NBA Offseason 2025: How Close Is Each Team to a Title?

Oklahoma City is loaded with assets. They just won their first title with a roster where no player is older than 31 and only two are over 27. They also have 15 players under contract, with two more first-round picks arriving in this year`s draft, meaning they`ll need to clear roster spots this summer. Crucially, Oklahoma City secured the Larry O`Brien Trophy without paying the luxury tax and won`t pay it next season either. This allows them to accumulate savings for the future as the roster becomes expensive. Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren are eligible for rookie extensions this summer, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander can sign a massive future supermax extension.

The Cavaliers had an excellent regular season, achieving the second-highest win total in franchise history, but then underperformed in their Eastern Conference semifinal loss to the Pacers. While this series exposed some weaknesses, the avenues to address them are limited. Cleveland needs to decide on Ty Jerome, who is due a significant raise from his $2.5 million salary this season. The same applies to Sam Merrill ($2.1 million). Unless the Cavaliers make trades, they will largely rely on the same roster next season.

The Knicks made their first major offseason move by dismissing coach Tom Thibodeau, despite reaching the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in 25 years. Finding a new coaching voice is accompanied by the challenge of improving the roster. With strategic financial maneuvering, New York should be able to use the $5.6 million taxpayer`s midlevel exception and remain below the second apron. Can they acquire a game-changing player with this? And can they add more depth beyond their top seven players, leveraging New York`s appeal, a contending environment, and playing time for minimum-contract players? Alternatively, will they attempt a bigger move, trading key players from their top seven for a star? A potential Mikal Bridges extension also needs consideration. Moving on from Thibodeau indicates New York`s ambition extends beyond just being good; they`ve made it clear only a 2026 Finals appearance will be considered a success next season.

Had it not been for a stunning fourth-quarter performance by Thunder guard Luguentz Dort in Game 5 of the conference semifinals, Denver might be celebrating a second title in three years. Instead, the Nuggets are grappling with a second consecutive seven-game exit in the second round. The immediate priority is determining who will lead the front office after David Adelman was officially retained as coach. Whoever is hired as general manager will face immediate roster decisions. First, Denver needs to see if they can sign Christian Braun, one of the league`s promising young guards, to a contract extension. Beyond that, the Nuggets will aim to improve their roster with limited assets to challenge OKC for Western Conference supremacy.

Following a tremendous season where the Rockets finished second in the conference and lost a tough seven-game series to the Warriors in the first round, it became evident Houston needed offensive upgrades. How about landing Kevin Durant? That`s precisely what the Rockets did hours before Sunday`s Game 7, acquiring the future Hall of Famer in exchange for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and the No. 10 pick in this year`s draft. This move positions the Rockets to be players if another star becomes available later this offseason or next year. While Fred VanVleet has a $44 million team option for next season, expect him to remain in Houston, either on that deal or a new one.

Achieving back-to-back conference finals appearances is certainly cause for celebration in the Twin Cities. However, as Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez take full ownership this summer, several major decisions loom. Will Tim Connelly, who has a contract opt-out, continue to lead the franchise? What will happen with pending unrestricted free agents Julius Randle and Naz Reid – both with player options for next season – and Nickeil Alexander-Walker? Connelly expressed optimism at his end-of-season media session that all three would return, and Minnesota cannot afford to regress in the competitive Western Conference.

Few offseasons in NBA history have been more compelling than the one awaiting the Celtics. Due to Jayson Tatum`s left Achilles tear, a team that has dominated the East for nearly a decade faces significant uncertainty as new owner Bill Chisholm prepares to take over this summer. Even before Tatum`s injury, there were doubts Boston would assemble the first $500 million roster in NBA history. That now seems impossible. How Boston approaches this summer could be the league`s most impactful decision, given its potential ripple effects. Then there`s the future of franchise veteran Al Horford. In light of Tatum`s injury, could Horford choose to play elsewhere? If so, his stretch-big skill set would fit any contending team, and he has demonstrated he remains highly effective even at 39 years old.

Following their remarkable run to the NBA Finals, falling just short of the franchise`s first championship, the focus shifts to Tyrese Haliburton`s recovery from the right Achilles injury sustained early in Game 7. Indiana demonstrated resilience in the playoffs, but if Haliburton misses the entire next season, it`s difficult to envision the Pacers replicating this year`s success. Meanwhile, they must decide on Myles Turner, the top available free agent center and a crucial component of Indiana`s five-out offense. The Pacers are expected to re-sign Turner; the question is whether they will enter the luxury tax to do so.

Similar to the Celtics, the Bucks face a decision that could have league-wide implications: What does Giannis Antetokounmpo`s future in Milwaukee look like? After 12 seasons with the franchise, there are legitimate questions about the Bucks` competitiveness next season following Damian Lillard`s left Achilles tear. The expectation is that the Bucks aim to get out of the luxury tax after incurring significant costs in recent years, potentially meaning franchise veteran and unrestricted free agent Brook Lopez could be too expensive to retain.

After acquiring Jimmy Butler III at the trade deadline, Golden State managed to win a playoff round before Stephen Curry was injured and the Timberwolves eliminated the Warriors in five games in Round 2. Now, the focus shifts to what will likely be another busy summer in the Bay Area, starting with complex negotiations for restricted free agent forward Jonathan Kuminga. Golden State will likely either bring him back on a new deal or execute a sign-and-trade to acquire reinforcements. Each path presents different levels of difficulty. Regardless, the Warriors must find ways to upgrade the roster to keep pace in the highly competitive Western Conference.

The Clippers exceeded expectations this season, finishing fifth in the West and pushing the Nuggets to seven games in a thrilling first-round series. LA`s top priorities? Resolving James Harden`s future, who holds a $36.3 million player option, and deciding whether to extend Norman Powell, who is coming off the best season of his career. (Powell has a $20.4 million expiring contract in 2025-26.) The Clippers could also have most of the full midlevel exception available or use that salary flexibility for trade acquisitions.

Summer is never dull for the Lakers, and this year is no exception. Not only did the Lakers just sell for a record $10 billion, but the franchise is awaiting another free agency decision from LeBron James. Now 40, he can opt into his $52.6 million player option for next season with an extension, opt in without an extension, or opt out and sign a new contract. (Forward Dorian Finney-Smith faces the same three choices with his own $15.3 million option.) Meanwhile, Luka Doncic could choose to sign an extension or leave the Lakers in limbo until next summer. Austin Reaves can agree to an extension off his $13.9 million contract. And finally: After declining to complete the Mark Williams trade in February, can the Lakers acquire a rim-running center for Doncic?

The Pistons, who won a playoff game for the first time since 2008, have two distinct paths they can take. Assuming they re-sign unrestricted free agents Tim Hardaway Jr., Malik Beasley, and Dennis Schroder, they will operate as an over-the-tax team and aim to bolster their roster with the full midlevel exception or via trade this summer. The alternative? Let those players go, clear cap space, and pursue a free agent—potentially a floor-spacing big to create more room for All-NBA guard Cade Cunningham to operate. Either way, after general manager Trajan Langdon`s first season focused on building a solid ecosystem around Cunningham and helping him elevate his game, expect that to be Detroit`s guiding principle this summer.

After years of inactivity under president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman, Orlando went all-in by sending four first-round picks plus a swap to Memphis in last week`s surprising trade for guard Desmond Bane. Bane, an excellent shooter who can also create his own shot and isn`t a defensive liability, is a perfect fit for a Magic roster that desperately needed offense after ranking last in 3-point shooting this season. Bane enhances Orlando without sacrificing their defensive identity and will slot alongside Jalen Suggs, Paolo Banchero (eligible for a max extension this summer), and Franz Wagner as Orlando`s core moving forward. However, trades like this are typically made with the belief they make you a true contender for the NBA Finals. Given Orlando hasn`t won a playoff series since 2010, that`s a high bar to clear.

Having traded for De`Aaron Fox in February and then securing the second pick in this week`s NBA draft, San Antonio will be central to any discussions about stars changing teams this summer, potentially pairing one with rising superstar Victor Wembanyama. The Spurs believe Wembanyama will be healthy to start the season after his campaign was cut short due to a deep vein thrombosis diagnosis. The other question in San Antonio: What will Chris Paul do after a very successful first season with the Spurs?

What a tumultuous journey for Dallas. The Mavericks shocked the league by trading Luka Doncic in February, only to shock it again by jumping from 11th to first in the draft lottery last month, securing the right to draft another phenom in Cooper Flagg. With Flagg set to anchor the franchise for the next decade, the Mavs must figure out what to do with Kyrie Irving, who will miss at least most of next season with a torn left ACL and has a $42.9 million player option. Although Irving is expected back, Dallas desperately needs more ball-handling, especially while he is sidelined.

After a disappointing final few months of the season, culminating in the firing of coach Taylor Jenkins and a playoff sweep by the Thunder, the first priority in Memphis is determining if Jaren Jackson Jr. can secure a new extension. Jackson is on an expiring $23.4 million deal, far below his current market value, meaning Memphis will need to renegotiate and extend the former Defensive Player of the Year to reach a deal. This is why the Grizzlies moved Marcus Smart during the season. Memphis has hoped to lock up Jackson. Assuming they do, they also need to decide the future of restricted free agent Santi Aldama and guard Luke Kennard.

Any predictions for Philadelphia are contingent on Joel Embiid`s health, which remains a significant question mark. Philly hopes to get close to full strength from Embiid next season, as well as a better version of Paul George and a healthy Jared McCain, after the rookie standout was sidelined with a left meniscus injury in December. The 76ers had a positive start to their offseason by jumping to third in the lottery, thus retaining their top-six protected pick.

After firing GM Landry Fields in April and promoting Onsi Saleh to run basketball operations, the initial question for owner Tony Ressler and the Hawks is whether they will hire a president of basketball operations above Saleh. (Ressler has stated clearly – a year after hiring Saleh from Golden State – that Saleh will play a major role in the organization going forward.) Once that is settled, a crucial offseason awaits the Hawks, beginning with a decision on franchise player Trae Young. With one year left on his contract before a player option for the 2026-27 season, will Atlanta sign him to a long-term extension or potentially look to move him? Beyond that, there`s an interesting extension discussion ahead for guard Dyson Daniels, who won the Most Improved Player Award after coming over in the Dejounte Murray trade last summer. The Hawks also have decisions regarding unrestricted free agents Caris LeVert and Larry Nance Jr.

No team is more stuck than the Bulls, who enter the summer with most of their roster under contract but facing significant decisions – starting with restricted free agent Josh Giddey, acquired for Alex Caruso last summer. Giddey is expected to command a large contract. Are the Bulls willing to pay him? Coby White has outperformed his contract to the point where an extension off his $12.9 million seems unlikely. Does that make him a trade candidate? The Bulls have almost no money committed for the 2026-27 season, but a Giddey extension would quickly change that.

With the Butler saga reportedly behind them, what will it take for the Heat to reclaim their status as a top-tier team in the East after hovering around the play-in spots? Rookie Kel’el Ware had an impressive season, and he, Tyler Herro, and Bam Adebayo provide young building blocks moving forward. But how Miami will improve isn`t clear. A decision needs to be made on Duncan Robinson, who has $9.8 million of his $19.8 million expiring contract guaranteed until early July. The Heat could also preserve significant cap space for the summer of 2026, when a more active free agent class might be available.

New lead executive Joe Dumars has work ahead this summer. The Pelicans will likely be without Dejounte Murray for the entire next season after he tore his right Achilles tendon, meaning the team is expected to be deep in the lottery again. With Zion Williamson representing the team at this year`s lottery, what does that signal for his future in New Orleans? He has three years remaining on his contract. Does New Orleans continue building around this young core of Williamson, Murray, Trey Murphy III, and Herbert Jones, or begin moving in a different direction?

The first move of the Suns` new era, directed by lead executive Brian Gregory and coach Jordan Ott, was sending Kevin Durant to the Rockets hours before Game 7 of the NBA Finals. Although Houston received Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and the 10th pick in Wednesday`s draft, the deal won`t be official until July 6. By then, expect the Suns to look significantly different. Devin Booker is due a massive two-year extension next month, but sources indicate the Suns are expected to be aggressive in retooling the roster around him to get Phoenix back into the playoff picture. This won`t be easy: The skill sets of Green, Booker, and Bradley Beal—who still has his no-trade clause—overlap, and there are limited mechanisms for the Suns (who remain exceptionally expensive) to improve.

New lead executive Scott Perry inherits an unbalanced Kings roster. Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Malik Monk all have overlapping skill sets, and the De`Aaron Fox trade left the team without an obvious point guard option on the roster. Perry faces an interesting decision on Keon Ellis, who has a $2.3 million team option and has developed into a promising 3-and-D guard, a necessary piece for a roster lacking defensive options. The Fox trade seemed like the first step in a two-step process; while Perry didn`t make the first move, it will be up to him to make the second.

President of basketball operations Masai Ujiri declared Toronto would not be rebuilding indefinitely, and the Raptors have adhered to that vision, quickly overhauling the roster in 18 months. Now, they are nearing the luxury tax and will face intriguing decisions this summer after trading for Brandon Ingram and signing him to an extension in February. Due to a left ankle sprain that kept him out for the rest of the season, we never saw what this Raptors group looked like playing together after the trade.

The Hornets had hoped to move up in the lottery to secure either Cooper Flagg or Dylan Harper in the draft but instead fell to seventh. After Mark Williams was traded to Los Angeles – and then wasn`t – back in February, those extension negotiations will be very interesting. As long as the franchise remains near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, there will at least be questions about Charlotte`s long-term direction and what that means for star guard LaMelo Ball. Veterans Miles Bridges ($25 million this year, $22.8 million next year) and Jusuf Nurkic (expiring $19.3 million) could also potentially be traded. They also must decide on restricted free agent Tre Mann after he missed most of the season with a back injury.

A lot is happening in Portland. The team is now up for sale, and after a strong finish to the season, both general manager Joe Cronin and coach Chauncey Billups received extensions. But where does Portland go from here? Anfernee Simons is on an expiring contract; does he get an extension, or is he potentially traded? What about Deandre Ayton, who is on a $35 million expiring contract and remains an impediment to giving last year`s seventh overall pick, Donovan Clingan, a full opportunity as the team`s starting center?

The Nets, like several other teams, hoped for favorable lottery luck. Instead, they dropped two spots to eighth. They enter the summer with the most cap space in the league but limited valuable players to spend it on. They also possess numerous picks, but it makes more sense for this team to struggle for one more season and utilize its own draft pick (the rights to which they reacquired from Houston in the Mikal Bridges trade last year). Still, the Nets could opt to use their cap space to accelerate the rebuild this summer, use it to absorb bad contracts for additional assets, or employ a combination of both strategies. Moving their two veterans under contract, Nic Claxton and Cameron Johnson, is also a possibility.

After signing coach Will Hardy to a long-term extension and hiring Austin Ainge away from the Boston Celtics to be the team`s president of basketball operations, Utah`s leadership is set for years to come. Now comes the difficult part: beginning to build this roster into a contender in the ruthless Western Conference. Step 1 in that plan? Deciding what to do with Lauri Markkanen. After last year`s attempt to tank for Flagg failed, could Markkanen be traded to acquire more assets and align the team around its young players – including the fifth pick in this year`s draft – going forward? Veterans John Collins, Collin Sexton, and Jordan Clarkson also have a combined $60 million in expiring deals that could be utilized in various ways.

Another team that missed out on lottery luck, the Wizards can at least point to young players like Bilal Coulibaly, Alex Sarr, Bub Carrington, and Kyshawn George gaining valuable experience as part of Washington`s season among the league`s worst. But don`t expect a dramatically different strategy in D.C. next season, as the young players will continue to get significant playing time, veterans like Marcus Smart and his expiring $21 million could be used to bring back more assets in deals, and the Wizards will likely remain in contention for one of the league`s three worst records again.