The initial wave of 2025 NBA free agency has delivered the expected chaos, marked by significant trades, surprising contract decisions, and a clear shift in team building philosophies. Big men are making a comeback, massive deals are being struck, and the league landscape is already transforming. After just a few days, enough dust has settled to begin analyzing which teams and players positioned themselves for success and which ones faced significant setbacks.
This early assessment dives into the most impactful moves, grading the outcomes for key franchises across the league. We synthesize insights from multiple expert sources to provide a comprehensive picture of the early returns on this pivotal NBA offseason period.
Early Winners of 2025 NBA Free Agency
Several franchises navigated the initial free agency frenzy with skill, making moves that significantly bolster their present capabilities or future outlook. Their strategic decisions are setting the stage for exciting seasons ahead.
Atlanta Hawks: A Franchise Transformed
Atlanta’s new front office has quickly established a reputation for being sharp, opportunistic, and highly competent. In less than two weeks since the NBA Finals concluded, they executed a series of transactions that have reshaped the team.
They brought in Kristaps Porzingis, a versatile 7-foot-3 forward known for elite outside shooting and rim protection, on an expiring contract. Nickeil Alexander-Walker arrives as a top two-way guard, and Luke Kennard brings elite three-point shooting (43.3% last season, twice led the league). They also acquired intriguing young talent in Asa Newell and, crucially, secured the more favorable unprotected 2026 first-round pick from either New Orleans or Milwaukee, which could potentially land as the No. 1 overall selection in a highly anticipated draft class. They also picked up a future second-rounder.
What did they relinquish? Mostly players like Terance Mann, Georges Niang, and two draft picks (Derik Queen, Drake Powell), alongside free agency departures Clint Capela and Caris LeVert. Compared to their additions, the value lost is minimal.
Atlanta now boasts enhanced outside shooting, athleticism, two-way flexibility, and size around key players like Trae Young, Jalen Johnson, and Dyson Daniels. Porzingis, Kennard, and Alexander-Walker provide crucial floor spacing. Zaccharie Risacher’s continued growth would be a bonus. Onyeka Okongwu offers flexibility, potentially starting or serving as an elite backup, even pairing with Porzingis in effective large lineups. The Hawks remain comfortably under the luxury tax threshold ($7.5 million below), positioning them not only as potential Eastern Conference contenders now but also strategically placed should a star like Giannis Antetokounmpo become available, though they aren’t forced into a blockbuster. Their proactive and responsible approach suggests their positive momentum is sustainable.
Denver Nuggets: Maximizing the Jokic Window
Any offseason where you play with Nikola Jokic is a win, but the Nuggets’ front office made moves to significantly boost their championship aspirations. Just months after being a strained hamstring away from another Finals appearance, Denver effectively swapped out Michael Porter Jr., DeAndre Jordan, Russell Westbrook, and Dario Saric for Tim Hardaway Jr., Cam Johnson, Jonas Valanciunas, and Bruce Brown Jr.
This exchange brings in four reliable rotation players whose skills naturally complement the world’s best player. Cam Johnson offers consistent shooting (comparable to MPJ but with better defensive mobility) and the trade freed up significant salary ($17 million reduction) and a trade exception ($16.7 million), allowing use of the full non-taxpayer mid-level exception ($14.1 million). The re-signing of Bruce Brown on a veteran minimum is particularly impactful, bringing back an “invaluable” piece from their 2023 title run known for his energy, cutting, and versatile defense. Jonas Valanciunas solves the backup center problem effectively.
These moves deepen the roster, provide crucial depth, and ensure they maximize Jokic’s prime years. Operating under the second apron ($17.8 million below) gives them further flexibility. The new front office regime under Ben Tenzer and Jon Wallace appears to be making safe, impactful decisions.
Houston Rockets: Building a Defensive Juggernaut
Houston is assembling an imposing roster, creating what multiple sources are calling an “embarrassment of riches.” Following a blockbuster trade for Kevin Durant on June 22nd, adding a 15-time All-Star scorer to a young core, the Rockets continued to build strategically.
They re-signed Fred VanVleet to a team-friendly two-year, $50 million deal after declining his larger option, freeing up cap space. This allowed them to extend young cornerstone Jabari Smith Jr. ($122 million over five years), showing commitment. They acquired valuable veterans like Steven Adams ($39 million over three years) and secured “3-and-D” wing Dorian Finney-Smith ($53 million over four years via the MLE), reportedly snatched from the Lakers. The addition of Clint Capela ($21.5 million over three years) creates a remarkably deep frontcourt alongside Alperen Sengun and Adams, reflecting a “go big or go home” philosophy.
These aggressive additions blend experience, size, athleticism, and upside. Staying under the first apron despite these moves is impressive. The roster construction, particularly the depth and defensive versatility with players like Finney-Smith, Capela, and Adams alongside defensive-minded coach Ime Udoka, positions Houston to potentially boast the league’s best defense next season.
Los Angeles Clippers: Bolstering the Frontcourt
The Clippers effectively addressed a significant weakness: the backup center position. After relying on non-centers or less traditional options last season, securing Brook Lopez on a two-year, $18 million deal provides a proven, high-level veteran.
Lopez, a 17-year veteran, remains elite at contesting shots at the rim without fouling. Data shows Milwaukee’s defense was more effective with Lopez on the court, even compared to lineups with Giannis but no Lopez. His ability to space the floor (37.3% from three last season) makes him a formidable pick-and-pop threat, crucial for a team aiming to attack downhill while maintaining spacing.
His likely reserve role minimizes wear-and-tear concerns for the 37-year-old. Lopez can anchor the second unit and even play alongside Ivica Zubac in specific matchups. The Clippers retained key pieces like James Harden and Nicolas Batum on favorable deals, ducked the luxury tax, and remain bona fide contenders. Lopez’s presence indirectly benefits the entire roster by allowing the team to stay big effectively.
Other Winners: Niche Needs Met & Contracts Earned
Orlando Magic: Landing point guard Tyus Jones on a one-year, $7 million contract is a key win. He provides essential ball-handling, offensive organization, and shooting, easing pressure on young stars Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Jalen Suggs. Jones’s chemistry with Desmond Bane (acquired previously) is a bonus.
Detroit Pistons: Despite an initial rough start, Detroit bounced back by adding veterans on short, team-friendly deals. Caris LeVert ($29 million over two years) brings scoring punch and second-side playmaking. Duncan Robinson ($48 million over three years, partially/non-guaranteed structure) acquired via sign-and-trade adds crucial shooting gravity and enables dribble-handoff actions with Jalen Duren. These moves support Cade Cunningham and maintain spacing while preserving future cap flexibility.
New York Knicks: Limited by being hard-capped, the Knicks still managed to add depth by acquiring Jordan Clarkson and Guerson Yabusele. These additions create a viable nine-man rotation for new coach Mike Brown (a strong hire), addressing a lack of depth that taxed their core in their recent playoff run.
Luke Kornet & Other “Good Dudes”: Unheralded veterans like Luke Kornet earned significant, well-deserved contracts. Kornet’s four-year, $41 million deal with the Spurs alongside Victor Wembanyama is a perfect fit. An elite rim protector (only Holmgren, Stewart, and Wembanyama allowed lower FG% at rim last season per Sportradar) and efficient finisher, Kornet helps the Spurs’ rebounding and paint defense when Wemby rests. Similarly, players like Kevon Looney (Pelicans), Dorian Finney-Smith (Rockets), and Nickeil Alexander-Walker (Hawks) secured good paydays based on their valuable role-playing skills.
Damian Lillard: While his release was necessitated by injury and cap logistics, Lillard technically “won” by getting his remaining $113 million guaranteed. He gains control over his future destination once healthy, free from his challenging situation in Milwaukee.
Early Losers of 2025 NBA Free Agency
Not everyone emerged from the first week in a better position. Several teams and situations appear to have been negatively impacted by their own decisions or the moves of their competitors.
Los Angeles Lakers: A Plan in Crisis
The Lakers’ offseason has been marked by uncertainty and criticism. Caught between building for the immediate future with 40-year-old LeBron James and the possibility of a future with Luka Doncic (a concept linked to Rich Paul’s comments, though Doncic is currently in Dallas), the front office appears directionless and, according to one source, “incompetent.”
Their free agency moves were underwhelming. They lost key targets like Brook Lopez and, critically, failed to retain Dorian Finney-Smith, a valuable “3-and-D” wing they had traded three second-round picks for just months prior. The signing of Jake LaRavia using the mid-level exception ($12 million over two years) was seen as a questionable use of limited resources. The acquisition of Deandre Ayton on a two-year, $16.6 million deal is viewed as a temporary solution at center, a “rickety bridge” rather than a long-term answer, especially given questions about Ayton’s defensive consistency and fit.
LeBron James’s large salary ($52.6 million) restricts flexibility. The perceived conflict between James’s desire to compete now and the stated long-term vision creates palpable tension. Losing valuable pieces like Finney-Smith weakens their defense, already an area of concern. The team, as currently constructed, is not seen as a title contender, a remarkable failure given the star power on the roster, and GM Rob Pelinka faces immense pressure to resolve the roster imbalance and the larger strategic uncertainty.
Milwaukee Bucks: Desperation and Dead Money
The Bucks’ decision to waive and stretch Damian Lillard’s remaining $113 million salary is widely seen as a desperate, and costly, move. This allowed them to sign Myles Turner ($107 million over four years) as a replacement for Brook Lopez, who signed with the Clippers. While Turner is younger and offers a similar skillset (stretch big, rim protection) to Lopez, the financial cost is steep: $22.5 million in dead cap space annually for the next five years.
This massive financial burden, coupled with no draft control until 2031 and other moves primarily consisting of re-signing role players, severely limits future flexibility. The current roster, while slightly improved by Turner, is not viewed as a championship contender in the deep Eastern Conference. The move was reportedly made to placate Giannis Antetokounmpo, but questions remain if Turner is enough. The decision to lose Lillard, an All-Star, and incur such significant long-term dead money for what is arguably a lateral or slight upgrade is seen as a major misstep driven by panic.
Sacramento Kings: A Confusing Strategy
Sacramento’s moves generated significant confusion and criticism. The decision to trade starting center Jonas Valanciunas for Dario Saric only to then use the full mid-level exception on Dennis Schröder ($12.3 million over two years) raised eyebrows. Valanciunas was a valuable presence, while replacing him with Saric and adding Schröder, particularly given defensive concerns, led one source to predict the Kings would field the “most comical defense in the league” if the roster stands. This sequence of moves lacked clear strategic logic and appeared to weaken the team’s overall composition.
Joe Dumars, Troy Weaver, and the Pelicans Front Office: Gross Mismanagement
The New Orleans Pelicans’ front office is facing intense scrutiny for perceived mismanagement. Their decision to trade an unprotected 2026 first-round pick (acquired previously) to move up just 10 spots in the draft was particularly criticized as irresponsible, especially as waiting until after the NBA Finals might have clarified the pick’s value (dependent on Indiana, who they traded with, and Tyrese Haliburton’s injury).
Other moves, like the Deandre Ayton acquisition (before the Lakers signed him) being viewed as a “rickety bridge,” add to the picture of poor decision-making. This puts immense, untenable strain on head coach Willie Green, who must simultaneously develop young talent and compete in a tough Western Conference with a poorly constructed roster. The situation is so dire that one humorous comparison suggested a head of lettuce would be a more competent front office. The overall management under Dumars and Weaver is viewed as having completely mismanaged a team that had no margin for error.
Other Losers: Missed Opportunities & Downturns
Indiana Pacers: After an unexpected run to the Finals, the Pacers face a significant setback. Tyrese Haliburton’s torn Achilles is expected to sideline him for the entire season. Compounding this, they lost starting center Myles Turner to the Bucks, reportedly after offering a “lowball” contract. Losing their star point guard and key big man makes replicating last season’s success highly improbable, marking a disappointing turn.
Heat Culture: The Miami Heat are described as being “in the wilderness” post-Jimmy Butler, struggling for relevance. After a humbling playoff exit, they haven’t made significant roster upgrades. While resisting a Kevin Durant trade showed self-awareness, it wasn’t enough. With Bam Adebayo nearing 28 and potentially tradeable, the question looms if what they can build around him is enough to contend, or if moving their foundational piece is necessary, highlighting their challenging position.
Restricted Free Agents: Without multiple teams holding significant cap space, the market for Restricted Free Agents like Josh Giddey, Jonathan Kuminga, Cam Thomas, and Quentin Grimes appears suppressed. This group of talented but flawed players faces uncertainty regarding contract length and value, potentially leading to less lucrative deals than they might have commanded in other free agency periods.
Key Trends and Observations
Beyond individual team outcomes, the early period of 2025 NBA free agency highlighted broader league trends.
The Proliferation of Double-Big Lineups
Oklahoma City’s championship run, featuring two starting 7-footers, has clearly influenced team strategies. The need to counter dominant bigs like Nikola Jokic and prepare for Victor Wembanyama’s future impact is driving more teams to embrace lineups featuring two, sometimes even three, large players.
This trend isn’t just about size; it reflects big men developing versatile skills, including ball-handling, passing, and three-point shooting. While versatility and spacing remain crucial, the desire to physically dominate the paint, control rebounding, and intimidate drivers is growing. Nearly half the league appears poised to utilize double-big lineups, demonstrating that size, once perhaps undervalued in the pace-and-space era, definitively still matters. Teams adopting this include the Cavaliers, Thunder, Grizzlies, Timberwolves, Rockets, Mavericks, Knicks, Nuggets, Clippers, Spurs, Hawks, Heat, and Suns.
A Subdued Opening Night
Several sources noted that despite some significant deals, the opening night of free agency felt somewhat underwhelming compared to previous years. This could be attributed to factors like the restrictive nature of the second salary apron limiting team spending, a lack of teams with significant cap space outside of those looking to absorb bad contracts for assets, and the league allowing teams to negotiate with their own free agents before the official window opens, which frontloads announcements and reduces the drama of the initial free agency period.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the most impactful trades of 2025 NBA free agency so far?
Several trades significantly altered the league landscape. The Houston Rockets acquiring Kevin Durant from the Suns was a major blockbuster. The Atlanta Hawks trading for Kristaps Porzingis and securing a valuable unprotected 2026 first-round pick dramatically improved their future outlook. The Denver Nuggets trading Michael Porter Jr. for Cam Johnson and later acquiring Jonas Valanciunas enhanced their depth around Nikola Jokic. These moves represent significant shifts in power and strategy for the involved teams.
Which teams improved their roster the most this offseason?
Based on early moves, the Houston Rockets appear to have made the most dramatic improvements by adding a superstar in Kevin Durant, securing valuable depth with Finney-Smith, Adams, and Capela, and signing their young core. The Atlanta Hawks also made a strong case by adding Porzingis, Alexander-Walker, Kennard, and a high-value future draft pick while giving up minimal current assets. The Denver Nuggets improved key areas of depth and flexibility around their MVP.
How did the Milwaukee Bucks’ handling of Damian Lillard affect their future?
The Bucks’ decision to waive and stretch Damian Lillard’s contract to acquire Myles Turner had a significant negative impact on their long-term financial flexibility. While it allowed them to add a key player in Turner, it burdened them with $22.5 million in dead salary cap space annually for the next five years. This severely limits their ability to make future roster upgrades around Giannis Antetokounmpo and is viewed by analysts as a desperate and financially restrictive move.
Conclusion
The first week of 2025 NBA Free Agency provided a fascinating mix of decisive strategic wins and head-scratching decisions. Teams like the Hawks, Rockets, and Nuggets appear significantly better positioned for the future, making smart moves to bolster their rosters and cap sheet flexibility. Conversely, franchises like the Lakers, Bucks, Kings, and Pelicans face scrutiny for moves that seemingly hindered their immediate contention or long-term outlook. The league is clearly reacting to the evolving landscape, particularly the dominance of elite big men, leading to a renewed emphasis on size and versatility. As the offseason continues, these early results will set the stage for the competitive balance of the 2025-26 NBA season.
