Answering the 10 questions that impact the 2026 offseason…..From LeBron to Giannis, Jokic, Curry, Victor, cap space returning, the draft (thanks @JeremyWoo) and more….https://t.co/L1UUt6pdd6— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) August 14, 2025
Answering the 10 questions that impact the 2026 offseason
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August 14, 2025 1 Comment
From the above article:
How does Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic and Stephen Curry impact the 2027 summer?
Antetokounmpo has a $62.8 million player option in 2027-28 and is allowed to extend for an additional four-years and $293 million next offseason. The player option is replaced with the first year of the extension.
Jokic is eligible now to sign a three-year, $206 million extension but has delayed talks until next summer, sources confirmed to ESPN. By waiting another year, he would then be eligible to add a fourth year and additional $87 million. Like Antetokounmpo, Jokic has a $62.8 million player option for 2027-28.
Curry, meanwhile, does not have a player option in 2027-28 and could become a free agent for just the second time in his career. Because of the Over 38 rule, he can extend for no more than two years and $136.7 million. Curry, Jimmy Butler III and Draymond Green all can be free agents in the 2027 offseason.
Other All-Stars that are extension-eligible and could be a free agent in 2027 include Donovan Mitchell, Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Davis and Kawhi Leonard.
Besides James, who are the next best free agents?
The top players who could become free agents next summer include (P: Player option; T: Team option; R: Restricted):
Franchise player: LeBron James
All-NBA: Kevin Durant
All-Star: James Harden (P), Trae Young (P)
Top starter: Bradley Beal (P), Christian Braun (R), Toumani Camara (R), Dyson Daniels (R), Lu Dort (T), Draymond Green (P), Walker Kessler (R), Zach LaVine (P), Keegan Murray (R), Norman Powell, Austin Reaves (P) and Coby White
Starter level: Deandre Ayton (P), Harrison Barnes, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (P), John Collins, Mike Conley, Jalen Duren (R), Tari Eason (R), Rui Hachimura, Tobias Harris, Isaiah Hartenstein (T), Jaden Ivey (R), CJ McCollum, Khris Middleton, Jusuf Nurkic, Kristaps Porzingis, Collin Sexton, Shaedon Sharpe (R), Anfernee Simons, Fred VanVleet (P), Nikola Vucevic, P.J. Washington, Andrew Wiggins (P) and Mark Williams (R)
The 2026 free agent class could get a boost if current restricted free agents Jonathan Kuminga, Cam Thomas, Quentin Grimes and Josh Giddey sign the one-year qualifying offer before Oct. 1. They would be unrestricted in 2026 if they take the one-year contract.