The initial week of NBA free agency delivered significant developments. Kevin Durant`s move to the Houston Rockets is now confirmed. Myles Turner made a surprising divisional switch, joining the Milwaukee Bucks, a move that necessitated waiving Damian Lillard to free up cap space. Additionally, the Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks, and Orlando Magic executed clever acquisitions positioning them for potential playoff contention in the 2025-26 season. We asked our panel of ESPN NBA insiders – Chris Herring, Zach Kram, Bobby Marks, and Kevin Pelton – to analyze these initial summer transactions. They discuss which deals stood out, which were questionable, and which could influence the championship picture.
My favorite move of the offseason has been _____.
Chris Herring: My top move is the Atlanta Hawks acquiring Kristaps Porzingis through a three-team trade involving the Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets. Atlanta significantly needed defensive improvement around Trae Young for high-level competition. Last season, the addition of Dyson Daniels was a step, and securing Porzingis—one of the NBA`s top rim protectors when healthy—on a reasonable contract is another major stride. The acquisition of Nickeil Alexander-Walker also strengthens the Hawks.
Zach Kram: The trade that brought Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets. While perhaps an obvious choice, it remains my favorite because the Rockets addressed their primary weakness with one of the best possible solutions, and they did so at a favorable price. This trade immediately transformed the Rockets from an exciting young team into a legitimate championship threat.
Bobby Marks: Luke Kornet signing with the San Antonio Spurs. Leading up to June 30th, team executives consistently wondered where Kornet would land. The answer came with his agreement on a four-year, $41 million contract with the Spurs. His nearly $9 million salary in the initial year is equivalent to his entire career earnings since 2017. Beyond the finances, Kornet provides San Antonio with a dependable backup for Victor Wembanyama and another towering center (over 7 feet) they can potentially pair together.
Kevin Pelton: The Atlanta Hawks` move to acquire the better of the 2026 first-round picks from either Milwaukee or New Orleans, in exchange for moving down only 10 spots on the first night of this year`s draft. Although the Pelicans might be healthier next season, making the Western Conference playoffs is challenging. This gives the Hawks an excellent opportunity to secure a draft pick equal to or better than the No. 13 pick they traded, with the potential upside of a top-four selection.
One move that will impact the run to the Finals is _____.
Chris Herring: The New York Knicks acquiring Jordan Clarkson after his buyout agreement with the Utah Jazz. Operating near the second apron, the Knicks got a significant advantage by landing him for the veteran`s minimum after he cleared waivers. This move provided their previously thin rotation with a skilled scorer and playmaker capable of relieving some of the ball-handling pressure from Jalen Brunson, who led the NBA in ball-handling per game last season. Furthermore, the Clarkson acquisition enabled the Knicks to use their midlevel exception on versatile big man Guerschon Yabusele.
Zach Kram: Brook Lopez agreeing to a two-year contract to be the LA Clippers` backup center. Last season, the Clippers exhibited a +9.0 net rating when starting center Ivica Zubac was on the court, according to Cleaning the Glass, compared to a -5.5 net rating when he wasn`t. This was the third-largest on/off differential in the league among players with at least 1,000 minutes, only surpassed by Nikola Jokic and Dorian Finney-Smith. While Lopez is past his prime Bucks form, he remains an effective rim protector and floor spacer. His role isn`t to play 30 minutes nightly, but merely to help the Clippers maintain performance during the roughly dozen minutes Zubac is off the court every game. Lopez is certainly capable of fulfilling that task.
Bobby Marks: The Orlando Magic signing Tyus Jones to a one-year, $7 million contract. While the Desmond Bane trade to Orlando garnered significant attention before the draft, it`s the addition of Jones that could position the Magic for contention in the Eastern Conference. Acquiring one of the premier facilitators in free agency—Jones has averaged at least five assists in the last three seasons despite playing less than 30 minutes per game—significantly boosts a Magic offense that ranked last in assists last season.
Kevin Pelton: Houston signing Dorian Finney-Smith as a move that could prove difference-making come springtime. Finney-Smith possesses playoff experience, having reached the conference finals with the Dallas Mavericks in 2022 and averaging 34 minutes for the Los Angeles Lakers during last season`s first round series. Adding Finney-Smith helped the Rockets compensate for the depth they sacrificed when trading two starters to acquire Durant.
One move a team might regret by Christmas is _____.
Chris Herring: Returning to Kevin`s initial point, which mentioned New Orleans trading its unprotected first-round draft pick from last month to move up 10 spots. I believe the Pelicans, in their current state, might regret that decision much sooner than Christmas. The Western Conference is extremely competitive, and it`s challenging to envision New Orleans being a factor (and staying out of the lottery) without further significant roster improvements.
Zach Kram: If the Milwaukee Bucks and their new acquisition, Myles Turner, aren`t firmly established as contenders by Christmas, the team might face considerable regret. Waiving Damian Lillard and stretching his $113 million salary negatively impacts Milwaukee`s financial flexibility for the next five years. This move will only be justified if the Bucks achieve immediate success. Despite a strong frontcourt, their chances might be limited due to significant perimeter talent deficiencies.
Bobby Marks: The waiver of Damian Lillard, but for a different rationale. Most agree that waiving and subsequently stretching the $113 million owed to Lillard was the Bucks` final resort to enhance their roster. However, the process of Milwaukee allocating the entire $27 million in available cap space to a single player, Turner, is debatable. For a team desperately needing depth (and also requiring a starting point guard), would it not have been more beneficial to create cap space *before* June 30th and distribute that money among three players instead of concentrating it all on one?
Kevin Pelton: As much as I appreciate the Rockets` offseason moves overall, I question whether they might come to view Clint Capela as one big man too many, especially having upgraded their power forward depth chart with Durant and Finney-Smith. I also have concerns regarding Capela`s diminishing athleticism. He shot just 56% last season, his career low for a full campaign, down from 65% as recently as the 2022-23 season.
One deal no one is talking about is _____.
Chris Herring: I thought the trade swapping Isaac Okoro for Lonzo Ball, sending Ball to Cleveland, was quite astute for the Cavaliers. They entered the offseason anticipating they would likely not re-sign free agent ball-handler Ty Jerome—the team faced a potential quarter-billion dollar luxury tax bill if they kept last season`s exact roster. So, they opted to acquire Ball, who is entering the final guaranteed year of his contract at only $10 million. Ball has obviously missed significant time recently and struggled with his shooting last season. But considering Okoro`s limitations as a shooter, particularly in the playoffs, exchanging him for Ball`s short-term, low-cost deal represents a low-risk, high-reward opportunity if Ball can remain healthy and play.
Zach Kram: Collin Sexton joining the Charlotte Hornets. It`s understandable that a trade between the Hornets and Jazz, who collectively finished last season with a 36-128 record, might not attract much attention. However, for the minimal cost of center Jusuf Nurkic, Charlotte acquired a future second-round draft pick *and* Sexton, who has averaged 24 points and six assists per 36 minutes with strong efficiency over the last three seasons. In the near term, Sexton should bolster Charlotte`s offense as an additional scorer alongside Brandon Miller and LaMelo Ball. Long term, given his expiring contract, he could become a valuable trade asset for a contending team at the deadline, potentially yielding even more draft picks for Charlotte.
Bobby Marks: The Detroit Pistons shifting direction from Dennis Schroder, Malik Beasley, and Tim Hardaway Jr. to sign Caris LeVert and acquire Duncan Robinson via a sign-and-trade deal from the Miami Heat. These additions provide Detroit with two players who shot better than 37% from three-point range, adding offensive balance. Jaden Ivey will also return to replace Schroder; prior to breaking his right fibula on January 1st, Ivey averaged a career-high 17.6 points on 46% shooting, including 40.9% from beyond the arc.
Kevin Pelton: I suppose people are discussing the Lakers signing Jake LaRavia, but perhaps not focusing enough on the deal`s potential upside. LaRavia led all players with at least 90 attempts (a threshold he just met) by shooting 46% on three-pointers taken above the break, according to The F5 newsletter. It remains uncertain how many such opportunities LaRavia will get in a Lakers offense where Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves frequently operate from the middle of the court, but it serves as an indicator of his overall shooting proficiency. He made 46% of his corner three attempts in his first two seasons, per Basketball-Reference.com, before his percentage dropped to 38% last season. However, he is likely to receive plenty of these looks from the Lakers` primary playmakers.
One team that should have made a bigger splash is _____.
Chris Herring: The Milwaukee Bucks. Following the waiver of Damian Lillard, I`m still anticipating them making a significant move for a point guard. Yes, they have Kevin Porter Jr., but that`s insufficient if they are trying to convince Giannis Antetokounmpo of genuine title contention. While the feasibility of such a deal is unclear, Chris Paul would be an excellent fit if the Bucks could somehow acquire him.
Zach Kram: The Miami Heat. They have added only one player thus far, and it`s difficult to imagine Simone Fontecchio, acquired from Detroit in the Duncan Robinson sign-and-trade, having much impact. After a humiliating first-round playoff defeat last spring—Miami`s average losing margin against Cleveland was a staggering 30.5 points—the Heat appear directionless and have provided no clear indication of their future plans.
Bobby Marks: Golden State. The Warriors deserve some credit for trading Jimmy Butler III six months ago. However, since that move, their only transactions have been drafting Alex Toohey and Will Richard in the second round. This lack of activity is largely attributed to the holding pattern surrounding restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga and the uncertainty regarding their available cap space for free agency. For instance, signing Al Horford to a contract exceeding $5.7 million would hard cap the Warriors at the first apron, and they are currently $25 million below that threshold.
Kevin Pelton: Following the Portland Trail Blazers` waiver of Deandre Ayton and his subsequent commitment to the Lakers, Al Horford is the sole starting-caliber center available to potentially replace Myles Turner for the Indiana Pacers. Indiana did acquire 7-foot-1 Jay Huff, a positive addition given his shooting ability, but he would struggle as a full-time starter. Unless Horford unexpectedly decides to join the reigning Eastern Conference champions, it seems clear the Pacers should have taken any necessary steps to retain Turner—even if it meant parting with another rotation player to avoid the luxury tax.
