π NBA free agency preview for all 30 teams
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- NBA free agency officially begins Tuesday at 6 p.m. ET, with the Giannis Antetokounmpo blockbuster on the eve of the 2026 NBA draft and the LaMelo Ball deal already reshaping rosters.
- LeBron James is an unrestricted free agent who could face the $15 million non-tax midlevel exception if he leaves the Lakers, with L.A. projecting nearly $50 million in available spending power.
- Giannis Antetokounmpo becomes eligible to sign a four-year, $275 million max extension six months after his trade to Miami is finalized.
- The Clippers face potential penalties including loss of draft picks, significant fines, and suspensions of team executives including owner Steve Ballmer if found guilty in the salary cap circumvention investigation into Leonard's Aspiration deal.
- Jaylen Brown has three years and $183 million left on his supermax contract and is the subject of trade speculation after Boston fell short in its pursuit of Antetokounmpo; he can sign a two-year, $142 million extension starting July 26.
- Atlanta extended CJ McCollum for one year and $21 million and acquired Aaron Wiggins from Oklahoma City, hard-capping the Hawks at the first apron.
- Star extension candidates include Stephen Curry, Nikola Jokic, Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton, Donovan Mitchell, Pascal Siakam, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Victor Wembanyama, among others.
Why it matters: With free agency opening Tuesday, the Lakers face a $50 million cap decision tied to LeBron James's next contract, while the Clippers await a league ruling that could strip draft picks and suspend executives including owner Steve Ballmer. The outcomes will define 2026-27 title contenders across the league.
