NBA player acquisitions are like a game where seats are taken one by one, and the availability of opportunities is diminishing. The bulk of the funds that could be spent have been allocated. The composition of teams is becoming more certain. Even those teams that still have open roster spots may not have a guarantee of playing time or shots for new players. As the end of July approaches, the odds of players who remain without a team landing favorable deals before the season begins decrease.
This circumstance presents hurdles for those who are still uncommitted as of the 2025 season. Though the collection of players was considered somewhat lacking as the month began, there remain a number of recognizable names that could be signed. So let’s consider some of these individuals. Is it possible to find placements for some of the more experienced and promising players who haven’t yet been signed to a team?
It’s probable that teams vying for the title are not being considered here. Following his most productive season in recent memory with the Denver team, the Nuggets opted not to offer him a new contract. Should a player be incompatible with Nikola Jokić, it is less likely that they would be part of a successful team as a supporting player. His track record shows four instances where he didn’t establish a lasting position with teams aiming for success, including the Rockets, Lakers, Clippers, and Nuggets. Thus, the search is aimed at identifying a team that does not have high goals and has a need for assistance in setting up plays.
The Sacramento team stands out as possibly meeting these conditions. There has been speculation throughout the off-season that he might join the Sacramento team. Even with Dennis Schröder on the team, there is still a deficiency in playmaking. The Kings also experienced a shift from being ranked 11th in terms of pace during the first half of the previous season (when De’Aaron Fox was part of the team) to 28th in the second half (when Zach LaVine took his place). Introducing a player who can increase the tempo and potentially create straightforward scoring opportunities could be beneficial. Even though Westbrook’s defensive efforts off the ball are variable, his physical attributes and strength allow him to put up a fight against opposing players in possession of the ball.
Does this indicate that Sacramento is a good fit for Westbrook? It may not be the ideal situation. The presence of LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Malik Monk, and Schröder means that the team already has a number of perimeter players whose primary focus is on scoring. The Kings also currently have the maximum of 15 players on their roster, but this can be addressed. It is conceivable that Westbrook’s NBA participation is nearing its conclusion. He might be able to sign with a team in this category – one that isn’t positioned to contend for a playoff spot and is not currently in a rebuilding phase.
The Boston team could be a compelling choice. They are presently considered to be in a transition phase, resulting in an environment with less pressure. Furthermore, they have sufficient shooting capabilities to make effective use of his abilities as a ball-handler. Nonetheless, Joe Mazzulla emphasizes the need for every player to have proficiency in shooting. He would probably not endorse a player who handles the ball often but does not attempt three-point shots or penetrate the paint. Unless the Celtics decide to modify their playing approach to suit him, there may be more suitable choices.
What about the Knicks? One approach to fully harness Simmons’ capabilities involves surrounding him with effective shooters. The Knicks have a big man known for his shooting skills, Karl-Anthony Towns. The players they added during the off-season, Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele, are both capable of making shots. It is probable that New York can utilize Simmons to take on the role of playmaker when Jalen Brunson is not on the court. His inclusion would provide the team with another large wing player for defensive purposes, and if they decide to employ switching tactics as they did in the later stages of the playoffs, Simmons is capable of doing so. Although the pressure of performing at Madison Square Garden could pose a problem, it is important to note that he would be serving as a substitute for approximately 10–15 minutes, as opposed to being a star player. It is a calculated risk that could produce a substantial reward.
This topic does not require much discussion. It is widely known that Golden State intends to acquire Horford at some point. The primary obstacle is probably the financial aspect. The Warriors are still examining the possibilities for Jonathan Kuminga’s future (more information on this later), and they want to assess their financial flexibility after dealing with him before committing to a contract with Horford. Regardless, the fit appears perfect. They have a need for a big man who can shoot and favor switching defensive strategies, which Horford continues to excel at. Having intelligent players is necessary to succeed in Golden State, and Horford is a highly esteemed veteran. Once the agreement is formally established, he will make a valuable contribution to the Warriors.
It is noteworthy that Moses Moody’s playing time was limited to approximately nine minutes per game during the Minnesota series. Steve Kerr seemingly lost confidence in him as the previous season drew to a close, and when Stephen Curry wasn’t available to cover his weaknesses on offense, he was almost ineffective. The Warriors require a second defender who can initiate the attack, which is what Payton has offered during his two stints with the team.
He has flaws on the offensive end, but the Warriors are more capable of masking those deficiencies compared to other teams. His intelligent cuts and underrated screening are more suited to a flowing offense like Golden State’s than a conventional, pick-and-roll-focused attack that might be affected by his weaker shooting abilities (although he did make over 41% of his shots in the corners last season and has typically performed well in that area). Other teams that need defense will seek him, but he witnessed firsthand while playing for Portland that other opportunities are not always better. Both sides are more effective as a unit.
Given the departure of Nickeil Alexander-Walker and their stated interest in Damian Lillard before he chose to stay with Portland, it is probable that Minnesota intends to allocate one of its two remaining roster positions to a guard. Considering Mike Conley’s age, it would make sense to bring in a point guard who plays in a traditional style as a precautionary measure. Anthony Edwards isn’t a point guard by trade, and even though Rob Dillingham may be listed as one, his primary focus is on scoring.
The hidden motivation behind signing Brogdon is his potential for being traded. Tim Connelly attempted to acquire Kevin Durant through a trade earlier in the off-season. He is considered to be among the more inventive negotiators in basketball, therefore, if he can substitute Conley with a free-agent acquisition, that would result in approximately $10.8 million in salary that could be easily traded before the deadline. The expectation is that Dillingham and Terrence Shannon Jr. will develop into the guards of the future to play alongside Edwards. While Conley’s presence as a veteran is beneficial for the team environment, they probably wouldn’t hesitate to trade him if doing so would improve the team in a way that benefits those young players.
Securing restricted free agents is often more complicated compared to unrestricted ones. The player’s original team retains the option to match any offer made. This factor often discourages potential suitors from making offers, leading to a scarcity of available funds before an agreement can be reached. As a result, these free agents often end up re-signing with their original teams under conditions that favor the team. Kuminga’s desire to leave Golden State may force him to accept his one-year qualifying offer to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
For now, a sign-and-trade arrangement is being considered. These agreements can be complex because of a rule known as base-year compensation. This rule means that when Golden State trades Kuminga, only about half of his new salary is counted as outgoing money for them. However, his new team will count Kuminga at the full salary amount. This makes it difficult to match salaries under these conditions. There have been reports of Miami’s interest, but the player who would be the most suitable for the Warriors, Andrew Wiggins, has a salary that is too high to make the deal feasible.
Phoenix has also expressed interest, according to reports. They have a similar player who is a 3-and-D forward who would be a suitable choice for the Warriors, but ironically, Golden State has a complicated history with him: Dillon Brooks. His salary is substantially lower than Wiggins’ at approximately $21 million. Golden State could trade Kuminga for approximately $25 million and then transfer Moody, who has a similar role, to another team. This would satisfy the salary-matching requirements and ensure that they have enough funds to fill out the remainder of their roster. This action would put Phoenix over the tax threshold, but the Suns could then trade Nick Richards and his $5 million salary to another team’s available space or trade exception to get back under the threshold.
Phoenix may not be the most logical choice for Kuminga’s playing style. He wants to shoot, but nearly half of the Suns’ roster consists of shooting guards. More importantly, the Suns are in need of promising players. They need to find success with one or two young players and rebuild their struggling core. Kuminga represents an opportunity in that regard. He would need to improve his defense compared to his performance with the Warriors and determine how to fit into an offense that is already somewhat crowded. If he could do that, he has the potential to become a very capable player.
The Bucks might have waived Damian Lillard to free up the necessary funds to sign Myles Turner, but in reality, he is more of a replacement for Brook Lopez. They still require a guard who can consistently score 20 or more points per game to maintain their offensive effectiveness. They brought back Kevin Porter Jr. and Gary Trent Jr., and they signed Cole Anthony as well, but those players will be reserves. They should consider taking a chance on a player with great potential. They have expressed interest in Thomas in the past. In Milwaukee, with Giannis Antetokounmpo capable of being the primary playmaker, he could concentrate on scoring.
The Bucks would have to trade Kyle Kuzma to match the salary for a potential contract. The Nets would not be interested in acquiring him. Perhaps Milwaukee could make the deal more attractive by including an unprotected first-round pick swap in 2032? That would make their 2031 first-round pick available for another trade now and ensure that their 2033 first-round pick would be tradable next offseason as well. Since the Nets have two first-round picks in 2032, they could arrange the swap so that it applies to either of their picks. That would be a significant concession on Milwaukee’s part, but if they believe that Thomas can provide the high-level scoring they need to convince Antetokounmpo to commit to the team long-term, they might be prepared to make that investment.
