR
- Chance of opting out: 20%
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Kelly Oubre Jr., 29, 76ers, SF/SG – 80 OVR
- Chance of opting out: 95%
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Kevin Porter Jr., 25, Bucks, PG/SG – 79 OVR
- Chance of opting out: 100%
Club Options
Some teams may opt out of club options with impact players to avoid spending money on luxury tax, but for the most part, these guys will probably stay put.
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Fred VanVleet, 31, Rockets, PG – 80 OVR
- Chance of opting out: 90%
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Jaylin Williams, 22, Thunder, C – 79 OVR
- Chance of opting out: 0%
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Moritz Wagner, 28, Magic, C/PF – 79 OVR
- Chance of opting out: <5%
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Keon Ellis, 25, Kings SG/PG – 78 OVR
- Chance of opting out: 1%
Unrestricted Free Agents Over 78 Overall In NBA2K25
Since no restricted player worth mentioning will likely hit the market, we’ll focus on just unrestricted free agents. Highlighting players with a 78 overall or better (Note that any option player with over 50% of opting out has been added to this list as a UFA with an asterisk*)
- Myles Turner, 29, Pacers, C – 84 OVR
- Ty Jerome, 27, Cavaliers, PG/SG – 83 OVR
- Bobby Portis*, 30, Bucks, PF/C – 83 OVR
- Brook Lopez, 37, Bucks, C – 83 OVR
- Russell Westbrook*, 36, Nuggets, PG – 82 OVR
- Al Horford, 39, Celtics, PF/C – 81 OVR
- Malik Beasley, 28, Pistons, SG/SF – 80 OVR
- Fred VanVleet*, 31, Rockets, PG – 80 OVR
- Clint Capela, 31, Hawks, C – 80 OVR
- Tim Hardaway Jr., 33, Pistons, SG/SF – 80 OVR
- Kelly Oubre Jr.*, 29, 76ers, SF/SG – 80 OVR
- Caris LeVert, 30, Cavaliers, SG/SF – 80 OVR
- Chris Paul, 40, Spurs, PG – 80 OVR
- Chris Boucher, 32, Raptors, C/PF – 79 OVR
- Nickeil Alexander-Walker, 26, Timberwolves SG/SF – 79 OVR
- Kevin Porter Jr.*, 25, Bucks, PG/SG – 79 OVR
- Spencer Dinwiddie, 32, Mavericks, PG/SG – 79 OVR
- Gary Trent Jr., 26, Bucks, SG/SF – 79 OVR
- Guerschon Yabusele, 29, 76ers, PF/C – 79 OVR
- Gary Payton Jr., 32, Warriors, SF/SG – 79 OVR
- Tre Jones, 25, Bulls, PG – 79 OVR
- Malcolm Brogdon, 32, Wizards, PG/SG – 79 OVR
- Dante Exum, 29, Mavericks, SF/SG – 79 OVR
- D’Angelo Russell, 29, Nets, PG – 79 OVR
- Luke Kornet, 29, Celtics, C – 78 OVR
- Jaxson Hayes, 25, Lakers, C/PF – 78 OVR
- Precious Achiuwa, 25, Knicks, PF/C – 78 OVR
- Sandro Mamukelahvili, 26, Spurs, PF/C – 78 OVR
- Ben Simmons, 28, Clippers, PG/C – 78 OVR
Unrestricted Free Agents In The Top 150 Players Of 2025
The figures are based on VORP (value over replacement player) for the 2024-2025 regular season, which provides the most accurate assessment of the league’s best players.
- Ty Jerome, 27, Cavaliers, PG/SG – 48th
- Brook Lopez, 37, Bucks, C – 61st
- Luke Kornet, 29, Celtics, C – 62nd
- Malik Beasley, 28, Pistons, SG/SF – 77th
- Chris Paul, 40, Spurs, PG – 78th
- Fred VanVleet*, 31, Rockets, PG – 82nd
- Al Horford, 39, Celtics, PF/C – 91st
- Myles Turner, 29, Pacers, C – 94th
- Luke Kennard, 28, Grizzlies, SG/PG – 110th
- Caris LeVert, 30, Cavaliers, SG/SF – 115th
- Tyus Jones, 29, Suns, PG – 116th
- Chris Boucher, 32, Raptors, C/PF – 130th
- Gary Payton Jr., 32, Warriors, SF/SG – 137th
- Nickeil Alexander-Walker, 26, Timberwolves SG/SF – 139th
- Tre Jones, 25, Bulls, PG – 140th
- Jake LaRavia, 23, Kings, PF/SF – 145th
- Sandro Mamukelahvili, 26, Spurs, PF/C – 146th
My Top Ten Most Valuable Unrestricted Free Agents
This is based on a mixture of 2K data, this season’s stats, and other considerations such as age and trajectory.
Myles Turner, 29, Pacers, C – 84 OVR
Estimated value: 35-40 million a year
Turner may not put up big numbers on the stat sheet, but he is a critical piece of a championship-contending team that can do it all. If he went into free agency, he would likely get a max contract offer from the Nets, but there is no way he’s leaving the Pacers. Myles Turner is the epitome of a team player, and he has been a Pacer throughout his entire career. I don’t think any amount of money can pull him away from Indianapolis.
Prediction: re-signs with Pacers for a team-friendly 35 million AAV
Ty Jerome, 27, Cavaliers, PG/SG – 83 OVR
Estimated value: 30-35 million a year
Ty Jerome is an ascending talent with sharpshooting abilities (.439 from deep!) coming off the bench. I think he could make another big jump in his career and become a key starter at shooting guard for a team like the Nets, which has ample cap room to play with. The Nets will likely offer him a max contract (with his experience, the projected max sits around 38 million), but the Cavs have the opportunity to offer him a bird contract for more, and it wouldn’t hurt their cap numbers.
Predicted: re-signs with Cavs for 40 million AAV
Kevin Porter Jr.*, 25, Bucks, PG/SG – 79 OVR
Estimated value: 20-25 million a year
Porter may not be on many people’s radar; after all, he didn’t even play in the NBA in 2023, but his 2024, particularly the back half of the season after joining the Bucks, was fantastic. He increased his efficiency in every aspect of the game and flashed future starter potential during his 30 games in Milwaukee. He had 21.2 points, 6.7 assists, 7.1 rebounds, and 2.3 steals per 36 minutes during that run.
Prediction: signs with the Nets for 25 million AAV
Nickeil Alexander-Walker, 26, Timberwolves SG/SF – 79 OVR
Estimated value: 20-23 million a year
NAW (not to be confused with his cousin SGA) showed out during the playoffs with the Timberwolves and may have earned himself a contract similar to what Dillon Brooks got a few years ago
Prediction: re-signs with the Timberwolves for 22.5 million AAV
Bobby Portis*, 30, Bucks, PF/C – 83 OVR
Estimated value: 20-23 million a year
Bobby Portis has finished in the top 10 of the 6th man of the year race three times in the last five years, and he has been an integral part of the Bucks roster for half a decade. However, it’s possible that they may move on from him in pursuit of star talent to place around Giannis to help entice him to stay in Wisconsin.
Prediction: signed for 20 million AAV and traded to the Celtics as part of a deal for Jaylen Brown.
Luke Kornet, 29, Celtics, C – 78 OVR
Estimated value: MLE
Luke Kornet was an absolute star in the playoffs after Jayson Tatum got hurt, and when you look at his regular-season numbers, it’s not surprising. His field goal percentage is nearly 70% over the last three seasons! I think the Celtics will want to bring him back.
Prediction: re-signed on mid-level exception to the Celtics
Malik Beasley, 28, Pistons, SG/SF – 80 OVR
Estimated value: MLE
Beasley is a 3-point specialist who really shined last year for the Pistons on a small contract. Now, he’ll try to impress again next season as, he’ll almost certainly be playing on a mid-level exception contract.
Prediction: signs with the Knicks on a MLE
Brook Lopez, 37, Bucks, C – 83 OVR
Estimated value: MLE
If the Bucks will trade most of their team to bring in Jaylen Brown and/or other stars, they will need to keep their consistent anchor in Brook Lopez. He’s been a dominant veteran in the starting rotation, and nothing should change.
Prediction: re-signs with the Bucks on a MLE
Tre Jones, 25, Bulls, PG – 79 OVR
Estimated value: MLE
Jones is like Kris Dunn or Tyus Jones before him: an under-the-radar pure point guard with ascending numbers. He could rejoin the Bulls or another team on an MLE, but given his age and trajectory, the Nets could choose to use their capital to overpay him and bring the young man to Brooklyn.
Prediction: signs with the Nets for 20 million AAV
Jaxson Hayes, 25, Lakers, C/PF – 78 OVR
Estimated value: below MLE
Hayes is my wildcard. He’s an athletic post player who puts up great offensive numbers, but he needs to work on defense and rebounding. If he can get those two elements of his game under control, he’s got starter (or better) potential.
Prediction: signs with the Nets for 18 million AAV
