What big fish are left? Horford is the most popular, the Lakers are waiting for Ayton, and the Warriors are signing spare tires online

As soon as the NBA free agent market opened in 2025, various strong teams in the league took the lead in signings. After a wave of competition, there are currently few big fish left in the free agent market, and rare things are precious, and veteran Horford has become more popular. Many powerful teams who have not yet strengthened the center position have set their sights on him. The whereabouts of Paul and Westbrook are also the focus of people's attention. The Lakers seem to be just waiting to sign Ayton. The Warriors lost Looney, but there was no signing operation yet. They prepared several plans to strengthen the inside.

The remaining outstanding players in the free agent market include -

point guards: Gidey (restricted), Paul, Brogdon, Westbrook, Payton Jr.;

point guards: Grimes (restricted), Cameron Thomas (restricted), Melton, Duncan Robinson, Hardaway Jr.;

small forwards: Kofi, Jabbarry Walker, Craig, La Mar Stevens;

Big forward: Kumingga (restricted), Ben Simmons, Yabuselle, Boucher, Lyles, Nance Jr.;

Center: Turner, Ayton, Horford, Big Wa, Hayes, Mamukelashvili

Among these players, Gidey and Miles Turner are likely to renew their contracts with their respective teams, but the contract is still being negotiated.

Ayton is a big fish in the free agent market and he has not yet passed the clarification period. Like Doncic, with the abandonment, Ayton's bad news appeared on the Internet, including being late for training, difficulty in controlling emotions in the locker room, and sometimes slack in the defensive end. This situation has caused his market to decline.

Aiton gave up $10 million in a buyout by the Trail Blazers. Obviously, he would hope to get more compensation when signing the next team so that he could try not to lose money. With Ayton's current strength, he earned an annual salary of $10 million is the bargain price. Ayton is most likely to go to the Lakers now, but don’t forget that the Warriors and the Bucks also have vacant center positions now, and it is not ruled out that these two teams intercept the will.

Champion center Horford is very popular in the free agent market, with the Celtics, the Knicks, Nuggets, Cavaliers, Lakers and Warriors all paying close attention to Horford. Horford, 39, averaged 9.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 0.9 blocks per game in the 2024-25 season, shooting percentage of 42.3%, three-point shooting percentage of 36.3%, and free throw percentage of 89.5%.

As a space-based big man with a defensive ability, Horford is suitable for any playoff level and championship team.

NBA reporter Brett Segal said on social media that if the Warriors cannot get Horford, which is being pursued by many powerful teams, then paying close attention to Chris Boucher is a cost-effective option. There are indeed not many inside players in the free agent market at present. The Warriors need to prepare other plans.

The Warriors have not completed the contract renewal with Kumingga, and are also interested in signing back Payton and Melton.