Atlanta Hawks at Orlando Magic, Orlando, Florida, USA Orlando, Florida, USA, April 1, 2026, Atlanta Hawks forward Jonathan Kuminga 0 moving upcourt at the Kia Center. Copyright: xMartyxJean-Louisx
Atlanta Hawks at Orlando Magic, Orlando, Florida, USA Orlando, Florida, USA, April 1, 2026, Atlanta Hawks forward Jonathan Kuminga 0 moving upcourt at the Kia Center. Copyright: xMartyxJean-Louisx
NBA free agency is stuck in a weird late-summer gear where nothing moves, and everything is somehow still moving.
The marquee names LeBron James and Jaylen Brown are now with the Philadelphia 76ers, Victor Wembanyama has his new deal in San Antonio, and Giannis Antetokounmpo has joined the Miami Heat.
But underneath, a few very good players are still sitting there, waiting for the right team, the right number, and the right deal structure.
"Clippers, Hawks, Bucks, Cavs remain candidates to land Peyton Watson," according to Underdog NBA on X. "No clear suitor" to put pressure on Pistons re: Jalen Duren. Lakers remain interested in Jonathan Kuminga, but movement on the deal with Hawks has 'stalled for weeks'."
Watson, 23, just had the best season of his career in 2025-26, averaging 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.1 blocks while shooting 49.1% from the field and 41.1% from three.
The Nuggets want to keep him, but Denver is in a very tight money spot. ESPN says Watson is eligible for a five-year, $251 million extension. The team has also reportedly been exploring a trade return built around one impact player and one future first-round pick.
Jalen Duren made his first All-Star team and All-NBA Third Team last season. But ESPN reported teams with room have already spent it elsewhere, except Detroit. So, there is no clear suitor ready to hand the Pistons a max or near-max offer and make them blink.
If Watson and Duren are stuck because of outside forces, Kuminga's free agency is stuck because of Kuminga.
Cleveland Cavaliers Donovan Mitchell 45 adjusts his shot to avoid Detroit Pistons Jalen Duren 0 in the fourth quarter in Cleveland, Ohio Saturday May 9, 2026. The Cavaliers defeated the Pistons 116-109. PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUSA CLE20260509120 AARONxJOSEFCZYK
Cleveland Cavaliers Donovan Mitchell 45 adjusts his shot to avoid Detroit Pistons Jalen Duren 0 in the fourth quarter in Cleveland, Ohio Saturday May 9, 2026. The Cavaliers defeated the Pistons 116-109. PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUSA CLE20260509120 AARONxJOSEFCZYK
The Hawks declined his $24.3 million team option after a mixed year following his midseason arrival from Golden State. It makes him an unrestricted free agent for the second straight summer.
The Lakers have been the obvious fit from day one. They need an athletic wing badly, and Kuminga wants the role they are offering. But the sign-and-trade package never fully worked for everyone involved, and the talks have now been stalled for weeks, per ESPN.
The rest of the board
James Harden is the closest one to find a finish line. ESPN says he remains unsigned, but he is on track for a new multi-year deal to stay in Cleveland.
He opted out of a $42.3 million player option in June, and both sides have reportedly agreed on the framework of a new multi-year deal.
Kevin Love’s path is the most complicated in this list. His agent has reached out to the 76ers, but Philadelphia is already full after adding Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. And the team already has backup centers behind Joel Embiid.
Love still had a useful year in Utah, averaging 6.7 points and 5.8 rebounds while shooting 37.3% from three. And ESPN reported he remains close with Utah coach Will Hardy. But for now, the roster math is not easy.
DeMar DeRozan is drawing the most attention among the remaining names on the list.
Waived by Sacramento after the Kings guaranteed only $10 million of his $26.74 million salary, the six-time All-Star has been linked to the Heat, Nuggets, Cavaliers and now the Wizards, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.
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Written by
Md Saife Fida
Edited by
Zaid Quraishi