{"id":32360,"date":"2025-07-30T11:54:22","date_gmt":"2025-07-30T11:54:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/32360\/"},"modified":"2025-07-30T11:54:22","modified_gmt":"2025-07-30T11:54:22","slug":"free-agency-nba-power-rankings-how-all-30-teams-stack-up-in-the-2025-offseason","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/32360\/","title":{"rendered":"Free agency NBA Power Rankings &#8212; How all 30 teams stack up in the 2025 offseason"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The 2025 NBA offseason is in full swing, and with a flurry of free agency deals already behind us, teams continue to sort out unresolved agreements as we approach the end of the summer.<\/p>\n<p>With the 2025-26 NBA season a few months away, some teams are settling in with their newly acquired superstars. Specifically, the <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"78113ad4-1ac7-0c04-dada-388a6ff4e15e\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/team\/_\/name\/hou\/houston-rockets\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Houston Rockets<\/a> acquired 15-time All-Star <a data-player-guid=\"dc324fde-eee8-98e2-09ac-d31d8ad9909e\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/3202\/kevin-durant\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Kevin Durant<\/a> from the <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"c6eade89-5971-0e84-8ccb-cd91482b2b50\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/team\/_\/name\/phx\/phoenix-suns\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Phoenix Suns<\/a> in June. The Rockets hope the veteran forward will give them the boost they need to leap to dominant contender status next season.<\/p>\n<p>Other veteran names were also on the move this offseason, as <a data-player-guid=\"c6bdd0b0-2176-2089-9b41-1ca3540f64f4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/6606\/damian-lillard\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Damian Lillard<\/a> returned to the <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"ed294c02-3c44-db14-9e06-1b4e8cff9558\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/team\/_\/name\/por\/portland-trail-blazers\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Portland Trail Blazers<\/a> after two seasons with the <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"f59bbabc-eedb-9ad2-c5dd-9bcd9f450a2f\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/team\/_\/name\/mil\/milwaukee-bucks\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Milwaukee Bucks<\/a> and <a data-player-guid=\"63c7648a-60ba-c799-d355-f7f1d43f3a55\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/2779\/chris-paul\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Chris Paul<\/a> returned to the <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"083a58a6-b849-3501-e67b-059290d12295\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/team\/_\/name\/lac\/la-clippers\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">LA Clippers<\/a> after one season with the <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"8aef8547-32f5-0943-a1de-e734567674cc\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/team\/_\/name\/sa\/san-antonio-spurs\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">San Antonio Spurs<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>How will <a data-player-guid=\"fb35d5ac-5dde-c5ee-98f3-c348c244c0ae\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/6580\/bradley-beal\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Bradley Beal<\/a> fit with the Clippers? How much of an impact will <a data-player-guid=\"63605956-6a4c-d187-5e83-4f0e5c740a28\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4066421\/lonzo-ball\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Lonzo Ball<\/a> make with the <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"ec79ad1f-e6d2-7762-a2db-7fe97d35126b\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/team\/_\/name\/cle\/cleveland-cavaliers\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Cleveland Cavaliers<\/a>? Our NBA insiders break down some of the biggest questions after an exciting few weeks of free agency and what teams still need to address this offseason.<\/p>\n<p>Note: Team rankings are based on where members of our panel (ESPN&#8217;s Tim Bontemps, Jamal Collier, Michael C. Wright, Dave McMenamin, Ohm Youngmisuk, Chris Herring, Kevin Pelton, Zach Kram, Anthony Slater) think teams belong after a flurry of free agency moves.<\/p>\n<p align=\"center\">Jump to a team:<br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/45855237\/free-agency-nba-power-rankings-2025-offseason-all-30-teams   #atl\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">ATL<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/45855237\/free-agency-nba-power-rankings-2025-offseason-all-30-teams  #bos\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">BOS<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/45855237\/free-agency-nba-power-rankings-2025-offseason-all-30-teams   #bkn\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">BKN<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/45855237\/free-agency-nba-power-rankings-2025-offseason-all-30-teams  #cha\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">CHA<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/45855237\/free-agency-nba-power-rankings-2025-offseason-all-30-teams  #chi\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">CHI<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/45855237\/free-agency-nba-power-rankings-2025-offseason-all-30-teams   #cle\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">CLE<\/a><br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/45855237\/free-agency-nba-power-rankings-2025-offseason-all-30-teams   #dal\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">DAL<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/45855237\/free-agency-nba-power-rankings-2025-offseason-all-30-teams  #den\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">DEN<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/45855237\/free-agency-nba-power-rankings-2025-offseason-all-30-teams   #det\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">DET<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/45855237\/free-agency-nba-power-rankings-2025-offseason-all-30-teams  #gs\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">GS<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/45855237\/free-agency-nba-power-rankings-2025-offseason-all-30-teams  #hou\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">HOU<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/45855237\/free-agency-nba-power-rankings-2025-offseason-all-30-teams   #ind\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">IND<\/a><br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/45855237\/free-agency-nba-power-rankings-2025-offseason-all-30-teams   #lac\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">LAC<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/45855237\/free-agency-nba-power-rankings-2025-offseason-all-30-teams   #lal\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">LAL<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/45855237\/free-agency-nba-power-rankings-2025-offseason-all-30-teams  #mem\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">MEM<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/45855237\/free-agency-nba-power-rankings-2025-offseason-all-30-teams   #mia\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">MIA<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/45855237\/free-agency-nba-power-rankings-2025-offseason-all-30-teams  #mil\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">MIL<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/45855237\/free-agency-nba-power-rankings-2025-offseason-all-30-teams   #min\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">MIN<\/a><br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/45855237\/free-agency-nba-power-rankings-2025-offseason-all-30-teams   #no\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">NO<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/45855237\/free-agency-nba-power-rankings-2025-offseason-all-30-teams   #nyk\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">NY<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/45855237\/free-agency-nba-power-rankings-2025-offseason-all-30-teams   #okc\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">OKC<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/45855237\/free-agency-nba-power-rankings-2025-offseason-all-30-teams   #orl\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">ORL<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/45855237\/free-agency-nba-power-rankings-2025-offseason-all-30-teams #phi\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">PHI<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/45855237\/free-agency-nba-power-rankings-2025-offseason-all-30-teams #phx\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">PHX<\/a><br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/45855237\/free-agency-nba-power-rankings-2025-offseason-all-30-teams   #por\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">POR<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/45855237\/free-agency-nba-power-rankings-2025-offseason-all-30-teams   #sac\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">SAC<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/45855237\/free-agency-nba-power-rankings-2025-offseason-all-30-teams #sa\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">SA<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/45855237\/free-agency-nba-power-rankings-2025-offseason-all-30-teams   #tor\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">TOR<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/45855237\/free-agency-nba-power-rankings-2025-offseason-all-30-teams #utah\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">UTA<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/45855237\/free-agency-nba-power-rankings-2025-offseason-all-30-teams  #was\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">WAS<\/a><\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/1752936309_868_greyline.png\" width=\"100%\"\/><\/p>\n<p><img class=\" lazyload lazyload\" data-image-container=\".inline-photo\" height=\"320\" width=\"570\"\/>Kevin Durant, 36-years old, was traded to the Houston Rockets from the Phoenix Suns in June as part of a seven-team deal.\u00a0ESPN Illustration<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/okc.png\" width=\"30\"\/><\/p>\n<p>1. <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"bd458c44-2d33-47eb-cebc-35d3d4ac595c\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/team\/_\/name\/okc\/oklahoma-city-thunder\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Oklahoma City Thunder<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The Thunder haven&#8217;t added any new players this offseason except rookies <a data-player-guid=\"662a5a94-8cf3-33c4-8d91-f950cae85e12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/5061603\/thomas-sorber\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Thomas Sorber<\/a> and <a data-player-guid=\"9b8e4993-c9fb-3fbc-9932-10ff0fd01b5b\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4684208\/brooks-barnhizer\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Brooks Barnhizer<\/a> &#8212; who flashed tremendous defensive skills at summer league, making him a perfect fit &#8212; in the draft. But why would they need to? The defending champs will return every member of their rotation as they attempt to repeat in 2025-26. Instead, Oklahoma City&#8217;s main business this offseason was signing <a data-player-guid=\"4dcec409-3ff9-2881-2bc3-b4289ce6c36d\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4278073\/shai-gilgeous-alexander\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Shai Gilgeous-Alexander<\/a>, <a data-player-guid=\"2381f346-9247-3ba1-b632-fcef378a2799\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4593803\/jalen-williams\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jalen Williams<\/a> and <a data-player-guid=\"d28316e9-20cc-3cb2-b5d7-afdb6418315b\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4433255\/chet-holmgren\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Chet Holmgren<\/a> to long-term extensions, locking up this championship core through the rest of the 2020s. And that mission was accomplished without any fuss. &#8212; Zach Kram<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/1753876450_616_hou.png\" width=\"30\"\/><\/p>\n<p>2. <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"78113ad4-1ac7-0c04-dada-388a6ff4e15e\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/team\/_\/name\/hou\/houston-rockets\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Houston Rockets<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Disappointed with a first-round exit from the postseason, Houston wasted no time in addressing its need for offensive by bringing aboard 15-time NBA All-Star Kevin Durant while also bolstering depth and perimeter defense with the addition of Dorian Finney-Smith. Those experienced veterans join <a data-player-guid=\"6c6e5179-fc67-908e-bc50-0a5580d64159\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/2991230\/fred-vanvleet\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Fred VanVleet<\/a> and a young, hungry cast of rising stars, including <a data-player-guid=\"dad4f5fb-9739-38ac-b3b5-5d7937c29232\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4871144\/alperen-sengun\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Alperen Sengun<\/a> and <a data-player-guid=\"d46a44b0-75e5-3475-a977-c64be5aaec40\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4684740\/amen-thompson\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Amen Thompson<\/a>. The Rockets are also banking on improvement (especially on the defensive end) from the sharp-shooting <a data-player-guid=\"b2e3effa-a7ab-3837-8d7e-da8b05577441\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4711272\/reed-sheppard\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Reed Sheppard<\/a>, who was impressive during summer league, showing Houston he is ready for an increased role. Frontcourt depth will be a sneaky strength, too. &#8212; Michael C. Wright<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/1753876450_297_den.png\" width=\"30\"\/><\/p>\n<p>3. <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"c4aceb39-0eb9-a30b-1120-9cb5b12b677a\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/team\/_\/name\/den\/denver-nuggets\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Denver Nuggets<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Breaking News from Shams Charania<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/contributor\/shams-charania\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatright\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/charania_shams.png\" width=\"40%\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Download the ESPN app and enable <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/contributor\/shams-charania\" target=\"new\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Shams Charania&#8217;s news alerts<\/a> to receive push notifications for the latest updates first. Opt in by tapping the alerts bell in the top right corner. For more information, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/espn\/story\/_\/id\/43511398\/introducing-espn-reporter-breaking-news-alerts-faq-fans\" target=\"new\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p>The Nuggets have made big moves, first with the firings of Michael Malone and Calvin Booth in early April, to try and maximize the championship window with <a data-player-guid=\"22f57511-06ae-1587-f01b-33965365ce0d\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/3112335\/nikola-jokic\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Nikola Jokic<\/a>. They finished three months of change with one of their best offseasons. With new coach David Adelman and a new front office of Ben Tenzer and Jon Wallace in place, the Nuggets retooled around Jokic by swapping <a data-player-guid=\"84f89e6d-8dd8-5b8b-bfe7-83ba59ee5121\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4278104\/michael-porter-jr\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Michael Porter Jr<\/a>. and the $79 million remaining on his contract for <a data-player-guid=\"52d9a7a4-0bee-a926-a5fd-f2ecb96eaa95\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/3138196\/cameron-johnson\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Cameron Johnson<\/a>. They brought back Bruce Brown, a valued contributor of the 2023 title team, and signed <a data-player-guid=\"4ea7a8ea-43eb-1036-2128-c745eca4a55f\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/2528210\/tim-hardaway-jr\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Tim Hardaway Jr<\/a>. in free agency. And they got Jokic a much-needed backup by trading for Jonas Valanciunas. While Jokic delayed extension talks until next summer to have the ability to add a fourth year and an additional $77 million, the franchise star has seen his team make moves to add crucial versatility, defense, experience and depth around him. &#8212; Ohm Youngmisuk<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/1753876452_952_cle.png\" width=\"30\"\/><\/p>\n<p>4. <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"ec79ad1f-e6d2-7762-a2db-7fe97d35126b\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/team\/_\/name\/cle\/cleveland-cavaliers\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Cleveland Cavaliers<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Perhaps the most significant news of Cleveland&#8217;s summer was <a data-player-guid=\"eb092265-024f-9840-7f49-507cfcab5aab\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4396907\/darius-garland\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Darius Garland<\/a> undergoing surgery on his left big toe. The two-time All-Star was unavailable for four of the Cavs&#8217; nine playoff games because of the injury, averaging just 14 points while shooting 16.7% from 3 in the loss to Indiana. He only missed seven games during the regular season. Cleveland changed things up at point guard, too, letting <a data-player-guid=\"c3105754-89ce-5055-3b1b-61c45e7ce40a\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4065733\/ty-jerome\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Ty Jerome<\/a> walk in free agency (signed with Memphis for three years, $28 million) and trading <a data-player-guid=\"7bcc7c59-2e9a-3729-b929-9f3c20682cd8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4432822\/isaac-okoro\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Isaac Okoro<\/a> to the <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"e588ccf1-ba03-ea43-c34c-9a9c8d1895ca\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/team\/_\/name\/chi\/chicago-bulls\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Chicago Bulls<\/a> for Lonzo Ball. &#8212; Dave McMenamin<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/nyk.png\" width=\"30\"\/><\/p>\n<p>5. <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"61719eb2-11c3-4e3d-90c3-0a1319fd850b\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/team\/_\/name\/ny\/new-york-knicks\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">New York Knicks<\/a><\/p>\n<p>New York, having very little to spend in free agency, did well for itself. It signed former Jazz Sixth Man of the Year Jordan Clarkson once he cleared waivers and forward Guerschon Yabusele for slightly less than the midlevel exception &#8212; a pair of deals that should bolster a group that had lackluster depth last season. But make no mistake: All eyes will be on new coach Mike Brown and whether he can squeeze more out of a group that fell two wins shy of reaching the NBA Finals, particularly with a weakened Eastern Conference. &#8212; Chris Herring<\/p>\n<p><img class=\" lazyload lazyload\"\/>play<\/p>\n<p>2:06<\/p>\n<p>Can the Knicks get over the hump this year?<\/p>\n<p class=\"contentItem__subhead\">David Dennis Jr. and Kendrick Perkins believe this season will be the New York Knicks&#8217; best shot at a title.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/1753876452_359_min.png\" width=\"30\"\/><\/p>\n<p>6. <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"13f727cb-254d-b484-a337-93fcc0047add\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/team\/_\/name\/min\/minnesota-timberwolves\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Minnesota Timberwolves<\/a><\/p>\n<p>After trying to make a big swing for Kevin Durant, Minnesota settled for a more homegrown approach: counting on its young core. That means relying on <a data-player-guid=\"a2edb458-a371-3fba-ba5a-b24dd2fd2d9e\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4594268\/anthony-edwards\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Anthony Edwards<\/a> (23), <a data-player-guid=\"b7a78718-3dc4-395f-bbc5-dc5477126c1d\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4431671\/jaden-mcdaniels\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jaden McDaniels<\/a> (24) and <a data-player-guid=\"f8d497e7-586c-2aa7-4da1-3af638ca26e1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4396971\/naz-reid\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Naz Reid<\/a> (25) to continue their ascent, but also banking on coach Chris Finch to use 20-year-old <a data-player-guid=\"4e93da74-51b3-3476-9c3c-6262426a4a86\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4684275\/rob-dillingham\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Rob Dillingham<\/a> and 24-year-old <a data-player-guid=\"37335dcf-ed28-c8e9-e8d8-1a6c7ff9dad6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4432847\/terrence-shannon-jr\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Terrence Shannon Jr<\/a>. in his rotation more than he did last season. After two straight conference finals appearances, the team looks mostly the same, aside from prioritizing <a data-player-guid=\"cea0d1d3-6353-87c8-929e-c556ae36dc41\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/3064514\/julius-randle\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Julius Randle<\/a>&#8216;s contract extension with its cap space, leading to Nickeil Alexander-Walker leaving for the Hawks. &#8212; McMenamin<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/1753876452_362_lac.png\" width=\"30\"\/><\/p>\n<p>7. <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"083a58a6-b849-3501-e67b-059290d12295\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/team\/_\/name\/lac\/la-clippers\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">LA Clippers<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The Clippers are clearing cap space to possibly sign a star or two in the next two summers. But in the meantime, they&#8217;ve managed to improve a team that won 50 games last season and lost in Game 7 of the first round to Nikola Jokic and Denver. The Clippers re-signed <a data-player-guid=\"35b0f455-b1df-0986-121d-27d2b6c18122\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/3992\/james-harden\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">James Harden<\/a> to a new two-year deal that gave them cap flexibility, traded Norman Powell to Miami and landed power forward John Collins. They also beat other suitors for Brook Lopez in free agency. They also signed Bradley Beal after the guard was bought out by the Suns. The Clippers then completed their busy summer by bringing back Chris Paul. They feature a starting five that can be one of the best in the West when healthy, have added shooting, more depth and boast one of the best front lines in the league with <a data-player-guid=\"314d5203-a973-39ef-ad47-e6bcd46f77fd\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4017837\/ivica-zubac\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Ivica Zubac<\/a> and Lopez. Collins gives Harden an above-the-rim target and allows <a data-player-guid=\"87ff907c-c68c-a82d-1215-37e05d0c62ef\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/6450\/kawhi-leonard\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Kawhi Leonard<\/a> to move to small forward. The Clippers are a little older and will have to manage their health, but they are built to make a run in the playoffs if Leonard can stay healthy. &#8212; Youngmisuk<\/p>\n<p><img class=\" lazyload lazyload\"\/>play<\/p>\n<p>0:47<\/p>\n<p>Can Bradley Beal restore his reputation with the LA Clippers?<\/p>\n<p class=\"contentItem__subhead\">Marc Spears discusses how Bradley Beal&#8217;s future with the Clippers could be make or bust.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/orl.png\" width=\"30\"\/><\/p>\n<p>8. <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"74c23102-8c27-c8e6-ec1b-8a8fd4d42554\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/team\/_\/name\/orl\/orlando-magic\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Orlando Magic<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Orlando struck early, sending four first-round picks &#8212; including this year&#8217;s No. 16 selection &#8212; to Memphis for Desmond Bane. Adding Bane&#8217;s shooting and scoring to the backcourt vaults the Magic into the ranks of East contenders, presuming the continued development from forwards <a data-player-guid=\"b121848a-30d3-3fad-b6ab-74bf04005533\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4432573\/paolo-banchero\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Paolo Banchero<\/a> and <a data-player-guid=\"a585c182-99b5-3f9f-97ec-4382128e8e9f\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4566434\/franz-wagner\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Franz Wagner<\/a>. Orlando also strengthened its guard rotation by signing veteran Tyus Jones as a backup to starter <a data-player-guid=\"bd1767da-2774-3ec3-9c48-f443f0777bf6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4432165\/jalen-suggs\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jalen Suggs<\/a>, who missed the final three months of last season due to knee surgery. President of basketball operations Jeff Weltman said in June that Suggs is &#8220;right on time&#8221; in his rehabilitation. &#8212; Kevin Pelton<\/p>\n<p><img class=\" lazyload lazyload\"\/>play<\/p>\n<p>1:56<\/p>\n<p>Marc Spears: Magic are a sleeper in the Eastern Conference<\/p>\n<p class=\"contentItem__subhead\">Marc Spears and Dave McMenamin discuss why the Magic and Nuggets deserve an A offseason grade.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/gs.png\" width=\"30\"\/><\/p>\n<p>9. <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"77a8546f-24bf-a333-8161-bf9f75396c49\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/team\/_\/name\/gs\/golden-state-warriors\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Golden State Warriors<\/a><\/p>\n<p>As August nears, the Warriors have only nine players on the roster. But many in the league believe <a data-player-guid=\"b79dd16a-5d4b-d704-9b0c-eaa9ec3df217\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/3213\/al-horford\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Al Horford<\/a>, <a data-player-guid=\"4701e165-6b05-a4be-91d4-1f97ca5baafc\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4066436\/deanthony-melton\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">De&#8217;Anthony Melton<\/a> and <a data-player-guid=\"3f599388-2fb2-3f8c-8f8b-a0ec58fd65d2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/2326307\/seth-curry\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Seth Curry<\/a> are eventually ticketed to join Golden State once <a data-player-guid=\"fa4aeb82-1488-3163-b374-4e0cdd9cb23a\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4433247\/jonathan-kuminga\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jonathan Kuminga<\/a>&#8216;s restricted free agency is solved, adding a few proven veterans to a rotation that needs it. Kuminga&#8217;s situation is unresolved and his return (and level of buy-in if he does) remain in question. But the Warriors will mostly be defined by the ability of <a data-player-guid=\"5dda51f1-50c9-66e1-2026-400b73f34fad\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/3975\/stephen-curry\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Stephen Curry<\/a>, <a data-player-guid=\"076edf90-d167-2d15-88cb-a174c984b9e3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/6430\/jimmy-butler-iii\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jimmy Butler III<\/a> and <a data-player-guid=\"de360720-e416-25f2-8a6b-b5ff82616cb1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/6589\/draymond-green\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Draymond Green<\/a> to defy the aging process. That&#8217;s where they&#8217;ve made their two season bet. Curry (37), Butler (35) and Green (35) will make $286.6 million combined the next two seasons. All three contracts are set to expire in the summer of 2027. &#8212; Anthony Slater<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/lal.png\" width=\"30\"\/><\/p>\n<p>10. <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"2876e98b-b9bc-2920-4319-46e6943f8be4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/team\/_\/name\/lal\/los-angeles-lakers\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Los Angeles Lakers<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Coming off a disappointing first-round showing against Minnesota, L.A. had a major decision to make: re-sign Dorian Finney-Smith, one of the five players coach JJ Redick played the entire second half of Game 4 or let the 3-and-D forward go to have access to the midlevel exception. The Lakers went with the second route and turned the cap space into two players: center Deandre Ayton and wing <a data-player-guid=\"a2ffece1-7bf0-3c54-aa59-b150b6ecd315\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4592691\/jake-laravia\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jake LaRavia<\/a>. Los Angeles later waived <a data-player-guid=\"0bd90eae-7fa2-1afb-904f-535595216bb3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4278402\/jordan-goodwin\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jordan Goodwin<\/a> to access the bi-annual exception and sign Marcus Smart. All to make <a data-player-guid=\"583794eb-0f38-9bbd-3e25-9dd33b7f83b8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/3945274\/luka-doncic\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Luka Doncic<\/a> and <a data-player-guid=\"1f6592b3-ff53-d321-8dc5-6038d48c1786\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/1966\/lebron-james\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">LeBron James<\/a>&#8216; second season together to have a better shot of succeeding. &#8212; McMenamin<\/p>\n<p><img class=\" lazyload lazyload\"\/>play<\/p>\n<p>2:39<\/p>\n<p>How LeBron is preparing for next season with Lakers<\/p>\n<p class=\"contentItem__subhead\">Dave McMenamin and Marc Spears join &#8220;NBA Today&#8221; to break down LeBron James&#8217; dedication and focus as he prepares for his 23rd NBA season.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/1753876453_920_det.png\" width=\"30\"\/><\/p>\n<p>11. <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"4e096981-dc02-51d0-3dcd-2468fcc1e22d\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/team\/_\/name\/det\/detroit-pistons\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Detroit Pistons<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The Pistons were forced to pivot late after learning Sixth Man of the Year runner-up <a data-player-guid=\"4e963496-bb60-2e6e-6db0-b0b2da819023\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/3907822\/malik-beasley\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Malik Beasley<\/a>, an unrestricted free agent, is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/45608949\/sources-pistons-malik-beasley-subject-federal-gambling-probe\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">under federal investigation related to prop bets<\/a>. Per ESPN&#8217;s Shams Charania, the Pistons had been discussing a three-year deal for Beasley. Instead, they replaced him and starting guard Tim Hardaway Jr. with sharpshooter <a data-player-guid=\"36432468-246f-8e5e-4079-cf34dafef796\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/3157465\/duncan-robinson\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Duncan Robinson<\/a> via sign-and-trade and free agent Caris LeVert. They will have a tough time matching the value Beasley provided last year, when his 319 3-pointers ranked second in the league. LeVert and Robinson combined for 306. &#8212; Pelton<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/1753876453_377_atl.png\" width=\"30\"\/><\/p>\n<p>12. <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"15096a54-f015-c987-5ec8-55afedf6272f\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/team\/_\/name\/atl\/atlanta-hawks\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Atlanta Hawks<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Previous ranking: 19<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/gn-arrow.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Notable additions: Nickeil Alexander-Walker (via sign-and-trade), <a data-player-guid=\"a1f467e2-5304-c8c1-db23-80fe313c3d7c\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/3102531\/kristaps-porzingis\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Kristaps Porzingis<\/a> (via trade), <a data-player-guid=\"668a6a14-4003-d79c-c252-0ece0a960d36\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/3913174\/luke-kennard\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Luke Kennard<\/a> (via free agency)<\/p>\n<p>Notable departures: Clint Capela (via free agency), Caris LeVert (via free agency), <a data-player-guid=\"14bc202c-2458-6189-f964-32085299060a\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/3907823\/terance-mann\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Terance Mann<\/a> (via trade), <a data-player-guid=\"fc22b9ec-32bd-07eb-e803-6c89ddfb8f11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/2990969\/georges-niang\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Georges Niang<\/a> (via trade)<\/p>\n<p>Few clubs had a better offseason on paper than Atlanta, which added skilled big man Kristaps Porzingis, highly versatile wing Nickeil Alexander-Walker and sharpshooter Luke Kennard. The new Hawks front office also nabbed an unprotected first-round pick from the Pelicans next year for the small price of sliding back 10 spots in this past draft. The moves give four-time All-Star <a data-player-guid=\"5745cf6d-e0cb-7585-60cd-97f7891bbeef\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4277905\/trae-young\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Trae Young<\/a> the most balanced roster he has had since reaching the conference finals in 2021. &#8212; Herring<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/1753876453_989_dal.png\" width=\"30\"\/><\/p>\n<p>13. <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"f00d1f4e-4ce6-d581-466c-5b52531cf7ad\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/team\/_\/name\/dal\/dallas-mavericks\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Dallas Mavericks<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The lack of proven ball handlers, with <a data-player-guid=\"4fb2e3fc-ad79-d9bc-ddd9-bbb09f29ead3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/6442\/kyrie-irving\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Kyrie Irving<\/a> expected to miss significant time, raises red flags. But if Dallas successfully navigates that situation, the roster features enough talent and veteran leadership to develop enough chemistry over the first few months of the season to become contenders in the West. Dallas&#8217; frontcourt is deep and skilled, with the physicality of <a data-player-guid=\"a0268e7a-137e-3749-b75c-bedefd1177e4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4683688\/dereck-lively-ii\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Dereck Lively II<\/a> and <a data-player-guid=\"dcf63163-4dbf-c59d-1920-3ecc2f8bd5fb\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/6583\/anthony-davis\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Anthony Davis<\/a>. No. 1 pick <a data-player-guid=\"6cf6ea11-b3e4-35fd-bb91-f9f6caf6e2c8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/5041939\/cooper-flagg\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Cooper Flagg<\/a> showed he is the real deal during summer league. His playmaking could be the glue that holds the Mavericks together early before Irving returns. &#8212; Wright<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/1753876454_231_mil.png\" width=\"30\"\/><\/p>\n<p>14. <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"f59bbabc-eedb-9ad2-c5dd-9bcd9f450a2f\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/team\/_\/name\/mil\/milwaukee-bucks\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Milwaukee Bucks<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Editor&#8217;s Picks<\/p>\n<p>2 Related<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p>Previous ranking: 16<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/gn-arrow.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Notable additions: Cole Anthony (via free agency), <a data-player-guid=\"a61d70b4-d544-33c8-3eb9-aa6e5074f97e\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/3133628\/myles-turner\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Myles Turner<\/a> (via free agency), <a data-player-guid=\"80977674-266a-5c4a-16a5-f7efe9961fe0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/2999547\/gary-harris\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Gary Harris<\/a> (via free agency)<\/p>\n<p>Notable departures: <a data-player-guid=\"d87adcb4-8736-4ba7-a188-250127546a89\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/2578239\/pat-connaughton\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Pat Connaughton<\/a> (via trade), Vasilije Mici\u0107 (waived), <a data-player-guid=\"c6bdd0b0-2176-2089-9b41-1ca3540f64f4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/6606\/damian-lillard\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Damian Lillard<\/a> (waived), Brook Lopez (via free agency)<\/p>\n<p>The Bucks made perhaps the boldest move of any team this offseason. They waived guard Damian Lillard and stretched the remaining $113 million left on his contract over the next five years to sign free agent center Myles Turner. It was an unprecedented move, but one Milwaukee justified because of the opportunity to add an elite free agent fit next to <a data-player-guid=\"00985054-c4b3-4247-e825-ddf062d457c3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/3032977\/giannis-antetokounmpo\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Giannis Antetokounmpo<\/a>. It also gives the team a chance to maximize its superstar&#8217;s prime with an extended title-winning window. &#8212; Jamal Collier<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/mem.png\" width=\"30\"\/><\/p>\n<p>15. <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"af5d4942-aeb5-2d07-2a8a-f70b54617e51\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/team\/_\/name\/mem\/memphis-grizzlies\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Memphis Grizzlies<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Previous ranking: 15<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/sw_ye_40.png\" width=\"17\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Notable additions: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (via trade), Ty Jerome (via free agency)<\/p>\n<p>Notable departures: Cole Anthony (waived), Desmond Bane (via trade), Luke Kennard (via free agency), <a data-player-guid=\"5fd0e0b4-c4dc-833b-47a0-1227d6dc2da4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4065731\/jay-huff\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jay Huff<\/a> (via trade)<\/p>\n<p>GM Zach Kleiman steered Memphis into a retooling, building around <a data-player-guid=\"de5f87e0-8571-a730-ade4-6d00d10b8577\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4279888\/ja-morant\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Ja Morant<\/a> and <a data-player-guid=\"dbe0e9e5-0046-c414-000b-f4e629b08f5d\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4277961\/jaren-jackson-jr\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jaren Jackson Jr<\/a>., who signed a five-year $240 million contract, before the team announced he would undergone surgery to repair a turf toe injury. The club believes Jackson will miss minimal time, if any. Memphis wanted to increase physicality by acquiring <a data-player-guid=\"3c9c5de0-5d48-3e7f-9a01-36ab9af267dc\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4903027\/cedric-coward\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Cedric Coward<\/a> in the draft, while bringing aboard veteran Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to play opposite Morant. Memphis also added sharpshooting guard Ty Jerome. How it will play out is unknown as new coach Tuomas Iisalo is expected to tweak the unconventional system the team utilized last season. &#8212; Wright<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/sa.png\" width=\"30\"\/><\/p>\n<p>16. <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"8aef8547-32f5-0943-a1de-e734567674cc\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/team\/_\/name\/sa\/san-antonio-spurs\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">San Antonio Spurs<\/a><\/p>\n<p>You might see redundancy on the roster, given the bevy of ball handlers bolstered by the addition of No. 2 pick <a data-player-guid=\"d8fd1989-052d-3e45-91f2-6fda54fa5c8e\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/5037871\/dylan-harper\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Dylan Harper<\/a>. But San Antonio sees an increased ability to create matchup disadvantages that will be exacerbated by the inside presence of <a data-player-guid=\"0e8844b2-d923-3926-82d2-f19a29d69490\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/5104157\/victor-wembanyama\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Victor Wembanyama<\/a>, who is fully recovered from the blood clot that sidelined him for the last 30 games last season. The Spurs selected NBA Rookie of the Year winners in each of the past two drafts in Wembanyama and <a data-player-guid=\"26c7892b-12d0-3b1d-9645-f881921a1a20\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4845367\/stephon-castle\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Stephon Castle<\/a>, and Harper wants to continue the trend. No. 14 pick <a data-player-guid=\"bf077b0c-98d4-3009-bb34-a07e5a64f4d2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/5061568\/carter-bryant\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Carter Bryant<\/a> shows the makings of a lockdown defender, and the club also bolstered depth in the frontcourt that provides optionality with lineups. &#8212; Wright<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/1753876454_453_bos.png\" width=\"30\"\/><\/p>\n<p>17. <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"2ca761df-5f60-b2e9-22ed-e099c46d889b\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/team\/_\/name\/bos\/boston-celtics\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Boston Celtics<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Previous ranking: 12<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/rd-arrow.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Notable additions: Georges Niang (via trade), <a data-player-guid=\"95170b60-db18-eac2-dca0-6cbf4bc24884\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4351851\/anfernee-simons\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Anfernee Simons<\/a> (via trade)<\/p>\n<p>Notable departures: <a data-player-guid=\"6694d3e6-7257-f217-35dc-f6911488b9f1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/3995\/jrue-holiday\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jrue Holiday<\/a> (via trade), Luke Kornet (via free agency), Kristaps Porzingis (via trade)<\/p>\n<p>The offseason for Boston has been centered around cost-cutting, as the Celtics &#8212; with <a data-player-guid=\"ed3343b0-2ffa-f6b4-e422-3a1920938c81\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4065648\/jayson-tatum\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jayson Tatum<\/a> likely missing the entirety of this upcoming season due to a torn Achilles &#8212; have worked to get out of the second apron by moving on from Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday. The question is whether Boston will be able to fully duck the tax this season and reset its repeater tax clock or will remain in it. &#8212; Tim Bontemps<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/1753876455_362_phi.png\" width=\"30\"\/><\/p>\n<p>18. <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"ca1685ed-b799-53e4-7924-e58ea6eb8f3a\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/team\/_\/name\/phi\/philadelphia-76ers\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Philadelphia 76ers<\/a><\/p>\n<p>2025 NBA Offseason<img decoding=\"async\" data-lazyload=\"true\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/1753876460_526_nba_10-people-offseason_16x9.jpg\" class=\"round lazyload\"\/><\/p>\n<p>NBA free agency is in full swing, and ESPN experts are breaking down the biggest signings and trades.<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/45637126\/nba-free-agent-rankings-cp3-kuminga-ayton-horford-new-top-10\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">New free agent rankings: Pelton&#8217;s top 10<\/a><br \/>\u2022 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/45506849\/nba-free-agency-2025-latest-signings-news-buzz-trades-reports\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Latest news and buzz<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/45531560\/nba-trade-tracker-details-every-deal-2025-offseason\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Details for every trade<\/a><br \/>\u2022 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/45519132\/nba-free-agency-2025-reaction-grades-biggest-signings\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Pelton&#8217;s grades: Free agent deals<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/45518013\/nba-trade-grades-2025-26-breaking-most-impactful-offseason-deals\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Trades<\/a><br \/>\u2022 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/45612093\/nba-free-agency-2025-hearing-lakers-knicks-18-other-nba-teams\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">NBA insiders: Rumblings across the league<\/a><br \/>\u2022 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/45605321\/nba-free-agency-2025-how-all-30-teams-ace-their-offseason\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Marks: How 30 teams ace the offseason<\/a><br \/>\u2022 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/45599900\/nba-free-agency-2025-cap-space-best-fits-all-30-teams\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Salary cap space, best FA fits for every team<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p>Previous ranking: 21<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/gn-arrow.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Notable additions: <a data-player-guid=\"ca7a400f-b224-3c2d-a302-7868d85db57e\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4431675\/trendon-watford\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Trendon Watford<\/a> (via free agency)<\/p>\n<p>Notable departures: Guerschon Yabusele (via free agency), <a data-player-guid=\"8cd821de-3513-c33d-6f7f-be54abd40004\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4395695\/jared-butler\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jared Butler<\/a> (via free agency)<\/p>\n<p>The 76ers have done some nice things on the margins, including landing <a data-player-guid=\"5c3ab744-87f1-3e87-9226-b2fea3b80cc7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4432446\/jabari-walker\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jabari Walker<\/a> on a two-way deal and snagging <a data-player-guid=\"d5a0355a-95f4-38ed-b96d-ea0302ebbd0b\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/5124612\/vj-edgecombe\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">VJ Edgecombe<\/a> and <a data-player-guid=\"35305fdf-a551-3e96-b07d-9ebc9cae38ee\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4433569\/johni-broome\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Johni Broome<\/a> in last month&#8217;s NBA draft. As usual, though, the biggest news of the offseason was injury-related: <a data-player-guid=\"d7e5e918-d53f-018e-9d15-f9005b2390ad\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4251\/paul-george\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Paul George<\/a> underwent a knee procedure that will be reevaluated before the start of training camp in September and <a data-player-guid=\"89410119-0011-5ba0-efed-7b0b6c756c23\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/3059318\/joel-embiid\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Joel Embiid<\/a> declared there is no timeline for his return. &#8212; Bontemps<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/1753876460_586_mia.png\" width=\"30\"\/><\/p>\n<p>19. <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"81e3212c-30ef-9b1b-5edb-453b13ff265a\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/team\/_\/name\/mia\/miami-heat\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Miami Heat<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Previous ranking: 18<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/rd-arrow.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Notable additions: Norman Powell (via trade)<\/p>\n<p>Notable departures: <a data-player-guid=\"0b5e3fdc-796d-c463-655c-9c8f6622bcd0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/2993874\/kyle-anderson\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Kyle Anderson<\/a> (via trade), <a data-player-guid=\"802592a4-e446-6d2c-7ca0-4d4f1e21424b\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/3449\/kevin-love\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Kevin Love<\/a> (via trade), Duncan Robinson (via sign-and-trade)<\/p>\n<p>Miami&#8217;s big offseason move was an opportunistic one, scooping up Norman Powell from the Clippers in a three-team deal. After being a dreadful clutch time team last year, Powell should fit nicely in Miami&#8217;s backcourt alongside All-Star <a data-player-guid=\"1417212d-ee61-bc8b-40a5-30dc9db6d72b\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4395725\/tyler-herro\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Tyler Herro<\/a>. &#8212; Bontemps<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/1753876460_452_ind.png\" width=\"30\"\/><\/p>\n<p>20. <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"547fc042-3e02-4795-9637-9ab84322b625\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/team\/_\/name\/ind\/indiana-pacers\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Indiana Pacers<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Previous ranking: 6<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/rd-arrow.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Notable additions: <a data-player-guid=\"5fd0e0b4-c4dc-833b-47a0-1227d6dc2da4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4065731\/jay-huff\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jay Huff<\/a> (via trade)<\/p>\n<p>Notable departures: Myles Turner (via free agency)<\/p>\n<p>The heights of one of the most thrilling and improbable Finals runs of the decade evaporated quickly for Indiana. <a data-player-guid=\"c4a0ba92-4e50-60af-a617-3345255115a7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4396993\/tyrese-haliburton\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Tyrese Haliburton<\/a>&#8216;s torn right Achilles will sideline him for the entire upcoming season, while also losing Myles Turner in free agency to the rival Bucks. Their departures set Indiana up for a gap year before Haliburton returns, but also allow it to audition for a long-term replacement at center, with four centers &#8212; Jay Huff, <a data-player-guid=\"4df234c9-e02d-3a02-8e36-9955ff214fa1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4432170\/isaiah-jackson\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Isaiah Jackson<\/a>, <a data-player-guid=\"78395694-832b-3357-8773-a07cc3ce782f\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4432808\/james-wiseman\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">James Wiseman<\/a> and <a data-player-guid=\"78cd79a1-db81-4a11-9177-c0b340ccf5a3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4065673\/tony-bradley\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Tony Bradley<\/a> &#8212; at training camp. &#8212; Collier<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/por.png\" width=\"30\"\/><\/p>\n<p>21. <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"ed294c02-3c44-db14-9e06-1b4e8cff9558\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/team\/_\/name\/por\/portland-trail-blazers\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Portland Trail Blazers<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Previous ranking: 22<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/gn-arrow.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Notable additions: Jrue Holiday (via trade), Damian Lillard (via free agency), Blake Wesley (via free agency)<\/p>\n<p>Notable departures: Anfernee Simons (via trade), Deandre Ayton (via free agency)<\/p>\n<p>The two most exciting Portland offseason moves might not pay dividends next season. Damian Lillard&#8217;s return won&#8217;t likely happen until 2026-27 after his left Achilles tear in April, while No. 16 pick <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/5217746\/yang-hansen\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Yang Hansen<\/a> will need time to adjust to the NBA. Still, bringing Lillard back to where he long starred and drafting Yang has energized Blazers fans in the wake of a 36-46 finish last season. If Portland is going to keep that up, dealing for veteran guard Jrue Holiday to complement <a data-player-guid=\"4032f23e-780d-3189-86d5-76f090d46b2e\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4683678\/scoot-henderson\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Scoot Henderson<\/a> and <a data-player-guid=\"457f03a8-6ba2-3278-aba5-7cc5499ced68\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4914336\/shaedon-sharpe\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Shaedon Sharpe<\/a> will be the biggest factor. &#8212; Pelton<\/p>\n<p><img class=\" lazyload lazyload\"\/>play<\/p>\n<p>1:23<\/p>\n<p>Does Damian Lillard&#8217;s return change Blazers&#8217; outlook this season?<\/p>\n<p class=\"contentItem__subhead\">Brian Windhorst doesn&#8217;t see the Portland Trail Blazers making the playoffs this season despite their offseason moves.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/sac.png\" width=\"30\"\/><\/p>\n<p>22. <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"e266c4ea-9af3-1bd8-06fb-fd608fd30e26\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/team\/_\/name\/sac\/sacramento-kings\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Sacramento Kings<\/a><\/p>\n<p>They owe <a data-player-guid=\"dba79cae-3f61-b87b-37d9-223f39b4f516\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/3064440\/zach-lavine\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Zach LaVine<\/a>, <a data-player-guid=\"c2eb1a17-7809-2cc6-3fa7-7a5e63654ae4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/3155942\/domantas-sabonis\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Domantas Sabonis<\/a> and <a data-player-guid=\"d942ef5e-c416-b06e-63ac-5f3db14757be\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/3978\/demar-derozan\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">DeMar DeRozan<\/a> a combined $115.6 million this upcoming season, three difficult to trade contracts with defensive problems, offensive fit issues and a proven play-in ceiling. <a data-player-guid=\"3da4dcbe-ff57-3082-a02a-48ec86e1ba8b\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4702384\/nique-clifford\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Nique Clifford<\/a> and <a data-player-guid=\"558c3f2b-6f02-3b7f-a7b1-136feecad980\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4898371\/maxime-raynaud\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Maxime Raynaud<\/a> look like promising draft picks. <a data-player-guid=\"3077c486-4dd1-36e7-ab23-aa28144b7a1b\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4594327\/keegan-murray\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Keegan Murray<\/a> and <a data-player-guid=\"25ed0186-6dfb-330f-a7b2-5895570fd56a\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4702177\/keon-ellis\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Keon Ellis<\/a> are nice young players. The Kings have a pretty full draft pick cupboard (including a 2031 Minnesota unprotected first). In a difficult conference, the Kings profile as a perfect step-back and rebuild situation. But ownership and management have never shown the necessary patience to execute that properly. New general manager Scott Perry did meet with restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga last week, sources said. So they aren&#8217;t done searching for summer moves. &#8212; Slater<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/1753876461_895_chi.png\" width=\"30\"\/><\/p>\n<p>23. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/team\/_\/name\/chi\/chicago-bulls\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Chicago Bulls<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Despite finishing 39-43 in back-to-back seasons, the Bulls are in a position to return a virtually identical roster next season. They sent Lonzo Ball to Cleveland in exchange for Isaac Okoro &#8212; forgiving Okoro&#8217;s offensive limitations exposed in the playoffs in an attempt to build a defensive identity, according to VP Arturas Karnisovas. The last item on the to-do list is to work out a contract with <a data-player-guid=\"501894e4-c167-38d3-8dda-8412203e3fcf\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4871145\/josh-giddey\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Josh Giddey<\/a>, a restricted free agent locked in a stalemate with Chicago all summer over a long-term deal. &#8212; Collier<\/p>\n<p><img class=\" lazyload lazyload\"\/>play<\/p>\n<p>0:55<\/p>\n<p>What can the Bulls do to turn around their franchise?<\/p>\n<p class=\"contentItem__subhead\">Dave McMenamin joins &#8220;NBA Today&#8221; to discuss whether the Bulls ownership is holding the team back from a franchise revival.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/1753876461_853_tor.png\" width=\"30\"\/><\/p>\n<p>24. <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"5a9c33b8-63fd-ff34-a833-925fe89320a6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/team\/_\/name\/tor\/toronto-raptors\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Toronto Raptors<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Toronto&#8217;s offseason will be defined by the departure of Masai Ujiri, who was let go after more than a decade of leading the Raptors &#8212; including to Toronto&#8217;s lone championship in 2019. The succession plan is still unclear, though longtime general manager Bobby Webster should be a fit to take over the lead executive job long term. &#8212; Bontemps<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/phx.png\" width=\"30\"\/><\/p>\n<p>25. <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"c6eade89-5971-0e84-8ccb-cd91482b2b50\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/team\/_\/name\/phx\/phoenix-suns\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Phoenix Suns<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Previous ranking: 24<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/rd-arrow.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Notable additions: <a data-player-guid=\"8cd821de-3513-c33d-6f7f-be54abd40004\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4395695\/jared-butler\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jared Butler<\/a> (via free agency), Dillon Brooks (via trade), Jordan Goodwin (via waivers), Jalen Green (via trade), <a data-player-guid=\"93b211a2-3229-3b90-8529-f7f39ce5374d\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4701232\/mark-williams\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Mark Williams<\/a> (via trade)<\/p>\n<p>Notable departures: Bradley Beal (via buyout), Kevin Durant (via trade), Tyus Jones (via free agency), Cody Martin (waived), <a data-player-guid=\"058a249e-8929-5de1-5f07-4f1b4ba96a90\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/2488653\/mason-plumlee\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Mason Plumlee<\/a> (via free agency)<\/p>\n<p>If the goal of the offseason were to save a ton of money, mission accomplished. The Bradley Beal waive-and-stretch ducked them out of the second apron and luxury tax entirely, trimming an estimated $210 million in tax penalties over the next two seasons, according to ESPN&#8217;s Brian Windhorst. But fans care about winning and Phoenix isn&#8217;t set up too well to do that into the future. They traded Kevin Durant this summer, have $19.4 million of Beal&#8217;s dead salary on their books for the next five seasons, and don&#8217;t have control of their next six drafts. <a data-player-guid=\"493046d7-fa60-d8a1-1397-b9a6dca8dedf\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/3136193\/devin-booker\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Devin Booker<\/a> remains the centerpiece of this team, but the situation around him is bleak. &#8212; Slater<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/1753876461_564_no.png\" width=\"30\"\/><\/p>\n<p>26. <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"9461f397-7882-94c0-c18c-e89bdc9e570e\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/team\/_\/name\/no\/new-orleans-pelicans\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">New Orleans Pelicans<\/a><\/p>\n<p>2025 NBA draft<img decoding=\"async\" data-lazyload=\"true\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/r1512060_2_576x324_16-9.jpg\" class=\"round lazyload\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\u2022 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/45591220\/2025-nba-draft-recap-value-picks-risky-moves-rookie-year-awards-predictions\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Answering 15 questions: Top picks, classes, fit<\/a><br \/>\u2022 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/45585239\/2025-nba-draft-grades-winners-losers-sleepers-best-picks-value-reaches-all-30-teams-classes\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Draft grades for 30 teams: Who gets As?<\/a><br \/>\u2022 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/45583334\/2025-nba-draft-round-1-winners-surprises-teams-picks-questions\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Round 1 winners, surprises, trades<\/a><br \/>\u2022 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/mens-college-basketball\/story\/_\/id\/45593168\/2025-nba-draft-reactions-college-basketball-coaches\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">College coaches react to draft: ROY pick, more<\/a><br \/>\u2022 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/45585800\/2025-nba-draft-nonstatistical-superlatives\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Superlatives: Hype man, blinding ice!<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/45578840\/2025-nba-draft-top-outfits-looks\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Drip fits<\/a><br \/>\u2022 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/45585367\/mavericks-pick-cooper-flagg-no-1-2025-nba-draft\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Flagg  to Mavs<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/45598243\/ace-bailey-plans-report-jazz-saturday-team-says\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jazz: Bailey set to report<\/a><br \/>\u2022 Trades: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/45518013\/nba-trade-grades-2025-26-breaking-most-impactful-offseason-deals\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Grading the deals<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/45531560\/nba-trade-tracker-details-every-deal-2025-offseason\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Tracking them<\/a><br \/>\u2022 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/draft\/news\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Recap all of ESPN&#8217;s 2025 draft coverage<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p>Since the end of the playoffs, the Pelicans have: One, made the worst trade of the summer, giving up an unprotected 2026 draft pick to move up 10 spots in the 2025 draft; two, traded for <a data-player-guid=\"4b0492b5-a52f-267f-e840-98ef6d2e2bdf\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4277956\/jordan-poole\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jordan Poole<\/a>, who&#8217;s owed $65.9 million over the next two seasons; three, signed Kevin Looney, a non-shooting big man, to fit next to their other non-shooting big men; and four, watched their two 2025 lottery picks undergo wrist surgery (<a data-player-guid=\"0e7f21a8-df8c-3ace-8cf6-c7ff07c756fa\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4869780\/derik-queen\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Derik Queen<\/a>) and commit 25 turnovers to just 13 assists at summer league (<a data-player-guid=\"a34d3e64-4f77-38de-8d04-34456599255d\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/5144091\/jeremiah-fears\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jeremiah Fears<\/a>). &#8212; Kram<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/cha.png\" width=\"30\"\/><\/p>\n<p>27. <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"377633c2-0dd1-91a1-83c0-9ed2d0c00ea1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/team\/_\/name\/cha\/charlotte-hornets\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Charlotte Hornets<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Previous ranking: 28<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/gn-arrow.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Notable additions: Spencer Dinwiddie (via free agency), Mason Plumlee (via free agency), <a data-player-guid=\"2a6515dd-6770-7eac-2141-de08448a6905\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4277811\/collin-sexton\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Collin Sexton<\/a> (via trade)<\/p>\n<p>Notable departures: <a data-player-guid=\"f8a22884-a6a5-39a4-9d69-1cbb729288c9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/3102530\/jusuf-nurkic\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jusuf Nurkic<\/a> (via trade), Mark Williams (via trade)<\/p>\n<p>Charlotte made some under-the-radar moves to improve, headlined by landing <a data-player-guid=\"2a6515dd-6770-7eac-2141-de08448a6905\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4277811\/collin-sexton\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Collin Sexton<\/a> from Utah in exchange for center Jusuf Nurkic. Moving big man Mark Williams (for the 29th pick, which turned out to be <a data-player-guid=\"6d6b4455-4c69-3296-96e1-e20ed80ec16f\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/5239590\/liam-mcneeley\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Liam McNeeley<\/a>, and a 2029 first-round selection from Phoenix) and Nurkic. The deals should open more opportunities for 23-year-old center <a data-player-guid=\"9005f423-8ebb-3459-acf9-31eb0eaaf801\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4433249\/moussa-diabate\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Moussa Diabate<\/a>, who played well in a reserve role last season, logging more than 1,200 minutes. (Second-round pick <a data-player-guid=\"167ccc34-1748-3306-ba35-3e2afaa71b2d\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4576060\/ryan-kalkbrenner\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Ryan Kalkbrenner<\/a> should see time there as well.) And bringing back <a data-player-guid=\"9c80056b-c667-30bd-89d0-d905425b1d1c\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4432819\/tre-mann\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Tre Mann<\/a> on a reasonable deal was another clear positive for the Hornets. &#8212; Herring<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/bkn.png\" width=\"30\"\/><\/p>\n<p>28. <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"926db769-d35e-e282-9d7e-a05001d774ab\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/team\/_\/name\/bkn\/brooklyn-nets\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Brooklyn Nets<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Previous ranking: 27<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/rd-arrow.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Notable additions: <a data-player-guid=\"14bc202c-2458-6189-f964-32085299060a\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/3907823\/terance-mann\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Terance Mann<\/a> (via trade), Michael Porter Jr. (via trade)<\/p>\n<p>Notable departures: Cam Johnson (via trade), D&#8217;Angelo Russell (via free agency)<\/p>\n<p>If there was any question about Brooklyn&#8217;s priorities in the near future, the Nets answered that query loud and clear on draft night by making an NBA-record five selections in the first round. Of those five, three were point guards and four were wing players. This is a club that will be focused primarily on development this coming season. Beyond that, they also dealt their biggest asset, Cameron Johnson, to Denver, getting back sharpshooter Michael Porter Jr. and a 2032 first-round pick in return. &#8212; Herring<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/1753876462_875_was.png\" width=\"30\"\/><\/p>\n<p>29. <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"64d73af6-b8ec-e213-87e8-a4eab3a692e7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/team\/_\/name\/wsh\/washington-wizards\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Washington Wizards<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Previous ranking: 30<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/gn-arrow.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Notable additions: <a data-player-guid=\"650bab3d-b658-cba4-a596-044c1e1fa8c0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/2490149\/cj-mccollum\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">CJ McCollum<\/a> (via trade), <a data-player-guid=\"292da727-7e6e-3764-962c-e35a60cf1f12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/5105592\/cam-whitmore\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Cam Whitmore<\/a> (via trade)<\/p>\n<p>Notable departures: Saddiq Bey (via trade), <a data-player-guid=\"a98f1dec-06a1-b68a-4ea3-7d59f7f78e62\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/2993370\/richaun-holmes\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Richaun Holmes<\/a> (waived), Jordan Poole (via trade), Kelly Olynyk (via trade), Marcus Smart (waived)<\/p>\n<p>Washington&#8217;s rebuild continues, but the Wizards made moves this offseason to add more promising talent, veteran leadership and financial flexibility. After drafting <a data-player-guid=\"432b4847-f726-3711-898d-9e507c8f5bf2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/5238230\/tre-johnson\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Tre Johnson<\/a> and <a data-player-guid=\"dbc88312-f9a8-3d47-9bfa-dc54b447b95b\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/5144126\/will-riley\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Will Riley<\/a>, the Wizards sent Jordan Poole and the $66 million he will make in the next two seasons with Saddiq Bey to New Orleans for CJ McCollum&#8217;s expiring deal and Kelly Olynyk. It was a deal that was expected to create close to $100 million in projected cap space in 2026, according to ESPN&#8217;s Shams Charania. Washington then traded Olynyk to San Antonio for <a data-player-guid=\"5fafbc58-3272-3ed4-af36-61e503f7c645\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4565201\/malaki-branham\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Malaki Branham<\/a> and a second-round pick. They also bought out Marcus Smart, who signed with the Lakers, and added young talent with potential such as Cam Whitmore. With vets like McCollum and <a data-player-guid=\"948da849-027f-ed39-e7ee-cc3bb48c620d\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/6609\/khris-middleton\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Khris Middleton<\/a> to provide mentorship, Washington&#8217;s young core of <a data-player-guid=\"9395e9fe-44e8-3bae-9648-7c07516b8370\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/5104155\/bilal-coulibaly\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Bilal Coulibaly<\/a>, <a data-player-guid=\"46b27b43-11f4-3a63-809d-892890fa2a96\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/5160992\/alex-sarr\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Alex Sarr<\/a>, <a data-player-guid=\"23e6f7dc-f64e-39d9-ac45-c1422efd6458\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4845374\/bub-carrington\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Bub Carrington<\/a> and <a data-player-guid=\"0d8280e4-996e-3ea7-89e4-58e89b9a9d48\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/5174563\/kyshawn-george\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Kyshawn George<\/a> can grow more this season before the Wizards have the flexibility to make moves next summer. &#8212; Youngmisuk<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/utah.png\" width=\"30\"\/><\/p>\n<p>30. <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"77cea2fb-1388-b7c8-d171-2e72b3aecbfb\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nba\/team\/_\/name\/utah\/utah-jazz\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Utah Jazz<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Previous ranking: 29<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/rd-arrow.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Notable additions: Kyle Anderson (via trade), Kevin Love (via trade), Jusuf Nurki\u0107 (via trade)<\/p>\n<p>Notable departures: John Collins (via trade), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4432817\/johnny-juzang\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Johnny Juzang<\/a> (waived), Collin Sexton (via trade), Jordan Clarkson (via free agency)<\/p>\n<p>Utah traded Collin Sexton and John Collins for light returns and waived Jordan Clarkson, meaning three of the top five scorers from the 2024-25 Jazz will play elsewhere in 2025-26. That means plenty of opportunities for rookies <a data-player-guid=\"51ddca1a-e632-38f9-a875-b8858a2884de\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4873138\/ace-bailey\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Ace Bailey<\/a> and <a data-player-guid=\"dc279d66-e643-3e3c-8fb4-8b772c3f402b\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/player\/_\/id\/4896372\/walter-clayton-jr\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Walter Clayton Jr<\/a>., as well as their other young teammates &#8212; and a whole lot more losses in the process. &#8212; Kram<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The 2025 NBA offseason is in full swing, and with a flurry of free agency deals already behind&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":32361,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[557],"tags":[64,63,590,85],"class_list":["post-32360","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nba","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-nba","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32360","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=32360"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32360\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/32361"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=32360"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=32360"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=32360"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}