U.S. media ranks this summer's top 70 free agents: 41-year-old LeBron still leads, Reaves 3rd, Harden 5th

On May 28th Beijing time, renowned U.S. media outlet Bleacher Report (BR) released its top 70 list of potential free agents this summer. The 41-year-old LeBron James topped the ranking, followed by Jalen Duren, Austin Reaves, Isaiah Hartenstein, and James Harden in spots 2 through 5. Below is a detailed breakdown of the top five along with the full 70-player ranking —

1. LeBron James

Team: Los Angeles Lakers

2025-26 season salary: $52.6 million

BR analysis: Out of respect for LeBron James’ career and the historical status of this NBA legend, the 41-year-old free agent remains at the top of the list despite his age. Moreover, he delivered an exceptionally strong performance in the playoffs for the Lakers this season.

James may choose to retire; he could also return to the Lakers (provided the team is willing to extend his contract, though the Lakers might enter a rebuild centered around Luka Dončić). He is also considering a homecoming with the Cleveland Cavaliers as the final stop of his career.

Additionally, he could join a star-studded team, such as pairing with Stephen Curry on the Golden State Warriors or playing alongside Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns on the New York Knicks.

However, most of these potential destinations cannot offer him a salary close to what he earned with the Lakers this season. If he wants to play his final season, he would have to accept a significant pay cut.

2. Jalen Duren

Team: Detroit Pistons

2025-26 season salary: $6.5 million

BR analysis: Over the past two seasons, Duren has grown alongside MVP candidate Cade Cunningham and has become a game-changing core player for the Pistons. He has steadily improved on both ends of the floor, with his defense standing out particularly on this tenacious defensive squad.

The Pistons finished the regular season with a league-best 60-22 record atop the Eastern Conference. Duren averaged a career-high 19.5 points, earned his first All-Star selection, and made the All-NBA Third Team. Although his playoff performance fluctuated, the Pistons will certainly offer him a significantly raised contract. If Detroit is unwilling to offer a max extension, the Lakers, with ample cap space, could submit an offer sheet to him.

3. Austin Reaves

Team: Los Angeles Lakers

2025-26 season salary: $13.9 million

BR analysis: Reaves turned down a four-year, $87.4 million early extension offer from the Lakers (with a starting salary of $19.5 million), which was the maximum extension the team could give him at that time. He is expected to decline his player option and test free agency.

Before sitting out due to a calf injury, he ranked among the league's top ten in scoring and had a strong chance at his first All-Star appearance. His playoff run was later hampered by an oblique strain, but he remains one of the top combo guards available in this summer's free-agent market.

The Lakers can offer him a contract starting at $41.3 million, totaling $239.3 million over four years; other teams can offer up to $177.4 million over four years, the same amount he could receive through a sign-and-trade.

Regardless of where he ends up, Reaves' new contract will likely start at around $35 million per year. He is set to secure a lucrative payday this summer.

4. Isaiah Hartenstein

Team: Oklahoma City Thunder

2025-26 season salary: $28.5 million

BR analysis: The Thunder aim to defend their championship and will likely keep their core intact as they pursue a three-peat. This season, Oklahoma City's payroll remained under the luxury tax line, but next season they will face pressure from both the luxury tax and the second apron. Regardless of the outcome of these playoffs, the Thunder may allow Hartenstein to decline his player option.

Hartenstein has performed impressively in the Western Conference Finals, boosting his market value.

If the Thunder let him become a free agent, the team might negotiate a multi-year deal with a lower starting salary. Other teams will surely try to poach him, but Oklahoma City is capable of offering a competitive enough deal to keep him. For now, Hartenstein is likely to remain in OKC, with the team using other salary-cap maneuvers to avoid tax penalties.

5. James Harden

Team: Cleveland Cavaliers

2025-26 season salary: $39.4 million

BR analysis: When the Cavaliers acquired Harden from the Clippers, they were well aware that the former MVP had the right to decline his player option in July and become an unrestricted free agent. The trade required Harden's consent, and because he had signed a one-year extension with the Clippers before being traded, his full Bird rights were lost.

Considering all factors, Harden and the Cavaliers have likely reached an understanding: the veteran guard will decline his player option and then re-sign with the team on a two-year deal with a starting salary around $32.5 million (give or take $2.5 million).

Although Harden's performance and the Cavaliers' loss to the Knicks drew criticism, the trade revitalized the entire team during the regular season and helped Cleveland reach the conference finals for the first time since LeBron James left.

BR's complete top 70 free agent ranking —

Rank 1-10: 1. James, 2. Duren, 3. Reaves, 4. Hartenstein, 5. Harden, 6. Trae Young, 7. Ayo Dosunmu, 8. Luguentz Dort, 9. Rui Hachimura, 10. Norman Powell;

Rank 11-20: 11. Deandre Ayton, 12. Peyton Watson, 13. Tari Eason, 14. Bennedict Mathurin, 15. Walker Kessler, 16. Andrew Wiggins, 17. Mitchell Robinson, 18. Tobias Harris, 19. CJ McCollum, 20. Kelly Oubre Jr.

Rank 21-30: 21. Jonathan Kuminga, 22. Marcus Smart, 23. Quentin Grimes, 24. Coby White, 25. Luke Kennard, 26. Draymond Green, 27. Kristaps Porziņģis, 28. Mark Williams, 29. Collin Gillespie, 30. Dean Wade

Rank 31-40: 31. Zach LaVine, 32. John Collins, 33. Jordan Goodwin, 34. Anfernee Simons, 35. Robert Williams, 36. Al Horford, 37. Jaxson Hayes, 38. Brook Lopez, 39. Nick Richards, 40. Jose Alvarado

Rank 41-50: 41. Nikola Vučević, 42. Sandro Mamukelashvili, 43. Kevin Porter Jr., 44. Jusuf Nurkić, 45. Khris Middleton, 46. Landry Shamet, 47. Bruce Brown, 48. Collin Sexton, 49. Josh Okogie, 50. Harrison Barnes

Rank 51-60: 51. Keon Ellis, 52. Tim Hardaway Jr., 53. Jock Landale, 54. Andre Drummond, 55. Russell Westbrook, 56. Day'Ron Sharpe, 57. Precious Achiuwa, 58. Marvin Bagley III, 59. Simone Fontecchio, 60. Kyle Anderson

Rank 61-70: 61. Tristan Thompson, 62. Guerschon Yabusele, 63. De'Anthony Melton, 64. Brandon Clarke, 65. Pat Spencer, 66. Jordan Clarkson, 67. Nicolas Batum, 68. Gary Payton II, 69. Matisse Thybulle, 70. Gabe Vincent