The 2025 NBA offseason began early this year with several players re-upping with their teams before even hitting the open market. There were also several trades before and during the NBA Draft, with Kevin Durant, Desmond Bane, and Mark Williams being among the most prominent players to switch teams.
Seven NBA Teams On Upswing After First Few Days Of Free Agency
Day One of NBA free agency saw a lot of movement, though it really didn’t heat up until late in the night. But day two was a totally different story with several surprises, including Myles Turner moving to Milwaukee and the Bucks releasing Damian Lillard. DeAndre Ayton is also set to become a free agent after clearing waivers.
While it is still early in free agency and several big names are still available, there will be much more movement. But here is a look at seven teams that have improved since the end of the regular season.
Houston Rockets
Houston has been arguably the most aggressive team this offseason. For good reason, the Rockets feel that they are major title contenders. The Rockets re-signed Steven Adams before making the splash of the offseason, thus far, with the Durant trade. The Rockets didn’t even have to send any of their young core to Phoenix for Durant — Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr, or Alperen Sengun.
Durant is critical to the Rockets, not because of the player he was or that he is considered a star — whatever that means –but because he could be the missing piece to a potential championship contender. Which is an efficient shot-maker who can score from anywhere on the court.
Speaking of Smith Jr., the Rockets gave the 22-year-old forward a massive extension that will keep him under team control into the next decade. The Rockets also got a break from Fred VanVleet as they re-signed the veteran point guard at a discount after declining his team option. VanVleet was tremendous in the last four games of Houston’s first-round loss to Golden State.
VanVleet and Adams are not the players the Rockets have decided to bring back. The Rockets have agreed to bring back end-of-the-bench fillers, Jae’Sean Tate, Jeff Green, and Aaron Holiday on minimum deals. Additionally, the Rockets acquired an additional floor spacer in Dorian Finney-Smith and another veteran center in Clint Capela.
Houston’s primary weaknesses last season, besides the lack of a go-to scorer, were 3-point shooting and depth at center. The Rockets ranked in the bottom third of the league in 3-point makes and percentage.
What Else Do The Rockets Have To This Offseason
The Rockets‘ 15-man roster appears to be set as they have 17 players on standard contracts. Jock Landale figures to be waived after the Rockets additions become official as his deal isn’t guaranteed until July 7. Nate Williams, whose contract doesn’t guarantee until opening night, will also be released.
David Roddy is the only player on a two-way contract. N’Faly Dante was on a minor league deal last year and received a qualifying offer, so the 23-year-old big will likely return.
Denver Nuggets
While the Rockets have had the best offseason, Denver is one of the surprise teams here, as the Nuggets haven’t done much in the past two summers. However, Calvin Booth is no longer running the team.
Like the Rockets, the Nuggets didn’t have a first-round pick this year. The Nuggets traded their 2025 first-rounder to Orlando for Aaron Gordon.
In a pretty surprising move, Denver broke up its core three by trading Michael Porter Jr. to Brooklyn for Cameron Johnson. The Nuggets got the better end of the deal, as Johnson provides a 3-and-D versatile forward who probably does everything at least as well as Porter Jr., except rebound.
Denver also signed veterans Tim Hardaway Jr. and Bruce Brown to affordable deals. Hardaway Jr. gives the Nuggets another good high-volume three-point shooter. Despite not being high on Brown, he has a chance to be a solid pickup due to his defensive prowess and versatility.
But besides adding Johnson, Denver’s most significant move was to trade for Jonas Valanciunas. Valanciunas, who is a starting-caliber center, immediately becomes Nikola Jokic‘s best understudy. The Nuggets sent Dario Saric to the Kings in the deal.
Denver has 14 players on standard contracts and is already over the luxury tax. The Nuggets could use another ball handler, whether a combo guard or point guard. Jalen Pickett and Brown are capable of handling the point, but there will be a point this season when the Nuggets will need to upgrade the position.
The Nuggets recently inked undrafted guard Tamar Bates to a two-way deal. Spencer Jones, who was on a minor league deal a season ago, is a restricted free agent.
New York Knicks
New York hasn’t made a big splash this offseason, but the Knicks certainly have improved their bench. The Knicks added Jordan Clarkson, who projects to be the first guard off the bench. Miles McBride served that role last season. He may be the Knicks’ 6th man, though Josh Hart or Guerschon Yabusele, the Knicks’ other big acquisition yesterday, may earn that title.
The Knicks also exercised the team option on 2024 second-round selection Ariel Hukpourti. Hukpourti is slated to be the Knicks’ third center, though he likely will be the fourth option behind Mitchell Robinson and Yabusele.
New York projects to be a second-round team; therefore, the Knicks will only be able to sign players for the minimum. The Knicks could possibly use another wing and another big.
The Knicks have three open two-way spots. However, 2024 second-round pick Kevin McCullar is is a restricted free agent and is expected to return. Of course, hiring a coach is also a priority.
Los Angeles Clippers
Like Denver, the Clippers are a surprise team here. James Harden got a raise after declining his player option and signing a new deal.
While Harden was also expected to remain with the Clippers, the surprising move was their addition of free agent Brook Lopez on a highly reasonable deal. Lopez gives LA a legit backup center for the first time since acquiring Ivica Zubac.
With 12 players under contract, including the recently signed Nic Batum, the Clippers must add at least two more players. The Clippers really don’t need to do anything specific. So, don’t be surprised if they sign their two draft picks — Yanic Niedierhauser and Kobe Sanders — to standard deals. If Sanders doesn’t get a standard deal, he will likely get a two-way deal.
The Clippers are approximately $5 million below the luxury tax threshold. So, unless someone really entices them, expect the Clippers to sign players for the minimum. They do have some flexibility with Jordan Miller‘s contract, as it is not fully guaranteed until July 15.
Los Angeles has one open two-way spot. Seth Lundy and Patrick Baldwin Jr. are already on minor league deals, while Trentyn Flowers was tendered a qualifying offer by the team yesterday.
Milwaukee Bucks
Granted, Milwaukee hasn’t done much thus far this summer. However, the Bucks kept Bobby Portis, and Myles Turner is a massive upgrade over Brook Lopez at this point in the players’ careers.
Damian Lillard may not have played this year due to his Achilles, so the Bucks released him and are now $19 million under the luxury tax. The Bucks re-signed Kevin Porter Jr., Jericho Sims, Gary Trent Jr., and Taurean Prince. They also traded Pat Connaughton to Charlotte Vasilje Micic. Micic is by no means an all-world point guard, but he should be able to provide depth to the position and is undoubtedly a roster upgrade over Connaughton.
Milwaukee still has flexibility, with Andre Jackson Jr., AJ Green, and Chris Livingston holding non-guaranteed deals, so more deals could be forthcoming. The Bucks will soon have to make decisions on Green and Livingston. Expect Green’s deal to be guaranteed as he improved dramatically and is a knockdown shooter.
Milwaukee appears to have its two-way player roster set. Jamaree Bouyea, Pete Nance, and Mark Sears are the players slated to be on minor league deals.
Dallas Mavericks
It was well known that Dallas was acquiring the best player in the 2025 NBA draft, Cooper Flagg. But to snag D’Angelo Russell on the open market on a very reasonable two-year deal to fill in for the injured Kyrie Irving was a coup. Speaking of Irving, he took a pay cut by opting out of his previous contract and signing a longer one.
Dallas also extended Daniel Gafford. The Mavericks are reportedly working on an extension for Jason Kidd, who was a primary target of the Knicks for their head coaching position.
Dallas has 14 players, once Flagg signs, on standard contracts with a salary cap hit of at least $202 million. Marc Stein and Jake Fischer have reported that the Mavericks hope to re-sign Dante Exum. Brandon Williams has a non-guaranteed deal, though Stein and Fischer said the Mavs are looking for someone to take Olivier-Maxence Prosper off their hands.
Orlando Magic
Needing to improve its backcourt, the Magic made the first trade of the offseason by snatching Desmond Bane from Memphis. The Magic also signed veteran backup point guard Tyus Jones on the opening night of free agency. Additionally, they added depth to the backcourt in the draft by selecting Jase Richardson in the first round.
With 12 players under contract, including Richardson, who has yet to sign, Orlando will be in the luxury tax. The Magic need to acquire two more players and could move onto the first apron with those moves. 2025 second-round pick Noah Penda is a candidate to earn a standard deal, though he could also get a two-way contract. Also, expect Moritz Wagner to return to the team.
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