Ranking The Biggest Moves of NBA Free Agency So Far

Joel Piton
3 minutes ago
18 min read

Are we witnessing the G.O.A.T. offseason? At this point, the offseason might be more entertaining the actual NBA season.

Every summer brings its share of blockbuster trades and signings, but this year feels different. It's as though all bets are off. Every team is trying to find a different concoction that works. Superstars are changing addresses, contenders are aggressively loading up and teams with no regard for symmetry, and once considered untouchables are tearing apart their foundations without warning. The balance of power across the league has already shifted several times—and we're only getting started.

It may sound premature, but we could genuinely be witnessing the wildest offseason of all time. Before the dust settles and another bombshell drops, let’s break down the biggest moves of the summer so far.

Giannis Antetokounmpo to Miami Heat

Heat Receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis

Bucks Receive: Tyler Herro, Kel'El Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasaparas Jakucionis, 3 first-round picks , 1 pick swap, 1 second-round pick

Pat Riley has done it again. Shaq, LeBron, and now add Giannis to the list of illustrious players he's traded for. Pairing a Hall of Famer in Giannis with Bam Adebayo creates an absolutely terrifying, maybe even historic defensive frontline. Good luck to anyone trying to score in the paint against them. As for "Heat Culture"? Giannis is a perfect fit, ready and willing to outwork every opponent. As for the Bucks, this trade is painful. They lose the greatest player in franchise history in exchange for Tyler Herro, who struggles to stay on the floor consistently. The Heat also gave up their sixth man in Jaime Jaquez Jr (who led the league in points off the bench last year) and flipped their primary scorer Norman Powell to Chicago. It'll be fun watching Giannis dominate but this team lacks depth. I wouldn't be surprised if the squad doesn't crack the playoffs.

Kawhi Leonard to Toronto Raptors

Raptors Receive: Kawhi Leonard

Clippers Receive: Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, 2 First-round picks, 1 pick swap, 2 second-round picks

It feels like 2018 all over again. The Klaw is back in the North, but it cost a king's ransom. Toronto gave up All-Star Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two future firsts, two seconds and a swap to LA. The Raptors are putting all their bets on Kawhi and Scottie combining for the greatest forward defensive tandem in franchise history. With elite scoring weapons in RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley on the frontlines, this squad can score and defend at the highest level. The Clippers are in a questionable place right now, losing Harden, Beal, and now Kawhi in a matter of months, turning the franchise on it's heel as it looks for a new face. Darius Garland will be looking to get Ingram opportunities to score at every angle, but it's hard to see this team truly contending in the West without a true big man.

Jalen Brown to Philadelphia 76ers

Sixers Receive: Jaylen Brown

Celtics Receive: Paul George, 2 First-round picks, 2 second-round picks

Trading a superstar to your most hated division rival is practically forbidden, but clearly Boston's relationship with Brown was so fractured that they were willing to bite the bullet on just about any trade possible. Brown had a career best season last year, put up 29 points a night and led the Celtics to being Division champions with a 56-26 record in the wake of Tatum's injury. He had a legitimate case for All NBA First-Team as well. But it's clear that Brown as a player did not match his trade value at all. Flipping Brown for a 36-year-old Paul George who only played 37 games last season is not only baffling, but on paper it could go down as one of the worst trades in history. The Celtics lose a Finals MVP and a large part of their identity. As for Philly? They could be the best team in the Eastern Conference now.

Julius Randle to Brooklyn Nets

Nets Receive: Julius Randle, 1 first-round pick

Wolves Receive: Isaiah Evans, Mo Gueye

This was a strange one and the result of a three-team deal. The Timberwolves are basically putting all their best on Rudy Gobert to play every frontcourt role, which is impossible. With no Naz Reid or Randle, the Timberwolves now have a ginormous gap at the power forward position. For Brooklyn, this is a massive gain. The Nets were hoping to land either Caleb Wilson or Cam Boozer if one of them slipped, and with Nic Claxton gone they were essentially going to put everything on Noah Clowney or Day’Ron Sharpe, neither of whom profiles as a dependable long-term starting center. Landing Randle gives Brooklyn a proven scorer, floor-spacer and rebounder who can play either frontcourt position. He may not be the franchise player the Nets were searching for, but he immediately stabilizes their rotation and gives them one of the most versatile big men in the Eastern Conference.

Isaiah Stewart to Memphis Grizzlies

Grizzlies Receive: Isaiah Stewart

Pistons Receive: 3 second-round picks

It feels like Detroit is cleaning house. Beef Stew dedicated six seasons to gritty, aggressive basketball as an undersized center and became a fan-favorite in Detroit for his hustle. Giving him up for three second-round picks feels very redundant for the Pistons. As for the Grizzlies, this is a sneaky good pickup. With Santi Aldama gone, the Pistons get a rebounder and a tough, physical enforcer they can slide in directly behind 7'3" sensation Zach Edey. Stewart brings energy, strength and a developing outside shot to a Grizzlies bench that desperately needed frontcourt depth.

LaMelo Ball to Minnesota Timberwolves

Wolves Receive: LaMelo Ball, Josh Green

Pistons Receive: Naz Reid, 1 first-round pick, 3 first-round pick swaps, 3 second-round picks

This is a matchup seemingly made for TV. One thing is for sure, when these two are on the floor together, get your popcorn ready. The Wolves took a large offensive hit losing both Julius Randle and Naz Reid, but LaMelo fills in a lot of blanks the Wolves have lacked for years as a floor general. Still, Minnesota is betting this "new era" on LaMelo's health, and the guy has a history. Ball and Edwards will give the wolves an electrifying, high-octane backcourt, but their frontcourt depth is a large question. As for the Hornets, they're in about as much pain as the Celtics right now. Giving up their franchise player for a 12 ppg scorer in Naz Reid is nearly impossible to justify, regardless of whatever the relationship between Ball and Charlotte was. Reid is a valuable and versatile offensive weapon, but he's not the kind of centerpiece who should headline a return for a 24-year-old All-Star point guard.

Miles Bridges to Phoenix Suns

Suns Receive: Miles Bridges, 1 first-round pick, 1 second-round pick

Pistons Receive: Grayson Allen, Royce O'Neale, 1 First-round pick

This is another rough trade for Charlotte. Grayson Allen is rather a redundant version of Kon Knueppel and the Hornets didn't really need to trade for another spot up shooting veteran like Grayson Allen unless they're contingent in putting him on the bench. Knueppel pretty much offers everything Allen does, but hasn't even tapped into his potential yet. They also pick up another 40% shooter in Royce O' Neale, so I guess one things for certain, the Hornets will be accumulating the most threes next season. As for the Suns, Miles Bridges feels like a perfect fit. Devin Booker gets paired up with a slashing lob threat who can crash the glass, run the floor and punish defenses whenever they overload towards Book. Bridges also gives the Suns a legitimate scoring option at forward, something they've desperately lacked.

Ja Morant to Portland Trail Blazers

Blazers Receive: Ja Morant

Grizzlies Receive: Jerami Grant, Kris Murray

This one is a doozy. 12's era in Memphis has officially come to a close after seven drama-filled seasons. Morant still has the potential to be a standout guard in the league, but he's looming 27 so the time is now. It'll be interesting to see how he works with Damian Lillard—two 6'2" point guards who require the ball at all times, but the one thing this offseason has taught us so far is that positional symmetry has been tossed out of the window. Trading Morant for a yet another guy who consistently battles injuries in Jerami Grant tells a larger story about how much Memphis wanted to badly Memphis wanted to wash its hands of the entire situation. Grant remains a productive two-way forward, and Kris Murray gives the Grizzlies another young piece to evaluate, but receiving no premium prospect or draft capital for a player of Morant’s caliber is astonishing.

Marcus Smart to Houston Rockets

Pairing up with his former Celtics coach Ime Udoka, Marcus Smart signed the dotted line on a 2-year, $13 million dollar deal to suit up in Houston. In the wake of Fred VanVleet's injuries, this is a good pickup. Marcus Smart is still a menacing defender, and with the Lakers he proved he can still be a full-time rotation player when healthy. He gives Houston another physical guard who can organize the offense in stretches, defend multiple positions and bring some much-needed toughness to the second unit. His shooting will always be inconsistent, and the Rockets can't expect him to recreate his Defensive Player of the Year form, but Udoka knows exactly how to maximize what Smart still does well. At this price, Houston is not asking him to be a star—just a steady veteran who can hold the team together when no other guard is available.

Aaron Wiggins to Atlanta Hawks

Hawks Receive: Aaron Wiggins

Thunder Receive: 2 second-round picks

Wiggins has his ups and downs but when healthy he can be a dangerously streaky shooter or a reputable defender. Throughout OKC's championship run it looked as though Wiggins could do more, yet he adapted his game to fit in with Daigneault's specific system. In Atlanta, Wiggins now has an opportunity to step into the larger role waiting for him. He won't be asked to become a star overnight, but the Hawks can give him more freedom to create his own shot, attack closeouts and establish himself as a consistent two-way contributor. After spending years as one piece of Oklahoma City's loaded rotation, Wiggins finally has the chance to show that he is capable of being much more than a dependable role player.

Nic Claxton to Chicago Bulls

Another part of the massive three-team trade structure that sent Randle to Brooklyn. Chicago lands on a lengthy, athletic finisher who can crash the boards, block shots and make his presence felt without needing to shoot. Apart from Nick Richards, the Bulls didn't have another true five capable of anchoring the defense for extended stretches. Claxton immediately changes that. He gives Chicago a legitimate rim protector, a switchable defender and an explosive lob target who should thrive alongside the guards. His lack of shooting could create spacing concerns, especially if the Bulls surround him with other non-shooters, but Claxton doesn't need plays drawn up for him to impact the game. For a Chicago team still searching for a defensive identity, this is one of the cleaner fits to emerge from the deal.

Lakers Sign Walker Kessler

The Lakers were begging for a true big-man this time last year and Rob Pelinka is doubling up. Kessler lands in LA on a massive four-year, $130 million contract featuring a player option and a 15% trade kicker. Not bad for a guy who only played five games this season. And to make this happen, Utah completely looted the Lakers' future asset cupboard. Let's be real. The second the Lakers traded away Anthony Davis to land Luka Doncic, they created a canyon-sized hole at the center position. DeAndre Ayton was too finnicky to be the long-term answer, forcing LA to put all their remaining chips in. Now? They pick up one of the best shot-blockers on the planet with a soft finishing touch. And playing alongside a generational playmaker in Luka is going to give him the easiest looks of his life.

Tim Hardaway Jr. to Miami Heat

The former Denver sharpshooter signs a one-year, $6.5 million contract to fill the shooting gaps left by Norman Powell. Miami needs shooters, and they need them now. The defense is already locked and loaded, but right now, the Heat lack perimeter shooting so much so that opposing defenses could comfortably collapse into the paint and dare Miami to score from outside. Hardaway Jr. may be streaky, but he has never been afraid to let it fly and can completely swing a game when he catches fire. He's not going to replace everything Powell brought to the table, particularly as a downhill scorer, but on a low-risk, short-term deal, Miami adds a proven veteran who can space the floor and provide instant offense off the bench.

Anfernee Simons to Philadelphia 76ers

The Sixers continue their relentless search to soak up as much offense as possible. They landed on Anfernee Simons, a two-year $12.3 million contract with a player who averaged 20+ only a few seasons ago. This is a championship caliber depth signing. Simons had a chaotic calendar year—shipped from Portland to Boston last season, suffering multiple wrist injuries and playing just 49 games with the Celtics before getting traded to Chicago. Now, Simons is determined to turn Philly's luck around since their bench was arguably one of the worst in the league last season. His defensive limitations are well documented, but the Sixers are not bringing him in to be a stopper. They need his shooting, shot creation and ability to generate instant offense whenever Tyrese Maxey is off the floor.

Santi Aldama to Dallas Mavericks

Mavericks Receive: Santi Aldama, Tarik Biberovic (rights)

Grizzlies Receive: AJ Johnson, 1 First-round pick, 2 second-round picks

This is the closest the Mavericks have gotten to Dirk Nowitzki. New lead executive Masai Ujiri is quietly assembling a fascinating roster. Aldama is a highly skilled, 7-foot floor-spacing weapon who gives Dallas incredible versatility. Before a knee injury ended his season in March, he was averaging career highs of 14 points and seven rebounds per game. Putting him in a frontcourt mix that already includes Cooper Flagg, Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II gives Dallas elite positional size and a sneaky advantage over smaller teams. Aldama can stretch opposing big men away from the rim, attack slower defenders off the dribble and keep the offense flowing with his passing. He's not a defensive anchor, but he doesn't need to be with Gafford and Lively protecting the paint.

Nikola Vucevic Returns to Orlando Magic

This is a heartwarming, low-risk move EVERYONE is happy with. Signing a 1-year, $3.9 million veteran minimum contract, Vucevic gets to return to a city that will embrace him with open arms. Vooch played the best basketball of his career in Orlando from 2013 to 2021 s a two-time All-Star. With Moe Wagner bolted up for Brooklyn and Wendell Carter Jr. not providing a super large scoring push, Vucevic offers the Magic a proven offensive center who can score in the post, stretch the floor and keep the second unit afloat. He may no longer be capable of carrying an offense by his lonesome, and his defensive limitations remain, but Orlando has enough young, athletic defenders to cover that. On a minimum contract, the Magic are adding a great piece

Norman Powell to Chicago Bulls

In my opinion, this sort of blows up the Giannis trade. Powell was the Heat's leading scorer last season and has been on an absolute tear, taking a large leap in his thirties and receiving an All-Star nod last season. Without him, the Heat lose a bucket getter who could have filled most of the gaps that Tyler Herro left. Now, without him, the Heat are a bit stripped for offense. As for the Bulls, this is a great move. They need perimeter scoring and while I think Matas Buzelis will take a large leap, Chicago could NOT afford to place the entire offensive burden on its younger players. Powell gives the Bulls a veteran scorer who can create off the dribble, attack closeouts and punish defenses from beyond the arc. I think $22.5 million a year is a bit pricey for a 33-year-old guard, but it provides instant offense now without a huge consequence.

John Collins to Detroit Pistons

Collins played a quiet role in LA last season but the Clippers boat continues to sink, and Collins jumped ship. I'd like to have imagined the dimes Garland would have fed a lengthy lob-threat of Collins' caliber, but I think Detroit could be a better fit for him. With Tobias harris gone, the Pistons have a glaring void at power forward. Collins, who not only crashes the rim but also shot 40% from three last season, steps directly into that starting role and could have some pretty good symmetry with Cade Cunningham. Detroit essentially gets a starting-caliber forward without anchoring their salary ap if the fit doesn't elevate them in the playoffs. Collins averaged 20+ points at one point and his adaptable makes him a massive gain.

Kelly Oubre to Indiana Pacers

This signing won't turn heads but it seemed just about impossible for Philly to maintain this much offense in one go. Signing a 2-year $17 million contract, this could be a huge steal for the Pacers, who have been trying to fill the void left by Bennedict Mathurin. Oubre is not the most efficient or disciplined player, but he brings athleticism, defensive aggression and the confidence to create his own shot. He can run the floor with Indiana’s guards, attack closeouts and give the second unit a much-needed scoring punch. Following their brutal, injury-plagued season that turned their Finals run into the most humbled team in the league, the Pacers are loading back up around Tyrese Haliburton. Oubre quietly evolved into a disciplined, dependable 3-and-D wing over time and Rick Carlisle loves these players.

Tobias Harris to San Antonio Spurs

Signing a 2-year $31 million fully guaranteed contract, the Spurs just added a huge piece. Harris will be 34 next season, but he still looks incredible for his age. Harris just finished a highly respected stint in Detroit where his steady 13.3 points, wise shot selection and defense helped transform the Pistons from a 14-win laughingstock into a 60-win team. Now, he jumps to a SPurs franchise coming fresh off an NBA Finals appearance. San Antonio's young core did NOT coming in to the Finals with good shooting efficiency, shooting just 33% from three. Harris brings battle-tested offense and positional flexibility at both power forward spots, and the Spurs desperately need perimeter spacing if they're going to try and win another title next season.

Kyle Anderson to Toronto Raptors

Slow-Mo signs a 1-year $3/9 million veteran minimum contract, and this looks like a savvy, low-risk homecoming and mentorship win. Entering his 13th season, Anderson brings an unconventional, high-IQ game to the Raptors' frontcourt. After spending last season splitting time between multiple franchises, Anderson gets to reunite with Kawhi Leonard in a San Antonio reunion. He won't be asked to score, but his playmaking, rebounding and defensive versatility provide crucial insurance behind the tandem of Kawhi and Barnes, while also helping mentor Toronto's developing players.

Mitchell Robinson to Boston Celtics

This feels rather redundant. Neemias Queta stepped into a larger role last season and flourished, and statistically he had a better season than Mitchell Robinson. Now that the Celtics have given up Nikola Vucevic and Porzingis, they need a big-man who can actually stretch the floor, not just play inside. Still, Robinson served a pivotal role as an interior defensive nightmare on the Celtics' biggest rival team. Boston now has a premier rim protector to fortify and interior defense that could still use toughness, but this might be the wrong form. Could this move signal that Queta is next to be dealt, or does Boston genuinely plan on splitting its center minutes between two non-shooters?

Luke Kennard to Phoenix Suns

This is a sneaky good pickup. Signing a 2-year $13 million contract, the Suns steal the "statistically best shooter in the league"and a fill a glaring offensive void left by Grayson Allen. Kennard just finished an incredible campaign where he led the entire league in three-point accuracy at an eye-popping 47.8%. Now that Phoenix has traded away bot of their 40% perimeter shooters in Grayson Allen and Royce O'Neale, their rotation needed another floor spacer not named "Devin Booker". Landing the second-most accurate three-point shooter in NBA history (trailing just Steve Kerr) at just $6.5 million a year is an insane pull by the front office. Kennard's stats won't jump off the page at you, but but his impact extends far beyond the box score. Defenses cannot afford to leave him unattended for even a second, giving Booker and the Suns’ other creators considerably more room to operate.

Quentin Grimes to Los Angeles Lakers

Quentin Grimes proved last year that he can fit into just about any rotation and be much more than a spot up shooter. When aggressive, he's one of the tougher covers in the league. Signing a 4-year, $60 million contract using LA's available cap room, the Lakers get a foundational 3-and-D investment for the new era. As Rob Pelinka and JJ Redick aggressively reshape the roster around Luka and AR, they needed youth, energy and most urgently—defense. Grimes is a rugged on-ball defender who shoots over 36% from three for his career. When given a primary offensive opportunity he was 20+ per night scorer. Still, the Lakers have a LOT of guards now and you have to wonder about the cohesion, and it's fair to question how cleanly all the pieces will fit. Grimes may have to sacrifice touches, but unlike some of LA’s other ball-dominant options, he does not need to control the offense to make an impact.

Collin Sexton to Los Angeles Lakers

Signing a 2-year, $19 million contract, the Lakers sign another firecracker who can score in bunches. After acquiring Walker Kessler and committing big money to Grimes and Mamu, the Lakers exhausted nearly all of their spending power—yet still managed to lure Sexton to LA using their room exception. Sexton is coming off an explosive stretch where he averaged 17.5 points per game and shot 41% from three after being traded to Chicago at the deadline. He brings relentless downhill speed, slashing aggression, and a career 39% three-point stroke to an LA bench that desperately needed dynamic scoring punch. Getting a 27-year-old guard capable of averaging 18+ points per game for under $10 million annually is a major front-office victory.

Bogdan Bogdanovic to Houston Rockets

Bogdanovic is coming off the most difficult season of his career, where a ruptured hamstring suffered at EuroBasket 2025 and lingering hip issues limited him to just 23 games. However, Houston’s front office heavily recruited the 33-year-old for one specific reason: shooting. Houston has struggled with perimeter spacing and Bogdanovic is a career 38.2% three-point shooter who can also act as a secondary ball-handler. If his medicals check out, he is the exact veteran wing needed to open up the paint for the team's slashers. Despite his age, Bogdanovic isn't a guy you can afford to leave open for any reason and he's also comfortable creating late in the shot clock. His playoff experience and composure should do nothing but benefit Houston.

Marvin Bagley to Denver Nuggets

Signing a 1-year, veteran minimum contract as a 27-year-old is sort of unbelievable, especially for a former No. 2 overall pick. Bagley’s career has never come close to meeting the expectations attached to his draft position, but that doesn't mean he cannot still become a productive rotation player. Dallas offers him a low-pressure environment where he will not be asked to rescue a franchise or justify where Sacramento selected him. He can simply rebound, run the floor, finish around the basket and provide energy in limited minutes. Bagley split last season between Washington and Dallas, quietly putting together a hyper-efficient offensive campaign where he shot a career-high 61.8% from the field. While his perimeter defense and outside shooting remain lingering weaknesses, his ability to finish lobs and score in the paint gives Denver a reliable frontcourt spark plug off the bench.

Moe Wagner to Brooklyn Nets

Moe Wagner's injuries have started to become cause for concern and what was once a tremendously high upside has started to gradually settle into uncertainty. Still, Brooklyn is betting that there is enough left for Wagner to become a valuable rotation big once he is healthy. At his best, he is an energetic scorer who can stretch the floor, attack slower centers and completely change the tone of a game with his physicality. The Nets desperately needed another proven frontcourt option, and Wagner gives them someone capable of playing either big-man position without demanding a massive offensive role. After spending five-plus seasons in Orlando providing relentless energy and interior scoring alongside his younger brother Franz, the 6'11" forward-center gets a new opportunity as part of the same three-team deal involving Claxton and Randle.

Mike Conley to Boston Celtics

Uncle Mike's career is just about at its end, but he still has ball left to play. Getting an elite veteran for a $3.8 million veteran minimum contract could be a great move. By suiting up for Boston, the 38-year-old Conley enters his 20th NBA season—joining teammate Al Horford as only the 13th and 14th players in league history to reach that milestone. While Conley is no longer a primary starting engine (averaging just 18 minutes a game last year in Minnesota), this signing is all about culture and stability. After shaking up their locker room by trading away Jaylen Brown, Boston desperately needed a steady, battle-tested leader. The four-time Sportsmanship Award winner brings elite basketball IQ and reliable defense to this squad without denting their salary cap.

Keon Ellis to Brooklyn Nets

Signing a 2-year, $18 million fully guaranteed contract, this is a well-deserved payday for a point-of-attack disruptor, as well as a genuinely solid success story. Undrafted and grinding his way through Sacramento and Cleveland on two-way and minimum deals, the 26-year-old wing secures his first major paycheck. While slightly undersized for a wing at 6'4", Ellis is a relentless on-ball defender who generates turnovers at an elite rate and has shot 40.7% from three-point range across his career. Crucially, he reunites with Brooklyn head coach Jordi Fernandez (who coached him as an assistant in Sacramento), stepping directly into a vital 3-and-D role to set the defensive tone for a retooling Nets roster.

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And somehow, it still feels like the biggest move has yet to happen. Where will LeBron land? Which contender will make the next desperate swing? What unexpected star could become available overnight? In an offseason already overwhelmingly chaotic, every Shams notification feels capable of flipping the entire league on it's side.

The dominoes will continue falling, the rumors are only getting louder and the next blockbuster could arrive at any moment. So, what happens next—and which team will be the one to drop the next bomb?

The 2026 NBA Summer League kicks off July 3 to July 19 🚨 Can't keep up with the drama? Be sure to stay tuned into Sportz Nation for your sports updates on all things basketball.

Thanks for reading!

-Joel Piton

(@jpiton7)