Securing the bag: 6 NBA players vying for big free-agent deals
A whole lot of money is on the line for several players heading into the upcoming campaign.
Some are looking for their first big contract, while others are seeking one final payday as they head into the latter stages of their career.
Here are six players who could reap the rewards from a strong 2025-26 season.
Statistics listed are from the 2024-25 campaign.
| GP | PTS | REB | AST | FG% | 3PT% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | 24 | 3.3 | 3.8 | 43.8 | 34.9 | 88.1 |
2025-26 earnings: $6M
Thomas is betting on himself this upcoming campaign. The fifth-year guard opted to sign a one-year, $6-million qualifying offer over multiple contract proposals from the Brooklyn Nets, including a two-year, $30-million deal. His decision gives him a full no-trade clause and allows him to hit unrestricted free agency next summer.
Offense has never been a question when it comes to Thomas. The LSU product can create his own shot and heat up in a hurry. His playmaking has also improved significantly since entering the league four years ago. Thomas posted a 22% assist percentage in 2024-25, which ranked in the 95th percentile among wings, per Cleaning the Glass. However, he hasn't been able to stay healthy for an entire campaign and struggles defensively. Brooklyn allowed 7.1 fewer points per 100 possessions last season when Thomas wasn't on the floor.
| GP | PTS | REB | AST | FG% | 3PT% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 70 | 19.3 | 2.7 | 4.8 | 42.6 | 36.3 | 90.2 |
2025-26 earnings: $27.7M
Simons is playing for another big contract as he enters his prime years. The former first-round pick will have ample opportunity to prove his worth with the offseason departures of Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday. Jayson Tatum may miss most - if not all - of the campaign as he continues to recover from a ruptured Achilles tendon.
Simons' numbers were slightly down across the board last season despite tying a career high for appearances. Still, he knocked down the 17th-most triples (215) in the Association and should be a seamless fit in Joe Mazzulla's 3-point-heavy offense. Simons' shot-creation will be helpful, too, but he's been a major defensive liability throughout his first seven campaigns. Any defensive progress would go a long way in justifying a large contract for Simons.
| GP | PTS | REB | AST | FG% | 3PT% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 | 21.8 | 3.2 | 2.1 | 48.4 | 41.8 | 80.4 |
2025-26 earnings: $20.5M
Can Powell lift his game to another level in his 11th NBA season? The 32-year-old guard has been among the league's top reserves, finishing fourth in Sixth Man of the Year voting twice during his stint with the Los Angeles Clippers. But perhaps there's some untapped potential after Powell set a new career high in scoring last season as a full-time starter.
Powell should have a key offensive role for the Miami Heat in 2025-26, especially with Tyler Herro sidelined for the campaign's first month. He gives the Heat some much-needed shot creation, an aggressive slasher, and a movement shooter. The UCLA standout tallied 129 points from handoffs, which tied for 14th in the Association last season. Powell's solid on-ball defense, combined with even more offensive growth, could result in one last big paycheck.
| GP | PTS | REB | AST | FG% | 3PT% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 73 | 20.2 | 4.5 | 5.8 | 46 | 37.7 | 87.7 |
2025-26 earnings: $13.9M
Reaves will almost certainly decline his $14.9-million player option for 2026-27 in favor of a lucrative long-term contract. The Los Angeles Lakers guard is among the latest success stories from the team's player development pipeline, emerging as a core piece after joining the club on a two-way deal in 2021.
Reaves is one of three undrafted players in the last 30 years to average at least 20 points in a campaign. The Oklahoma product's 200 triples in 2024-25 were the second-best single-season mark in Lakers history. While Reaves' defense leaves a lot to be desired, he's been an effective pick-and-roll operator and has a knack for drawing fouls when driving to the rim. He'll have more opportunities to develop off the ball with Luka Doncic running the point.
| GP | PTS | REB | AST | FG% | 3PT% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 47 | 15.3 | 4.6 | 2.2 | 45.4 | 30.5 | 66.8 |
2025-26 earnings: $22.5M
Kuminga ended his contract stalemate with the Golden State Warriors, agreeing to a two-year, $48.5-million contract. His patience netted him nearly $15 million more than the qualifying offer. Still, Kuminga won't be short on motivation this upcoming season as the team option for the second year is designed to be ripped up at the conclusion of the campaign, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania.
Kuminga will spend the next several months auditioning for a long-term investment from the Warriors or another club in the event he's traded midseason. The 23-year-old has shown flashes of potential with his ability to get into the paint and draw fouls. But he has yet to turn the corner as a 3-point shooter and struggles defensively.
| GP | PTS | REB | AST | FG% | 3PT% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75 | 14.6 | 4.3 | 3 | 46.7 | 38.5 | 75.7 |
2025-26 earnings: $8.7M
Grimes settled for a one-year, $8.7-million qualifying offer with an eye on next summer, when several teams will be armed with salary cap space. The fifth-year guard turned heads last season after being dealt to the Philadelphia 76ers just before the trade deadline. Grimes stepped up in the absence of several marquee players, averaging 21.9 points, 5.2 boards, 4.5 assists, and 1.5 steals across 28 appearances.
Grimes had a pair of 40-point explosions in a 76ers uniform. He provides the club with floor spacing around Joel Embiid, shot creation, secondary playmaking, and an impact defender on the perimeter. Grimes needs to prove that his late spurt wasn't a fluke.