The NBA offseason has already delivered, with big-name players changing teams via trade before free agency begins on Tuesday night.
The Miami Heat traded for Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Minnesota Timberwolves acquired LaMelo Ball — after flipping Julius Randle to the Nets — and Miles Bridges landed in Phoenix.
Trade rumors continue to swirl around Boston’s Jaylen Brown and the Los Angeles Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard, too.
Now, free agency enters the equation, as teams will be able to negotiate with free agents from other organizations starting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday night.
Here are the NBA’s top free agents and the situations to keep an eye on:
LEBRON JAMES (UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENT)
Entering his age-42 season, James is the NBA’s top unrestricted free agent — assuming he commits to returning for a 24th year.
James just averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game, flourishing as the Los Angeles Lakers’ third option next to Luka Doncic and the recently re-signed Austin Reaves before taking on a larger role in the playoffs when that duo was injured.
A reunion with the Lakers makes sense for both sides, though Los Angeles — with rare cap space to help build around a Doncic-Reaves future — probably won’t break the bank for one more season of James.
The win-now Golden State Warriors also have interest in uniting James with his Team USA running mate Stephen Curry, while a third and final tour with the Cleveland Cavaliers cannot be ruled out.
WILLFUL WARRIORS
Speaking of Golden State, the Warriors got a little help Monday that could set up something much bigger.
Draymond Green reportedly declined his $27.7 million player option for next season, giving the Warriors more payroll maneuverability.
With Green’s money off of the books, the Warriors would be able to offer the Mid-Level Exception of $15 million to James.
Golden State also has interest in trading for Washington Wizards forward Anthony Davis, according to ESPN, with the dream of creating a fearsome foursome of Curry, James, Davis and Green.
In this scenario, Green would presumably take a pay cut to return or sign a back-loaded multi-year deal.
JALEN DUREN (RESTRICTED FREE AGENT)
As a restricted free agent, Duren has less flexibility than unrestricted free agents like James, because the incumbent Detroit Pistons can match any offer sheet Duren signs with another team and thus retain him.
Despite a disappointing postseason, the 22-year-old Duren is due for a massive payday — possibly approaching max territory — after he finished as a third-team All-NBA selection and 11th in Defensive Player of the Year voting.
The 6-10 center averaged 19.5 points on 65% shooting and 10.5 rebounds per game last season.
The center-needy Lakers would love to have Duren, while a sign-and-trade that would send Duren to Boston and Brown to the Pistons is a popular rumor.
It’s unclear how willing the Pistons will be to meet Duren’s price, but a return to Detroit still remains the most likely outcome.
NORMAN POWELL (UNRESTRICTED)
Powell suddenly became a significant free agent after Miami’s trade for Antetokounmpo.
Because the Heat are hard-capped at the first apron, they are limited in how much money they can offer to external free agents.
Re-signing Powell, 33, would provide the depth-strapped Heat an important floor-spacing shooter to complement Antetokounmpo and fellow All-Star big man Bam Adebayo.
Sentiments have been mixed as to whether Miami will be able to retain Powell, who won’t come cheaply after he averaged 21.7 points per game and earned his first All-Star selection last season.
WALKER KESSLER (RESTRICTED)
Kessler is in the same position as Duren, albeit in a lower salary tier.
The Utah Jazz want to keep their rim-protecting 7-2 center, but the 24-year-old Kessler has reportedly become frustrated by the team’s handling of his situation, including declining to extend him last offseason.
Shoulder surgery limited Kessler to only five games last season, but he averaged 11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game the year before that.
Kessler will have a market — and, again, the Lakers would love to poach him.
MITCHELL ROBINSON (UNRESTRICTED)
This is the big one for the defending-champion Knicks.
Team owner James Dolan told WFAN this month that the Knicks “cannot” go into the salary cap’s second apron due to the roster-building restrictions that come with it.
That would make it difficult for the Knicks to bring back Robinson, 28, who should command considerable interest on the open market.
Robinson’s value is complicated, as the elite rim protector and offensive rebounder has a history of ankle surgeries, and he’s been played off of the court in the postseason due to his free-throw-shooting deficiencies.
But someone will likely be willing to pay up for the 7-footer, such as the Lakers or the Sacramento Kings, whose general manager, Scott Perry, drafted Robinson with the Knicks.
LANDRY SHAMET
Shamet is the other key free agent for the Knicks after he shot 47.5% on 3-pointers during the playoffs, including 12-of-13 (91.7%) in the Eastern Conference Finals.
After playing on back-to-back one-year contracts with the Knicks, the 29-year-old guard is set for a raise on last year’s $3 million salary, and some longer-term security, too.
RUI HACHIMURA (UNRESTRICTED)
Hachimura isn’t the Lakers’ buzziest free agent, but he’s certainly a priority.
The 6-8 forward has shot at least 41.3% on 3-pointers in each of the past three seasons with Los Angeles, and he’s never averaged fewer than 11 points per game in his seven-year career.
He’s an ideal role player that would fit on practically any roster.
JAMES HARDEN (UNRESTRICTED)
Harden is declining a $42.3 million player option for next season but is working on a multi-year contract to return to the Cavaliers, according to ESPN.
Acquired in a midseason trade, the soon-to-be-37-year-old Harden averaged 20.5 points and 7.7 assists per game with Cleveland.
However, Harden struggled with turnovers in the playoffs, and he was hunted on defense by the Knicks during the Eastern Conference Finals.
MORE UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: Kristaps Porzingis (Warriors), Jordan Clarkson (Knicks), Robert Williams III (Portland Trail Blazers), Anfernee Simons (Chicago Bulls), John Collins (Clippers), Quentin Grimes (Philadelphia 76ers), Kelly Oubre Jr. (76ers)
MORE RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: Peyton Watson (Denver Nuggets), Tari Eason (Houston Rockets), Bennedict Mathurin (Clippers)