NBA Free Agency Landing Spots Predictions: LeBron James, Jalen Duren, and More

The first day of NBA free agency has already delivered, as F LeBron James has officially moved on from the Lakers and is searching for a new team. Plus, the Clippers traded F Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday afternoon.

NBA trade rumors are still heating up around G Jaylen Brown, C Anthony Davis, and more. Plus, notable free agents like F LeBron James, C Jalen Duren, G James Harden, and F Tari Eason are hitting free agency.

Before free agents put ink to paper, let’s make our NBA free agency landing spots predictions, including LeBron James and Jalen Duren. On PrizePicks Team Picks, you can predict an NBA player’s next team and earn real money if you’re right — available in 35 states!

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Top Available NBA Free Agents

Below, we’ve formulated a list of some of the top NBA free agents available this summer. Several players have already agreed to extensions, including G Austin Reaves with the Lakers, G Trae Young with the Wizards, G C.J. McCollum with the Hawks, and more.

As of this writing, each player below has yet to agree to a deal and remain unsigned in NBA free agency.

• F LeBron James
• C Jalen Duren (Restricted)
• C Walker Kessler (Restricted)
• F Tari Eason (Restricted)
• F Peyton Watson (Restricted)
• G James Harden – Expected to re-sign with Cavaliers
• G Norman Powell
• F Jonathan Kuminga
• G Bennedict Mathurin (Restricted)
• F Rui Hachimura
• G Anfernee Simons
• G Collin Sexton
• F Tobias Harris
• C Mitchell Robinson
• G Marcus Smart
• G Bradley Beal
• G Quentin Grimes
• F Dean Wade
• F Draymond Green – Expected to re-sign with Warriors
• F John Collins

Now that we have a lay of the land, which players stand out for NBA free agency predictions? 

PrizePicks Team Picks has projections available for NBA players’ next team, with payouts reflected by which side users are picking as the most likely. Here are a few players to keep tabs on as free agency marches on.

Payouts show potential returns on correct Team Picks predictions. A 2x payout returns $200 on a $100 entry. Lower multipliers reflect outcomes users are picking as more likely. Payouts are live as of writing and subject to change.

NBA Free Agency Prediction: LeBron James Headed to Warriors?

LeBron James’ Next Team – Golden State Warriors: Yes 1.85x | No 1.88x

LeBron James’ Next Team – Cleveland Cavaliers: Yes 2.85x | No 1.38x

Starting with the big fish, LeBron James has decided to move on from the Lakers. Yes, he’s 41 years old, but we just saw James record 23.2 points per game (PPG), 7.3 assists per game (APG), and 6.7 rebounds per game (RPG) while shooting 45.9% from the field over 10 games in the 2026 NBA Playoffs. LeBron still has gas in the tank, making his free agency worthwhile.

As of this writing, this looks to be a two-horse race between the Warriors and Cavaliers. There are whispers of the Heat, who have a 5.88x to be LeBron’s next team, getting in on the action. But for now, it’s difficult to ignore how Golden State and Cleveland have positioned themselves for the LeBron sweepstakes.

Warriors F Draymond Green opted out of his player option, providing the Warriors with more financial flexibility to land James. G James Harden is expected to re-sign with the Cavaliers but is reportedly waiting to provide Cleveland with flexibility to contend for LeBron.

With that said, either team would likely require James to sign a mid-level exception of about $15 million. If he’s willing to take a pay cut, both teams would be a contender — especially if the Warriors trade for C Anthony Davis.

Golden State could have more tangible evidence in signing LeBron, from Davis trade rumors to previous comments from James citing his desire to play with G Stephen Curry.

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NBA Free Agency Prediction: Jalen Duren Re-signs with Pistons?

Jalen Duren’s Next Team – Detroit Pistons: Yes 1.11x | No 5.88x

Jalen Duren’s Next Team – Los Angeles Lakers: Yes 8.33x | No 1.03x

Jalen Duren’s Next Team – Sacramento Kings: Yes 11.11x | No 1.03x

Pistons C Jalen Duren is a restricted free agent, meaning Detroit has the opportunity to match any offer sheet in free agency. ESPN’s Marc J. Spears reported the Pistons intend to match any offers Duren receives — silencing earlier reports of a potential sign-and-trade with the Kings.

Additionally, The Athletic’s Sam Amick reported Duren had a scheduled call with the Lakers on Tuesday. 

Detroit F Tobias Harris is an unrestricted free agent, and he had a $26.4 million cap hit in 2025-26, per Spotrac. If the Pistons opt to not re-sign Harris, that certainly provides more flexibility to match any of Duren’s offers.

Furthermore, the Pistons addressed their backcourt depth by landing first-round pick G Ebuka Okorie in the 2026 NBA Draft. That means the frontcourt depth remains vulnerable, increasing the importance of re-signing Duren.

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NBA Free Agency Prediction: Tari Eason Linked to Bulls, Lakers

Rockets F Tari Eason posted 12.0 PPG while shooting 48.7% from the field in the 2024-25 season, but he took a step back with just 10.5 PPG and a 41.6 FG% last season. 

Despite a weak shooting season, Eason still posted the top defensive rating (109.6) among the six leaders in minutes per game for the Rockets, per NBA.com. 

He’s a 6-foot-8 power forward with a 7-foot-2 wingspan, paired with the athleticism to defend on the perimeter. What team in the NBA couldn’t use another versatile forward on defense?

The Lakers are now searching for a new starting forward following LeBron’s departure. Los Angeles allowed opponents to shoot a 55.2% effective field goal percentage (20th) and finished 20th in defense rating last season. Eason could help take the most difficult defensive assignment, alleviating the pressure off superstar G Luka Doncic.

Furthermore, Eason’s been linked to the Chicago Bulls. After surrendering 121.5 PPG in the 2025-26 season (28th), the Bulls finished 22nd in defense rating. 

Chicago could finally have some hope after drafting F Caleb Wilson and F Dailyn Swain, and Eason may be the all-important glue guy, rounding out a strong position group with SF Matas Buzelis. Finally, the Bulls could hang their hat on something, anything.

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Expect a flurry of news as NBA free agency unfolds over the coming days. LeBron is the top name to watch, while Duren, Eason, C Walker Kessler, and F Peyton Watson are a strong group of restricted free agents.

Don’t wait until LeBron James, Jalen Duren, and more sign in free agency — make your NBA predictions on PrizePicks Team Picks now!

You can get in on the free agency action with PrizePicks Team Picks, with projections available for star players’ next teams, like LeBron James, James Harden, Jalen Duren, and much more. While the Knicks are still partying after their NBA Finals win, the NBA tab is already open with projections for the 2027 NBA Finals winner.

Stay tuned with the Playbook for continued NBA predictions, picks, news, and analysis all year long.