NBA free agency 2023: The 13 teams that could still shake up the summer
The NBA's free agency period opened just a few days ago, but already most of the league's offseason business is complete. However, two big questions remain. Where will Damian Lillard and James Harden land after requesting trades from the Portland Trail Blazers and Philadelphia 76ers, respectively?
The potential availability of those two superstars has left some teams in a holding pattern, waiting to see if they can swing a deal for Lillard or Harden or potentially get involved as a third team. There are also a few big contract extension decisions that have yet to be resolved.
With that in mind, here is an updated offseason look at 13 teams that could still have some work left to do this offseason.
MORE: Latest free agency buzz and signings
Boston Celtics
Offseason transactions: Kristaps Porzingis (trade), Dalano Banton (free agent), Jordan Walsh (draft) and Oshae Brissett (free agent)
Who to watch: Jaylen Brown, Grant Williams and Damian Lillard
Brown was one of seven players to average 27 points and shoot at least 50% after the All-Star break. He earned All-NBA honors and is eligible to sign a five-year, $288 million supermax extension. The contract would be the richest in NBA history.
Since the NBA instituted the designated veteran extension rule (supermax) in 2017, 11 of the 12 players who met the All-NBA criteria have signed the designated extension. The lone exception was Kawhi Leonard in San Antonio. Under the supermax rules, teams are required to offer an extension for a total of six seasons (including what is left on the player's existing contract) but not mandated to offer a first-year salary starting at 35% of the salary cap. In 2020, Rudy Gobert signed a supermax extension that was $23 million less than the extension of Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Williams, a restricted free agent, sits in a holding pattern as the market with teams that can present an offer sheet has shrunk. Outside of the Spurs, who have $23 million in room, the maximum offer sheet that Williams can sign is four years, $54 million (the $12.4 million non-tax midlevel). If the Celtics matched, it would cost them an additional $40 million in projected tax penalty.
Williams shot 44.5% on corner 3-pointers over the past two seasons, running in the top 10 among all players who attempted at least 200. Williams averaged a career-high 25.9 minutes this past season, but fell out of the rotation in the first two rounds of the playoffs. Lillard's trade request could open the door for Boston to explore trade packages for the All-Star, especially with the void at point guard after trading Marcus Smart to Memphis. The question is whether the Celtics can pry the All-NBA guard out of Portland without giving up Jaylen Brown?
The Celtics can include up to five first-round picks (they owe a top-1 protected pick swap to San Antonio in 2028) in a trade and have the contracts of Malcolm Brogdon, Derrick White and Robert Williams III to use as matching salary for Lillard.
Available exceptions: Veteran minimum and trade ($1.8 million)
Below the $182.5M second apron: $3.5 million
Projected tax penalty: $21.4 million
Players under contract: 13
Two-way players: 0
Extension eligible: Jayson Tatum (not supermax), Brown, White (as of Sept. 30), Brogdon (as of Oct. 1) and Payton Pritchard (rookie)
Free-agent status:
Blake Griffin | Non-Bird
Grant Williams | Restricted | Bird
JD Davison | Restricted | Non-Bird
Mfiondu Kabengele | Non-Bird
Brooklyn Nets
Offseason transactions: Cameron Johnson (free agent), Lonnie Walker IV (free agent), Dennis Smith Jr. (free agent), Noah Clowney (draft), Dariq Whitehead (draft) and Jalen Wilson (draft)
Who to watch: Damian Lillard and Tyler Herro
The Nets have the right mix of draft assets, expiring contracts and young players to get into the Lillard discussions.
Brooklyn is owed five first-round picks (including four unprotected) from the trades that sent Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden away. The Nets also have their own first-round pick in 2029 and 2030.
However, while the thought of Lillard is tantalizing, going all-in for the All-NBA guard does not fit the timeline of a retooling Brooklyn roster. Herro, on the other hand, should be the focus if Portland needs a third team to facilitate a Lillard deal to Miami.
Herro, 23, is entering the first year of a $120 million rookie extension he signed last October. A full-time starter for the first time in his career, Herro averaged 20.1 points, shot 37.8% from 3 and averaged a career-high 5.4 rebounds.
The Nets have the expiring contract of Spencer Dinwiddie, former first-round pick Cam Thomas and draft assets to include in a possible three-team trade.
Available exceptions: $12.4 million non-tax midlevel, $4.5 million biannual, veterans minimum and trade ($19.9 million, $18.1 million, $6.8 million, $4.5 million, $1.8 million, $1.8 million and $1.6 million)
Below the $165M luxury tax: $15 million
Below the $172M first apron: $17 million
Players under contract: 13
Two-way players: 1
Extension eligible: Royce O'Neale, Dinwiddie and Ben Simmons
Free-agent status:
David Duke Jr. | Early Bird
Charlotte Hornets
Offseason transactions: LaMelo Ball (rookie extension), Miles Bridges (free agent), Brandon Miller (draft), Nick Smith Jr. (draft), James Nnaji (draft) and Amari Bailey (draft)
Who to watch: P.J. Washington
Washington was the most durable player on the roster this past season, missing only four games because of a foot injury in February. He averaged career highs in points (15.7) and minutes (32.7).
In 2021-22, Washington held opponents to 42% shooting as the closest defender, the fifth-lowest percentage among players to defend 200 shots per ESPN Stats & Information. For the entire season, he was one of three players to record 800 half-court matchups against guards, forwards and centers. The other two were Scottie Barnes and Robert Williams III.
Despite that, the restricted free agent Washington is in a holding pattern because of the lack of cap space available in the market.
While the Hornets have leverage now, the risk comes with Washington signing a one-year, $8.5 million qualifying offer, similar to what Miles Bridges did, then becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2024.
Available exceptions: $12.4 million midlevel, $4.5 million biannual and veterans minimum
Below the luxury tax: $48.7 million
Note: The Hornets would not have cap space if Washington signed his qualifying offer.
Players under contract: 14
Two-way players: 2
Extension-eligible: Gordon Hayward and JT Thor
Free-agent status:
P.J. Washington | Restricted | Bird
Svi Mykhailiuk | Non-Bird
Kelly Oubre Jr. | Early Bird
Theo Maledon | Restricted | Non-Bird
Golden State Warriors
Offseason transactions: Draymond Green (free agent), Chris Paul (trade), Brandin Podziemski (draft) and Trayce Jackson-Davis (draft)
Who to watch: Klay Thompson and bench depth
After missing the better part of 2½ seasons, Thompson played 69 games in 2022-23, posting the third-best scoring average of his career. While he shot over 40% from deep for the ninth time in 10 seasons, he shot under 60% on layups and dunks for the first time since 2014-15. His 47% shooting on 2-pointers was his worst in a season under Steve Kerr.
He is eligible to sign a four-year, $223 million extension, but a contract that size is reckless considering Thompson would be set to earn $61 million in 2027-28, when he turns 37. Additionally, the Warriors have no players (including Stephen Curry) under contract past 2026-27. Curry has three years left on his deal.
Adding veteran Cory Joseph gives Golden State guard depth, but there are still holes on the bench. Including second-round pick Trayce Jackson-Davis, the Warriors have three open roster spots.
Golden State ranked second in 3-point percentage, but there is a need for frontcourt help that can stretch the floor. Green shot 30.5% from 3, and Kevon Looney did not attempt a long-distance shot. Reserve Anthony Lamb shot 36.7% but is a free agent.
Available exceptions: Veterans minimum and trade ($1.3 million)
Over the $182.5M second apron: $22 million
Projected tax penalty: $168 million
Players under contract: 11
Two-way players: 0
Extension-eligible: Thompson
Free-agent status:
JaMychal Green | Non-Bird
Anthony Lamb | Non-Bird
Lester Quinones | Non-Bird | Restricted
LA Clippers
Offseason transactions: Russell Westbrook (free agent), Kenyon Martin Jr. (trade), Mason Plumlee (free agent), Tarik Biberovic (trade), Kobe Brown (draft) and Jordan Miller (draft)
Who to watch: Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and James Harden
Leonard and George have $48 million player options for the 2024-25 season and can be extended an additional four years for $223 million (Leonard starting July 12 and George on Sept. 1). But is that a wise investment considering George and Leonard have played only 41% of regular-season and playoff games since 2019?
And finally, should the Clippers entertain trading for Harden even if he has only one season remaining on his contract? LA has the expiring contracts in Nicolas Batum, Robert Covington, Marcus Morris Sr. along with Norman Powell to move in a deal. The Clippers also have first-round picks in 2028, 2029 or 2030 available.
Available exceptions: Veterans minimum and trade ($2.1 million)
Above the $182.5M second apron: $6.3 million
Projected tax penalty: $111 million
Players under contract: 16
Two-way players: 0
Extension eligible: George (as of Sept. 1), Leonard (as of July 12), Martin (as of Jan. 6), Jason Preston (as of July 9), Boston (as of July 9), Morris and Mann (as of Oct. 1)
Free-agent status:
Xavier Moon | Non-Bird
Moussa Diabate | Restricted | Non-Bird
Miami Heat
Offseason transactions: Josh Richardson (free agent), Kevin Love (free agent), Thomas Bryant (free agent), Orlando Robinson (trade), Jaime Jaquez Jr. (draft), Dru Smith (two-way contract) and Darius Days (two-way contract)
Who to watch: Damian Lillard
It is well known that Lillard's preferred next stop is to play for the Eastern Conference champion Heat.
Now the question the Heat front office will ask is should they strip the roster down, outside of Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, to go all-in for Lillard?
Miami can trade a maximum of only two first-round picks (they can also do a first-round pick swap), so the asking price from the perspective of the Trail Blazers should center on young players Tyler Herro, Caleb Martin, Nikola Jovic and this year's first-round pick Jaime Jaquez Jr. (the forward cannot be traded until August because he recently signed his contract).
Is that too rich of a package when you consider the Heat roster would include Lillard, Butler, Adebayo and a rotating door of players signed to the veterans minimum exception?
Available exceptions: Veterans minimum and trade ($9.5 million, $7.5 million and $4.7 million)
Below the $182.5M second apron: $2.4 million
Projected tax penalty: $24 million
Players under contract: 13
Two-way players: 2
Extension eligible: Lowry and Adebayo (as of July 14)
Free-agent status:
Omer Yurtseven | Bird
Jamal Cain | Restricted | Non-Bird
Bobby Marks breaks down a potential Heat trade package for Lillard
Bobby Marks details what a trade offer from the Miami Heat for Damian Lillard would look like.
New Orleans Pelicans
Offseason transactions: Herbert Jones (free agent), Cody Zeller (free agent) and Jordan Hawkins (draft)
What to watch: The luxury tax and Damian Lillard
The Pelicans roster is top heavy, with 66% of salary committed to Zion Williamson, CJ McCollum and Brandon Ingram. As a result, New Orleans is $6.5 million above the luxury tax. The Pelicans have never paid the luxury tax in franchise history.
New Orleans is not on the list of possible Lillard destinations but could put together a competitive trade package. Besides the ability to trade up to four of their own first-round picks, the Pelicans have a 2024 unprotected Lakers first (it can be deferred until 2025), 2027 unprotected Milwaukee first and two years (2024 and 2026) of first-round pick swaps with the Bucks.
What could present a challenge is cobbling together enough salary to put in a deal if it does not involve either Williamson or Ingram. Removing both players and CJ McCollum would leave New Orleans with Jonas Valanciunas, Larry Nance Jr., Dyson Daniels, Kira Lewis Jr., Jordan Hawkins (cannot be traded for 30 days), Trey Murphy III, Garrett Temple and Jose Alvarado. The eight players earn a combined $54 million this season.
Available exceptions: $5 million taxpayer midlevel and veterans minimum
Above the luxury tax: $6.5 million
Above the $172M first apron: At the threshold
Below the $182.5M second apron: $11 million
Players under contract: 14
Two-way players: 2
Extension eligible: Lewis (rookie), Naji Marshall, Temple (as of July 8), Valanciunas (as of Oct. 20) and Ingram (as of July 14)
Free-agent status:
Willy Hernangomez | Early Bird
New York Knicks
Offseason transactions: Donte DiVincenzo (free agent) and Jaylen Martin (two-way contract)
Who to watch: Josh Hart, Immanuel Quickley and James Harden
Hart opted in to his $12.9 million contract and is now eligible to sign up to a four-year, $81 million extension. Among all guards in the regular season, Hart ranked third in rebounds (behind Luka Doncic and Josh Giddey) and second in offensive rebounds (behind only Giddey). Opponents shot 41% when Hart was the contesting defender in his 25 games with the Knicks. That ranked in the top 10 among more than 100 players to contest 250 shots after Feb. 10, according to Second Spectrum tracking.
In 21 games as a starter, Quickley averaged 22.6 points and 5.1 assists, and shot 47% from the field and 40% on 3-pointers. He ranked in the top 10 in field goal percentage allowed as the closest defender among players to defend at least 500 shots, per Second Spectrum. The guard is eligible to sign a five-year extension up until Oct. 23.
A Harden trade theoretically could improve the Knicks' roster if the cost is Evan Fournier and draft compensation. However, Fournier earns $18.9 million, and New York would need to include at least $13 million more in salary to make the numbers work. Outside of Julius Randle, RJ Barrett and Hart, the Knicks would need to include a combination of Quickley, Mitchell Robinson, Isaiah Hartenstein, Quentin Grimes and Miles McBride.
Available exceptions: $4.5 million biannual and veterans minimum
Below the luxury tax: $4 million
Below the $172M first apron: $6.5 million
Players under contract: 15
Two-way players: 1
Extension-eligible: Miles McBride, Hart, Fournier and Quickley (rookie)
Free-agent status:
Duane Washington Jr. | Non-Bird | Restricted
Trevor Keels | Non-Bird | Restricted
Philadelphia 76ers
Offseason transactions: Patrick Beverley (free agent), Ricky Council IV (two-way contract) and Terquavion Smith (two-way contract)
Who to watch: James Harden
As ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported, Harden opted in to his $35.6 million salary for this season, leading the former MVP and Philadelphia to explore trade packages.
Getting full value in a Harden trade will be a challenge for Philadelphia. Harden will turn 34 years old next month, is in the last year of his contract and is not extension eligible, which means teams are likely hesitant to give up valuable assets knowing that the former MVP could leave as a free agent in 2024.
That leads to the question that the 76ers' front office is now faced with: Should they move Harden for a package of expiring contracts and future first-round picks, or should they hold out for the best offer but at the risk of the Harden trade rumors becoming a distraction at the start of training camp? They went through this with Ben Simmons in 2021, waiting until the trade deadline to make a deal rather than settling for the first available offer. And they were 10 games above .500 even with Simmons sitting out.
Harden also has a $5.4 million trade bonus in his contract that is owed if Philadelphia trades him to another team. The 76ers are responsible for paying the full amount and the bonus is applied to his $35.6 million cap hit and counts as outgoing salary in a trade..
The 76ers also have to consider what this would all mean for Joel Embiid's future. The MVP is beginning the first season of a $213 million supermax extension he signed in 2021.
Available exceptions: $5 million taxpayer midlevel and veterans minimum
Below the luxury tax: $5.5 million
Below the $172M first apron: $12.5 million
Below the $182.5M second apron: $23 million
Players under contract: 10
Two-way players: 2
Extension eligible: Tyrese Maxey (rookie), Tobias Harris, De'Anthony Melton and Furkan Korkmaz (as of 7/9)
Free-agent status:
Montrezl Harrell | Non-Bird
Paul Reed | Bird | Restricted
Mac McClung | Restricted
Louis King | Restricted
Portland Trail Blazers
Offseason transactions: Jerami Grant (free agent), Scoot Henderson (draft), Kris Murray (draft) and Rayan Rupert (draft)
What to watch: Damian Lillard
What is best for Lillard, or what is in the best interest of the Trail Blazers moving forward? The delicate balance is what GM Joe Cronin is faced with when it comes to exploring trades for their franchise guard.
On one hand, there is the belief that Portland should do right by Lillard and move him to Miami even if the return value is less than ideal.
Then there is the thinking that Portland should have trade dialogue with not only the Heat but other teams that could put together the best trade package. For example, what happens if New Orleans offers Brandon Ingram, Dyson Daniels and two unprotected first-round picks for Lillard? Would the Trail Blazers bypass the strong offer to appease Lillard?
As Wojnarowski reported, Portland is open for business, not just with Miami but with the other 28 teams. Available exceptions: $12.4 million midlevel, $4.5 million biannual, veterans minimum and trade ($8.3 million and $2.6 million).
Below the $165M luxury tax: $14 million
Below the $172M first apron: $22 million
Players under contract: 11
Two-way players: 1
Extension eligible: None
Free-agent status:
Matisse Thybulle | Restricted | Bird
Kevin Knox II | Non-Bird
Ryan Arcidiacono | Non-Bird
Justise Winslow | Early Bird
John Butler Jr. | Restricted | Non-Bird
San Antonio Spurs
Offseason transactions: Cedi Osman (trade), Lamar Stevens (trade), Sandro Mamukelashvili (free agent), Tre Jones (free agent), Julian Champagnie (free agent), Victor Wembanyama (draft) and Sidy Cissoko (draft)
What to watch: Cap space and Damian Lillard
The Spurs are the only team remaining with significant cap space. There are multiple different directions they can go with the $23 million they have available.
They could follow the pattern from last year, picking up draft assets while taking on unwanted contracts. The trades to acquire Devonte' Graham and Khem Birch netted San Antonio a first-round pick and six seconds. The Spurs also received a future second from Miami for taking back Dewayne Dedmon's contract.
Or they could put an offer sheet on the group of restricted free agents that includes Ayo Dosunmu, P.J. Washington and Grant Williams. However, outside of Dosunmu, the two forwards are more of a luxury and not a priority.
Lillard does not fit the Spurs timeline, but sources told ESPN's Ramona Shelburne that the guard has a deep respect for the organization. In the unlikely scenario that San Antonio does get involved, the Spurs have up to nine first-round picks available in a trade along with young players Keldon Johnson and Devin Vassell.
Available exceptions: $7.7 million room and veterans minimum
Below the salary cap: $23 million
Note: The Spurs will lose $4 million in room once Jones signs his contract.
Players under contract: 16
Two-way players: 0
Extension eligible: Birch, Graham, Vassell (rookie) and Zach Collins (as of July 11)
Free-agent status:
Romeo Langford | Bird
Dominick Barlow | Restricted | Non-Bird
Toronto Raptors
Offseason transactions: Dennis Schroder (free agent), Jalen McDaniels (free agent) and Gradey Dick (draft)
Who to watch: Pascal Siakam, O.G. Anunoby and Gary Trent Jr.
The change in extension rules gives Toronto an extra $16 million it can offer Anunoby in an extension. A four-year, $116 million extension would start at $26.1 million and replace his $19.2 million player option in 2024-25. Anunoby averaged 17.3 points on 54.1% shooting from the field and 44.2% shooting on 3s after the All-Star break.
Siakam is eligible to sign a four-year, $189.1 million max extension in July. If he earns All-NBA this season, he would then become supermax eligible. The extension would increase to five years and an extra $100 million.
Gary Trent Jr. opted in to his contract for 2023-24 and is eligible to sign an extension up to four years and $117 million.
Available exceptions: Veterans minimum
Below the $165M luxury tax: $4 million
Below the $172M first apron: $10.5 million
Players under contract: 15
Two-way players: 1
Extension eligible: Siakam, Trent , Anunoby (as of Sept. 30), Precious Achiuwa (rookie) and Malachi Flynn (rookie)
Free-agent status:
Will Barton | Non-Bird
Jeff Dowtin Jr. | Restricted | Non-Bird
Ron Harper Jr. | Restricted | Non-Bird
Utah Jazz
Offseason transactions: Jordan Clarkson (renegotiation and extension), John Collins (trade), Taylor Hendricks (draft), Keyonte George (draft), Brice Sensabaugh (draft) and Joey Hauser (two-way contract)
What to watch: Damian Lillard
The Jazz are in a similar position as the Spurs considering that they can go all-in for Lillard. Utah has an unprecedented seven first-round picks from Cleveland, Minnesota and the Lakers. Five of those are unprotected, while two (Lakers in 2027 and Timberwolves in 2029) have minimal protection.
However, like the Spurs, Utah's timeline for retooling its roster -- which started last offseason with the Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell trades -- does not put the Jazz in a position to add the nearly 33-year-old Lillard and the more than $200 million left on his contract.
Available exceptions: $7.7 million room and veterans minimum
Below the salary cap: $3 million
Players under contract: 16
Two-way players: 2
Extension eligible: Kelly Olynyk, Talen Horton-Tucker and Lauri Markkanen (as of Aug. 6)
Free-agent status:
Udoka Azubuike | Fourth-year restriction
Juan Toscano-Anderson | Non-Bird
Johnny Juzang | Restricted | Non-Bird