2025 Free Agency: 8 potentially pivotal players
2025年自由球員： 8位重點球員
The peak of 2024 free agency is past, but many teams are already maneuvering
to prepare for next year’s offseason options.
Here’s a look at some of the most intriguing players that could draw
significant attention next summer (listed alphabetically by last name):
2024年的自由球員市場的高峰期已經結束，但許多球隊已經在為明年的休賽期做準備。
以下是一些明年夏天可能引起廣泛關注的球員（按姓氏字母順序）：
Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat
Unrestricted free agent (player option)
After extension talks hit a dead end in Miami, Butler’s potential free agency
looms over the Heat and the league. Team president Pat Riley said he wanted
to see Butler be “available every single night” after an injury-riddled and
disappointing finish to 2023-24. A six-time All-Star, Butler has missed at
least 15 games in six of the last seven seasons. Butler will turn 35 on Sept.
14, but he remains a dependable all-around force that injects an extra dose of
fear into opponents at playoff time.
在與邁阿密的續約談判陷入僵局後，Butler的潛在自由身籠罩著熱火和整個聯盟。球隊總
管Pat Riley表示，在經歷了飽受傷病困擾且令人失望的2023-24賽季後，他希望看到
Butler「每晚都能上場」。身為六次全明星的Butler，在過去七個賽季中有六個賽季中至
少缺席了15場比賽。Butler將於9月14日滿35歲，但他仍然是一名可靠的全能戰力，在季後
賽能給對手一定程度的恐懼。
Aaron Gordon, Denver Nuggets
Unrestricted free agent (player option)
For Nuggets fans, it may be depressing to contemplate a third straight summer
of the team losing a key piece of its championship rotation. Gordon, however,
could very well eye a pay raise after proving to be one of the most versatile
defenders in the league. Under an ever-increasing salary cap, Gordon would
make an approximate and relatively modest $24 million in 2025-26 if he does
not enter free agency via player option. For context, former teammate
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is slated to average $22 million over the next three
seasons after signing his new deal with Orlando.
對金塊球迷來說，考慮到球隊連續第三個夏天失去冠軍輪換的關鍵球員，可能令人沮喪。
然而，在證明自己是聯盟中最全能的防守者之一後，Gordon可能會考慮挑戰加薪。在薪資
上限不斷提高的情況下，如果Gordon不透過放棄球員選項來進入自由球員市場，他在2025-
26賽季的薪水大約為相對普通的2400萬美元。而類似的背景下，前隊友KCP在與奧蘭多簽
下新合約後，預計未來三個賽季的平均收入為2200萬美元。
Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans
Unrestricted free agent (extension-eligible)
New Orleans’ recent trade for Dejounte Murray, combined with the always
tantalizing prospect of a healthy Zion Williamson, has left Ingram’s long-
term future with New Orleans up for debate. He’ll be 27 when he hits
unrestricted free agency, boasting a combination of age, choice and talent
that usually yields an enormous payday. Team fit — and a bounce-back season
from 3-point range — will play a large role in his not-so-distant future.
紐澳良最近交易來的Dejounte Murray，再加上健康的Zion Williamson帶來的光明前景，
讓Ingram在紐澳良的長期計畫中備受討論。當他成為不受限自由球員時，他將滿27歲，年
齡、選擇和天賦的結合通常能帶來高薪。而球隊適性，以及三分球命中率能反彈的賽季，
將在他不遠的未來發揮重要作用。
Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks
Unrestricted free agent (player option)
Irving’s first steady season in years coincided with Dallas’ unexpected NBA
Finals run. If he follows up last season with an equivalent-or-better outing
in 2024-25, he could be tempted to use his player option to enter free agency
for long-term contract security. Such a move could see the eight-time All-Star
join his fifth team in nine seasons, or Dallas keep intact arguably the most
talented duo in franchise history.
Irving多年來第一個穩定的賽季，恰逢達拉斯意外闖入了NBA總決賽。如果他繼上賽季之後
，能在2024-25賽季打出同等甚至更好的表現，他可能會想利用自己的球員選項進入自由球員
市場以獲得長期合約保障。這樣的舉動可能會讓這位八次入選全明星的球員，加入他9個
賽季中的第5支球隊，或是達拉斯能留下球隊歷史上可說是最有天賦的二人組。
Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State Warriors
Restricted free agent
Golden State’s fading present clashes with a tantalizing future when it comes
to Kuminga. The former No. 7 overall pick in 2021, Kuminga averaged 11.3
points per game in November, 14.3 ppg in December and 20.6 ppg in January
before his up-and-down end marked the Warriors’ Play-In Tournament
elimination. Still just 21 years old, Kuminga could be extended if the
Warriors want to keep him long-term … and if that extension meets Kuminga’s
asking price. If the 6-foot-8 forward reaches restricted free agency, teams
with cap space could force the Warriors to choose between matching a large
contract or letting him walk for nothing.
當談到Kuminga，金州勇士衰落的現在與誘人的未來便發生了衝突。作為前2021年第七順位
新秀，Kuminga在11月場均得到11.3分，12月場均得到14.3分，1月場均得到20.6分，隨後
他的狀態起伏不定，導致勇士隊在附加賽被淘汰。Kuminga仍只有21歲，如果勇士隊想長期
留住他，而且續約符合Kuminga的要價，Kuminga可能續約。如果這位身高6尺8寸的前鋒成
為受限自由球員，擁有薪資空間的球隊可能會迫使勇士隊在匹配大合約或讓他白走之間做
出抉擇。
Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz
Unrestricted free agent (extension-eligible)
The most-clicked name in everyone’s imaginary trade machine, Markkanen poses
an enormous pivot point. As John Schuhmann details here, Markkanen is up for
an extension on Aug. 6. That date doubles as the last day he can be extended
and still be dealt by the February trade deadline. The versatile 27-year-old
forward represents elite shooting and All-Star-level improvement for whatever
team employs him long-term.
Markkanen是每一隊理想交易機器中點擊次數最多的名字，他構成了一個巨大的支點(對聯
盟交易版圖影響巨大的意思？)。如John Schuhmann在詳細介紹的那樣，Markkanen準備在8
月6日嘗試續約，這個日期是他可以簽下延長續約，同時在下季的交易截止日被交易的最後
期限。對於任何能長期持有他的球隊來說，這位全能的27歲前鋒能提供精英級別的投射和
全明星級別的進步。
Jalen Green & Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets
Restricted free agents
A year ago, Houston was so far below the salary floor that it shelled out
above-market contracts for veterans Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks. Those
days are essentially done as Houston faces upcoming pay-days for its young,
home-grown talent. Sengun’s production and playmaking at center had him as a
fringe All-Star last season. Green, meanwhile, spearheaded the Rockets’
midseason turnaround that nearly led to a Play-In Tournament berth. Teams with
cap space could draw up an offer sheet (which the Rockets can match) for
either young player if Houston is reluctant to meet their asking price.
一年前，休士頓的薪資遠低於底線，以至於為老將Fred VanVleet和Dillon Brooks提供了
高於市場行情的合約。隨著休士頓自己培養的年輕潛力即將面臨換約，這些日子基本上將
結束了。Sengun在中鋒位置的表現和組織能力使他上賽季躋身全明星邊緣。同時，Green帶
領火箭隊在賽季中差一點逆勢打入附加賽。如果休士頓無法滿足他們的要價，有薪資空間
的球隊可以為兩者的任一位提供報價（當然火箭可以匹配）。
來源：https://www.nba.com/news/2025-free-agents-8-pivotal-players
心得：雖然還有一年，但這些人的動向以及球隊可能操盤，已經可以開始關注了。
--