The initial week of NBA free agency brought significant developments and strategic decisions for teams across the league. Notable moves included Kevin Durant joining the Houston Rockets, Myles Turner`s divisional switch to the Milwaukee Bucks (a move that necessitated waiving Damian Lillard), and smart acquisitions by teams like the Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks, and Orlando Magic aimed at boosting their playoff prospects for the 2025-26 season.
Which deals stood out most to NBA insiders? Which trades and signings raised eyebrows? Which moves could influence the path to the NBA Finals? A panel of ESPN experts offers their breakdown of the flurry of activity that kicked off the summer.
My favorite move of the offseason has been _____.
- Chris Herring: The Atlanta Hawks landing Kristaps Porzingis in a three-team deal. Atlanta needed defensive help around Trae Young, and Porzingis, a strong rim protector when healthy, fits that need on a reasonable deal. The addition of Nickeil Alexander-Walker also strengthens the team.
- Zach Kram: The Rockets` trade for Kevin Durant. While obvious, it addressed their main weakness with a top-tier solution at a bargain price, instantly elevating Houston from a developing team to a legitimate championship contender.
- Bobby Marks: Luke Kornet signing with the San Antonio Spurs. His four-year, $41 million contract provides San Antonio with a reliable backup for Victor Wembanyama and another skilled big man to potentially play alongside him.
- Kevin Pelton: The Hawks acquiring the better 2026 first-round pick from either Milwaukee or New Orleans by moving down just 10 spots in this year`s draft. This deal has the potential to net Atlanta a pick as good as, or better than, the one they gave up, with significant upside.
One move that will impact the run to the Finals is _____.
- Chris Herring: The Knicks` acquisition of Jordan Clarkson via buyout. New York, facing salary constraints, gained a skilled scorer and playmaker on a minimum deal, lessening the ball-handling load on Jalen Brunson. This also allowed them to use their midlevel exception on Guerschon Yabusele.
- Zach Kram: Brook Lopez signing a two-year deal to be the LA Clippers` backup center. The Clippers struggled significantly when starter Ivica Zubac was off the court last season. Lopez, a strong rim protector and floor spacer, can help the team maintain stability during those minutes.
- Bobby Marks: The Magic signing Tyus Jones to a one-year, $7 million contract. This move adds one of the league`s best facilitators to an Orlando offense that ranked last in assists last season, potentially positioning them to contend in the Eastern Conference.
- Kevin Pelton: Houston signing Dorian Finney-Smith. Finney-Smith is a playoff-tested player who adds valuable depth and defensive capability, helping to compensate for the depth lost in the trade for Kevin Durant and bolstering the Rockets for a potential deep playoff run.
One move a team might regret by Christmas is _____.
- Chris Herring: The New Orleans Pelicans giving up their unprotected first-round pick in last month`s draft. In the challenging Western Conference, it`s hard to see the Pelicans avoiding the lottery unless they make significant further improvements, making the decision to trade the pick potentially regrettable sooner rather than later.
- Zach Kram: The Bucks` decision to waive and stretch Damian Lillard for Myles Turner. If Milwaukee isn`t a clear contender by Christmas, the long-term financial flexibility sacrificed by stretching Lillard`s contract will be questioned, especially given the team`s current lack of perimeter talent.
- Bobby Marks: The process behind the Lillard waiver by the Bucks. While waiving and stretching Lillard was likely a last resort, spending the resulting $27 million in cap space on a single player (Turner), rather than potentially splitting it among multiple players to address the team`s depth needs, might prove suboptimal.
- Kevin Pelton: The Houston Rockets potentially keeping Clint Capela. With the additions of Durant and Finney-Smith improving their frontcourt depth, Capela might be one big man too many, especially considering concerns about his declining athleticism impacting his efficiency.
One deal no one is talking about is _____.
- Chris Herring: The Isaac Okoro-Lonzo Ball swap, which brought Ball to Cleveland. As the Cavaliers needed a ball handler and likely wouldn`t retain Ty Jerome, acquiring Ball on an expiring, low-cost deal represents a low-risk, high-reward move if he can stay healthy, despite his recent injury history.
- Zach Kram: Collin Sexton joining the Charlotte Hornets. For the small cost of Jusuf Nurkic, Charlotte acquired Sexton, a productive scorer and playmaker, and a future second-round pick. Sexton adds immediate scoring alongside Brandon Miller and LaMelo Ball and could become a valuable trade asset later.
- Bobby Marks: The Detroit Pistons` pivot to sign Caris LeVert and acquire Duncan Robinson. Moving away from other guard options, Detroit added LeVert and Robinson, two players who shoot well from three, providing better shooting and offensive balance alongside Jaden Ivey, who was performing strongly before injury last season.
- Kevin Pelton: The Lakers signing Jake LaRavia. While perhaps discussed, his upside, particularly as a shooter from specific areas on the court, might be underestimated. He`s shown strong efficiency from the corners and above the break, areas where the Lakers` primary creators can set him up effectively.
One team that should have made a bigger splash is _____.
- Chris Herring: The Milwaukee Bucks. After waiving Lillard, they still have a significant need for a point guard beyond Kevin Porter Jr. To genuinely contend and satisfy Giannis Antetokounmpo, acquiring a veteran like Chris Paul (if possible) would be a impactful move they still need to make.
- Zach Kram: The Miami Heat. Following a decisive first-round playoff exit, the Heat have been notably quiet, adding only Simone Fontecchio via trade. Their inactivity leaves their direction unclear and doesn`t address the need for significant improvement after last season`s performance.
- Bobby Marks: Golden State. While they made a move months ago, their subsequent inactivity has been surprising, largely due to the restricted free agency status of Jonathan Kuminga and their salary cap concerns. Their limited transactions reflect a team in a holding pattern rather than aggressively improving.
- Kevin Pelton: The Indiana Pacers. After waiving Deandre Ayton (who went to the Lakers), Al Horford is the only available starting-caliber center. While they added Jay Huff, the Pacers might regret not doing more to retain Myles Turner, even if it meant sacrificing another player to manage the luxury tax, as they now lack a clear starting big man option.
