While 2025-26 NBA Free agency is winding down, nearly every team still has important decisions that will shape its future. NBA teams have until October 31, 2025, to decide whether to exercise third- and fourth-year team options for players on rookie scale contracts.
There are things that we know about the upcoming decisions, as most of them are relatively predictable. Victor Wembanyama, Brandon Miller, Stephen Castle, and Amen Thompson are among the players for the 2026-27 season who have been rubberstamped. In fact, of the nearly 60 players on rookie contracts with team options, there are likely a dozen tough decisions.
10 NBA Players Who Unexpectedly Could Be Free Agents
Washington (6) and Utah (5) have the most decisions to make. However, most of those 11 Wizard and Jazz players (if not all) are expected to have their options picked up. Meanwhile, Brooklyn, the other rebuilding team, may face tougher decisions in the future regarding Noah Clowney and Dariq Whitehead.
Clowney and Whitehead are entering their third year, so the Nets have to decide on their fourth-year options. The Nets selected Clowney and Whitehead on back-to-back selections in 2023. Therefore, both players’ fourth-year options are worth $5.4 million.
Clowney has shown flashes of brilliance during his two seasons with the Nets. Clowney started 20 games last year and reached double-figures 21 times, including topping the 20-point mark on three occassions. But the 21-year-old had his season cut short due to an ankle injury. He also showed improvement in his range, making 1.9 threes a contest, though he only shot 35.8% from the field and 33.3% from deep.
The Nets seem to like Whitehead. However, the athletic 21-year-old hasn’t been able to stay healthy through his first two seasons. He scored in double figures in three of his final six appearances this past season with the Nets.
Whitehead has only appeared in 68 games in his professional career — he has appeared in 22 games for Brooklyn and 44 for Long Island. Besides being limited in availability, the athletic 21-year-old hasn’t been overly productive. He has produced 11.2 points and 1.1 steals with shooting splits of 37.9/31.9/76.4 in G-League action for his career.
Candidates To Have Option Not Picked Up
This is a crucial year for Clowney and Whitehead. Clowney is projected to start at power forward this year, so unless he proves otherwise, expect the Nets to pick up his option by the deadline.
Whitehead is a totally different story. Whitehead has a chance to be a part of the Nets’ rotation, though he will have to earn it during camp. However, how the franchise views the future of Cam Thomas and Terrence Mann within the organization, along with Whitehead’s performance during camp, could determine whether the team exercises its option. Either way, the Nets’ decision wouldn’t be a surprise.
Here is a look at the players who are more likely not to have their 2026-27 options picked up. Players whose options are declined will become potential restricted free agents next summer. In those instances, teams will have until the end of June to make a qualifying offer to those players; otherwise, they will become unrestricted free agents.
Kobe Bufkin, Atlanta Hawks
Kobe Bufkin was a surprise selection at No. 15 in the 2023 draft. While Bufkin is very talented and has shown the ability to put the ball in the basket, he has struggled to stay healthy and shoot the ball. He has only appeared in 27 games for the Hawks over the last two seasons.
Bufkin is likely to compete for the last spot on the second unit with Nikola Đurišić and Vit Krejči during training camp. With Bufkin’s 20026-27 option worth $6.9 million and several Hawks players’ status uncertain for next season, his option will likely be declined. Not picking up his option doesn’t mean the 22-year-old guard will not remain with the Hawks after this season; it just gives them some more flexibility.
Olivier-Maxence Prosper, Dallas Mavericks
Olivier-Maxence Prosper is being waived and stretched today, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. Prosper was due $3 million this upcoming season, and the Mavericks are utilizing the stretch provision, meaning they will incur a $1 million dead cap hit in each of the following three seasons, starting this year. As a result of waiving him, the Mavs declined his $5.3 million option in 2026-27.
Dallas waived Maxence-Prosper to open up a roster space to sign Dante Exum. Prosper is expected to draw interest from teams once he clears waivers.
Kobe Brown, Los Angeles Clippers
Kobe Brown was the final pick in the opening round of 2023. He hasn’t been able to get onto the floor much for the Clippers in the first two seasons, and that is unlikely to change this year. The 25-year-old is averaging eight minutes of action in 84 career appearances.
Brown is an NBA-caliber player. His player option for 2026-27 is worth $4.7 million. The Clippers only have $102 million guaranteed to 12 players for next year. However, they are projected to be over the cap with the 12 players holding deals next season, if all options are accepted. Therefore, expect the Clippers to decline the fourth-year option, with him potentially becoming a restricted free agent.
Kris Murray, Portland Trail Blazers
Kris Murray saw his production and role reduced in his second year with the Blazers. While the No. 23 pick in 2023 has appeared in 131 career games with Portland, Murray has not been very efficient, averaging just over one point per shot. He owns career averages of 5.1 points and 3.1 rebounds with shooting splits of 40.6/25.1/55.8.
Murray probably won’t have much of a role this season. But, Portland has lots of players on cheap deals. So, the Trail Blazers could go either way with his option. Their decision may ultimately come down to how he looks this preseason.
Dillon Jones, Washington Wizards
Dillon Jones hasn’t played a single game for the Wizards and is in danger of not making the 15-man roster. The Wizards acquired Jones from Oklahoma City along with a 2029 draft pick for Colby Jones. The Thunder dealt the No. 26 pick in the 2024 draft because they were facing a numbers crunch.
Jones appeared in 53 games for the Thunder, which included three starts, though he averaged just 10 minutes of court time per game last season. He was productive in the games he started, registering one double-double.
Washington has 22 players on its 2025-26 training camp roster and 16 players on standard contracts. The Wizards’ last roster spot is expected to go to Jones, Justin Champagnie, and Malaki Branham. Therefore, it is almost sure that the Wizards will decline Jones’ $2.8 million option in 2026-27.
Nick Smith Jr., Charlotte Hornets
Nick Smith Jr. improved in his second year, producing results in his 27 starts, although he was inefficient. The 21-year-old is a high-volume 3-point shooter who has shown the ability to put the ball in the basket when he gets rolling. He is also on the smaller side for a natural two-guard.
Smith Jr. is reportedly in danger of getting cut this season. Charlotte has improved its talent this offseason and has 18 players on standard contracts for the upcoming camapign with 16 holding fully guaranteed deals. Therefore, it is doubtful that the Hornets will pick up his $4.8 million option.
Devin Carter, Sacramento Kings
Sacramento put Devin Carter on the trade market this summer, looking to move into the first round of the 2025, but found no takers. Carter’s rookie season got off to a slow start as he didn’t make his debut until after January 1. He struggled in his limited minutes, making 36 appearances this past season for the Kings.
Carter is unlikely to have a significant role to start the season, especially if the Kings sign Russell Westbrook, as they have been linked to the 36-year-old all summer. In fact, Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report believes that the 23-year-old is more likely to be dealt than Malik Monk to create an open roster spot.
Marcus Sasser, Detroit Pistons
In a similar situation to Smith, Detroit has improved its talent over the last two years, which may factor into the Pistons’ decision regarding Marcus Sasser than his ability. Sasser saw his role drastically reduced in year two, averaging 6.6 points and 2.3 assists in 14 minutes over 57 appearances. He did not appear in any of the Pistons’ playoff games.
Sasser is a quality reserve guard, best utilized as a team’s third point guard. While Sasser will likely be considered the Pistons’ backup point guard, he will likely see limited time. As the Pistons added Caris LeVert and Javonte Green, who both can run an offense in emergencies. But more than likely, JB Bickerstaff will keep either Jaden Ivey or Cade Cunningham on the floor most of the time to handle point guard duties.
Sasser’s 2026-27 option is for $5.1 million. While the Pistons have only $131 million committed for next year, Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren are expected to see significant raises next season and could sign extensions this offseason. Also, Ausar Thompson will be in a similar situation next year.
Cam Whitmore, Washington Wizards
Cam Whitmore is an NBA player who has been stuck behind other talented youngsters in Houston. He should now get his first chance to see regular minutes with Houston.
Whitmore is a highly athletic bucket getter who is also a solid rebounder. The 21-year-old forward, who was sensational in his three starts last season, scored in double figures 24 times, including three contests of at least 20 points and one 30-point game.
Whitmore’s 2026-27 option is for $5.4 million, and unless the Wizards don’t think he will fit with the team’s young nucleus, expect his option to be exercised. However, the Wizards have several upcoming decisions regarding their youngsters, and they may opt to take a wait-and-see approach with the Villanova product.
Photo Credit: © Nick Turchiaro, Imagn Images
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