NBA teams need to offer lucrative contracts to these players to get their signature on the dotted line.
Free agents have the power to decide who to sign with, and the cream of the crop gets more attention than the rest of the league.
When LeBron James entered free agency in 2010, for instance, every team lined up for his services before he joined the Miami Heat. Similar was the case with Kevin Durant in 2016, when he infamously signed with the Golden State Warriors to join forces with Stephen Curry.
Another key aspect to keep in mind is that the “LeBrons” and the “Durants” of the league aren’t cheap to acquire. That’s why they are among the seven highest-paid players who could enter 2025 free agency.
SummaryPlayerTeam2024-25 SalaryFree Agency Situation2024-25 StatsLeBron JamesLos Angeles Lakers$48.7 million$52.6 million player option24.4 pts, 7.8 reb, 8.2 astFred VanVleetHouston Rockets$42.8 million$44.8 million team option14.1 pts, 3.7 reb, 5.6 astKyrie IrvingDallas Mavericks$41.0 million$43.9 million player option24.7 pts, 4.8 reb, 4.6 astJames HardenLos Angeles Clippers$33.6 million$36.3 million player option22.8 pts, 5.8 reb, 8.7 astKhris MiddletonWashington Wizards$31.0 million$34.0 million player option11.9 pts, 3.7 reb, 4.1 astJulius RandleMinnesota Timberwolves$33.0 million$30.9 million player option18.7 pts, 7.1 reb, 4.7 astJohn CollinsUtah Jazz$26.5 million$26.5 million player option19.0 pts, 8.2 reb, 2.0 astLeBron James – Los Angeles Lakers
Photo by Harry How/Getty Images
2024-25 salary: $48.7 million
Free agency situation: $52.6 million player option
2024-25 stats: 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists
Fred VanVleet – Houston Rockets
Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images
2024-25 salary: $42.8 million
Free agency situation: $44.8 million team option
2024-25 stats: 14.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 5.6 assists
Kyrie Irving – Dallas Mavericks
Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images
2024-25 salary: $41.0 million
Free agency situation: $43.9 million player option
2024-25 stats: 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists
James Harden – Los Angeles Clippers
Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images
2024-25 salary: $33.6 million
Free agency situation: $36.3 million player option
2024-25 stats: 22.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 8.7 assists
Khris Middleton – Washington Wizards
Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images
2024-25 salary: $31.0 million
Free agency situation: $34.0 million player option
2024-25 stats: 11.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 4.1 assists
Julius Randle – Minnesota Timberwolves
Photo by Ellen Schmidt/Getty Images
2024-25 salary: $33.0 million
Free agency situation: $30.9 million player option
2024-25 stats: 18.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 4.7 assists
John Collins – Utah Jazz
Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images
2024-25 salary: $26.5 million
NBA free agency situation: $26.5 million player option
2024-25 stats: 19.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists