NBA Free Agency: 2 Top New Entrants to Free Agent Pool

With the free agent ranks having thinned out quite a bit since the beginning of the month, teams on the hunt to fill out their rosters have gotten an influx of two fresh, new names to the open market. Starting with a former first-rounder who is a solid wing defender:

The Hornets will be waiving Josh Okogie after attempting to find a trade before his contract guarantee date today.

Okogie instantly becomes one of the best wing defenders available in unrestricted free agency who will only command a veteran’s minimum salary. pic.twitter.com/CrLzRaXhuG
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) July 15, 2025

Josh Okogie was a trade candidate for the Charlotte Hornets this offseason, but after failing to find a taker, they have decided to waive him rather than guarantee his $7.75 million contract for this coming year. As insider Evan Sidery notes, he "instantly becomes one of the best wing defenders available in unrestricted free agency who will only command a veteran’s minimum salary."

Okogie, 26, split his season between the Phoenix Suns and the Hornets, averaging 15.6 minutes, 7.1 points per game and 1.2 steals.

Joining him on the free agent market will be center Richaun Holmes, who hasn't quite lived up to the promise he once showed at the beginning of this decade with the Sacramento Kings when he averaged about 12 points and eight rebounds in 27 minutes per game.

The Wizards waived Richaun Holmes, per @MikeAScotto.

Holmes enters unrestricted free agency expected to draw interest from contenders on the veteran’s minimum market. pic.twitter.com/vKfTLuk5Ko
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) July 14, 2025

The Washington Wizards have waived Holmes, as only $250,000 was guaranteed of the 31-year-old’s $13.28 million for next season.

He can be a decent depth piece at center for teams in need of that, after averaging 7.4 points and 5.7 boards with the Washington Wizards this past season. Holmes is a 10-year vet who has averaged 8.5 points and 5.3 rebounds in 19 minutes a night.