NBA Trade Grades 2025-26: Analyzing Key Offseason Moves

NBA free agency is now open, and while teams are primarily focused on signing players, trade activity across the league is also prominent. Significant players such as Kevin Durant, Jalen Green, and Desmond Bane were traded even before free agency officially began on June 30. The momentum didn`t slow down, as the Brooklyn Nets agreed to send Cam Johnson to Denver for Michael Porter Jr. and an unprotected 2032 first-round pick just minutes after the free agency window opened.

As we anticipate more deals, here`s a breakdown of the latest trades and their grades.

---

Spurs Acquire Floor Spacer Kelly Olynyk

Spurs Grade: B

Olynyk introduces a new dimension to the Spurs roster, which previously had limited floor spacing from players taller than 6-foot-8 outside of Victor Wembanyama. Standing at 6-foot-11, Olynyk is expected to effectively pair with either Wembanyama or newcomer Luke Kornet in the San Antonio frontcourt. He provides valuable 3-point shooting, hitting 42% last season and maintaining a 37% career average.

While Wembanyama himself is a competent 3-point shooter (35% last season), the Spurs prefer him to be actively involved in plays rather than just spotting up. Olynyk facilitates a 5-out offensive look in those situations, which is particularly crucial given that recent lottery picks Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper are not primary floor spacers.

This move signals San Antonio`s increased seriousness about competing in the 2025-26 season. It suggests less focus on developing Malaki Branham and Blake Wesley, who were first-round picks in 2022 but haven`t yet significantly contributed to winning. Both saw reduced roles last season, playing just over 1,100 minutes combined, a significant drop from the nearly 2,500 minutes they shared in 2023-24.

The implications for San Antonio`s other 2022 first-round pick, Jeremy Sochan, are also worth noting. After appearing to be a key part of the future, starting most games as a rookie, he lost his starting position following an injury in January. If Olynyk helps the Spurs achieve their goal of reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2019, it raises the question of whether Sochan`s role under coach Mitch Johnson might diminish as he approaches the final year of his rookie contract.

Wizards Grade: B

For the Washington Wizards, acquiring Olynyk was always a temporary arrangement. He arrived recently from the New Orleans Pelicans in a deal with CJ McCollum. With several veterans on the roster, including McCollum, the Wizards were comfortable moving Olynyk to a team where he has a better chance of contributing to winning.

It`s uncertain whether Branham and Wesley will remain with the Wizards long-term. Washington currently has 15 players under guaranteed contracts, plus Justin Champagnie whose salary is non-guaranteed but expected to make the roster. Decisions will be needed to finalize the 15-player roster on full NBA contracts.

Between the two young guards, Blake Wesley seems to have a better prospect of becoming a rotation player for Washington. Malaki Branham`s playing time and scoring average (10.2 PPG as a rookie) have decreased each season. Wesley surpassed Branham in minutes during 2024-25, showing potential as an on-ball defender and ball handler, provided he can improve his scoring efficiency.

---

Clippers Acquire Collins, Heat Get Powell in Three-Team Deal

Clippers Grade: B

This trade appears to be the initial step in a series of moves for the Clippers, who significantly impacted their shooting guard position by trading Norman Powell, coming off his best NBA season, at a seemingly low value relative to his performance. The Clippers are now seen as a likely destination for Bradley Beal if the three-time All-Star secures a buyout from the Phoenix Suns and becomes a free agent.

Individually, neither Beal nor Collins currently possess the value Powell demonstrated last season, where he legitimately contended for All-Star consideration (in contrast to Beal`s past All-Star days). Powell averaged a career-high 21.8 PPG and hit three 3-pointers per game at 42%, helping sustain the Clippers` offense during Kawhi Leonard`s absence.

Powell`s production did decline after the All-Star break when the team was healthier; he averaged 14.4 PPG and was limited by injuries. However, having an average starter or better player on an expiring $20.5 million contract seemed a beneficial situation for Los Angeles.

Collins does address a need for the Clippers, who lacked capable power forwards with size last season. Leonard (6-foot-7) started there in the playoffs, with Nicolas Batum (6-foot-8) taking most other minutes. In a Western Conference featuring dual-big lineups like Oklahoma City`s Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein, the Clippers needed size.

The 6-foot-9 Collins primarily played center for the Jazz last year, but he effectively balanced secondary rim protection with enough floor spacing (40% on 3.7 attempts from deep) to start at power forward alongside non-shooter Walker Kessler. This projects to be his role next to Ivica Zubac for the Clippers. Jazz lineups with Collins at the 4 and Kessler at the 5 surprisingly outscored opponents last season, despite Utah having the NBA`s worst record.

From an asset perspective, trading a second-round pick seemed questionable, given Powell`s superior performance last season and lower salary. Concerns also exist about moving Leonard to small forward potentially weakening the Clippers` second units, which feature defensive specialists best paired with starters.

Nonetheless, assuming subsequent moves align, the Clippers seem to have improved their ability to match up against potential playoff opponents.

Heat Grade: A

This trade essentially fell into the Heat`s lap during an otherwise quiet offseason, where their primary move was sending Duncan Robinson to Detroit for Simone Fontecchio. Norman Powell, a dangerous scoring guard, is essentially what the Heat hoped Terry Rozier would be after acquiring him at the 2024 trade deadline. Rozier saw his scoring drop significantly in Miami, struggling with efficiency. He is now behind a backcourt rotation of Powell, All-Star Tyler Herro, and re-signed Davion Mitchell.

Adding Powell via trading reserves upgrades the Heat for 2025-26 without sacrificing future flexibility. As he is on an expiring contract, Miami`s potential to create cap space next summer (depending on Andrew Wiggins` player option) remains unaffected. If the team performs well, they also have the option to retain Powell.

That Miami achieved this without giving up any draft picks is remarkable fortune. The added salary pushes the Heat over the luxury tax line, but by a manageable amount that they could potentially get under midseason, perhaps through a Rozier buyout after the trade deadline.

Jazz Grade: A-

For the Utah Jazz, this transaction achieves several goals. It secures immediate value for John Collins in the form of a second-round pick, which wasn`t guaranteed at the trade deadline given his salary size making him difficult for contenders to acquire. Second, the Jazz now possess the largest trade exception in the NBA ($26.6 million from Collins` salary) by taking on Kevin Love and Kyle Anderson using exceptions. This positions them to potentially take on large salaries midseason for draft picks, as the new CBA discourages teams from carrying significant cap space past the trade deadline.

For example, a team wanting to reduce a large luxury tax bill could trade a player, and only a few teams with large exceptions like the Jazz could absorb the salary without incurring significant tax penalties themselves, giving Utah leverage for assets.

Finally, moving Collins helps Utah`s goal of securing another high lottery pick after landing No. 5 this year. Replacing Collins with a draft pick like Ace Bailey in the starting lineup makes accumulating losses easier, potentially avoiding issues like the fine incurred last season regarding Lauri Markkanen`s absences.

---

Wizards Trade for Rockets` Cam Whitmore

Wizards Grade: A-

This represents a buy-low opportunity for the Wizards, acquiring a former first-round pick who has demonstrated high productivity in limited NBA minutes over two seasons. Whitmore averaged over 20 points per 36 minutes in both his rookie season and last year, a rate that would have ranked second on Washington`s roster behind Jordan Poole. He has also been effective defensively, averaging nearly two combined steals and blocks per 36 minutes.

Whitmore, drafted at 18, turns 21 soon, making him significantly younger than many recent draft prospects. He joins a young Wizards core featuring nine players drafted in the first round over the past three years, nearly all aged 21 or younger. The Wizards have less organizational investment in Whitmore compared to their own draft picks. However, he adds to a crowded wing rotation that includes veterans Khris Middleton and Marcus Smart, former lottery pick Bilal Coulibaly, 2024 first-rounders Dillon Jones and Kyshawn George, and incumbent Corey Kispert.

Despite the depth, Whitmore`s potential demands playing time, and the competition in Washington is less established than what he faced on the contending Rockets. His challenge is translating his individual production to positive team impact. Even with Houston needing offense, coach Ime Udoka did not rely on Whitmore in the playoffs. Moving to a rebuilding team provides Whitmore the opportunity to develop with less immediate pressure.

Rockets Grade: C+

It`s unclear how long Cam Whitmore was willing to wait for playing time in Houston, especially after the team added players like Kevin Durant and Dorian Finney-Smith. At a certain point, Whitmore`s potential and affordable rookie contract weren`t providing significant value from the bench. However, this feels like a somewhat disappointing outcome for a player initially seen as a potential draft steal. The Rockets selected Whitmore, who was projected higher, with the No. 20 pick, and receive only two second-round picks a year later despite his productive per-minute stats.

Trading Whitmore and replacing his salary with a veteran`s minimum contract provides the Rockets with a bit more financial flexibility relative to the lower luxury tax apron, which acts as a hard cap for them this season.

---

Pistons Acquire Duncan Robinson in Sign-and-Trade

Pistons Grade: B

Shooting became an urgent need for the Pistons early in free agency, particularly with guard Malik Beasley potentially unavailable due to an investigation and starting guard Tim Hardaway Jr. signing with Denver. This left Cade Cunningham as the only returning player under contract who made over 100 three-pointers last season. Duncan Robinson, the NBA`s all-time leader in 3-point attempts per 36 minutes, fills this void, hitting 40% of his career threes, including 190 last season.

Robinson could potentially step into a starting role, providing floor spacing alongside Cunningham and non-shooters Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson. Alternatively, he could join the second unit alongside newcomer Caris LeVert. Robinson split time between starting and reserve roles in Miami over the past two seasons.

It`s somewhat surprising that there was enough demand for Robinson to command more than the non-taxpayer midlevel exception. While he is an excellent shooter, his defense is below average, a concern that may grow as he ages (he turned 31 in April). His salary isn`t an issue for the Pistons this season, as the team is far below the luxury tax line after this trade.

Heat Grade: B

Simone Fontecchio had a reduced role in Detroit last season, seeing his minutes significantly decrease after being acquired at the trade deadline. He did not play in the Pistons` first-round series. A dip in 3-point efficiency (33.5% last season, down from 40% the previous year) was a factor. His career average is 36%, which is a reasonable expectation moving forward. At that rate, Fontecchio offers versatility defensively and provides good value on his $8.3 million expiring contract.

The Heat now have a full roster and are positioned just below the luxury tax line. Paying the tax would be difficult to justify for a team that struggled after trading Jimmy Butler III last season. While a small tax bill might be manageable, a third consecutive season in the tax would trigger the repeater tax penalty.

---

Denver Acquires Center Jonas Valanciunas

Nuggets Grade: B+

One issue hindering the Nuggets since their 2023 championship has been their ineffective use of the taxpayer midlevel exception. They have now traded away both players acquired using this tool (Reggie Jackson and Dario Saric). While Jackson`s acquisition could be seen as a reward for his buyout market contribution, signing Saric last summer made little sense, as he had fallen out of Golden State`s rotation on a minimum contract and predictably did the same in Denver, playing limited minutes.

Finding effective lineups when Nikola Jokic is off the court has been a persistent challenge. Jokic`s unique style is irreplaceable. In the 2023 playoffs, Denver`s solution involved keeping multiple starters on the court with Aaron Gordon shifting to center, a strategy not sustainable over a full regular season. Now, coach David Adelman has more options. DaRon Holmes II, the 2024 first-round pick who missed his rookie season with an Achilles injury, is expected to return at Summer League. Valanciunas offers the best combination of experience and current ability the Nuggets have had behind Jokic since JaMychal Green. Two years removed from starting all 82 games, Valanciunas seems overqualified for a reserve role.

Integrating Valanciunas` different skillset will require adjustment, but building second units around his screens for Jamal Murray in pick-and-roll situations is a viable strategy. Upgrading from Saric to Valanciunas is partly facilitated by swapping Michael Porter Jr. for Cam Johnson, adding salary but keeping Denver just below the tax line with 13 players. This allows them flexibility with the midlevel exception or avoids a hard cap, potentially enabling another veteran addition.

Kings Grade: C-

The Kings needed to make this deal less than five months after acquiring Jonas Valanciunas to create salary cap space to sign Dennis Schroder without entering the luxury tax. However, this trade might exchange one problem (point guard depth, potentially addressed by Schroder) for another (backup center depth). Dario Saric is unlikely to be more effective than he was in Denver. Sacramento originally gave up two second-round picks to acquire Valanciunas precisely because they needed depth behind Domantas Sabonis.

Assuming the tax acts as a hard cap, the Kings will be limited to minimum contracts to fill their roster. They drafted Maxime Raynaud, a second-round center, but relying on a rookie for rotation minutes is optimistic. Most likely, Nurkic`s primary value will be as an expiring salary to trade at the deadline, potentially using projected 2026-27 cap space to take on a long-term contract this season.

---

Nuggets and Nets Swap Porter Jr. and Johnson

Nuggets Grade: C

On paper, Cam Johnson and Michael Porter Jr. are quite similar players: combo forwards drafted in 2019-20, both shooting over 39% from three and averaging close to 19 points last season. Porter is a better rebounder, while Johnson is slightly better as a playmaker. The key difference lies in their contracts. Porter is due $79 million over two remaining seasons on a max extension signed before injuries impacted his development. While a key contributor to Denver`s championship, he hasn`t replicated his age-22 production.

Johnson, conversely, has grown as a shot creator on a four-year deal with $43 million remaining over two seasons. This salary difference is crucial for the Nuggets` luxury tax situation and future contract considerations. However, giving up their only tradeable first-round pick solely for tax savings seems questionable. The trade needs to significantly boost Denver`s championship chances during Jokic`s prime.

The move does provide flexibility below the luxury tax apron, allowing access to a larger midlevel exception amount to add another contributor like Bruce Brown Jr. The primary unknown is Porter`s health. If Denver is concerned about his durability (a long-standing issue), trading him makes sense. However, Johnson has also had injury issues, never playing more than 66 games, while Porter missed only six regular-season games over the past two years.

Nets Grade: B

A single first-round pick doesn`t seem like a massive return considering the salary relief Brooklyn provided Denver. Johnson`s market might not have been robust, as the Nets could have absorbed smaller contracts using their league-leading cap space. However, an unprotected 2032 Denver first-round pick offers considerable upside. By then, Jokic will be 37, likely in a different career phase or potentially retired. The multiple first-round picks Denver has already traded could make it harder for them to stay competitive, increasing the value of that future pick.

It`s also possible Brooklyn can benefit from Michael Porter Jr. in multiple ways. By next season, he`ll be on an expiring contract and should put up strong statistics for the rebuilding Nets. His shooting will also provide valuable floor spacing for Brooklyn`s young guards as they develop. After this trade, the Nets still have around $17 million in cap space, which could increase depending on other roster moves.

---

Hornets Trade for Collin Sexton, Send Jusuf Nurkic to Jazz

Hornets Grade: A

The primary potential downside for the Hornets might be that Collin Sexton is too good, hindering their ability to bottom out again in 2025-26. Last season, Charlotte lineups without LaMelo Ball struggled offensively, ranking poorly in the league. If the Hornets aim to be more competitive alongside their young core (Ball, Brandon Miller, Tidjane Salaun, Kon Knueppel), Sexton should provide a significant boost.

During his time in Utah, Sexton developed into an efficient high-volume scorer, consistently posting true shooting percentages above league average. Among Charlotte players with high usage rates last year, only Mark Williams exceeded league average efficiency. Swapping Nurkic for Sexton has minimal impact on Charlotte`s salary cap sheet, as both are on expiring contracts worth around $19 million. If the Hornets later decide to pursue lottery positioning again, trading Sexton as an expiring contract at the deadline is a viable option.

Charlotte may now focus on adding a center after trading both Nurkic and Williams. Moussa Diabate and rookie Ryan Kalkbrenner are options, but Nurkic was not part of the team`s long-term plans.

Jazz Grade: D

The necessity for the Jazz to attach a second-round pick suggests a limited market for Collin Sexton. After adding guard Walter Clayton Jr. to recent picks Isaiah Collier and Keyonte George, Utah needed to move Sexton to create playing time. Giving up a draft pick to facilitate this swap highlights the consequence of feeling pressured to make a move. Unless starting center Walker Kessler is traded, the Jazz likely have little use for Nurkic`s current production. John Collins will probably serve as the backup center, with rookie Kyle Filipowski also an option. Most likely, Nurkic will primarily function as an expiring salary to trade at the deadline, potentially using future cap space to absorb a longer-term contract this season.

---

Cavaliers Trade for Lonzo Ball

Cavaliers Grade: A

After over two years away due to knee issues, Lonzo Ball returned last season and played 35 games, appearing close to full strength. While his shooting wasn`t at its peak (34% from three), his other valuable skills remained evident: strong secondary playmaking, excellent help defense, and disruption through size and court reading. These skills are particularly valuable alongside other star players. If Ball can return to closer to his 37% 3-point shooting from his healthiest stretch, he`ll be a great fit for Cleveland, a team stronger in scoring than passing that struggled defensively in their playoff loss to Indiana.

After finishing with the East`s best regular-season record, the Cavaliers had a quiet offseason while conference rivals faced injury setbacks. Suddenly, paying a large tax bill and entering the second apron to keep the core together seems much more justifiable. The Cavaliers should be considered favorites in the East.

Naturally, there`s a risk Ball`s health prevents him from contributing next season. While his knee seemed managed, he missed significant time with wrist sprains and has a history of missing games earlier in his career. However, Isaac Okoro`s limitations as a shooter meant he provided little in the playoffs anyway. In a worst-case scenario, Cleveland saves a small amount on their tax bill and avoids Okoro`s 2026-27 salary. With Ty Jerome potentially priced out, adding a ball handler and playmaker was vital, and achieving this without giving up draft picks is a significant win.

Bulls Grade: B-

Similar to the Josh Giddey trade, this deal makes more sense for the Bulls in isolation than when considering how beneficial it is for the other team involved. Chicago continues a strategy of swapping older players (Ball, 27) for younger ones (Okoro, 24). On a team not realistically aspiring to a deep playoff run, Okoro`s inconsistent shooting is less problematic. He improved his 3-point percentage over the last two seasons, albeit on low volume, meaning defenses don`t prioritize guarding him from deep. Okoro has consistently been a difference-making defender throughout his career, rated positively by metrics.

The recurring issue is Chicago`s apparent failure to recognize market value in trades. While acquiring Giddey and Okoro might be slight wins for them, the Giddey trade was a key factor in Oklahoma City`s championship push. Chicago should have demanded additional draft picks in that deal, and some compensation for the significant financial relief the Cavaliers gained here.

---

Suns Acquire Mark Williams for Picks, Micic from Hornets

Suns Grade: C+

Acquiring Mark Williams and then drafting another center, Khaman Maluach, shortly after was initially confusing. However, there is a potential strategy: alternating centers with high effort, similar to the Mavericks` successful use of Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II in the playoffs. Center depth is also crucial for the Suns due to Williams` injury history. The way the Hornets handled him after his failed physical trade to the Lakers was telling; he continued missing games. Williams missed significant time in both the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, which reduced his trade value.

His injury history lowered his value to a point where the Suns could acquire him using lower-upside first-round picks (the 2029 pick is the worst of three teams). However, giving up two picks puts the Suns back in a position with no future first-round picks to trade. The Suns also become more expensive by exercising Vasilije Micic`s team option to match salary. They might save some money by waiving Nick Richards, whose salary isn`t guaranteed, as he wasn`t a significant contributor. By 2026-27, this deal will be even more costly as Williams will be due a new contract. While the Suns are getting younger, they haven`t found a clear financial path away from the second luxury tax apron.

Hornets Grade: B-

Compared to the trade the Hornets almost completed (sending Williams to the Lakers for an unprotected 2031 first-rounder, a 2030 swap, and Dalton Knecht), this version has less upside. It`s unlikely the 2029 first-rounder will be better than a pick in the 20s. On the positive side, Charlotte secures two first-round picks. If they were ready to move on from Williams (as indicated by the Lakers deal), completing a trade now avoids the risk of another injury further diminishing his value. It`s somewhat disappointing that things reached this point. Williams was a lottery-level pick in 2022 and is still young, fitting their core. However, his injury history (missing 140 out of 246 possible games) is a valid frustration. Vasilije Micic is expected to negotiate a buyout with Charlotte and likely return to Europe, benefiting financially from his inclusion in the trade.

---

Celtics Trade Kristaps Porzingis to Hawks in Three-Team Deal

Celtics Grade: B

This trade represents the second step in the Celtics` financial reset, involving another player from their 2024 championship roster. Kristaps Porzingis provided a unique offensive and defensive presence with his shooting, post-up ability, and rim protection. Despite limited playoff availability due to injuries and illness, his contributions in the NBA Finals were significant. However, recurring health issues limited him to just 42 regular-season games last year and impacted his playoff performance. Given the repeater tax and second apron restrictions, Porzingis became expendable for cap sheet balancing.

Swapping Porzingis` $30.7 million expiring salary for Georges Niang`s $8.2 million contract helps bring the Celtics below the second apron threshold. This trade, combined with the Jrue Holiday deal, results in substantial luxury tax savings. The Celtics still need to address their center depth, with only Neemias Queta and Xavier Tillman Sr. currently under contract. Re-signing Al Horford or Luke Kornet for more than the minimum could push them back over the second apron, but navigating salary management throughout the season is possible.

While the team will look different without Holiday and Porzingis (especially with Tatum`s expected return from injury), Boston retains its core of Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Derrick White. They`ve cleaned up their cap sheet and netted a second-round pick. This leaves them with most of their future first-round picks available to build a new supporting cast around their stars.

Hawks Grade: B

This trade offers versatility for Atlanta. In the short term, Kristaps Porzingis is a good fit for a young frontcourt strong in athleticism but needing shooting. He can pair well with Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu, providing spacing and depth. The depth from Mouhamed Gueye allows the team to manage Porzingis` minutes. Ideally, Porzingis stays healthy and fits well with Trae Young and other young starters. Since Atlanta doesn`t control its first-round picks for the next two years, there`s an incentive to compete now.

If this doesn`t work out, depending on a potential extension for Porzingis, the trade also offers flexibility next summer when he could become a free agent and Young has a player option. Taking on Terance Mann`s contract earlier had limited flexibility, and this deal moves them out of that commitment at the cost of a first-round pick. Effectively trading three players for one leaves Atlanta with several roster spots to fill. They are projected significantly below the tax line and can use part of their midlevel exception and potentially re-sign Caris LeVert.

Nets Grade: A

As the only NBA team with significant cap space, the Nets were in a position to demand assets. While receiving a single first-round pick might seem low given the salary relief they provided Boston, the unprotected 2025 pick (No. 22) is a solid return. They also receive Terance Mann, a valuable role player on a reasonable contract. Brooklyn utilized its cap space effectively to gain assets, a strategy aligned with their rebuilding phase. Mann adds defensive versatility and scoring depth. This trade, combined with other offseason moves, continues to reshape the Nets` roster and future asset pool.