Only three weeks into the 2025-26 schedule, ESPN’s Bobby Marks has identified a dozen players whose early-season form could shape next summer’s free-agency market. The group excludes anyone who has previously been named All-NBA or an All-Star and omits players holding team options. Los Angeles dominates the field, led by guard Austin Reaves, who has taken center stage while LeBron James recovers from injury.
Starters
Austin Reaves | Los Angeles Lakers
31.1 PPG, 48.9 FG%, 9.3 APG, 37.8 MPG
Player option, 2026: $14.9 million
Reaves’ scoring has jumped from 20.2 to 31.1 points, sixth-best in the league. In three games without Luka Doncic, he averaged 10 assists, including a career-high 16 on Oct. 29 against Minnesota. Because the Lakers can offer no more than four years and $87.4 million at this stage, he is expected to decline next year’s option and test unrestricted free agency, where he could receive up to five years and $241 million from Los Angeles or four years and $178.5 million elsewhere. His $13.9 million salary ranks 26th among shooting guards and 127th overall.
Norman Powell | Miami Heat
23.3 PPG, 46.7 FG%, 4.6 RPG, 29.9 MPG
Unrestricted free agent, 2026
Healthy after last season’s knee and hamstring issues, Powell is hitting a career-best 46.2 percent from three. Beginning Jan. 7 he may sign an extension worth up to four years and $128.5 million, and Miami holds his Bird rights.
Quentin Grimes | Philadelphia 76ers
17.7 PPG, 46.7 FG%, 4.4 APG, 31.2 MPG
Unrestricted free agent, 2026
Acquired at last season’s trade deadline, Grimes continues to produce off the bench, accepting a one-year $8.7 million qualifying offer when cap space was scarce. Philadelphia can exceed the cap to keep him and is projected to be $44 million below the first apron next summer.
Rui Hachimura | Los Angeles Lakers
15.8 PPG, 56.7 FG%, 3.7 RPG, 34.6 MPG
Unrestricted free agent, 2026
Hachimura has started every game, shooting 59 percent from the field and 48.7 percent from deep. He is eligible for a four-year, $114.5 million extension through June 30.
Jalen Duren | Detroit Pistons
19.2 PPG, 64.3 FG%, 11.3 RPG, 26.8 MPG
Restricted free agent, 2026
The third-year center has 110 double-doubles before age 22, tying Shaquille O’Neal for fourth-most all-time. Free-throw attempts are up to 6.1 per game, and he is converting 85.5 percent.
Reserves
Collin Sexton | Charlotte Hornets
16.1 PPG, 51.2 FG%, 5.2 APG, 26.4 MPG
Unrestricted free agent, 2026
Since arriving from Utah, Sexton has posted career highs in field-goal percentage (51%), three-point rate (44%) and assists (5.3). Extension limits rise from three years, $71.7 million to four years, $119 million on Dec. 29.
Cam Thomas | Brooklyn Nets
21.4 PPG, 40.2 FG%, 2.6 APG, 28.3 MPG
Unrestricted free agent, 2026
Despite another hamstring setback, Thomas poured in 74 points over two late-October games. He declined richer multi-year offers, signed a one-year $6 million qualifying offer and will hit the open market.
Kelly Oubre Jr. | Philadelphia 76ers
19.2 PPG, 52.5 FG%, 5.3 RPG, 37.3 MPG
Unrestricted free agent, 2026
On a two-year, $16.8 million deal, Oubre is shooting 44 percent from three—far above any prior season—and defending top perimeter scorers while Paul George recovers.
Simone Fontecchio | Miami Heat
11.2 PPG, 50.0 FG%, 2.3 RPG, 19.6 MPG
Unrestricted free agent, 2026
The 29-year-old Italian forward ranks 10th league-wide at 51.2 percent from beyond the arc and is holding opponents to 34.9 percent shooting as the closest defender.
Josh Okogie | Houston Rockets
9.6 PPG, 53.8 FG%, 1.5 SPG, 23.2 MPG
Unrestricted free agent, 2026
Signed for the veteran minimum after being waived by Charlotte, Okogie moved into the starting unit following Fred VanVleet’s knee injury and is hitting 52 percent from three while limiting opponents to 41.9 percent shooting.
Harrison Barnes | San Antonio Spurs
12.4 PPG, 55.2 FG%, 2.8 RPG, 30.5 MPG
Unrestricted free agent, 2026
After a slow opening week, Barnes has shot 63 percent over his last five games and is on pace for back-to-back 50/40/80 seasons. He can sign an extension worth up to four years and $119.1 million.
Deandre Ayton | Los Angeles Lakers
16.8 PPG, 67.3 FG%, 8.0 RPG, 30.2 MPG
Player option, 2026: $8.1 million
Following a buyout with Portland that trimmed $10 million off his previous max contract, Ayton accepted a two-year, $16.2 million Lakers deal. He leads the NBA in on-ball screens, with Los Angeles generating 1.12 points per pick—eighth-best league-wide—and is shooting a career-high 66 percent. Continued production could prompt him to decline next season’s option in pursuit of a larger payday.
The list underscores how a strong start can reset market value long before free agency formally opens on July 1, 2026.
Source: ESPN
