NBA free agency update: top restricted and unrestricted players still unsigned, several trades pending
Three leading restricted free agents—Jalen Duren, Peyton Watson and Bennedict Mathurin—remain unsigned, while notable unrestricted free agents including LeBron James and James Harden are in talks. Five multi-team trades are also awaiting final approval.
The NBA’s 2026-27 free-agency period is entering its second week with several high-profile players still without contracts. Restricted free agents Jalen Duren (Detroit), Peyton Watson (Denver) and Bennedict Mathurin (Los Angeles) are the most prominent unsigned names. Duren, who has explored offers from the Lakers and Kings, is likely to return to Detroit after a stalled negotiation and a pending six-team trade that could give the Pistons salary-cap flexibility. Watson’s situation is complicated by the Nuggets’ salary-cap constraints; the team is prepared to match any offer sheet but has not committed to keeping him, while the Nets have the clearest cap space to submit an offer. The Clippers have not received competing offers for Mathurin, reducing his leverage, though the team intends to re-sign him, according to ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk.
Among unrestricted free agents, former MVP LeBron James has informed the Lakers he will not return and is being courted by six teams, with the Cleveland Cavaliers viewed as the front-runner. James Harden is expected to sign a multi-year deal with Cleveland, pending James’ decision, and Draymond Green is likely to stay with Golden State unless a move to Cleveland materializes. Forward Jonathan Kuminga is linked to several clubs, including the Cavaliers and Lakers, which are reportedly considering a two-year, $20 million offer if they can create cap space. DeMar DeRozan is expected to clear waivers after his release by the Kings and could become a backup option for teams missing out on James.
Five trades remain incomplete. A four-team deal that would send LaMelo Ball to Minnesota, Naz Reid to Charlotte, Julius Randle to Brooklyn and Nic Claxton to Chicago cannot be finalized until July 9, when Mouhamadou Gueye becomes trade-eligible. Charlotte must also finish its Ball/Reid transaction before moving Miles Bridges to Phoenix. Los Angeles is working on a sign-and-trade for Walker Kessler, pending additional cap-room moves. A six-team trade involving John Collins, Santi Aldama, Isaiah Stewart, Khris Middleton and others is expected to be completed within the next few days, with the Wizards needing to use a trade exception before it expires on July 9.