NBA's Unrestricted Free Agents Potentially Delaying the Entire Free Agency Process
The NBA offseason is in full swing, but for the Golden State Warriors, Chicago Bulls, and Philadelphia 76ers, negotiations with their respective restricted free agents have created a complex web of roster and cap planning. As of mid-July 2025, four notable restricted free agents - Jonathan Kuminga (Golden State Warriors), Josh Giddey (Chicago Bulls), Quentin Grimes (Philadelphia 76ers), and Cam Thomas (Brooklyn Nets) - remain unsigned, with talks progressing slowly due to the current salary cap environment and collective bargaining rules.
**Jonathan Kuminga (Golden State Warriors)**
Kuminga, a versatile forward, remains an unsigned restricted free agent. The Warriors are reportedly exploring sign-and-trade options but also seem likely to have Kuminga start the 2025-26 season on their roster. Interest from other teams such as the Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings has been expressed, but no trade appears close to happening, largely due to salary cap restrictions and lack of suitable trade assets. Kuminga is seeking a larger role and a more lucrative contract, but the league’s new collective bargaining rules have made teams hesitant to pay up, limiting his market. The Warriors have rejected some offer trades, and it is generally believed that Kuminga could stay if the sign-and-trade deals don’t materialize.
**Josh Giddey (Chicago Bulls)**
Giddey, a 21-year-old guard, also remains unsigned. The Bulls have made low-ball offers which have lagged behind Giddey's preferred price. There is no clear resolution to his contract as of yet, which is delaying the Bulls' offseason plans. Giddey had a strong season post-All-Star break and comes into restricted free agency with high value, but negotiations are sluggish.
**Quentin Grimes (Philadelphia 76ers)**
Grimes, another restricted free agent, remains unsigned as well. While specific contract negotiation details are scarce, his unsigned status is part of a broader picture where several restricted free agents from teams like the Sixers remain unresolved. The 76ers have yet to finalize a deal with him.
**Cam Thomas (Brooklyn Nets)**
Thomas is unsigned with the Nets. Although the Nets have the salary cap space to pursue free agents, they have not engaged Thomas in new contract talks or aggressively pursued him in the offseason. His status as a restricted free agent is uncertain, and there is speculation that he might have to play on his qualifying offer as leverage for these players has diminished this offseason.
The uncertainty surrounding these four restricted free agents is affecting the offseason maneuvering of their respective teams. For the Warriors, Kuminga's unresolved status complicates their roster and cap planning. They are considering sign-and-trade options but might retain him if no suitable offer comes. The Bulls face difficulty finalizing Giddey's contract, which hampers their full offseason strategy and potentially limits other moves until his status is settled. The Philadelphia 76ers appear impacted by the need to finalize Quentin Grimes's deal as part of their roster building.
As these players decide their future, the Warriors, Sixers, and Bulls will have the information they need to move forward with the rest of their offseason plans. The Nets, the only team left with actual cap space, may want to keep their options open for the time being, as they could potentially be the obvious dumping ground for teams needing to shed salary in a multi-team trade.
The NBA free-agent market has largely ground to a halt, with Damian Lillard, a nine-time All-Star point guard, expected to miss most or all of the 2025-26 campaign due to an Achilles tendon tear. The Nets entered free agency as the NBA's biggest wild card, as they were the only team that had significant cap space this offseason. The Bulls are currently $38.6 million below the luxury-tax line, but haven’t crossed into luxury-tax territory since the 2015-16 season and aren’t likely to this year. The Nets only have $126.3 million in salary at the moment, and they have 16 players under contract, which is one higher than the regular-season roster limit.
The offseason drama continues as teams navigate the complexities of the NBA's free agency landscape. Stay tuned for updates as decisions are made and rosters take shape.
Basketball's NBA offseason is marked by the ongoing negotiations of restricted free agents, such as Jonathan Kuminga (Golden State Warriors), Josh Giddey (Chicago Bulls), Quentin Grimes (Philadelphia 76ers), and Cam Thomas (Brooklyn Nets), causing a ripple effect on roster and cap planning for their teams.
The uncertainty surrounding Kuminga's status with the Warriors creates a complex web of roster and cap planning, with the team exploring sign-and-trade options yet likely to retain him if no suitable offer arises. Similarly, the Bulls' plans are held back by the lack of progress in contract talks with Giddey, and the 76ers are impacted by the need to finalize a deal with Grimes. The Brooklyln Nets, with cap space available, may become the potential destination for teams looking to shed salary in a multi-team trade.
