NBA free agency has officially begun, with players allowed to start negotiations with teams across the league as of Monday evening, leading to a flurry of activity throughout the week. One of the most unexpected moves occurred Tuesday morning when the Milwaukee Bucks announced the signing of big man Miles Turner, who had spent his entire career with the Indiana Pacers on a four-year deal. Milwaukee made this move by parting ways with Damian Lillard and extending his contract, essentially turning the nine-time All-Star into a free agent.
The biggest development on Wednesday was the Lakers’ acquisition of former number one overall pick Deandre Ayton, who was traded to Los Angeles by the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday. Ayton will join the Lakers’ core alongside Luka Doncic and LeBron James, filling a critical need for a strong presence in the paint. Additionally, the Lakers bolstered their center depth by signing Jaxson Hayes to a one-year contract on Thursday, as reported by ESPN.
The Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks, and Houston Rockets have also been very active. The Nuggets acquired Cam Johnson in a trade involving Michael Porter Jr. and signed Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr. in free agency. The Hawks continued to strengthen their roster with additions like Nickaire Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard, while the Rockets are preparing to sign Dorian Finney-Smith and Clint Capela after securing Kevin Durant two weeks ago.
The 2025 NBA free agent class is not star-studded, as some of the biggest names, including LeBron James, James Harden, Kyrie Irving, Julius Randle, Naz Reid, and Fred VanVleet, opted to remain with their current teams for the 2025-26 season. LeBron James exercised his $52.6 million player option with the Lakers but remains a subject of trade rumors, with his agent Rich Paul stating they are focused on what’s best for LeBron at this stage of his career. So, while LeBron is not entering free agency, a move could still be on the horizon.
Among the remaining notable free agents as of Tuesday night are Warriors wing Jonathan Kuminga, Bulls guard Josh Giddey, and Celtics big man Al Horford. Veteran stars like Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook are also seeking new teams.
CBS Sports continues to monitor all significant moves throughout NBA free agency and provides updates on the 2025 NBA Free Agency Tracker.
Fan Take: This offseason’s free agency highlights the strategic moves teams are making to build championship contenders while also navigating player loyalty and contract management. For basketball fans, these shifts could redefine team dynamics and fuel exciting storylines for the upcoming seasons, showcasing the evolving landscape of the NBA.
