The free agency floodgates are officially open, and after a flurry of activity Monday night, the action continued throughout the week.
Reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander reportedly signed a four-year, $285 million supermax extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder, and shortly after, former Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner reportedly agreed to a four-year, $107 million deal with the Milwaukee Bucks — the top-ranked center on Yahoo Sports’ free agent big board, now off the table. With Turner in the fold, the Bucks waived Damian Lillard, using the stretch provision in the CBA to wipe the final $113 million of his contract off their books.
Advertisement
Other deals on Tuesday included the Nuggets trading for Jonas Valanciunas from the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Dario Saric, Dennis Schröder signing with the Sacramento Kings and Jakob Poeltl agreeing to an extension with the Toronto Raptors.
Wednesday’s big domino was Deandre Ayton, who has reportedly agreed to a two-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers. He’ll reportedly make $34 million in the coming season, with $25.6 million from his reported buyout from the Portland Trail Blazers and another $8.1 million from the Lakers on this new deal. But does Ayton make the Lakers legit contenders?
When free agency opened Monday night, the NBA had officially set its salary cap at $154.647 million for the 2025-26 season. That’s up 10% from last season, which was the expected jump.
Other deals included Jaren Jackson Jr. and the Grizzlies agreeing on a five-year, $240 million max extension. Then the Nuggets are traded Michael Porter Jr. to the Nets in exchange for Cam Johnson.
Advertisement
Dorian Finney-Smith agreed to a four-year, $53 million contract with the Rockets, Ty Jerome and the Grizzlies agreed to a three-year, $28 million contract and the Mavericks struck a two-year, $13 million deal with point guard D’Angelo Russell.
Earlier this week, LeBron James reportedly picked up his $52.6 million option for the 2025-26 season, stating his hopes of competing for a championship while the Lakers build for the future. James Harden will also stick in Los Angeles, signing a new two-year, $81 million deal after declining his player option for next season. Julius Randle will remain in Minnesota after reportedly agreeing to a three-year, $100 million contract with the Timberwolves.
Advertisement
All this comes after the Phoenix Suns traded superstar Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks and the 10th pick (Khaman Maluach) in the 2025 NBA Draft. The Boston Celtics also began a refresh by trading Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trailblazers and Kristaps Porziņģis to the Atlanta Hawks.
Other notable potential free agents include Damian Lillard, Chris Paul, Jonathan Kuminga and more (check out Yahoo Sports’ NBA free agent big board here). Find all of this year’s free agency deals here.
Free-agent position rankings: Point guards | Shooting guards | Small Forwards | Power forwards | Centers
Follow along with Yahoo Sports for live updates, highlights and more as 2025-26 NBA free agency heats up: