[ESPN] NBA自由球员市场实力榜——2025年休赛期30支球队实力排名

ESPN · 2025 年7 月 30 日 12:30

By ESPN | ESPN, 2025-07-30 19:30:00

由生成式人工智能翻译，译文内容可能不准确或不完整，以原文为准。

2025年NBA休赛期如火如荼，随着一系列自由球员签约已尘埃落定，各支球队仍在夏季临近尾声之际，继续处理尚未解决的协议。

随着2025-26赛季NBA常规赛的临近，一些球队正与他们新签下的超级巨星进行磨合。具体来说，休斯顿火箭队在六月份从菲尼克斯太阳队交易来了15届全明星球员凯文·杜兰特 (Kevin Durant)。火箭队希望这位经验丰富的前锋能为他们提供所需助力，使他们在下赛季一跃成为具备统治力的竞争者。

其他老将名字也在这个休赛期有所变动，达米安·利拉德 (Damian Lillard) 在密尔沃基雄鹿队效力两个赛季后重返波特兰开拓者队，而克里斯·保罗 (Chris Paul) 在圣安东尼奥马刺队效力一个赛季后回归洛杉矶快船队。

布拉德利·比尔 (Bradley Beal) 将如何融入快船队？朗佐·鲍尔 (Lonzo Ball) 能为克利夫兰骑士队带来多大影响？我们的NBA内部人士将分析自由球员市场激动人心的几周过后的一些最大问题，以及各支球队在这个休赛期仍需解决的事务。

注意：球队排名基于我们的专家组成员（ESPN的蒂姆·邦滕普斯 (Tim Bontemps)、贾马尔·科利尔 (Jamal Collier)、迈克尔·C·莱特 (Michael C. Wright)、戴夫·麦克梅纳明 (Dave McMenamin)、奥姆·扬米苏克 (Ohm Youngmisuk)、克里斯·赫林 (Chris Herring)、凯文·佩尔顿 (Kevin Pelton)、扎克·克拉姆 (Zach Kram)、安东尼·斯莱特 (Anthony Slater)）在经过一系列自由球员运作后，认为各队所处的位置。

俄克拉荷马城雷霆队

上次排名： 1
重要引援：无
重要离队：狄龙·琼斯 (Dillon Jones)（通过交易）

这个休赛期，雷霆队除了通过选秀引进了托马斯·索伯 (Thomas Sorber) 和布鲁克斯·巴恩海泽 (Brooks Barnhizer) 这两名新秀外，没有增加任何新球员——巴恩海泽在夏季联赛中展现了出色的防守技巧，完美契合球队。但他们为什么要引援呢？这支卫冕冠军球队将在2025-26赛季冲击卫冕，他们的轮换阵容将保持不变。相反，俄克拉荷马城在这个休赛期的主要任务是与亚历山大 (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander)、杰伦·威廉姆斯 (Jalen Williams) 和霍姆格伦 (Chet Holmgren) 签下长期续约合同，将这套争冠核心锁定到2020年代末。而这项任务已毫无波澜地完成。——扎克·克拉姆 (Zach Kram)

休斯顿火箭队

上次排名： 5
重要引援：克林特·卡佩拉 (Clint Capela)（通过自由球员市场）、凯文·杜兰特（通过交易）、多里安·芬尼-史密斯 (Dorian Finney-Smith)（通过自由球员市场）、JD·戴维森 (JD Davison)（通过自由球员市场）
重要离队：狄龙·布鲁克斯 (Dillon Brooks)（通过交易）、杰伦·格林 (Jalen Green)（通过交易）、卡姆·惠特莫尔 (Cam Whitmore)（通过交易）

在季后赛首轮出局的失望之情下，休斯顿迅速行动，通过引进15届NBA全明星球员杜兰特解决了进攻需求，同时通过增加芬尼-史密斯增强了阵容深度和外线防守。这些经验丰富的老将与弗雷德·范弗利特 (Fred VanVleet) 以及阿尔佩伦·申京 (Alperen Sengun)、阿门·汤普森 (Amen Thompson) 等一批年轻且充满饥饿感的后起之秀汇合。火箭队还寄希望于投篮精准的里德·谢泼德 (Reed Sheppard) 能有所进步（尤其是在防守端），他在夏季联赛中表现出色，向休斯顿证明他已准备好承担更重要的角色。前场深度也将成为一股不容小觑的优势。——迈克尔·C·莱特 (Michael C. Wright)

丹佛掘金队

上次排名： 3
重要引援：布鲁斯·布朗 (Bruce Brown Jr.)（通过自由球员市场）、卡梅隆·约翰逊 (Cam Johnson)（通过交易）、小蒂姆·哈达威 (Tim Hardaway Jr.)（通过自由球员市场）、约纳斯·瓦兰丘纳斯 (Jonas Valančiūnas)（通过交易）
重要离队：小迈克尔·波特 (Michael Porter Jr.)（通过交易）、达里奥·沙里奇 (Dario Šarić)（通过交易）

掘金队进行了大刀阔斧的改革，首先是在四月初解雇了迈克尔·马龙 (Michael Malone) 和卡尔文·布斯 (Calvin Booth)，试图最大限度地利用约基奇 (Nikola Jokic) 的争冠窗口期。他们在三个月的变革后，迎来了队史最好的休赛期之一。在新教练大卫·阿德尔曼 (David Adelman) 以及新的管理层本·滕泽 (Ben Tenzer) 和乔恩·华莱士 (Jon Wallace) 到位后，掘金队围绕约基奇进行了重组，用小波特 (Michael Porter Jr.) 和他合同中剩余的7900万美元换来了卡梅隆·约翰逊。他们带回了2023年冠军球队的重要贡献者布鲁斯·布朗，并在自由球员市场签下了小哈达威。他们还通过交易得到了瓦兰丘纳斯，为约基奇找到了急需的替补。虽然约基奇将续约谈判推迟到明年夏天，以获得增加第四年合同和额外7700万美元薪水的选择，但这位球队核心球星亲眼见证了球队采取行动，为他增添了关键的多功能性、防守、经验和深度。——奥姆·扬米苏克 (Ohm Youngmisuk)

克利夫兰骑士队

上次排名： 4
重要引援：朗佐·鲍尔（通过交易）、小拉里·南斯 (Larry Nance Jr.)（通过自由球员市场）
重要离队：泰·杰罗姆 (Ty Jerome)（通过自由球员市场）、艾萨克·奥科罗 (Isaac Okoro)（通过交易）

也许克利夫兰夏天最重要的消息是达里厄斯·加兰 (Darius Garland) 接受了左脚大脚趾手术。这位两届全明星球员因伤缺席了骑士队九场季后赛中的四场，在输给印第安纳的比赛中场均仅得到14分，三分命中率仅为16.7%。他常规赛只缺席了七场比赛。克利夫兰还在控球后卫位置上进行了调整，让泰·杰罗姆 (Ty Jerome) 以自由球员身份离队（与孟菲斯签下三年2800万美元的合同），并将奥科罗 (Isaac Okoro) 交易到芝加哥公牛队以换取朗佐·鲍尔。——戴夫·麦克梅纳明 (Dave McMenamin)

纽约尼克斯队

上次排名： 7
重要引援：乔丹·克拉克森 (Jordan Clarkson)（通过自由球员市场）、格尔雄·亚布塞莱 (Guerschon Yabusele)（通过自由球员市场）
重要离队：无

纽约队在自由球员市场上几乎没有可支配的资金，但他们表现出色。他们签下了前爵士队年度最佳第六人乔丹·克拉克森 (Jordan Clarkson)（在他通过澄清期后），以及前锋格尔雄·亚布塞莱 (Guerschon Yabusele)，后者的合同略低于中产特例——这两笔交易应该能增强球队，因为上赛季他们的替补深度表现不佳。但毫无疑问，所有人的目光都将聚焦在新任主教练迈克·布朗 (Mike Brown) 身上，看他能否从一支距离NBA总决赛仅差两场胜利的球队中，尤其是在东部联盟实力减弱的情况下，激发出更多的潜力。——克里斯·赫林 (Chris Herring)

明尼苏达森林狼队

上次排名： 2
重要引援：无
重要离队：尼基尔·亚历山大-沃克 (Nickeil Alexander-Walker)（通过自由球员市场）

在尝试大手笔引进杜兰特未果后，明尼苏达转而采取了更注重内部培养的方式：寄希望于他们的年轻核心。这意味着他们依赖安东尼·爱德华兹 (Anthony Edwards)（23岁）、杰登·麦克丹尼尔斯 (Jaden McDaniels)（24岁）和纳兹·里德 (Naz Reid)（25岁）继续他们的进步，同时也指望主教练克里斯·芬奇 (Chris Finch) 能让20岁的罗布·迪林汉姆 (Rob Dillingham) 和24岁的小特伦斯·香农 (Terrence Shannon Jr.) 在他的轮换阵容中扮演比上赛季更重要的角色。连续两年进入西部决赛后，除了优先利用薪金空间续约朱利叶斯·兰德尔 (Julius Randle) 的合同外，球队阵容基本保持不变，这导致亚历山大-沃克离队前往老鹰。——戴夫·麦克梅纳明 (Dave McMenamin)

洛杉矶快船队

上次排名： 10
重要引援：布拉德利·比尔（通过自由球员市场）、约翰·科林斯 (John Collins)（通过交易）、布鲁克·洛佩斯 (Brook Lopez)（通过自由球员市场）、克里斯·保罗（通过自由球员市场）
重要离队：诺曼·鲍威尔 (Norman Powell)（通过交易）

快船队正在清理薪金空间，以便可能在未来两个夏天签下一到两名球星。但与此同时，他们成功地补强了上赛季赢得50场比赛，却在首轮抢七大战中输给约基奇的丹佛掘金队的阵容。快船队与詹姆斯·哈登 (James Harden) 重新签下了一份为期两年的新合同，这为他们提供了薪金灵活性，将鲍威尔交易到迈阿密，并引进了大前锋约翰·科林斯。他们还在自由球员市场击败其他追求者，签下了洛佩斯。他们还在比尔被太阳队买断后签下了他。随后，快船队通过带回保罗完成了他们忙碌的夏天。他们拥有一套健康时能成为西部最佳的首发五人组，增加了投篮能力，阵容深度更强，并且拥有联盟最佳前场之一，由伊维察·祖巴茨 (Ivica Zubac) 和洛佩斯坐镇。科林斯为哈登提供了篮筐上方的目标，并允许伦纳德 (Kawhi Leonard) 移动到小前锋位置。快船队年龄略大，需要管理好他们的健康状况，但如果伦纳德能保持健康，他们已为季后赛做好了冲击准备。——奥姆·扬米苏克 (Ohm Youngmisuk)

奥兰多魔术队

上次排名： 13
重要引援：德斯蒙德·贝恩 (Desmond Bane)（通过交易）、泰厄斯·琼斯 (Tyus Jones)（通过自由球员市场）
重要离队：科尔·安东尼 (Cole Anthony)（通过交易）、肯塔维厄斯·考德威尔-波普 (Kentavious Caldwell-Pope)（通过交易）

奥兰多队早早出手，将四个首轮选秀权——包括今年的第16顺位选秀权——送往孟菲斯以换取贝恩。将贝恩的投篮和得分能力加入后场，使魔术队一跃成为东部竞争者之一，前提是前锋保罗·班切罗 (Paolo Banchero) 和弗朗茨·瓦格纳 (Franz Wagner) 能继续发展。奥兰多队还通过签下老将泰厄斯·琼斯作为首发杰伦·萨格斯 (Jalen Suggs) 的替补，加强了他们的后卫轮换阵容。萨格斯因膝盖手术缺席了上赛季的最后三个月，篮球运营总裁杰夫·韦尔特曼 (Jeff Weltman) 在六月份表示萨格斯的康复“非常及时”。——凯文·佩尔顿 (Kevin Pelton)

金州勇士队

上次排名： 8
重要引援：无
重要离队：凯文·卢尼 (Kevon Looney)（通过自由球员市场）

随着八月临近，勇士队目前阵容中只有九名球员。但联盟中许多人相信，一旦乔纳森·库明加 (Jonathan Kuminga) 的受限制自由球员问题解决，阿尔·霍福德 (Al Horford)、德安东尼·梅尔顿 (De’Anthony Melton) 和塞斯·库里 (Seth Curry) 最终将加入金州勇士队，为需要经验的轮换阵容增添几名经验丰富的老将。库明加的情况尚未解决，他的回归（以及如果回归后的投入程度）仍存疑问。但勇士队的主要表现将取决于斯蒂芬·库里 (Stephen Curry)、吉米·巴特勒 (Jimmy Butler III) 和德雷蒙德·格林 (Draymond Green) 挑战衰老过程的能力。这就是他们本赛季所下的赌注。库里（37岁）、巴特勒（35岁）和格林（35岁）在未来两个赛季的总薪水将达到2.866亿美元。这三份合同都将在2027年夏天到期。——安东尼·斯莱特 (Anthony Slater)

洛杉矶湖人队

上次排名： 9
重要引援：德安德烈·艾顿 (Deandre Ayton)（通过自由球员市场）、马库斯·斯马特 (Marcus Smart)（通过自由球员市场）
重要离队：乔丹·古德温 (Jordan Goodwin)（裁掉）、小特雷·杰米森 (Trey Jamison III)（裁掉）、谢克·米尔顿 (Shake Milton)（裁掉）、多里安·芬尼-史密斯（通过自由球员市场）

在季后赛首轮对阵明尼苏达队表现令人失望后，洛杉矶湖人队面临一个重大决定：是重新签下芬尼-史密斯（主教练JJ·雷迪克 (JJ Redick) 在第四场比赛下半场全程使用的五名球员之一），还是放走这位3D型前锋以获得中产特例。湖人选择了第二条路线，并将薪金空间转化成了两名球员：中锋德安德烈·艾顿和侧翼杰克·拉拉维亚 (Jake LaRavia)。洛杉矶随后裁掉了乔丹·古德温以获得两年特例并签下了斯马特。所有这一切都是为了让卢卡·东契奇 (Luka Doncic) 和詹姆斯 (LeBron James) 的第二个合作赛季有更好的成功机会。——戴夫·麦克梅纳明 (Dave McMenamin)

底特律活塞队

上次排名： 11
重要引援：卡里斯·勒维尔 (Caris LeVert)（通过自由球员市场）、邓肯·罗宾逊 (Duncan Robinson)（通过先签后换）
重要离队：小蒂姆·哈达威（通过自由球员市场）、丹尼斯·施罗德 (Dennis Schröder)（通过自由球员市场）、小林迪·沃特斯 (Lindy Waters III)（通过自由球员市场）

活塞队在得知年度最佳第六人马利克·比斯利 (Malik Beasley)（一名非受限制自由球员）正因涉嫌体育博彩而接受联邦调查后，被迫在后期改变了策略。据ESPN的沙姆斯·查拉尼亚 (Shams Charania) 报道，活塞队此前一直在与比斯利讨论一份三年合同。相反，他们通过先签后换得到了神射手邓肯·罗宾逊，并签下了自由球员卡里斯·勒维尔，以取代比斯利和首发控卫小哈达威。他们将很难弥补比斯利去年提供的价值，当时他投进了319个三分球，排名联盟第二。勒维尔和罗宾逊加起来投进了306个。——凯文·佩尔顿 (Kevin Pelton)

亚特兰大老鹰队

上次排名： 19
重要引援：尼基尔·亚历山大-沃克（通过先签后换）、克里斯塔普斯·波尔津吉斯 (Kristaps Porzingis)（通过交易）、卢克·肯纳德 (Luke Kennard)（通过自由球员市场）
重要离队：克林特·卡佩拉（通过自由球员市场）、卡里斯·勒维尔（通过自由球员市场）、特伦斯·曼恩 (Terance Mann)（通过交易）、乔治斯·尼昂 (Georges Niang)（通过交易）

纸面上看，很少有俱乐部能比亚特兰大队拥有更好的休赛期，他们引进了技术出色的大个子波尔津吉斯、高度全面的侧翼亚历山大-沃克以及神射手卢克·肯纳德。老鹰队新的管理层还以在上次选秀中后退10个顺位的微小代价，从鹈鹕队手中获得了明年的一个无保护首轮选秀权。这些举动让四届全明星球员特雷·杨 (Trae Young) 拥有了自2021年进入东部决赛以来最平衡的阵容。——克里斯·赫林 (Chris Herring)

达拉斯独行侠队

上次排名： 14
重要引援：丹吉洛·拉塞尔 (D’Angelo Russell)（通过自由球员市场）
重要离队：斯宾塞·丁威迪 (Spencer Dinwiddie)（通过自由球员市场）

由于凯里·欧文 (Kyrie Irving) 预计将缺席大量时间，缺乏经验丰富的控球手拉响了红色警报。但如果达拉斯成功应对这种情况，现有阵容拥有足够的天赋和老将领导力，可以在赛季前几个月建立起足够的化学反应，成为西部竞争者。达拉斯队的前场深度且技术娴熟，拥有小德里克·莱弗利 (Dereck Lively II) 和安东尼·戴维斯 (Anthony Davis) 的身体对抗优势。状元秀库珀·弗拉格 (Cooper Flagg) 在夏季联赛中表现出色，证明了他货真价实。他的组织能力可能是欧文回归之前，独行侠队早期保持团结的粘合剂。——迈克尔·C·莱特 (Michael C. Wright)

密尔沃基雄鹿队

上次排名： 16
重要引援：科尔·安东尼（通过自由球员市场）、迈尔斯·特纳 (Myles Turner)（通过自由球员市场）、加里·哈里斯 (Gary Harris)（通过自由球员市场）
重要离队：帕特·康诺顿 (Pat Connaughton)（通过交易）、瓦西里耶·米西奇 (Vasilije Micić)（裁掉）、达米安·利拉德（裁掉）、布鲁克·洛佩斯（通过自由球员市场）

雄鹿队在这个休赛期做出了可能是所有球队中最果断的举动。他们裁掉了后卫达米安·利拉德，并将他合同中剩余的1.13亿美元分摊到未来五年，以签下自由球员中锋迈尔斯·特纳。这是一个前所未有的举动，但密尔沃基队认为这是因为有机会签下一位精英自由球员，与扬尼斯·阿德托昆博 (Giannis Antetokounmpo) 完美契合。这也让球队有机会在巨星的巅峰期内最大限度地延长争冠窗口期。——贾马尔·科利尔 (Jamal Collier)

孟菲斯灰熊队

上次排名： 15
重要引援：肯塔维厄斯·考德威尔-波普（通过交易）、泰·杰罗姆（通过自由球员市场）
重要离队：科尔·安东尼（裁掉）、德斯蒙德·贝恩（通过交易）、卢克·肯纳德（通过自由球员市场）、杰伊·赫夫 (Jay Huff)（通过交易）

总经理扎克·克莱曼 (Zach Kleiman) 带领孟菲斯队进入了重建阶段，围绕贾·莫兰特 (Ja Morant) 和小贾伦·杰克逊 (Jaren Jackson Jr.) 进行建队，后者签下了一份五年2.4亿美元的合同，随后球队宣布他将接受脚趾草坪伤手术。俱乐部相信小杰克逊只会缺席少量时间，甚至不会缺席。孟菲斯队希望通过选秀引进塞德里克·科沃德 (Cedric Coward) 来增加身体对抗，同时引进老将肯塔维厄斯·考德威尔-波普来与莫兰特搭档。孟菲斯队还增加了投篮精准的后卫泰·杰罗姆。最终效果如何尚不得而知，因为新任主教练图奥马斯·伊萨洛 (Tuomas Iisalo) 预计将调整球队上赛季采用的非传统体系。——迈克尔·C·莱特 (Michael C. Wright)

圣安东尼奥马刺队

上次排名： 17
重要引援：卢克·科内特 (Luke Kornet)（通过自由球员市场）、凯利·奥利尼克 (Kelly Olynyk)（通过交易）、小林迪·沃特斯（通过自由球员市场）
重要离队：桑德罗·马穆凯拉什维利 (Sandro Mamukelashvili)（通过自由球员市场）、克里斯·保罗（通过自由球员市场）、布雷克·韦斯利 (Blake Wesley)（通过自由球员市场）

你可能会在名单上看到冗余，考虑到通过增加榜眼秀迪伦·哈珀 (Dylan Harper) 而增强的控球手数量。但圣安东尼奥队看到的是制造错位优势的能力增强，而文班亚马 (Victor Wembanyama) 的内线存在将加剧这种优势。文班亚马已从上赛季让他缺席最后30场比赛的血栓中完全康复。马刺队在过去两届选秀中都选到了NBA年度最佳新秀得主，分别是文班亚马和斯蒂芬·卡斯尔 (Stephon Castle)，而哈珀也希望延续这一趋势。第14顺位选秀卡特·布莱恩特 (Carter Bryant) 展现出锁定防守者的潜质，俱乐部还增强了前场深度，为阵容提供了更多选择。——迈克尔·C·莱特 (Michael C. Wright)

波士顿凯尔特人队

上次排名： 12
重要引援：乔治斯·尼昂（通过交易）、安芬尼·西蒙斯 (Anfernee Simons)（通过交易）
重要离队：朱·霍勒迪 (Jrue Holiday)（通过交易）、卢克·科内特（通过自由球员市场）、克里斯塔普斯·波尔津吉斯（通过交易）

波士顿的休赛期围绕着成本削减展开，由于杰森·塔图姆 (Jayson Tatum) 很可能因跟腱撕裂缺席即将到来的整个赛季，凯尔特人队一直努力通过送走波尔津吉斯和朱·霍勒迪来避开第二层奢侈税线。问题在于波士顿能否在本赛季完全避税并重置累犯税时钟，还是会继续留在奢侈税线内。——蒂姆·邦滕普斯 (Tim Bontemps)

费城76人队

上次排名： 21
重要引援：特伦登·沃特福德 (Trendon Watford)（通过自由球员市场）
重要离队：格尔雄·亚布塞莱（通过自由球员市场）、贾里德·巴特勒 (Jared Butler)（通过自由球员市场）

76人队在边缘操作上做了一些不错的尝试，包括以双向合同签下贾巴里·沃克 (Jabari Walker)，并在上个月的NBA选秀中选中了VJ·埃奇科姆 (VJ Edgecombe) 和乔尼·布鲁姆 (Johni Broome)。然而，像往常一样，休赛期最大的新闻与伤病有关：保罗·乔治 (Paul George) 接受了膝盖手术，将在九月训练营开始前重新评估；而乔尔·恩比德 (Joel Embiid) 宣布他的回归没有具体时间表。——蒂姆·邦滕普斯 (Tim Bontemps)

迈阿密热火队

上次排名： 18
重要引援：诺曼·鲍威尔（通过交易）
重要离队：凯尔·安德森 (Kyle Anderson)（通过交易）、凯文·乐福 (Kevin Love)（通过交易）、邓肯·罗宾逊（通过先签后换）

迈阿密队休赛期的大动作是一次机会主义的举动，通过一笔三方交易从快船队得到了诺曼·鲍威尔。上赛季热火在关键时刻的表现糟糕透顶，鲍威尔应该能很好地融入迈阿密后场，与全明星泰勒·希罗 (Tyler Herro) 搭档。——蒂姆·邦滕普斯 (Tim Bontemps)

印第安纳步行者队

上次排名： 6
重要引援：杰伊·赫夫（通过交易）
重要离队：迈尔斯·特纳（通过自由球员市场）

印第安纳队本十年最激动人心、最不可能的总决赛之旅的高度迅速消散。泰瑞斯·哈利伯顿 (Tyrese Haliburton) 的右脚跟腱撕裂将使他缺席即将到来的整个赛季，同时球队还在自由球员市场失去了迈尔斯·特纳给竞争对手雄鹿队。他们的离队让印第安纳迎来了一个过渡年，等待哈利伯顿回归，但也让他们有机会在训练营中试训四名中锋——杰伊·赫夫、艾赛亚·杰克逊 (Isaiah Jackson)、詹姆斯·怀斯曼 (James Wiseman) 和托尼·布拉德利 (Tony Bradley)，以寻找长期的中锋替代者。——贾马尔·科利尔 (Jamal Collier)

波特兰开拓者队

上次排名： 22
重要引援：朱·霍勒迪（通过交易）、达米安·利拉德（通过自由球员市场）、布雷克·韦斯利（通过自由球员市场）
重要离队：安芬尼·西蒙斯（通过交易）、德安德烈·艾顿（通过自由球员市场）

波特兰休赛期最令人兴奋的两笔运作，可能要到下赛季才能见到成效。利拉德的回归可能要等到2026-27赛季，因为他是在四月份左脚跟腱撕裂，而16号秀杨瀚森 (Yang Hansen) 则需要时间适应NBA。尽管如此，利拉德回归他长期效力的球队以及选中杨瀚森，在球队上赛季36胜46负的表现之后，重新激发了开拓者球迷的热情。如果波特兰要保持这种势头，那么交易来老将后卫朱·霍勒迪以补充斯库特·亨德森 (Scoot Henderson) 和沙登·夏普 (Shaedon Sharpe) 将是最大的影响因素。——凯文·佩尔顿 (Kevin Pelton)

萨克拉门托国王队

上次排名： 20
重要引援：丹尼斯·施罗德（通过自由球员市场）、达里奥·沙里奇（通过交易）
重要离队：约纳斯·瓦兰丘纳斯（通过交易）

他们将在即将到来的赛季中，为扎克·拉文 (Zach LaVine)、多曼塔斯·萨博尼斯 (Domantas Sabonis) 和德玛尔·德罗赞 (DeMar DeRozan) 支付总计1.156亿美元，这三份合同难以交易，存在防守问题、进攻配合问题，并且已经证明了他们的附加赛上限。尼克·克利福德 (Nique Clifford) 和马克西姆·雷诺 (Maxime Raynaud) 看起来是有潜力的选秀球员。基根·默里 (Keegan Murray) 和基翁·埃利斯 (Keon Ellis) 是不错的年轻球员。国王队拥有一个相当充裕的选秀权库（包括一个2031年明尼苏达的无保护首轮签）。在一个竞争激烈的联盟中，国王队适合退一步进行重建。但球队老板和管理层从未展现出执行这一策略所需的耐心。消息人士称，新任总经理斯科特·佩里 (Scott Perry) 上周确实会见了受限制自由球员乔纳森·库明加。所以他们仍在寻找夏季运作的机会。——安东尼·斯莱特 (Anthony Slater)

芝加哥公牛队

上次排名： 23
重要引援：艾萨克·奥科罗（通过交易）
重要离队：朗佐·鲍尔（通过交易）

尽管连续两个赛季取得39胜43负的战绩，公牛队下赛季的阵容几乎与上赛季相同。他们将朗佐·鲍尔送往克利夫兰以换取奥科罗——据副总裁阿图拉斯·卡尔尼绍瓦斯 (Arturas Karnisovas) 称，此举是为了建立防守特色，而放弃了奥科罗在季后赛中暴露的进攻局限性。待办事项清单上的最后一项是与约什·吉迪 (Josh Giddey) 达成合同，这位受限制自由球员整个夏天都与芝加哥就长期合同陷入僵局。——贾马尔·科利尔 (Jamal Collier)

多伦多猛龙队

上次排名： 26
重要引援：桑德罗·马穆凯拉什维利（通过自由球员市场）
重要离队：无

多伦多队的休赛期将由马赛·乌杰里 (Masai Ujiri) 的离任来定义，他在带领猛龙队超过十年后——包括2019年为多伦多赢得唯一一次总冠军——被解雇。继任计划尚不明确，尽管长期担任总经理的博比·韦伯斯特 (Bobby Webster) 应该适合长期担任首席执行官的职务。——蒂姆·邦滕普斯 (Tim Bontemps)

菲尼克斯太阳队

上次排名： 24
重要引援：贾里德·巴特勒（通过自由球员市场）、狄龙·布鲁克斯（通过交易）、乔丹·古德温（通过认领）、杰伦·格林（通过交易）、马克·威廉姆斯 (Mark Williams)（通过交易）
重要离队：布拉德利·比尔（通过买断）、凯文·杜兰特（通过交易）、泰厄斯·琼斯（通过自由球员市场）、科迪·马丁 (Cody Martin)（裁掉）、梅森·普拉姆利 (Mason Plumlee)（通过自由球员市场）

如果休赛期的目标是节省大量资金，那么任务已经完成。布拉德利·比尔的买断和延伸支付完全让他们避开了第二层奢侈税线和奢侈税，根据ESPN的布莱恩·文德霍斯特 (Brian Windhorst) 的说法，未来两个赛季可节省约2.1亿美元的税款。但球迷关心的是赢球，而菲尼克斯在未来几年内并没有为此做好充分准备。他们今年夏天交易了杜兰特，在未来五年内还有比尔1940万美元的死薪在账本上，并且没有控制未来六年的选秀权。德文·布克 (Devin Booker) 仍然是这支球队的核心，但他周围的情况一片黯淡。——安东尼·斯莱特 (Anthony Slater)

新奥尔良鹈鹕队

上次排名： 25
重要引援：萨迪克·贝 (Saddiq Bey)（通过交易）、凯文·卢尼（通过自由球员市场）、乔丹·普尔 (Jordan Poole)（通过交易）
重要离队：布鲁斯·布朗（通过自由球员市场）、CJ·麦科勒姆 (CJ McCollum)（通过交易）、凯利·奥利尼克（通过交易）

季后赛结束后，鹈鹕队：一、完成了夏季最糟糕的交易，为了在2025年选秀中提升10个顺位，放弃了一个2026年无保护首轮选秀权；二、交易得到了乔丹·普尔，他未来两个赛季的薪水高达6590万美元；三、签下了凯文·卢尼，一个不擅长投篮的大个子，与他们其他不擅长投篮的大个子一起打球；四、眼睁睁看着他们的两名2025年乐透秀接受手腕手术（德里克·奎因 (Derik Queen)），并在夏季联赛中送出25次失误，仅有13次助攻（杰里迈亚·费尔斯 (Jeremiah Fears)）。——扎克·克拉姆 (Zach Kram)

夏洛特黄蜂队

上次排名： 28
重要引援：斯宾塞·丁威迪（通过自由球员市场）、梅森·普拉姆利（通过自由球员市场）、科林·塞克斯顿 (Collin Sexton)（通过交易）
重要离队：优素福·努尔基奇 (Jusuf Nurkic)（通过交易）、马克·威廉姆斯（通过交易）

夏洛特队进行了一些低调的补强，其中最主要的是从犹他爵士队得到了科林·塞克斯顿，以交换中锋优素福·努尔基奇。送走大个子马克·威廉姆斯（换来了第29顺位选秀权，即利亚姆·麦克尼利 (Liam McNeeley)，以及一个2029年来自菲尼克斯的首轮选秀权）和努尔基奇。这些交易应该能为23岁的中锋穆萨·迪亚巴特 (Moussa Diabate) 创造更多机会，他在上赛季作为替补表现出色，上场时间超过1200分钟。（二轮秀瑞安·卡尔克布伦纳 (Ryan Kalkbrenner) 也应该能获得一些上场时间。）而以合理价格带回特雷·曼恩 (Tre Mann) 也是黄蜂队的另一个明显积极的举动。——克里斯·赫林 (Chris Herring)

布鲁克林篮网队

上次排名： 27
重要引援：特伦斯·曼恩（通过交易）、小迈克尔·波特（通过交易）
重要离队：卡梅隆·约翰逊（通过交易）、丹吉洛·拉塞尔（通过自由球员市场）

如果有人对布鲁克林队近期优先事项有任何疑问，篮网队在选秀之夜通过选秀首轮的NBA纪录五次选秀，响亮而清晰地回答了这个问题。在这五名选秀球员中，有三名是控球后卫，两名是侧翼球员。这支俱乐部将在即将到来的赛季中主要专注于球员发展。除此之外，他们还将最大的资产卡梅隆·约翰逊交易到丹佛，换回了神射手小迈克尔·波特和一个2032年的首轮选秀权。——克里斯·赫林 (Chris Herring)

华盛顿奇才队

上次排名： 30
重要引援： CJ·麦科勒姆（通过交易）、卡姆·惠特莫尔（通过交易）
重要离队：萨迪克·贝（通过交易）、里乔恩·霍姆斯 (Richaun Holmes)（裁掉）、乔丹·普尔（通过交易）、凯利·奥利尼克（通过交易）、马库斯·斯马特（裁掉）

华盛顿的重建仍在继续，但奇才队在这个休赛期采取行动，增加了更多有潜力的天才球员、老将领导力以及财务灵活性。在选中特雷·约翰逊 (Tre Johnson) 和威尔·莱利 (Will Riley) 之后，奇才队将乔丹·普尔和他未来两个赛季的6600万美元薪水，以及萨迪克·贝交易到新奥尔良，换来了CJ·麦科勒姆即将到期的合同和凯利·奥利尼克。据ESPN的沙姆斯·查拉尼亚报道，这笔交易预计将在2026年创造接近1亿美元的预计薪金空间。华盛顿随后将奥利尼克交易到圣安东尼奥，换来了马拉基·布兰纳姆 (Malaki Branham) 和一个二轮选秀权。他们还买断了斯马特，后者签下了湖人队，并增添了卡姆·惠特莫尔 (Cam Whitmore) 等有潜力的年轻天才。在麦科勒姆和克里斯·米德尔顿 (Khris Middleton) 等老将提供指导下，华盛顿的年轻核心比拉尔·库利巴利 (Bilal Coulibaly)、亚历克斯·萨尔 (Alex Sarr)、巴布·卡林顿 (Bub Carrington) 和基肖恩·乔治 (Kyshawn George) 可以在本赛季获得更多成长，之后奇才队将在明年夏天拥有灵活性进行更多运作。——奥姆·扬米苏克 (Ohm Youngmisuk)

犹他爵士队

上次排名： 29
重要引援：凯尔·安德森（通过交易）、凯文·乐福（通过交易）、优素福·努尔基奇（通过交易）
重要离队：约翰·科林斯（通过交易）、约翰尼·朱赞 (Johnny Juzang)（裁掉）、科林·塞克斯顿（通过交易）、乔丹·克拉克森（通过自由球员市场）

犹他队以少量回报交易了科林·塞克斯顿和约翰·科林斯，并裁掉了乔丹·克拉克森，这意味着2024-25赛季爵士队排名前五的得分手中，有三名将在2025-26赛季为其他球队效力。这意味着新秀艾斯·贝利 (Ace Bailey) 和小沃尔特·克莱顿 (Walter Clayton Jr.) 以及他们其他年轻队友将获得大量机会——同时也会带来更多的失利。——扎克·克拉姆 (Zach Kram)

点击查看原文：Free agency NBA Power Rankings -- How all 30 teams stack up in the 2025 offseason

Free agency NBA Power Rankings – How all 30 teams stack up in the 2025 offseason

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.

With the 2025-26 NBA season a few months away, some teams are settling in with their newly acquired superstars. Specifically, the Houston Rockets acquired 15-time All-Star Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns in June. The Rockets hope the veteran forward will give them the boost they need to leap to dominant contender status next season.

Other veteran names were also on the move this offseason, as Damian Lillard returned to the Portland Trail Blazers after two seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks and Chris Paul returned to the LA Clippers after one season with the San Antonio Spurs.

How will Bradley Beal fit with the Clippers? How much of an impact will Lonzo Ball make with the Cleveland Cavaliers? 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.

Note: Team rankings are based on where members of our panel (ESPN’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.

Jump to a team:
ATL | BOS | BKN | CHA | CHI | CLE
DAL | DEN | DET | GS | HOU | IND
LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN
NO | NY | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHX
POR | SAC | SA | TOR | UTA | WAS

1. Oklahoma City Thunder

Previous ranking: 1
Notable additions: None
Notable departures: Dillon Jones (via trade)

The Thunder haven’t added any new players this offseason except rookies Thomas Sorber and Brooks Barnhizer – who flashed tremendous defensive skills at summer league, making him a perfect fit – 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’s main business this offseason was signing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren to long-term extensions, locking up this championship core through the rest of the 2020s. And that mission was accomplished without any fuss. – Zach Kram

2. Houston Rockets

Previous ranking: 5
Notable additions: Clint Capela (via free agency), Kevin Durant (via trade), Dorian Finney-Smith (via free agency), JD Davison (via free agency)
Notable departures: Dillon Brooks (via trade), Jalen Green (via trade), Cam Whitmore (via trade)

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 Fred VanVleet and a young, hungry cast of rising stars, including Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson. The Rockets are also banking on improvement (especially on the defensive end) from the sharp-shooting Reed Sheppard, who was impressive during summer league, showing Houston he is ready for an increased role. Frontcourt depth will be a sneaky strength, too. – Michael C. Wright

3. Denver Nuggets

Previous ranking: 3
Notable additions: Bruce Brown Jr. (via free agency), Cam Johnson (via trade), Tim Hardaway Jr. (via free agency), Jonas Valančiūnas (via trade)
Notable departures: Michael Porter Jr. (via trade), Dario Šarić (via trade)

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 Nikola Jokic. 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 Michael Porter Jr. and the $79 million remaining on his contract for Cameron Johnson. They brought back Bruce Brown, a valued contributor of the 2023 title team, and signed Tim Hardaway Jr. 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. – Ohm Youngmisuk

4. Cleveland Cavaliers

Previous ranking: 4
Notable additions: Lonzo Ball (via trade), Larry Nance Jr. (via free agency)
Notable departures: Ty Jerome (via free agency), Isaac Okoro (via trade)

Perhaps the most significant news of Cleveland’s summer was Darius Garland undergoing surgery on his left big toe. The two-time All-Star was unavailable for four of the Cavs’ 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 Ty Jerome walk in free agency (signed with Memphis for three years, $28 million) and trading Isaac Okoro to the Chicago Bulls for Lonzo Ball. – Dave McMenamin

5. New York Knicks

Previous ranking: 7
Notable additions: Jordan Clarkson (via free agency), Guerschon Yabusele (via free agency)
Notable departures: None

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 – 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. – Chris Herring

6. Minnesota Timberwolves

Previous ranking: 2
Notable additions: None
Notable departures: Nickeil Alexander-Walker (via free agency)

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 Anthony Edwards (23), Jaden McDaniels (24) and Naz Reid (25) to continue their ascent, but also banking on coach Chris Finch to use 20-year-old Rob Dillingham and 24-year-old Terrence Shannon Jr. in his rotation more than he did last season. After two straight conference finals appearances, the team looks mostly the same, aside from prioritizing Julius Randle’s contract extension with its cap space, leading to Nickeil Alexander-Walker leaving for the Hawks. – McMenamin

7. LA Clippers

Previous ranking: 10
Notable additions: Bradley Beal (via free agency), John Collins (via trade), Brook Lopez (via free agency), Chris Paul (via free agency)
Notable departures: Norman Powell (via trade)

The Clippers are clearing cap space to possibly sign a star or two in the next two summers. But in the meantime, they’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 James Harden 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 Ivica Zubac and Lopez. Collins gives Harden an above-the-rim target and allows Kawhi Leonard 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. – Youngmisuk

8. Orlando Magic

Previous ranking: 13
Notable additions: Desmond Bane (via trade), Tyus Jones (via free agency)
Notable departures: Cole Anthony (via trade), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (via trade)

Orlando struck early, sending four first-round picks – including this year’s No. 16 selection – to Memphis for Desmond Bane. Adding Bane’s shooting and scoring to the backcourt vaults the Magic into the ranks of East contenders, presuming the continued development from forwards Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. Orlando also strengthened its guard rotation by signing veteran Tyus Jones as a backup to starter Jalen Suggs, 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 “right on time” in his rehabilitation. – Kevin Pelton

9. Golden State Warriors

Previous ranking: 8
Notable additions: None
Notable departures: Kevon Looney (via free agency)

As August nears, the Warriors have only nine players on the roster. But many in the league believe Al Horford, De’Anthony Melton and Seth Curry are eventually ticketed to join Golden State once Jonathan Kuminga’s restricted free agency is solved, adding a few proven veterans to a rotation that needs it. Kuminga’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 Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler III and Draymond Green to defy the aging process. That’s where they’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. – Anthony Slater

10. Los Angeles Lakers

Previous ranking: 9
Notable additions: Deandre Ayton (via free agency), Marcus Smart (via free agency)
Notable departures: Jordan Goodwin (waived), Trey Jamison III (waived), Shake Milton (waived), Dorian Finney-Smith (via free agency)

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 Jake LaRavia. Los Angeles later waived Jordan Goodwin to access the bi-annual exception and sign Marcus Smart. All to make Luka Doncic and LeBron James’ second season together to have a better shot of succeeding. – McMenamin

11. Detroit Pistons

Previous ranking: 11
Notable additions: Caris LeVert (via free agency), Duncan Robinson (via sign-and-trade)
Notable departures: Tim Hardaway Jr. (via free agency), Dennis Schröder (via free agency), Lindy Waters III (via free agency)

The Pistons were forced to pivot late after learning Sixth Man of the Year runner-up Malik Beasley, an unrestricted free agent, is under federal investigation related to prop bets. Per ESPN’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 Duncan Robinson 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. – Pelton

12. Atlanta Hawks

Previous ranking: 19
Notable additions: Nickeil Alexander-Walker (via sign-and-trade), Kristaps Porzingis (via trade), Luke Kennard (via free agency)
Notable departures: Clint Capela (via free agency), Caris LeVert (via free agency), Terance Mann (via trade), Georges Niang (via trade)

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 Trae Young the most balanced roster he has had since reaching the conference finals in 2021. – Herring

13. Dallas Mavericks

Previous ranking: 14
Notable additions: D’Angelo Russell (via free agency)
Notable departures: Spencer Dinwiddie (via free agency)

The lack of proven ball handlers, with Kyrie Irving 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’ frontcourt is deep and skilled, with the physicality of Dereck Lively II and Anthony Davis. No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg showed he is the real deal during summer league. His playmaking could be the glue that holds the Mavericks together early before Irving returns. – Wright

14. Milwaukee Bucks

Previous ranking: 16
Notable additions: Cole Anthony (via free agency), Myles Turner (via free agency), Gary Harris (via free agency)
Notable departures: Pat Connaughton (via trade), Vasilije Micić (waived), Damian Lillard (waived), Brook Lopez (via free agency)

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 Giannis Antetokounmpo. It also gives the team a chance to maximize its superstar’s prime with an extended title-winning window. – Jamal Collier

15. Memphis Grizzlies

Previous ranking: 15
Notable additions: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (via trade), Ty Jerome (via free agency)
Notable departures: Cole Anthony (waived), Desmond Bane (via trade), Luke Kennard (via free agency), Jay Huff (via trade)

GM Zach Kleiman steered Memphis into a retooling, building around Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., 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 Cedric Coward 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. – Wright

16. San Antonio Spurs

Previous ranking: 17
Notable additions: Luke Kornet (via free agency), Kelly Olynyk (via trade), Lindy Waters III (via free agency)
Notable departures: Sandro Mamukelashvili (via free agency), Chris Paul (via free agency), Blake Wesley (via free agency)

You might see redundancy on the roster, given the bevy of ball handlers bolstered by the addition of No. 2 pick Dylan Harper. But San Antonio sees an increased ability to create matchup disadvantages that will be exacerbated by the inside presence of Victor Wembanyama, 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 Stephon Castle, and Harper wants to continue the trend. No. 14 pick Carter Bryant shows the makings of a lockdown defender, and the club also bolstered depth in the frontcourt that provides optionality with lineups. – Wright

17. Boston Celtics

Previous ranking: 12
Notable additions: Georges Niang (via trade), Anfernee Simons (via trade)
Notable departures: Jrue Holiday (via trade), Luke Kornet (via free agency), Kristaps Porzingis (via trade)

The offseason for Boston has been centered around cost-cutting, as the Celtics – with Jayson Tatum likely missing the entirety of this upcoming season due to a torn Achilles – 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. – Tim Bontemps

18. Philadelphia 76ers

Previous ranking: 21
Notable additions: Trendon Watford (via free agency)
Notable departures: Guerschon Yabusele (via free agency), Jared Butler (via free agency)

The 76ers have done some nice things on the margins, including landing Jabari Walker on a two-way deal and snagging VJ Edgecombe and Johni Broome in last month’s NBA draft. As usual, though, the biggest news of the offseason was injury-related: Paul George underwent a knee procedure that will be reevaluated before the start of training camp in September and Joel Embiid declared there is no timeline for his return. – Bontemps

19. Miami Heat

Previous ranking: 18
Notable additions: Norman Powell (via trade)
Notable departures: Kyle Anderson (via trade), Kevin Love (via trade), Duncan Robinson (via sign-and-trade)

Miami’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’s backcourt alongside All-Star Tyler Herro. – Bontemps

20. Indiana Pacers

Previous ranking: 6
Notable additions: Jay Huff (via trade)
Notable departures: Myles Turner (via free agency)

The heights of one of the most thrilling and improbable Finals runs of the decade evaporated quickly for Indiana. Tyrese Haliburton’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 – Jay Huff, Isaiah Jackson, James Wiseman and Tony Bradley – at training camp. – Collier

21. Portland Trail Blazers

Previous ranking: 22
Notable additions: Jrue Holiday (via trade), Damian Lillard (via free agency), Blake Wesley (via free agency)
Notable departures: Anfernee Simons (via trade), Deandre Ayton (via free agency)

The two most exciting Portland offseason moves might not pay dividends next season. Damian Lillard’s return won’t likely happen until 2026-27 after his left Achilles tear in April, while No. 16 pick Yang Hansen 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 Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe will be the biggest factor. – Pelton

22. Sacramento Kings

Previous ranking: 20
Notable additions: Dennis Schroder (via free agency), Dario Saric (via trade)
Notable departures: Jonas Valanciunas (via trade)

They owe Zach LaVine, Domantas Sabonis and DeMar DeRozan 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. Nique Clifford and Maxime Raynaud look like promising draft picks. Keegan Murray and Keon Ellis 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’t done searching for summer moves. – Slater

23. Chicago Bulls

Previous ranking: 23
Notable additions: Isaac Okoro (via trade)
Notable departures: Lonzo Ball (via trade)

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 – forgiving Okoro’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 Josh Giddey, a restricted free agent locked in a stalemate with Chicago all summer over a long-term deal. – Collier

24. Toronto Raptors

Previous ranking: 26
Notable additions: Sandro Mamukelashvili (via free agency)
Notable departures: None

Toronto’s offseason will be defined by the departure of Masai Ujiri, who was let go after more than a decade of leading the Raptors – including to Toronto’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. – Bontemps

25. Phoenix Suns

Previous ranking: 24
Notable additions: Jared Butler (via free agency), Dillon Brooks (via trade), Jordan Goodwin (via waivers), Jalen Green (via trade), Mark Williams (via trade)
Notable departures: Bradley Beal (via buyout), Kevin Durant (via trade), Tyus Jones (via free agency), Cody Martin (waived), Mason Plumlee (via free agency)

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’s Brian Windhorst. But fans care about winning and Phoenix isn’t set up too well to do that into the future. They traded Kevin Durant this summer, have $19.4 million of Beal’s dead salary on their books for the next five seasons, and don’t have control of their next six drafts. Devin Booker remains the centerpiece of this team, but the situation around him is bleak. – Slater

26. New Orleans Pelicans

Previous ranking: 25
Notable additions: Saddiq Bey (via trade), Kevon Looney (via free agency),Jordan Poole (via trade)
Notable departures: Bruce Brown (via free agency), CJ McCollum (via trade), Kelly Olynyk (via trade)

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 Jordan Poole, who’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 (Derik Queen) and commit 25 turnovers to just 13 assists at summer league (Jeremiah Fears). – Kram

27. Charlotte Hornets

Previous ranking: 28
Notable additions: Spencer Dinwiddie (via free agency), Mason Plumlee (via free agency), Collin Sexton (via trade)
Notable departures: Jusuf Nurkic (via trade), Mark Williams (via trade)

Charlotte made some under-the-radar moves to improve, headlined by landing Collin Sexton from Utah in exchange for center Jusuf Nurkic. Moving big man Mark Williams (for the 29th pick, which turned out to be Liam McNeeley, and a 2029 first-round selection from Phoenix) and Nurkic. The deals should open more opportunities for 23-year-old center Moussa Diabate, who played well in a reserve role last season, logging more than 1,200 minutes. (Second-round pick Ryan Kalkbrenner should see time there as well.) And bringing back Tre Mann on a reasonable deal was another clear positive for the Hornets. – Herring

28. Brooklyn Nets

Previous ranking: 27
Notable additions: Terance Mann (via trade), Michael Porter Jr. (via trade)
Notable departures: Cam Johnson (via trade), D’Angelo Russell (via free agency)

If there was any question about Brooklyn’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 two 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. – Herring

29. Washington Wizards

Previous ranking: 30
Notable additions: CJ McCollum (via trade), Cam Whitmore (via trade)
Notable departures: Saddiq Bey (via trade), Richaun Holmes (waived), Jordan Poole (via trade), Kelly Olynyk (via trade), Marcus Smart (waived)

Washington’s rebuild continues, but the Wizards made moves this offseason to add more promising talent, veteran leadership and financial flexibility. After drafting Tre Johnson and Will Riley, 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’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’s Shams Charania. Washington then traded Olynyk to San Antonio for Malaki Branham 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 Khris Middleton to provide mentorship, Washington’s young core of Bilal Coulibaly, Alex Sarr, Bub Carrington and Kyshawn George can grow more this season before the Wizards have the flexibility to make moves next summer. – Youngmisuk

30. Utah Jazz

Previous ranking: 29
Notable additions: Kyle Anderson (via trade), Kevin Love (via trade), Jusuf Nurkić (via trade)
Notable departures: John Collins (via trade), Johnny Juzang (waived), Collin Sexton (via trade), Jordan Clarkson (via free agency)

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 Ace Bailey and Walter Clayton Jr., as well as their other young teammates – and a whole lot more losses in the process. – Kram

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