Don’t be fooled by the action of the NBA Finals and the 2025 NBA draft looming at the end of June. Free agency is just around the corner.

Starting with the day after the last game of the NBA Finals, teams can enter negotiations with prospective free agents who have just completed seasons on their own rosters.

Then, on Monday, June 30, at 6 p.m. ET, teams may begin negotiating with free agents who finished seasons on other teams.

Some players are unrestricted free agents, which means they are able to sign with any team that offers a deal; restricted free agents can sign a contract with another team but the team he last played for has the right to match the offer and retain the player.

Some players have player options, meaning they can opt out of the final season of their contract and become a free agent or they can opt in and play out the final year of the deal. Similarly, some contracts have a team option on the final season of the contract, meaning the team can decide whether it brings the player back or allows him to enter free agency.

It all sets up what should be a busy couple of weeks.

Here are the top 25 NBA free agents in 2025:

Top 2025 NBA free agents

1. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers forward

2024-25 stats: 24.4 ppg, 8.2 apg, 7.8 rpg, 51.3% FG, 37.6% 3PT, 78.2% FT

James hit free agency last summer and signed a two-year, $101.3 million contract with a player option at $52.6 million for 2025-26. It’s likely James will become a free agent again and try to maximize his earnings (with the Lakers most likely) while including a no-trade clause in his contract. At every chance, James has indicated he is happy playing for the Lakers and living in the L.A. area. Plus, his son, Bronny, is under contract with the franchise. At 40 years old, James still produced at an All-NBA level.

2. James Harden, Los Angeles Clippers guard

2024-25 stats: 22.8 ppg, 8.7 apg, 5.8 rpg, 41% FG, 35.2% 3PT, 87.4% FT

Harden has a player option for 2025-26 at $36.3 million for the season. He can play out the final year of the contract or become a free agent in the summer. He still logged significant minutes (35.3 per game) and continued to produce. A strong run during the postseason reaffirmed his status as a capable scorer.

3. Julius Randle, Minnesota Timberwolves forward

2024-25 stats: 18.7 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 4.7 apg, 48.5% FG, 34.4% 3PT, 80.6% FT

Randle is another player with an option for 2025-26. He can either finish the contract at $30.9 million for next season or become a free agent in the summer. What to watch here: Is the likely new ownership group led by Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore ready to spend what it takes to keep the core roster intact?

4. Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks guard

2024-25 stats: 24.7 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 4.6 apg, 47.3% FG, 41% 3PT, 91.6% FT

Irving has a player option for 2025-26 and can become a free agent after this season. He can also remain in his contract at $43.9 million for next season and go to free agency in 2026. Irving sustained a season-ending torn ACL and will miss a significant portion of next season if not the entire season. Irving was an All-Star in 2025 and enjoying another stellar season before the injury. Given his injury and timeline to return, Irving may push free agency to 2026 — unless Dallas is ready to re-up with Irving on another contract. Regardless, with the Mavs trading Luka Doncic to the Lakers for Anthony Davis, there are parts the Mavs need to resolve, which could impact Irving’s future. Winning the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes certainly helps.

5. Myles Turner, Indiana Pacers center

2024-25 stats: 15.6 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.0 bpg, 1.5 apg, 48.1% FG, 39.6% 3PT, 77.3% FT

It seems Turner has been mentioned in trade talks for several seasons. Now, he’s in control of where he plays next season as an unrestricted free agent. Playing almost four more minutes per game this season than last, Turner remains a positive presence in the Pacers’ rotation, and he has been a steady anchor down low during Indiana’s run to the NBA Finals. Turner’s ability to stretch the floor and knock down 3s should increase his value on the open market.

6. Naz Reid, Minnesota Timberwolves center-forward

2024-25 stats: 14.2 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 2.3 apg, 46.2% FG, 37.9% 3PT, 77.6% FT

Reid is headed for a big payday — whether it’s this offseason or the next. He’s under contract for 2025-26 at a team friendly $15 million for the season but can exercise his player option and become a free agent this summer rather than the summer of 2026. His production made it possible to part ways with Karl-Anthony Towns before the season.

7. Josh Giddey, Chicago Bulls guard

2024-25 stats: 14.6 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 7.2 apg, 1.2 spg, 46.5% FG, 37.8% 3PT, 78.1% FT

Giddey is a pending restricted free agent in his first season with the Bulls after Oklahoma City traded him for Alex Caruso. Giddey does a little bit of everything for the Bulls, putting together career highs in assists, 3-point shooting percentage, 3s made per game and minutes. His strong play late in the season elevated the Bulls, which had lacked a distributor and creator, into playoff contention.

8. Fred VanVleet, Houston Rockets guard

2024-25 stats: 14.1 ppg, 5.6 apg, 3.7 rpg, 1.6 spg, 37.8% FG, 34.5% 3PT, 81% FT

The Rockets have a team option to retain VanVleet for 2025-26 at $44.8 million for the season or they can make the veteran guard a free agent this summer. The Rockets have young players who are in line for lucrative extensions so it is worth watching what the front office — and ownership — decides to do.

9. John Collins, Utah Jazz forward-center

2024-25 stats: 19.0 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.0 spg, 1.0 bpg, 52.7% FG, 39.9% 3PT, 84.8% FT

Collins also can choose to become a free agent this summer or play out the final season of his contract that will pay him $25.6 million in 2025-26. Collins has missed games due to injuries (back, hip) but is productive when on the court and can be a valuable third or fourth option on a playoff team.

10. Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State Warriors forward

2024-25 stats: 15.3 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.2. apg, 45.4% FG, 30.5% 3PT, 66.8% FT

Kuminga is a restricted free agent, meaning the Warriors can match any offer from other teams and retain him. He has missed time with injuries but he’s the kind of youthful, athletic wing the Warriors could use, with further development. With Golden State’s trade for Jimmy Butler, Kuminga fell out of the rotation, though he did re-emerge once injuries forced him back on the floor.

11. Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Minnesota Timberwolves guard

2024-25 stats: 9.4 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.7 apg, 43.8% FG, 38.1% 3PT, 78% FT

Alexander-Walker is in the final season of a two-year, $9 million contract, which makes him an unrestricted free agent in the summer. He has established himself as a viable rotation player, particularly on defense, where his length and athleticism are extremely valuable in the modern NBA.

12. Malik Beasley, Detroit Pistons guard

2024-25 stats: 16.3 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 1.7 apg, 43% FG, 41.6% 3PT, 67.9% FT

A veteran sharpshooter, Beasley is a plug-and-play sniper who should give any team instant contributions just from the volume of shots and accuracy he has from beyond the arc. Though he’s only an occasional starter, Beasley ranked seventh in the NBA in 3-point shots per game (9.3). But when lacing them at 41.6%, he should find plenty of suitors.

13. Kelly Oubre Jr., Philadelphia 76ers forward

2024-25 stats: 15.1 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.5 spg, 47% FG, 29.3% 3PT, 75.1% FT

He took on more responsibility with the series of injuries Philadelphia faced this season, and Oubre responded to become one of the team’s more consistent producers. He has plus athleticism, can get to the rim and his length allows him to defend many of the athletic wings in the NBA well enough.

14. Cam Thomas, Brooklyn Nets guard

2024-25 stats: 24 ppg, 3.8 apg, 3.3 rpg, 43.8% FG, 34.9% 3PT, 88.1% FT

Thomas is a restricted free agent and headed for a raise on his $4 million salary in 2024-25. Limited by injuries that sidelined him for more than half of the season, he can still get buckets and drop 20-plus in just about every game.

15. Bobby Portis, Milwaukee Bucks forward

2024-25 stats: 13.9 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 2.1 apg, 46.6% FG, 36.5% 3PT, 83.6% FT

Portis has a player option, so he would need to exercise it to remain with the team. Yet, if he opts to test the market, his ability to provide steady and solid scoring and rebounding off the bench could be appealing to any number of teams. A frequent contender for Sixth Man of the Year, Portis also brings instant energy and tenacity upon stepping on the floor.

16. Caris LeVert, Atlanta Hawks guard

2024-25 stats: 12.1 ppg, 3.4 apg, 3.2 rpg, 46.7% FG, 37.3% 3PT, 71% FT

LeVert will hit unrestricted free agency this summer following a two-year, $32 million contract. He had a nice season with Cleveland until it traded him, and he continued to excel as a scorer with Atlanta, where he got more offensive opportunities.

17. Quentin Grimes, Philadelphia 76ers guard

2024-25 stats: 14.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.0 apg, 46.7% FG, 38.5% 3PT, 75.7% FT

Grimes is a restricted free agent this summer, and he made the most of his opportunity after being traded from Dallas to Philadelphia. Grimes averaged 21.9 points on 46.9% shooting from the field and 37.3% on 3s and has scored at least 30 points five times with the 76ers, including 46 in an overtime loss against the Rockets.

18. Santi Aldama, Memphis Grizzlies center

2024-25 stats: 12.5 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 2.9 apg, 48.3% FG, 36.8% 3PT, 69.1% FT

Aldama is a restricted free agent in the offseason, and he turned into a valuable big man for the Grizzlies’ formidable frontcourt. The fourth-year big averaged career highs in points, rebounds, assists, field goal percentage and 3-point shooting percentage.

19. Brook Lopez, Milwaukee Bucks center

2024-25 stats: 13.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.9 bpg, 1.8 apg, 50.9% FG, 37.3% 3PT, 82.6% FT

Lopez had been a valuable player for the Bucks, who signed him to a two-year, $48 million contract in 2023. Will the two sides be able to reach terms on a new deal in free agency and continue a mutually beneficial relationship, or will Lopez find a new team?

20. Dorian Finney-Smith, Los Angeles Lakers forward

2024-25 stats: 8.7 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 1.4 apg, 44.8% FG, 41.1% 3PT, 66.7% FT

Finney-Smith has a $15.3 million player option on the 2025-26 season. One aspect is certain: Since acquiring him from Brooklyn in a trade in late December, Finney-Smith made the Lakers a better defensive team with his length and versatility.

21. Clint Capela, Atlanta Hawks center

2024-25 stats: 8.9 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 1.1 apg, 1 bpg, 55.9% FG, 53.6% FT

Capela finished a two-year, $45.8 million contract and will be an unrestricted free agent. He did lose his starting job midway through the season to Onyeka Okongwu, so that could affect his market. Playing his fewest minutes per game (21.4) since 2015-16, Capela’s per-36 minutes stats reveal a noticeable contribution: 14.9 points, 14.4 rebounds and 1.6 blocks.

22. Chris Paul, San Antonio Spurs guard

2024-25 stats: 8.8 ppg, 7.4 apg, 3.6 rpg, 1.3 spg, 42.7% FG, 37.7% 3PT, 92.4% FT

How much more does Paul want to play? He signed a one-year, $10.4 million contract last offseason and will have his choice of teams in unrestricted free agency if he wants to continue his playing career.

23. D’Angelo Russell, Brooklyn Nets guard

2024-25 stats: 12.6 ppg, 5.1 apg, 2.8 rpg, 1.0 spg, 39% FG, 31.4% 3PT, 83.4% FT

Though his scoring numbers were down, a career low that was below even his rookie season levels from 2015-16, Russell is still a player who can handle the ball and create for others, one who can ignite from 3-point range and one who can infuse instant offense into a system. Feasibly, what Russell has needed most is a clear definition of his role and stability.

24. Russell Westbrook, Denver Nuggets guard

2024-25 stats: 13.3 ppg, 6.1 apg, 4.9 rpg, 1.4 spg, 44.9% FG, 32.3% 3PT, 66.1% FT

Westbrook has a player option for 2025-26 at $3.4 million for the season. Was the partnership successful enough to get another season out of Westbrook in Denver? Will the Nuggets’ — and Westbrook’s — playoff success determine that?

25. Al Horford, Boston Celtics center

2024-25 stats: 9.0 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 2.1 apg, 42.3% FG, 36.3% 3PT, 89.5% FT

This has been another fruitful relationship at the end of Horford’s career. Following the end of a two-year, $19.5 million contract with the Celtics, Horford is an unrestricted free agent. Though didn’t have as good a season as last, he’s beloved by his teammates.

A former Kansas City Chiefs front office member is suing the franchise for tortious interference, race discrimination and retaliation.

Former NFL cornerback Ramzee Robinson worked for the Chiefs for the past nine years, most recently as the director of player engagement, according to a copy of the lawsuit obtained by USA TODAY.

In the lawsuit filed with the District Court for the Western District of Missouri, Robinson alleges that six days after working Super Bowl 59, he was called to his manager’s office and told that he had engaged in ‘conduct detrimental to the league.’ Robinson states this alleged conduct was attacking one of his direct reports. He alleges that his manager stated it was recorded on security cameras but refused to show him the video.

The lawsuit states the Chiefs terminated his employment on Feb. 15, 2025, and replaced him with the direct report he allegedly attacked.

The franchise has declined to comment on the lawsuit.

“We can’t comment because it’s an active legal matter,” Brad Gee, Chiefs vice president of football communications, told Pro Football Talk via text message. “But to be clear, the Chiefs do not tolerate discrimination of any kind. We look forward to the facts of this case coming to light.”

What you need to know about the lawsuit:

Chiefs lawsuit explainer

Robinson says the Chiefs used him as a ‘liaison to the players,’ meaning he was on-call for players ‘when they got in trouble, had family emergencies (death, injury, etc.), needed help with community engagement, or relocation,’ per the lawsuit.

The suit states he was involved in crisis management, locker room management, peer-to-peer relationships and player-to-coach mentorships. It also alleges that Robinson was on-site in New Orleans in February 2025 for the Chiefs’ game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl 59, serving in a variety of roles.

Six days later, he was terminated from his position.

Robinson alleges that the Chiefs pay different salaries to employees based on race. His example was a former Black female employee who resigned after the franchise refused to give her a pay increase. Her replacement, a white female employee, allegedly received a 60% higher salary.

Robinson also alleges that he was declined the opportunity to interview for a similar position with the Houston Texans months before his termination. That interview request came after Chiefs president Mark Donovan allegedly ‘pressured (Robinson) to renew his contract and claimed that the contract would offer him stability.’ That event is part of the reasoning for the retaliation count.

The tortious interference stems from the Chiefs not allowing Robinson to interview with the Texans.

Who is Ramzee Robinson?

Robinson was the final selection of the 2007 NFL Draft (No. 255 overall) to the Detroit Lions. He spent two seasons with the Lions and played in 19 total games. He split the 2009 season between the Eagles (three games) and Cleveland Browns (four games).

He was an offseason member of the Washington Commanders in 2010 before being cut during final roster cuts. After two seasons out of football, he tried a comeback with the Denver Broncos but was a final roster cut again in the 2012 offseason.

In 26 total games played, Robinson tallied 37 tackles, one pass defensed and one fumble recovery.

The Los Angeles Lakers, one of the most iconic and valuable franchises in the NBA, is going to have new majority ownership.

The Buss family, led by Jeanie Buss, has reached an agreement to sell a majority ownership stake to businessman Mark Walter, the CEO and founder of holding company TWG Global, for a $10 billion valuation, a person with knowledge of the agreement confirmed to USA TODAY Sports.

The person spoke under the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly disclose details of the agreement.

The sale breaks the record for the most expensive purchase agreement of a U.S. pro sports franchise in history.

The person also confirmed that Jeanie Buss, 63, will remain in her position as the governor of the Lakers in the short-term, a setup that accounts for estate planning for the family. This arrangement is similar to the one longtime Celtics managing partner Wyc Grousbeck arranged in the March 2025 sale of that franchise to William Chisholm.

The Celtics sold for a $6.1 billion valuation, which had set the record for a North American sports franchise.

Walter is also the chairman and controlling owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers and also has interests in the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks, the Billie Jean Cup, the Cadillac Formula 1 team and the Professional Women’s Hockey League. Thanks to an investment he made in July 2021 in which he and business partner Todd Boehly acquired a 27% minority interest in the Lakers, Walter also was given the right of first refusal on the majority share of the Lakers, should the franchise become available for sale.

Former Lakers point guard and Hall of Famer Magic Johnson, who is also a member of the investment group Walter used to buy a controlling stake in the Dodgers, praised the move Wednesday, June 18, in a social media post.

“Laker fans should be estatic (sic),” Johnson wrote. “A few things I can tell you about Mark – he is driven by winning, excellence, and doing everything the right way. AND he will put in the resources needed to win! I can understand why Jeanie sold the team to Mark Walter because they are just alike – they are competitive people, l (sic) have big hearts, love to give back, and both prefer to be behind the scenes. This makes all the sense in the world. I am so so SO happy and excited for @Lakers fans all over the world!!”

Johnson added that Walter “is the best choice and will be the best caretaker” of the franchise.

The sale price actually dwarfed the team’s estimated valuation. According to Forbes, which publishes its annual list of valuations of sports franchises, the Lakers were ranked as the eighth-most valuable franchise in the world in 2024, valued at $7.1 billion.

Jerry Buss, the father of Jeanie, purchased the Lakers in 1979, and the family has had controlling ownership over the franchise since. The Lakers have won 18 NBA championships, second only to the Boston Celtics.

Jerry Buss died in February 2013, which prompted Jeanie, who had overseen the business side of the franchise, to take over as governor.

Tyrese Haliburton probably will be a ‘game-time decision’ for Game 6 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, putting the Indiana Pacers’ hopes of winning their first championship in jeopardy.

Pacers coach Rick Carlisle gave the update in a radio interview on 107.5 The Fan on Wednesday, June 18. The news comes a day after Haliburton had an MRI on his right leg, a person with knowledge of the situation confirmed to USA TODAY Sports. The person spoke under the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss details of the injury.

‘He is going to be carefully evaluated over the next 36 hours and will likely be listed as questionable on the injury report and probably will be a game-time decision for Game 6,’ Carlisle said. ‘Everything is on the table.’

Haliburton went through Indiana’s entire 30-minute walkthrough, as well as a 25-minute film session. He confirmed during a news conference after the practice that he was diagnosed with a right calf strain.

The Pacers are facing an elimination game Thursday, June 19, against the Thunder and need Haliburton’s offense to have a chance at forcing a Game 7 in Oklahoma City. The Thunder easily won Game 5, 120-109, after Haliburton appeared to slip and injure his leg in the first quarter. OKC is seeking its second championship. The Thunder moved to OKC in 2008 from Seattle, where the franchise won the title in 1979 as the SuperSonics.

Carlisle said the Pacers do have to be prepared for the possibility Haliburton will not play. The Pacers went 4-5 this season in games which Haliburton did not appear. In such a case, Andrew Nembhard would likely move from shooting guard to point guard. In most cases this season when Haliburton did not play, Bennedict Mathurin moved into the starting lineup at shooting guard.

‘It’s pretty simple, we have to prepare for both,’ Carlisle said. ‘Today, when we meet with the team before we go on the floor and practice, is going to be more of a walkthrough at this point of the series. We’ll do a walkthrough, we’ll have some shooting. We’ll have some open practice the last 30 minutes with the media at the end, yeah, we have to prepare for two scenarios: one where he plays and one where he does not.’

Asked about how to handle rotations and minute counts, Carlisle stayed to the same line. ‘Everything is on the table,’ he said.

Haliburton is averaging 17.9 points and 9.1 assists per game in the playoffs. He’s hit game-winning or game-tying shots in four playoff comebacks for the Pacers to help them reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 2000 and the second in franchise history.

Haliburton fell while driving to the basket in the opening quarter of Game 5 and came up holding his right calf. He went to the locker room, but returned in the second quarter. He scored just four points and didn’t make a basket – both career playoff lows.

While it’s unclear how much – if at all – the leg injury is affecting his shooting, one thing is clear. The Pacers must have Haliburton’s offense to win the championship.

‘He’s not at a hundred percent,’ Carlisle said after Game 5. ‘It’s pretty clear, but I don’t think he’s going to miss the next game. We were concerned at halftime, and he insisted on playing.’

Haliburton was more forceful in his reply: ‘It’s the Finals, man. I’ve worked my whole life to be here and I want to be out there to compete. Help my teammates any way I can.

‘I was not great tonight by any means, but it’s not really a thought of mine to not play here. If I can walk, then I want to play. … Got to be ready to go for Game 6.’

Will Tyrese Haliburton play in NBA Finals Game 6?

Tyrese Haliburton and coach Rick Carlisle said after Game 5 that the Pacers guard would play. However, Carlisle also said they would monitor Haliburton and ‘evaluate everything with Tyrese.’ On Wednesday, June 18, Carlisle said it would be a ‘game-time decision.’

When will we know if Tyrese Haliburton is playing in NBA Finals Game 6?

The team could make a formal announcement any time, but the final injury report is due Thursday, June 19, by 5 p.m. ET.

When is NBA Finals Game 6?

The Oklahoma City Thunder will play the Indiana Pacers in Game 6 on Thursday, June 19.

Where is NBA Finals Game 6?

The game is at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

What time is NBA Finals Game 6?

Game 6 is at 8:30 p.m. ET.

What channel is broadcasting NBA Finals Game 6?

ABC will carry Game 6.

The biggest stories, every morning. Stay up-to-date on all the key sports developments by subscribing to USA TODAY Sports’ newsletter.