This summer’s NBA free agency was at one point expected to be a waiting game as LeBron James made his decision.
Instead, James made his decision to join the Los Angeles Lakers on July 1, with very little fanfare.
Around him, many of the best free agents have already signed, with many of them staying with their teams from last year.
Some relatively big names still wait in the folds, but for the most part, this year’s free agency has come and gone quickly, without a ton of drama.
Here are the 28 best free agents and where they’ve landed so far.
* Denotes a restricted free agent - a player whose contract offers can be matched by their original team.
LeBron James, F
New team: Los Angeles Lakers
Previous team: Cleveland Cavaliers
Contract: 4 years, $154 million
One thing to know: James was wooed by Magic Johnson and ultimately decided to join the Lakers for the everything that comes with being in LA. What they do to put a championship squad around him is one of the biggest questions in the NBA.
Kevin Durant, F
New team: Golden State Warriors
Previous team: Golden State Warriors
Contract: 2 years, $61.5 million
One thing to know: Durant once again did a 1+1 contract with the Warriors, taking slightly less to help them financially. That Durant still hasn't committed long-term to the team could be a money or power play, so expect the rumor mill to churn about other teams pursuing him next summer.
Paul George, F
New team: Oklahoma City Thunder
Previous team: Oklahoma City Thunder
Contract: 4 years, $137 million
One thing to know: George delivered one of the surprises of free agency, immediately re-upping with the Thunder on a long-term deal, a huge win for the small-market team.
Chris Paul, PG
New team: Houston Rockets
Previous team: Houston Rockets
Contract: 4 years, $160 million
One thing to know: Paul, as rumored, re-signed with the Rockets on a near-max contract. The two sides were at odds over length - Paul wanted five years, the Rockets wanted three - but ultimately settled on the middle ground.
DeAndre Jordan, C
New team: Dallas Mavericks
Previous team: Los Angeles Clippers
Contract: 1 year, $24 million
One thing to know: Jordan finally ended up with the Mavericks after verbally agreeing with them in 2016, only to change his mind and return to the Clippers.
Clint Capela*, C
Previous team: Houston Rockets
Rumored landing spots: Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers
One thing to know: Capela turned into a monster rim-defender and finisher around the basket for the Rockets last season. They'd surely prefer to re-sign him or match any offer for him, but the math could get complicated depending on their other offseason moves.
DeMarcus Cousins, C
New team: Golden State Warriors
Previous team: New Orleans Pelicans
Contract: 1 year, $5.3 million
One thing to know: Cousins delivered the shocker of free agency by signing with the Warriors on a one-year, prove-it deal. It's uncertain how he'll look when he returns from an Achilles injury, but if he returns to form, look out, NBA.
Aaron Gordon*, F
New team: Orlando Magic
Previous team: Orlando Magic
Contract: 4 years, $84 million
One thing to know: Gordon made strides in his fourth season and could fit with the Magic's young core. They're taking a gamble on further development from Gordon in a crowded front-court.
Julius Randle, PF/C
New team: New Orleans Pelicans
Previous team: Los Angeles Lakers
Contract: 2 years, $18 million
One thing to know: Randle had his rights renounced by the Lakers and immediately signed a deal with the Pelicans. He'll form an interesting front-court pairing with Anthony Davis.
J.J. Redick, G
New team: Philadelphia 76ers
Previous team: Philadelphia 76ers
Contract: 1 year, $13 million
One thing to know: Once the 76ers didn't land bigger fish like LeBron James and Paul George, they immediately re-signed Redick, who proved to be a valuable member of their 52-win team last year.
Marcus Smart*, G
Previous team: Boston Celtics
Rumored landing spots: Celtics, Indiana Pacers, Phoenix Suns
One thing to know: One of the more unique players in the NBA, Smart is a do-it-all player who could strengthen a team's defense, playmaking, and overall culture. The Celtics would surely like to keep him at the right price, but some other team may lure him away with a big offer.
Jabari Parker*, F
Previous team: Milwaukee Bucks
Rumored landing spots: Bucks, Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns, Chicago Bulls
One thing to know: Parker has shown flashes of being a versatile, go-to scorer, but has struggled to stay healthy, defend, and share the ball. Any team signing him will be taking a chance on what he might become.
Trevor Ariza, F
New team: Phoenix Suns
Previous team: Houston Rockets
Contract: 1 year, $15 million
One thing to know: The Suns lured Ariza away with a big-money offer to help create a culture around their young team. Ariza can hit free agency next year and perhaps cash in with a contender if this year goes well.
Tyreke Evans, G/F
Previous team: Memphis Grizzlies
Rumored landing spots: Indiana Pacers, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City Thunder
One thing to know: Evans put together a strong 2017-18 season with the Grizzlies, averaging 19 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists per game. He's a good fit for any team looking for scoring, playmaking, and size on the perimeter.
Isaiah Thomas, PG
Previous team: Los Angeles Lakers
Rumored landing spots: Unclear
One thing to know: After looking to be in line for a max contract one year ago, Thomas' market is entirely unknown. Thomas had an inefficient season recovering from what appeared to be a serious hip injury. He may have to take a short deal to prove himself.
Zach LaVine*, G/F
Previous team: Chicago Bulls
Rumored landing spots: Bulls, Sacramento Kings
One thing to know: LaVine had a relatively quiet season while returning from a torn ACL, but is reportedly still looking to earn a max contract. It's unclear if the Bulls would match a max for him.
Will Barton, G/F
New team: Denver Nuggets
Previous team: Denver Nuggets
Contract: 4 years, $54 million
One thing to know: The Nuggets decided to pay Barton, a valuable role player who was likely to have several suitors around the league.
Avery Bradley, G
New team: Los Angeles Clippers
Previous team: Los Angeles Clippers
Contract: 2 years, $25 million
One thing to know: It was unclear if the Clippers had interesting in bringing back Bradley, but they ended up re-signing him at a fair price on a short deal.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, G/F
New team: Los Angeles Lakers
Previous team: Los Angeles Lakers
Contract: 1 year, $12 million
One thing to know: An athletic guard who shot a career-high from three last season, Caldwell-Pope re-signed with the Lakers as soon as James landed.
Jusuf Nurkic*, C
Previous team: Portland Trail Blazers
Rumored landing spots: Blazers
One thing to know: Nurkic wasn't as impactful for the Blazers in 2017-18 as he was when he was traded to Portland the season before. He reportedly turned down a big offer last offseason, and though he's solid on both ends, is unlikely to command a huge contract.
Brook Lopez, C
Previous team: Los Angeles Lakers
Rumored landing spots: Lakers, Portland Trail Blazers, Milwaukee Bucks, Dallas Mavericks
One thing to know: Lopez is one of the NBA's most skilled offensive big men, with range from the post to the three-point line. But his defensive shortcomings make it unlikely he'll be any team's top choice in free agency.
Derrick Favors, PF/C
New team: Utah Jazz
Previous team: Utah Jazz
Contract: 2 years, $36 million
One thing to know: Though an old-school type of player, Favors has fit well in Utah alongside Rudy Gobert.
Feed VanVleet*, PG
New team: Toronto Raptors
Previous team: Toronto Raptors
Contract: 2 years, $18 million
One thing to know: VanVleet had a breakout year as the Raptors' sparkplug off the bench and ultimately got rewarded with a pay bump and a chance to hit free agency again as he enters his prime
Nerlens Noel, C
New team: Oklahoma City Thunder
Previous team: Dallas Mavericks
Contract: 2 years, vet's minimum
One thing to know: Noel had a disastrous season, ending up glued to the bench after gambling on himself with a one-year contract. He ended up with the Thunder, presumably as a backup, to reshape his value around the league.
Jamal Crawford, G
Previous team: Minnesota Timberwolves
Rumored landing spots: Golden State Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers
One thing to know: Last year, Crawford chose the Minnesota Timberwolves to help grow with a young core. After one year, he seems to be on the move. The Warriors are reportedly recruiting him, and his high-volume bench scoring could be a fit for any contender.
Luc Mbah a Moute, F
Previous team: Houston Rockets
Rumored landing spots: Rockets, Phoenix Suns, Toronto Raptors
One thing to know: Mbah a Moute was a critical part of the Houston Rockets' success last year, defending, stretching the floor, and even playing some small-ball center. He won't be a player teams chase right away, but he could be a valuable signing.
Rudy Gay, F
New team: San Antonio Spurs
Previous team: San Antonio Spurs
Contract: 1 year, $10 million
One thing to know: Gay wisely turned down an $8 million player option to become a free agent. He ended up back on the Spurs, a team that could use his length and scoring prowess.
Elfrid Payton, PG
New team: New Orleans Pelicans
Previous team: Phoenix Suns
Contract: 1 year, $2.7 million
One thing to know: Payton has a chance to prove himself on the Pelicans, essentially coming in as Rajon Rondo's replacement. He has all the tools except for a jump shot, but has never put it together consistently.
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