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Kevin Pelton
With the majority of the NBA’s offseason strikes full, it is time to consider how groups did.
As ESPN’s Tim Bontemps and Bobby Marks laid out final week, there are a handful of storylines to watch the rest of the summer, together with the restricted free brokers locked in obvious standoffs with their present groups and potential extensions. It is also potential we might get a shock commerce.
Barring that, a lot of the strikes that can have an effect on the 2025-26 season have already been made, with nearly all the highest unrestricted free brokers having already signed contracts, and blockbuster offers have turned the Houston Rockets and Orlando Magic into contenders of their respective conferences.
My grades aren’t nearly how a lot groups improved or declined, however extra on how nicely they used the instruments at their disposal, with a give attention to free company and trades as a result of the result of the draft is tougher to foretell. Though most groups find yourself within the fats a part of the curve centered on the “B” vary, I did award two A’s — and one F, involving groups on reverse sides of the summer time’s most lopsided commerce.
Groups are listed in alphabetical order.
Bounce to a crew:
ATL | BOS | BKN | CHA | CHI | CLE
DAL | DEN | DET | GS | HOU | IND
LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN
NO | NY | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHX
POR | SAC | SA | TOR | UTA | WAS
Grade: A
The Hawks vaulted themselves into the ranks of legit East threats by nabbing one of many high free brokers to vary groups (former Minnesota Timberwolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker) and including Kristaps Porzingis to provide them extra measurement up entrance. But, the true coup was including the higher of 2026 first-round picks from the Milwaukee Bucks and New Orleans Pelicans on draft night time to maneuver down 10 spots from No. 13 to No. 23.
Even when Atlanta stays caught within the play-in, doubtlessly including one other lottery choose to a core that features 2024 No. 1 choose Zaccharie Risacher is a franchise-changing alternative for a Hawks crew that swapped its personal choose to the San Antonio Spurs within the Dejounte Murray commerce.
1:10
Stephen A.: Celtics ought to discover out if Jaylen Brown is a legit No. 1 choice
Stephen A. Smith explains why the Celtics ought to take an opportunity on their present roster and see if Jaylen Brown generally is a true No. 1 choice with Jayson Tatum sidelined.
Grade: C
The upside is the Celtics managed to steadiness their books with out giving up any future first-round picks, getting beneath the second apron with a believable path to avoiding the tax altogether in a spot yr following Jayson Tatum‘s Achilles rupture. The draw back is Boston shed a large quantity of expertise, together with everybody taller than 6-foot-8 who performed a minimum of 13 minutes within the 2025 playoffs. The Celtics will likely be challenged to replenish their frontcourt depth and, crucially, the flexibility misplaced with Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis.
Grade: C-
Given the Nets’ commanding place as the one crew with greater than $30 million in cap house this summer time, their return has been underwhelming. Brooklyn did web a 2032 unprotected first-rounder from Denver and may hope to rehabilitate Michael Porter Jr.’s worth. The Nets additionally landed the No. 22 choose with Terance Mann previous to the draft, however conserving all 5 first-round picks and utilizing them largely on gamers whose video games do not appear complementary was complicated. Brooklyn nonetheless can create $20-plus million in cap house, and we’ll see whether or not extra offers materialize earlier than coaching camp.
Grade: B-
The Hornets must be extra aggressive in 2025-26 after discovering playmakers to complement LaMelo Ball. Charlotte’s offense collapsed with out Ball final season, which does not determine to proceed with the additions of veterans Spencer Dinwiddie and Collin Sexton and the return of Tre Mann. And No. 4 choose Kon Knueppel, MVP of the summer time league championship sport, ought to assist the Hornets’ capturing instantly.
Grade: C-
I appreciated the Bulls bringing again Tre Jones on a three-year, $24 million contract with a crew choice on the ultimate season. Chicago might additionally get extra out of wing Isaac Okoro after getting him from Cleveland for Ball. Nonetheless, the Bulls should not be content material with largely staying the course after three consecutive play-in losses. And though I am excessive on No. 12 choose Noa Essengue, Chicago would have been higher off making the identical draft-night deal Atlanta did with New Orleans.
Grade: B
We’ll see how a lot the Cavaliers get from Lonzo Ball, restricted to 35 video games final season by wrist accidents after two and a half years off the courtroom as a consequence of his left knee. Ball was a low-cost pickup for Cleveland to assist change Ty Jerome, misplaced to assist handle the Cavaliers’ sizeable tax invoice. So too was bringing again Larry Nance Jr. as a 3rd heart. Regardless of the lack of Jerome, Cleveland seems to be like the favourite to win the East.
Grade: B-
Dallas would not get credit score for selecting Cooper Flagg, a transfer any crew would have made after successful the lottery. The Mavericks did nicely in touchdown D’Angelo Russell, armed solely with their taxpayer midlevel in free company after agreeing to a brand new contract with a smaller beginning wage for injured level guard Kyrie Irving. However Dallas nonetheless has a surplus in its frontcourt, having opted to not make any trades involving veteran gamers to this point. That seemingly pushes Flagg and P.J. Washington Jr. to perimeter roles.
Grade: A-
After the mud cleared, Denver’s offseason resulted within the strongest Nuggets crew on paper since they received the 2023 title, highlighted by swapping Michael Porter Jr. for Cameron Johnson at the price of a worthwhile 2032 unprotected first-rounder. The payroll flexibility the deal created helped the Nuggets heist Jonas Valanciunas from the Kings, shedding little-used Dario Saric. And Denver beefed up its perimeter depth by signing Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr. to minimal contracts.
Grade: C
The Pistons’ offseason modified dramatically when ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that guard Malik Beasley was under investigation by federal authorities in connection with a gambling probe. After All-Star Cade Cunningham, Beasley might need been Detroit’s second-best participant final season, and the late pivot restricted the Pistons’ choices to exchange him in free company. They landed Duncan Robinson to produce the capturing Beasley offered and Caris LeVert for shot creation off the bench, however the result’s seemingly a weaker Detroit second unit.
Grade: Incomplete
Having merely added a pair of picks within the 50s (Will Richard and Alex Toohey), the Warriors are unattainable to guage till they determine the standing of restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga. If Golden State certainly indicators veteran heart Al Horford and brings again guard De’Anthony Melton, as ESPN’s Anthony Slater reported is possible, that might be a stable summer time to construct on final season’s sturdy end after the Jimmy Butler commerce. For now, all of that is still on maintain.
1:40
Will the Rockets be the very best crew KD’s performed for?
Ramona Shelburne and Tim Bontemps break down why the Rockets are the very best match for Kevin Durant.
Grade: A
No crew did extra to enhance its possibilities on the 2026 title than the Rockets, who added two-time Finals MVP Kevin Durant with out sacrificing depth within the course of. Give Houston credit score for pouncing at an inexpensive commerce for Durant, then utilizing a team-friendly contract for Fred VanVleet (two years, $50 million) to entry the non-taxpayer midlevel exception. That allowed the Rockets so as to add confirmed 3-and-D wing Dorian Finney-Smith to assist change departed Dillon Brooks.
Grade: D
It is potential we’ll look again and suppose the Pacers have been higher off not paying Myles Turner by his mid-30s, however there aren’t any banners for fiscal duty and Indiana misplaced a key piece to a beginning 5 that relied extra on match than sheer expertise. The Pacers haven’t any clear substitute for Turner. Though I appreciated taking a flyer on Jay Huff, who has an analogous talent set, anticipating him to start out after falling out of Memphis’ playoff rotation is unrealistic. Indiana’s different conventional facilities — Tony Bradley, Isaiah Jackson and James Wiseman — are additionally profession backups.
Grade: B+
There are issues concerning the Clippers’ age after including veterans Chris Paul (40), Brook Lopez (37) and Bradley Beal (32). For the Clippers to land all three armed solely with the non-taxpayer midlevel exception, nevertheless, is a win. The Clippers bolstered their depth within the quick time period and added measurement with a commerce for John Collins whereas maintaining a tally of cap house potentialities as quickly as subsequent summer time, with 2027 a extra seemingly goal to retool the roster with youthful expertise.
Grade: B
The Lakers are an fascinating distinction to their crosstown rivals’ offseason. Constructing round 26-year-old Luka Doncic, the Lakers added Jake LaRavia, 23, the youngest unrestricted free agent to vary groups for greater than the minimal, plus Deandre Ayton, who just lately turned 27. Marcus Smart, 31, is the Lakers’ oldest newcomer. The Lakers’ additions weren’t as efficient final season because the Clippers’, however the brand new Lakers stand a greater probability of being long-term contributors.
The largest query concerning the Lakers’ offseason is what that strategy means for 40-year-old celebrity LeBron James. Nevertheless, James has little leverage after exercising his participant choice. It is extra essential for the Lakers to influence Doncic to signal an extension when he turns into eligible this weekend.
Grade: B
The Grizzlies may take a step again in a loaded West after buying and selling beginning guard Desmond Bane, however long run, Memphis was smart to get 4 first-round picks in return, together with a coveted 2026 choose most probably from the Phoenix Suns. Including Jerome on a price contract helps change Bane’s capturing and shot creation, and the Grizzlies have been capable of signal Jaren Jackson Jr. to an extension that pays him lower than he might have made subsequent summer time as an unrestricted free agent.
Grade: B+
It was an opportunistic offseason for the Warmth, who took benefit of the cash saved by swapping Duncan Robinson for Simone Fontecchio to transform gamers on the fringes of their rotation into Norman Powell, who scored 21.8 factors per sport for the Clippers final season. Powell helps change among the scoring misplaced with Jimmy Butler’s February departure and retains Miami’s books clear — for now — because the crew eyes 2027 cap house.
Grade: C+
No, the Bucks stretching Damian Lillard‘s wage over the subsequent 5 years to create cap room and signal Myles Turner away from the Pacers — the highest participant to vary groups in free company — is not more likely to end in Milwaukee contending. But it surely a minimum of offers the Bucks an opportunity this season, with an influence vacuum within the East as a consequence of accidents and Giannis Antetokounmpo nonetheless enjoying at a top-five stage. Milwaukee did inventive work to carry again the remainder of final season’s core, albeit at the price of handing out participant choices like celebration favors. A whopping 5 Bucks bought 2026-27 choices, which might complicate subsequent summer time’s roster constructing.
Grade: B-
After buying and selling Cities, the Timberwolves have been capable of handle their payroll to carry again the majority of the crew that has reached the previous two convention finals. A brand new contract for Julius Randle pays him and Donte DiVincenzo a mixed $43 million, far lower than the $53 million Cities will make. Minnesota did should let Alexander-Walker depart by way of sign-and-trade, opting as a substitute to prioritize 2023-24 Sixth Man Award winner Naz Reid. Reid’s five-year, $125 million contract might be an overpay if he’s unable to develop past a bench function.
Grade: F
The Hawks-Pelicans draft-night swap was seemingly probably the most lopsided transaction of the summer time. It might repay for New Orleans, but it surely was far too dangerous to be wise — notably within the context of the Pelicans’ different strikes. New Orleans is betting on Jordan Poole being a playoff-caliber place to begin guard and has overloaded its depth chart at heart by drafting Derik Queen and signing veteran Kevon Looney. Simply three West groups have longer odds of winning the conference at ESPN BET, and the Pelicans traded away their security web now that they now not management their 2026 first-round choose.
Grade: B
After including Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns final offseason, the Knicks had restricted room to maneuver this summer time. Getting Guerschon Yabusele to take ever so barely lower than the whole lot of their taxpayer midlevel exception allowed New York to improve its second-unit frontcourt and nonetheless fill out its bench with veterans minimal contracts. A kind of veterans, Jordan Clarkson — signed after reaching a buyout with the Utah Jazz — offers the Knicks extra athleticism off the bench than unsigned backup guards Cameron Payne and Landry Shamet.
Grade: B+
The defending champs return each participant who noticed a minimum of 50 minutes of motion throughout the 2025 playoffs, so the true work for the Thunder entrance workplace was securing long-term extensions for stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams. A supermax deal for Gilgeous-Alexander and max offers for Holmgren and Williams will power powerful decisions for Oklahoma Metropolis, however the Thunder did nicely to signal Holmgren to a deal locked in at 25% of the 2026-27 cap and keep away from giving Williams a participant choice on his extension.
Grade: B
Dealing for Bane seems to be higher for Orlando within the wake of the East opening up. The Magic have a practical probability to say home-court benefit within the first spherical for the primary time since 2011. Orlando getting backup level guard Tyus Jones on a one-year, $7 million deal was additionally a pleasant add. The Magic can have way more backcourt cowl after going 21-26 within the 47 video games starter Jalen Suggs missed final season.
Grade: C
After final summer time was highlighted by signing nine-time All-Star Paul George — an addition that went south — maybe a quiet offseason is for the very best. Nonetheless, it is stunning Philadelphia is bringing again 10 gamers from final season’s roster, with restricted free agent Quentin Grimes more likely to carry that complete to 11. The 76ers are relying on higher well being and improved frontcourt depth fairly than making vital adjustments to the roster.
Grade: C+
Like Milwaukee, Phoenix put a large quantity of lifeless wage on its books with a buyout for the ultimate two years of Bradley Beal’s contract. After dealing Kevin Durant, the Suns cannot realistically contend. Even making the playoffs will likely be a stretch within the West. However they’ve flipped their roster in a youthful course with three 2025 draft picks — having began the summer time with none — and 23-year-old heart Mark Williams, acquired by way of commerce.
1:23
Does Damian Lillard’s return change Blazers’ outlook this season?
Brian Windhorst would not see the Portland Path Blazers making the playoffs this season regardless of their offseason strikes.
Grade: C
It was an eventful summer time for the Blazers, who dealt for Jrue Holiday, made the draft’s most fascinating choose in Chinese language heart Yang Hansen and reunited with franchise icon Damian Lillard. Including two veteran All-Star guards might crowd Portland’s backcourt when Lillard returns from an Achilles rupture, seemingly in 2026-27. And the Blazers nonetheless have not discovered a brand new house for ahead Jerami Grant, who was surpassed within the rotation final season by youthful Deni Avdija and Toumani Camara.
Grade: D+
A curious offseason did not appear to maneuver the Kings nearer to a playoff return. Prioritizing level guard after buying and selling De’Aaron Fox in February was affordable, however Sacramento gave Dennis Schroder a three-year, $45 million deal that may not age nicely given Schroder’s reliance on quickness. That deal pressured the Kings to swap Jonas Valanciunas for Dario Saric, who barely performed final season, to remain out of the posh tax. Sacramento might need been higher off concentrating on a degree guard on a less expensive deal, equivalent to Tre Jones, or letting Valanciunas depart for a reported supply from Greek energy Olympiacos and getting out of his deal altogether.
Grade: B
The Spurs do not get bonus factors for leaping as much as No. 2 within the lottery and drafting Rutgers guard Dylan Harper. Nevertheless, San Antonio did do nicely upgrading its frontcourt with veterans Luke Kornet and Kelly Olynyk. With a coaching camp to combine De’Aaron Fox and Victor Wembanyama‘s speedy development, the Spurs ought to enhance this season and nonetheless have the draft picks to make one other massive swing to construct out their core.
Grade: C-
A deadline deal for Brandon Ingram turned out to be Toronto’s massive offseason transfer. Given how little cap house was obtainable, Ingram was smart to lock in a three-year, $120 million deal after the commerce. Over the tax line, the Raptors merely swapped out unsigned Chris Boucher for Sandro Mamukelashvili and drafted Collin Murray-Boyles at No. 9. The result’s a roster that also would not appear like a top-six crew within the East with restricted monetary flexibility, notably after a wealthy extension for heart Jakob Poeltl.
Grade: C
After hiring Austin Ainge as president of basketball operations, the Jazz firmly picked a course. Utah despatched out veterans Clarkson, Collins and Sexton, which means they’re going to now not seem on prolonged harm studies to create enjoying time for Utah’s younger expertise. The Jazz seemingly waited too lengthy to maneuver on from Clarkson and Sexton, forcing Utah to surrender a second-round choose within the course of. Nonetheless forward: a key determination on heart Walker Kessler, who’s eligible for a rookie extension by October.
Grade: B
A sequence of trades cleaned up Washington’s books for enormous cap house in summer time 2026 whereas additionally taking low-cost fliers on latest first-round picks. Together with this yr’s picks Tre Johnson and Will Riley, the Wizards now have an unbelievable 10 gamers drafted within the first spherical since 2023. Corey Kispert is the one veteran Washington has beneath contract for 2026-27, which means the Wizards might have $80 million in cap house after buying and selling Jordan Poole for CJ McCollum‘s expiring contract.