The initial surge of NBA free agency often sets the tone for the entire league year. Rosters shift dramatically, contenders solidify their positions, and rebuilding teams plot their future course. The first full week of the 2025 offseason certainly delivered, bringing a flurry of unexpected deals and strategic maneuvers that sent ripples across the NBA landscape. From superstar trades to under-the-radar signings, teams wasted no time reshaping their rosters.
This period is always ripe for analysis. Which franchises navigated the complex salary cap rules and player demands most effectively? Whose bold gambits might backfire? To gain clarity on the chaotic start to the summer, we turned to ESPN’s panel of seasoned NBA insiders: Chris Herring, Zach Kram, Bobby Marks, and kevin pelton. They’ve dissected every major transaction, offering their expert opinions on the moves that caught their eye, those that raised concerns, and the underlying strategies shaping the upcoming season.
Unpacking the First Week’s Biggest Headlines
The opening days of free agency saw massive shifts. Kevin Durant’s move to the Houston Rockets dominated headlines, transforming a young team overnight. Elsewhere, Myles Turner made a surprising intraconference leap, joining the Milwaukee Bucks after the team took the drastic measure of waiving Damian Lillard to create cap flexibility. Meanwhile, teams like the Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks, and Orlando Magic were lauded for making strategic additions designed to bolster their playoff aspirations heading into the 2025-26 campaign.
But beyond the obvious blockbusters, the insiders identified specific deals and decisions that stood out for various reasons. They highlighted moves they considered the best, assessed those most likely to impact the championship race, pointed out potential future regrets, and shed light on overlooked transactions.
Insider Picks for the Offseason’s Top Moves
Our panel weighed in on their personal favorite acquisitions from the first week. These weren’t necessarily the highest-profile deals, but the ones they felt were particularly smart, efficient, or impactful for the teams involved.
The Most Savvy Signings and Trades
Atlanta Hawks Land Kristaps Porzingis: Chris Herring pointed to the Hawks’ three-team deal bringing Kristaps Porzingis to Atlanta. He emphasized the Hawks’ critical need for defensive improvement, especially around star guard Trae Young. Following the addition of Dyson Daniels last season, securing Porzingis – a premier rim protector when healthy – on a reasonable contract was a significant step. Herring also noted the complementary addition of Nickeil Alexander-Walker as a further boost to the Hawks’ defensive capabilities.
Houston Rockets Acquire Kevin Durant: Zach Kram chose the Houston Rockets’ trade for Kevin Durant, arguing that its obvious nature didn’t diminish its brilliance. Kram highlighted that the Rockets addressed their primary weakness with an elite solution at a reportedly favorable cost. This single transaction, in his view, instantly elevated the Rockets from a promising young squad to a legitimate threat for the NBA title. [Synthesized external research: This complex, NBA-first 7-team trade dramatically reshapes Houston. Rockets GM Rafael Stone reportedly viewed Durant as “too valuable to pass up.” Coming off a 52-win season, the Rockets are clearly pushing their timeline forward with this acquisition.]
San Antonio Spurs Sign Luke Kornet: Bobby Marks identified Luke Kornet’s four-year, $41 million contract with the San Antonio Spurs as a notable move. Marks mentioned discussions with league executives prior to free agency where Kornet’s destination was a frequent topic. The deal, paying Kornet nearly $9 million in the first year (equal to his career earnings up to that point), provides the Spurs with a reliable backup for Victor Wembanyama. It also adds another 7-footer to potentially play alongside their young superstar, offering lineup versatility.
Atlanta Hawks Gain Draft Capital: Kevin Pelton’s favorite move involved the Hawks’ strategic play on draft night. By moving back just 10 spots in the first round, Atlanta acquired the more favorable 2026 first-round pick between Milwaukee and New Orleans. Pelton reasoned that while New Orleans may see improved health, navigating the Western Conference playoffs remains challenging. This creates an excellent possibility that the pick the Hawks receive in 2026 will be equal to or better than the No. 13 pick they traded away, with the added upside of potentially landing in the top four.
Moves Poised to Impact the Championship Picture
Beyond simply being “good,” some moves carry weight that could directly influence the race for the NBA Finals. Insiders discussed the transactions they believe have the power to significantly alter the competitive landscape at the top of the league.
Shifting the Scales for Contenders
Knicks Benefit from Jordan Clarkson Buyout: Chris Herring pointed to the New York Knicks landing Jordan Clarkson off the buyout market for the veteran’s minimum. Already close to the second apron of the luxury tax, the Knicks caught a break when Clarkson reached a buyout with Utah. Acquiring the skilled scorer and playmaker after he cleared waivers addressed New York’s need for backcourt depth. Clarkson can help alleviate the significant ball-handling burden carried by Jalen Brunson last season. This move also preserved the Knicks’ midlevel exception, which they used to sign versatile big man Guerschon Yabusele.
Clippers Add Brook Lopez: Zach Kram highlighted Brook Lopez signing a two-year deal as the LA Clippers’ backup center. Kram cited data showing the Clippers’ significant net rating drop when starting center Ivica Zubac was off the court last season. While Lopez may be past his peak, he remains a capable rim protector and floor spacer. His role wouldn’t require heavy minutes, just enough to help the Clippers maintain competitiveness when Zubac rests, a task Kram believes Lopez is well-equipped to handle.
Magic Secure Tyus Jones: Bobby Marks believes the Orlando Magic’s signing of Tyus Jones to a one-year, $7 million contract could position them for a competitive push in the Eastern Conference. While the Desmond Bane trade captured more attention, Marks noted that adding one of the league’s premier facilitators was crucial for Orlando. Jones has consistently averaged at least five assists per game in under 30 minutes over the past three seasons. His arrival is expected to significantly boost a Magic offense that finished last in the league in assists during the previous campaign. [Synthesized external research: The Magic are described as “contending” in the context of acquiring young talent like Noah Penda. Penda, a 6’7″ forward drafted 32nd overall and acquired via trade, signed a 4-year, $8.7M deal with the first two years guaranteed. While Penda may face an “uphill battle” for immediate rotation minutes, his “hard-nosed defense” offers potential as a future contributor, adding another layer to Orlando’s strategic roster building alongside proven facilitators like Jones.]
Rockets Sign Dorian Finney-Smith: Kevin Pelton identified Houston’s signing of Dorian Finney-Smith as a move that could make a significant difference next spring during the playoffs. Finney-Smith brings valuable postseason experience, including a conference finals appearance in 2022 and heavy minutes for the Lakers in the first round last season. Pelton argued that Finney-Smith helps the Rockets replace the depth they lost by trading away two starters to acquire Kevin Durant, providing a ready-made, playoff-tested contributor.
Moves Teams Might Soon Regret
Not every offseason decision is a guaranteed success. Sometimes, the risks outweigh the rewards, or the timing feels off. Insiders pointed to a few deals they believe could look questionable by the time the holiday season rolls around.
Potential Pitfalls of the Offseason
Pelicans Trading Their Pick: Chris Herring revisited Kevin Pelton’s point about the New Orleans Pelicans trading their unprotected first-round pick in the recent draft to move up 10 spots. Herring believes the Pelicans, as currently constructed, might regret this decision fairly quickly, potentially even before Christmas. He cited the intense competition in the Western Conference, suggesting it’s difficult to see how New Orleans avoids the lottery without further significant roster upgrades.
Bucks’ Myles Turner Acquisition: Zach Kram suggested that if the Milwaukee Bucks and new addition Myles Turner aren’t firmly positioned as contenders by Christmas, the team could face considerable regret. He emphasized that waiving and stretching Damian Lillard’s large contract was a drastic measure that significantly hampers the team’s future financial flexibility. This move only pays off if Milwaukee achieves immediate championship success, which Kram questioned given perceived weaknesses in their perimeter talent despite a strong frontcourt.
Bucks’ Handling of Lillard Waiver: Bobby Marks also flagged the Bucks’ decision to waive Lillard, focusing on the process. While acknowledging it might have been their last resort, Marks questioned the subsequent allocation of the $27 million in salary cap space created. He argued that for a team lacking depth and needing a starting point guard, it might have been more beneficial to generate cap room earlier (before June 30) and then distribute the available funds among three different players rather than consolidating it all into one deal for Turner.
Clint Capela’s Fit in Houston: Kevin Pelton expressed some reservations about the Houston Rockets potentially having “one big man too many” with Clint Capela, despite liking their offseason overall. With the additions of Kevin Durant and Dorian Finney-Smith upgrading the power forward rotation, Pelton questioned Capela’s declining athleticism. He cited Capela’s career-low 56% shooting last season, a significant drop from 65% just two years prior, suggesting this could become a concern for the Rockets.
Overlooked or Underrated Transactions
Amidst the noise of superstar movement, some transactions fly under the radar but could prove highly impactful. Insiders highlighted a few deals they felt weren’t getting the attention they deserved.
Quiet Moves with Potential
Cavs Swap Isaac Okoro for Lonzo Ball: Chris Herring praised the Cleveland Cavaliers’ trade of Isaac Okoro for Lonzo Ball. Knowing they likely wouldn’t retain free agent Ty Jerome due to luxury tax concerns (bringing back the exact same roster would result in a quarter-billion dollar tax bill), Cleveland acquired Ball, who is entering the final guaranteed year of his contract at a modest $10 million. While Ball has faced significant injury issues and shooting struggles, Herring viewed it as a low-risk, high-reward gamble. Given Okoro’s own shooting limitations, particularly in the playoffs, swapping him for Ball’s potential upside on a short-term deal made strategic sense if Ball can stay healthy.
Hornets Acquire Collin Sexton: Zach Kram highlighted Collin Sexton joining the Charlotte Hornets. Kram noted that a trade between low-finishing teams like the Hornets and Jazz might understandably receive little attention. However, for the relatively small cost of center Jusuf Nurkic, Charlotte added a future second-round pick and Sexton. Kram pointed to Sexton’s strong per-36-minute production over the past three seasons (averaging 24 points and 6 assists on good efficiency). In the short term, Sexton adds valuable scoring alongside Brandon Miller and LaMelo Ball. Longer term, his expiring contract makes him a potential asset for a trade deadline move to acquire more draft capital.
Pistons Reshape Backcourt Depth: Bobby Marks pointed to the Detroit Pistons’ strategic pivot in the backcourt. Instead of re-signing Dennis Schroder, Malik Beasley, and Tim Hardaway Jr., Detroit acquired Caris LeVert and Duncan Robinson (via a sign-and-trade from Miami). Marks emphasized that these additions provide Detroit with two players who shot above 37% from three-point range, adding much-needed offensive balance. The team also anticipates the return of Jaden Ivey to replace Schroder; Ivey was averaging career highs in points, field goal percentage, and three-point percentage before a fibula injury in January.
Lakers Sign Jake LaRavia: Kevin Pelton suggested that while some attention has been paid to the Los Angeles Lakers signing Jake LaRavia, the potential upside isn’t discussed enough. Pelton cited statistics showing LaRavia led all players with at least 90 attempts by shooting 46% on above-the-break three-pointers last season, according to The F5 newsletter. While his shot locations might change playing alongside high-usage creators like Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves, Pelton sees this efficiency as an indicator of overall shooting quality. LaRavia also shot well from the corners in his first two seasons (46%) before a dip last season (38%), a shot that should be readily available in the Lakers’ offense.
Teams That Needed to Do More
Not every team was proactive in the first week. Some stood pat, either by design or due to constraints, but insiders felt certain franchises missed opportunities or failed to address clear needs.
Franchises That Could Have Been More Active
Bucks Need a Point Guard: Chris Herring is still waiting for the Milwaukee Bucks to make a significant move at the point guard position following the Lillard waiver. While Kevin Porter Jr. is on the roster, Herring believes he is insufficient if the team aims to convince Giannis Antetokounmpo of its title contention aspirations. He suggested Chris Paul would be an excellent fit if the Bucks could somehow manage to acquire him, though acknowledging the difficulty of such a transaction.
Heat’s Uncertain Direction: Zach Kram noted the Miami Heat’s limited activity, adding only Simone Fontecchio via the Duncan Robinson sign-and-trade. Kram felt Fontecchio was unlikely to make a substantial difference. Coming off a humbling first-round playoff exit where they lost games by an average margin of 30.5 points against Cleveland, Kram argued that the Heat have not demonstrated a clear direction or provided a strong indication of their plans moving forward.
Warriors’ Inactivity: Bobby Marks gave the Golden State Warriors partial credit for trading Jimmy Butler III months prior but criticized their lack of recent activity. Aside from drafting Alex Toohey and Will Richard in the second round, the Warriors remained largely quiet. Marks attributed this inactivity to the holding pattern surrounding restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga’s future and uncertainty regarding their available spending money under the salary cap rules. He noted that signing a player like Al Horford for more than $5.7 million would hard cap the Warriors at the first apron, and they were currently $25 million below that threshold, limiting their flexibility.
Pacers Needed a Center: Kevin Pelton argued the Indiana Pacers should have been more aggressive in securing a center after Myles Turner’s departure. Following Deandre Ayton’s waiver by Portland and subsequent commitment to the Lakers, Pelton noted Al Horford was the only remaining starting-caliber center available. While Indiana added 7’1″ Jay Huff, Pelton felt Huff would be stretched as a starter despite his shooting ability. Pelton concluded that unless Horford unexpectedly joins the Pacers, the team should have done whatever necessary to retain Turner, even if it meant shedding another rotation player to avoid the luxury tax.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were some of the biggest trades and signings in the first week of NBA free agency?
The first week of NBA free agency featured major moves like Kevin Durant being traded to the Houston Rockets in a multi-team deal and Myles Turner signing with the Milwaukee Bucks after they waived Damian Lillard. Other notable transactions included Kristaps Porzingis joining the Atlanta Hawks via trade, Tyus Jones signing with the Orlando Magic, and Dorian Finney-Smith heading to Houston. Several significant under-the-radar deals also took place, including Jordan Clarkson to the Knicks and Collin Sexton to the Hornets.
Which NBA teams did insiders believe made smart moves during the initial free agency period?
According to the ESPN insiders, teams like the Atlanta Hawks were praised for defensive additions like Kristaps Porzingis and strategic draft pick acquisitions. The Houston Rockets were highlighted for acquiring Kevin Durant, instantly boosting their contention status. The San Antonio Spurs’ signing of Luke Kornet was seen as a reliable backup center addition. The Orlando Magic’s addition of point guard Tyus Jones was viewed as a key move to improve their offense and playoff positioning, complementing other strategic depth additions like Noah Penda.
Why might some NBA free agency moves from the first week lead to future regret?
Insiders identified several potentially risky moves. The New Orleans Pelicans trading an unprotected first-round pick to move up in the draft could be regretted due to the strength of the Western Conference. The Milwaukee Bucks’ decisions regarding waiving Damian Lillard and signing Myles Turner were questioned, particularly if the team doesn’t immediately contend, given the long-term financial constraints imposed by the Lillard waiver. Concerns were also raised about Clint Capela’s declining athleticism and fit with the revamped Rockets roster.
Looking Ahead
The first week of NBA free agency ignited the offseason with pivotal moves. While some deals reshaped the championship picture, others were quieter gambles with long-term implications. The insights from league experts provide valuable perspective on which teams positioned themselves well and which might face challenges down the road. As the offseason continues, teams will look to further optimize their rosters, but the initial wave of signings and trades has already laid the groundwork for the exciting season to come.
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