NBA Free-Agent Rankings: The 25 players fantasy basketball managers need to know about this offseason

This year's NBA free agent pool isn't the deepest we've seen, but there are still marquee names and difference-makers whose decisions could swing fantasy basketball leagues. Here's a ranking of the top 25 players you need to know before July 1.

1. LeBron James - LAL | Forward | Age 41 | UFA

The biggest wildcard on this list — retirement, a return to L.A., Cleveland?!?! or one last contender run are all realistic options. Bron's fantasy value is entirely destination-dependent; however, we still know he can contribute at a high level, putting up 21/6/7 at 41, finishing as a top-20 asset in High Score and top-55 in 9-cat this past season.

2. James Harden — CLE | Guard | Age 36 | Player Option ($42.3M)

The Cavs made their first Eastern Conference Finals run since 2018, so it's with near certainty that Harden will re-sign with Cleveland. He'll be 37 in August and yet, he's still producing at a high level. A floor expectation of 20 points with 8 assists is fair, and despite a poor FG percentage, he'll make up for it in categories like 3s, FT percentage and steals. I'd still feel comfortable drafting him inside the first three rounds.

3. Trae Young — WAS | Point Guard | Age 27 | Re-signed with Wizards

When the Wizards traded for Young, the goal was to bring in a proven All-Star-caliber talent to run an offense flush with young talent. Right before the Wizards selected F AJ Dybantsa with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 Draft, they locked in Trae with a four-year, $212.5 million max contract. That's A LOT of money and investment in Young, who came over from Atlanta for CJ McCollum on an expiring contract at the time, and Corey Kispert. The landscape has changed, and the Wizards made Young a priority in advancing their franchise. Let's not forget that when healthy, Trae scores over 20 points per game and dishes out double-digit assists. As the engine of the offense, he's still a second-round pick for me.

4. Austin Reaves — LAL | Guard | Age 28 | Re-signed with Lakers

Congratulations, Mr. Reaves, you are now the highest-paid undrafted player in NBA history. The Lakers proved how much they value Reaves by giving him a new four-year, $185M max deal with a player option in the final year of his contract in 2029-2030. We're still waiting on James' decision, but Reaves is poised to continue his fantasy ascent. I expect he'll be off draft boards by the fourth round next season.

5. Jalen Duren — DET | Center | Age 22 | RFA ($4.9M)

OK, the playoffs were a disaster. But in the regular season, Duren proved he's a great complement to Cade Cunningham. He made a massive leap as a scorer and should be their franchise big man. Negotiations are underway, but fantasy managers should expect Duren to sign an extension this summer. Being tethered to Cade is best for Duren's value going forward.

6. Walker Kessler — UTA | Center | Age 24 | RFA ($3.3M)

At 24 and entering restricted free agency on a $3.3M deal, Kessler is likely to attract aggressive offer sheets that could challenge Utah's ability to match. The Jazz might also consider trading him, despite having turned down previous offers. Fantasy managers should keep a close eye on Kessler, as his mid-round value could swing significantly depending on his landing spot.

7. CJ McCollum — ATL | Guard | Age 34 | Re-signed with Hawks

CJ cooked for the Hawks, providing Atlanta with a reliable scorer and playmaker from the deadline through the postseason. He made such an impression that they're bringing him back on a one-year deal, worth $22M. The short-term investment, plus drafting Houston PG Kingston Flemings eighth overall, signals that he won't be there long, which means fantasy managers in redraft leagues should tread lightly. His ADP was 100 last season, but he outperformed that by a considerable margin in points leagues and was around that mark in 9-cat once he joined the Hawks. He's a back-end guard who provides points and low-end assists. Still worthy of drafting, but don't go crazy.

8. Kevin Porter Jr. — MIL | Guard | Age 26 | Player Option ($5.4M)

KPJ's on-court production is worth more than $5M per year. He's definitely opting out. His standing with the franchise could be in flux though, now that the Bucks used the 10th pick on Arizona G Brayden Burries. They also acquired Heat guards Tyler Herro and Kasparas Jakučionis as part of the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade. Before the draft and Giannis getting traded, I viewed Porter as a top-100 pick with upside for points, assists and steals. Now, I'm not sure that holds until we find out what his next move is.

9. Ayo Dosunmu — MIN | Guard | Age 26 | Re-signed with Timberwolves

Dosunmu arrived in Minnesota at the perfect time. His strong post-deadline play convinced the Wolves to move on from Julius Randle, freeing up cap space and leading to Dosunmu signing a five-year, $112M deal. Still underrated in 9-cat formats, he now joins the starting unit as the third or fourth option on offense behind Anthony Edwards and newly-acquired LaMelo Ball. Post-deadline, Ayo ranked among the league's most efficient shooters, going 52% from the field, 41% on 3s and 93% from the line.

10. Zach LaVine — SAC | Guard | Age 31 | Player Option ($49M)

Sacramento has a crowded roster of vets who make way too much money relative to their impact. With LaVine having a player option for $49M, there's no way he turns that down. I don't love his fantasy value with the Kings, so barring a trade (he has an expiring contract), he'll likely be on my fade list because he doesn't do much outside of scoring in his current situation.

11. Isaiah Hartenstein — OKC | Center | Age 28 | Club Option ($28.5M)

OKC will decide whether they want to keep him. Depending on how the Thunder fare for the rest of the playoffs, their moves could change. For now, Hartenstein gives OKC size and strength in the interior. He's also a high-IQ player who unselfishly fits in a 25-minute-per-game capacity. The Thunder drafted Thomas Sorber last season and seledcted big man Aday Mara out of Michigan in the 2026 draft. Letting Hartenstein walk isn't out of the question.

12. Collin Gillespie — PHX | Guard | Age 27 | Re-signed with Suns

Gillespie put up career numbers last season, so bringing him back was a no-brainer. The Suns used their draft capital on Arizona F Koa Peat, which is good news for Gillespie's fantasy outlook. He certainly benefited from Jalen Green's unavailability, but he's going to be a fixture of this rotation whether he's starting or coming off the bench. I'm more interested in Gillespie for 9-cat leagues, but if he starts, he could creep into points league consideration, too. Gillespie signed a four-year contract worth $48M.

13. Andrew Wiggins — MIA | Forward | Age 31 | Player Option ($30.2M)

At $30M, I'd expect Wiggins to exercise his player option. Every team needs a versatile wing player like Wiggins. If he walks, I think it'd be for less money, but perhaps he can join a contender. Now that Giannis Antetokounmpo is in town, you'd think Wiggins stays put. Beyond his defensive contributions, Wiggins isn't a player I actively target in fantasy.

14. Norman Powell — MIA | Guard | Age 32 | UFA ($18M)

One of the best pure scorers on the free-agent market, Powell will get a raise. The question is: which team will hire him? He's a bucket who tends to land between the mid-80s and 90s in drafts. His value should be consistent regardless of where he lands.\

15. Coby White— CHA | Guard | Age 26 | Signed with Hornets

White's fantasy stock got a nice bump after inking a new 3-year, $74M contract to stay in Charlotte. LaMelo Ball was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves, leaving White as the starting point guard heading into next season. While he wasn't a top 250 player in 9-cat after joining the Hornets after the deadline, fantasy managers should look to his 2024-25 season in Chicago, where he posted 20-4-5 in 33 minutes a night. That was good for 70th in 9-cat leagues. An uptick in assists and minutes will set him up nicely for a top-75 status once again.

16. Mark Williams — PHX | Center | Age 24 | Re-signing with Suns