NBA teams’ offseason moves graded from LeBron to Giannis

By Olivia Hughes — 13 July 2026 — 5 min read

The NBA offseason has seen significant activity, with many impact free agents finding new teams and draft picks beginning their careers in the Las Vegas Summer League. However, the decision of LeBron James remains a key factor that could influence several teams’ outlooks.

Eastern Conference Teams Make Key Adjustments

The Atlanta Hawks have had a relatively quiet offseason, drafting point guard Kingston Flemings with the eighth pick to address an organizational need. They also acquired Aaron Wiggins for wing depth and signed CJ McCollum and Jock Landale to one-year deals, maintaining flexibility. The future of Buddy Hield and Jonathan Kuminga is still to be determined for the Hawks.

The Boston Celtics made a notable move by trading Jaylen Brown. While the return for Brown was described as puzzling, the Celtics did acquire Mitchell Robinson and added Mike Conley. The success of these moves for Boston will depend on the outcome of the Brown trade and subsequent decisions.

The Brooklyn Nets focused on professionalizing their team, bringing in Julius Randle, a productive forward capable of lead playmaking, and Michael Porter Jr., giving them two 20-point scorers. The Nets also drafted Mikel Brown Jr. at No. 6, adding young talent to their core.

The Charlotte Hornets, despite their performance in the latter half of the previous season, traded a key player for Naz Reid, an unprotected 2033 first-round pick, and three pick swaps. They re-signed Coby White and traded Miles Bridges for another unprotected first-round pick and two bench players. The Hornets also added two top-20 draft picks, aiming for increased depth. These moves have reoriented the team around Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller.

The Chicago Bulls began their rebuild by selecting Caleb Wilson with the No. 4 pick and Dailyn Swain at No. 15. They utilized their cap space to sign Norman Powell, Nic Claxton, and Zach Collins to flexible contracts, which are expected to aid short-term development.

The Cleveland Cavaliers‘ offseason hinges on the acquisition of LeBron James. If James joins, the team’s outlook significantly improves; otherwise, their grade is considerably lower. The Cavaliers are working to manage their cap space, but significant improvement is tied to James’s decision.

The Detroit Pistons made marginal improvements, signing John Collins as their biggest move. They traded Isaiah Stewart and Caris LeVert, and lost Tobias Harris to free agency. Acquiring Isaiah Joe is expected to help with shooting, but the team still needs another ballhandler who can create offense.

The Indiana Pacers have not made many significant changes this summer, with the healthy return of Tyrese Haliburton being a major factor. The loss of a fifth overall draft pick due to the Ivica Zubac trade impacted their ability to improve. They did acquire Braden Smith in the second round and signed Kelly Oubre Jr.

The LA Clippers, following the James Harden and Kawhi Leonard deals, are without any All-NBA players. They also traded Ivica Zubac midseason, but have acquired draft capital.

The Miami Heat have made a significant move by acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo, which instantly makes them relevant again. While there is work to be done on the roster, this acquisition provides a clear path to contention under Erik Spoelstra.

The Philadelphia 76ers are considered winners this offseason, having added All-NBA player Jaylen Brown and offloading Paul George‘s contract. This move, which cost two first-round picks, elevates the team to title-contender status, despite the potential for growing pains as Brown integrates with Tyrese Maxey.

Western Conference Teams Navigate Changes

The Dallas Mavericks hired Masai Ujiri to lead their front office in May and Dusty May as coach in June. They also added big men Morez Johnson Jr. and Santi Aldama, who offer different skill sets. Johnson is seen as a potential defensive presence, while Aldama is a proven stretch 7-footer. The Mavericks are seen as moving in a positive direction, though further backcourt upgrades would have been beneficial.

The Denver Nuggets are facing depth issues, replacing Jonas Valančiūnas with Marvin Bagley III and lacking a replacement for Tim Hardaway Jr. Their outlook could improve if they retain Peyton Watson.

The Golden State Warriors largely retain the same roster that finished with a 37-45 record last season, with the addition of rookie Yaxel Lendeborg. The team is awaiting the return of Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody. The possibility of LeBron James joining could alter their summer significantly, but otherwise, fans may expect a similar performance from their aging core.

The Houston Rockets have been efficient with new deals, signing Marcus Smart to a two-year, $13 million contract and Bogdan Bogdanović to a one-year, veteran’s minimum deal, strengthening their bench. Tari Eason‘s five-year, $81.5 million contract is considered a strong deal. However, the Rockets had to salary-dump Dorian Finney-Smith and his $13.3 million owed this season, just one year after signing him to a four-year, $53 million contract.

The Los Angeles Lakers have been described as both winners and losers. They focused on building a roster around Luka Doncic after an amicable separation from LeBron James, which is expected to lead to many regular-season wins. However, they overpaid for Walker Kessler, a player with an injury history, and had to pay to retain Austin Reaves. The team is now locked into a core of Doncic, Reaves, and Kessler.

The Portland Trail Blazers are taking a chance on Ja Morant at a low cost, which is seen as a potential win. However, the acquisition is also viewed as a distressed asset play rather than a purely basketball-driven move, raising questions about the team’s direction under new owner Tom Dundon.

Free agency officially began with the negotiating window opening at 6 p.m. ET on June 30.

Source: nytimes.com