James is hardly the only basketball player in Los Angeles with a cloudy future.
Throughout his illustrious career, LeBron James has switched teams three times during free agency. And this summer, that figure might increase by four.
The NBA free agent class of 2024 could be led by the superstar of the Los Angeles Lakers. James needs to decide what to do with his $54.1 million player option before he enters his age-40 season.
James is hardly the only basketball player in Los Angeles with a cloudy future. For the upcoming season, Clippers forward Paul George is eligible to receive a $44.1 million player option, while guard James Harden is nearing the end of his contract.
In addition to Harden, the top unrestricted free agents are Chicago Bulls guard DeMar DeRozan, Indiana Pacers big Pascal Siakam, and Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson.
Tyrese Maxey, a guard with the Philadelphia 76ers, is in charge of the restricted free agents group.
Which other players are likely to enter the open market? And when will the rush to sign free agents start? What to know about free agency in 2024 is as follows:
Which future NBA free agents are the best?
The top centers, guards, and forwards available on the open market are all listed below, with players’ last names arranged alphabetically:
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LeBron James headlines the top potential NBA free agents in 2024
James isn’t the only Los Angeles basketball star with an uncertain future, either.
By Eric Mullin • Published 57 mins ago • Updated 37 mins ago
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Here’s everything you need to know about 2024 NBA free agency.
LeBron James has changed teams in free agency three times throughout his legendary career. And that number could go up four this summer.
The Los Angeles Lakers superstar headlines the potential class of NBA free agents in 2024. James, who will be entering his age-40 season, has a $54.1 million player option he needs to make a decision on.
James isn’t the only Los Angeles basketball star with an uncertain future, either. Clippers forward Paul George holds a $44.1 million player option for next season, while Clippers guard James Harden is in the final year of his deal.
Along with Harden, the other top unrestricted free agents include Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam, Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson and Chicago Bulls guard DeMar DeRozan.
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Meanwhile, Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey leads the group of restricted free agents.
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So, which other players could hit the open market? And when will the free-agent frenzy begin? Here’s what to know about 2024 free agency:
Who are the best upcoming NBA free agents?
Here’s a full look at the best guards, forwards and centers who could hit the open market:
Guards
Jose Alvarado, New Orleans Pelicans ($1.7M team option)
Malik Beasley, Milwaukee Bucks
Patrick Beverley, Milwaukee Bucks
Bruce Brown, Toronto Raptors ($22.5M team option)
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Denver Nuggets ($15.1M player option)
DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls
Spencer Dinwiddie, Los Angeles Lakers
Kris Dunn, Utah Jazz
Markelle Fultz, Orlando Magic
Eric Gordon, Phoenix Suns ($3.3M player option)
James Harden, Los Angeles Clippers
Sam Hauser, Boston Celtics ($1.9M team option)
Buddy Hield, Philadelphia 76ers
Talen Horton-Tucker, Utah Jazz
Reggie Jackson, Denver Nuggets ($5.1M player option)
Isaiah Joe, Oklahoma City Thunder ($2M team option)
Tyus Jones, Washington Wizards
Luke Kennard, Memphis Grizzlies ($14M team option)
Kyle Lowry, Philadelphia 76ers
Naji Marshall, New Orleans Pelicans
Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers (restricted)
De’Anthony Melton, Philadelphia 76ers
Malik Monk, Sacramento Kings
Monte Morris, Minnesota Timberwolves
Cam Payne, Philadelphia 76ers
Gary Payton II, Golden State Warriors ($8.7M player option)
Josh Richardson, Miami Heat ($3M player option)
D’Angelo Russell, Los Angeles Lakers ($18M player option)
Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors
Gary Trent Jr., Toronto Raptors
Immanuel Quickley, Toronto Raptors (restricted)
Lonnie Walker IV, Brooklyn Nets
Russell Westbrook, Los Angeles Clippers ($3.9M player option)
Aaron Wiggins, Oklahoma City Thunder ($1.6M team option)
Delon Wright, Miami Heat
Forwards
Kyle Anderson, Minnesota Timberwolves
OG Anunoby, New York Knicks ($18M player option)
Nicolas Batum, Philadelphia 76ers
Saddiq Bey, Atlanta Hawks (restricted)
Miles Bridges, Charlotte Hornets
Robert Covington, Philadelphia 76ers
Torrey Craig, Chicago Bulls ($2.7M player option)
Jae Crowder, Milwaukee Bucks
Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers ($44.1M player option)
Jeff Green, Houston Rockets ($8M team option)
Tobias Harris, Philadelphia 76ers
Haywood Highsmith, Miami Heat (restricted)
LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers ($54.1M player option)
Derrick Jones Jr., Dallas Mavericks
Kevin Love, Miami Heat ($3.9M player option)
Caleb Martin, Miami Heat ($6.8M player option)
Marcus Morris Sr., Cleveland Cavaliers
Josh Okogie, Phoenix Suns ($2.9M player option)
Isaac Okoro, Cleveland Cavaliers (restricted)
Royce O’Neale, Phoenix Suns
Kelly Oubre Jr., Philadelphia 76ers
Taurean Prince, Los Angeles Lakers
Dario Saric, Golden State Warriors
Pascal Siakam, Indiana Pacers
Obi Toppin, Indiana Pacers (restricted)
P.J. Tucker, Los Angeles Clippers ($11M player option)
Patrick Williams, Chicago Bulls (restricted)
Centers
Nic Claxton, Brooklyn Nets
Andre Drummond, Chicago Bulls
Drew Eubanks, Phoenix Suns ($2.5M player option)
Isaiah Hartenstein, New York Knicks
Jaxson Hayes, Los Angeles Lakers ($2.4M player option)
Mason Plumlee, Los Angeles Clippers
Jalen Smith, Indiana Pacers ($5M player option)
Xavier Tillman, Boston Celtics
Jonas Valanciunas, New Orleans Pelicans
Mo Wagner, Orlando Magic ($8M team option)
Christian Wood, Los Angeles Lakers ($2.9M player option)
In 2024, when does NBA free agency begin?
The day following the NBA Finals, teams will be able to negotiate with their own pending free agents. The Finals could conclude as early as June 14 or as late as June 23, just to give you an idea.
Teams can begin negotiations with all other free agents on June 30 at 6 p.m. ET. Contracts cannot be signed before July 6 at 12:01 p.m. ET.
For the 2024–25 NBA season, what is the salary cap?
According to reports, the salary cap for the upcoming season will be approximately $141 million, representing a roughly $5 million rise from 2023–2024.
In free agency in 2024, which NBA teams have the most cap space?
Seven clubs, including three who made it to the 2023 playoffs, are expected to be under the cap, based on Spotrac’s practical cap space projections:
1. Detroit Pistons: $60.1 million
2. Philadelphia 76ers: $55.5 million
3. Utah Jazz: $37.5 million
4. Oklahoma City Thunder: $35.3 million
5. San Antonio Spurs: $27.3 million
6. Orlando Magic: $19.1 million
7. Charlotte Hornets: $2.6 million