NBA free agency always delivers drama, even when the class lacks top-end talent. This summer has been no exception, with the Milwaukee Bucks making a historic waive and stretch decision, the Indiana Pacers losing their longest-serving player, and the Atlanta Hawks stocking up for contention.
There is more to come, of course, but as of July 2, here are the 10 main takeaways from 2025 NBA free agency.
Denver Means Business
Bruce Brown, Jonas Valančiūnas, Cam Johnson, and Tim Hardaway Jr. represent a major upgrade to the Denver Nuggets rotation. The seldom-used Dario Šarić and the injury-limited Michael Porter Jr. are the only notable departures.
Brown returns to the role he filled so well in Denver during 2022 and 2023. Hardaway Jr. adds long-needed shooting off the bench and gives Nikola Jokić a dependable dribble handoff partner. Johnson is a better defender than Porter and has a stronger track record of staying healthy. Valančiūnas provides a steady presence as an above-average backup center.
Five teams currently have shorter title odds than the Nuggets. That might not last much longer.
Lakers in a Muddle Again
Replacing Dorian Finney-Smith with Jake LaRavia is not going to shift the Lakers much in either direction. The bigger concern is that it is their only move so far this offseason. A heavy reliance on signing Deandre Ayton is not a good sign either.
LeBron James is once again applying pressure on the front office. Rob Pelinka is reportedly reluctant to sign players to deals longer than two years in order to preserve cap flexibility for 2027. That approach does not fit the win-now timeline of a LeBron and Luka core.
The Dončić acquisition landed in their lap and gave them a fresh window to contend. The question now is how the Lakers can build a winner around Luka and LeBron for 2026 while preserving flexibility into the next decade.
Bucks Desperate to Convince Giannis
The Milwaukee Bucks waiving and stretching Damian Lillard is one of the most shocking moves in modern NBA history. Lillard, who is ruled out for the 2025-26 season after an Achilles tear, is now a free agent. Reports are mixed on how much support Giannis Antetokounmpo gave the decision.
The Bucks released Lillard in order to sign Myles Turner to a long-term deal. Factoring in Lillard’s dead money, Turner is effectively costing the Bucks over 50 million dollars per year for the next five years. It is clearly an overpay, but one the front office is willing to make if it helps secure Giannis’ long-term commitment.
Turner is a substantial upgrade on Brook Lopez. The Bucks also re-signed Taurean Price and Gary Trent Jr., and added Gary Harris. They are all-in on this roster.
What Are the Bulls Doing?
Re-signing Tre Jones and flipping Lonzo Ball for Isaac Okoro does not mark the start of a new chapter in Chicago. These are moves that keep the Bulls stuck in play-in purgatory.
A brief late-season improvement was not enough to suggest this team can break into the top six. Even if they do, they are not equipped to win a playoff series.
Once again, the Bulls have refused to take bold action. It is unsurprising, but still frustrating.
Rockets Go All In on Size
Clint Capela, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Kevin Durant headline an offseason of size and physicality for the Houston Rockets. Ime Udoka will now roll out frequent lineups featuring three or four wings alongside one or two of Capela, Steven Adams, and Alperen Sengun.
Rockets games were already physical battles. Durant adds a go-to scorer who can carry the offense while preserving elite defensive identity.
Two-big lineups have become more common across the league. The Rockets are taking that concept even further with their frontcourt depth and wing versatility. Fred VanVleet is the only true guard locked into a rotation role.
Hawks Land Free Agency Gem
Nickeil Alexander-Walker was one of the most valuable under-the-radar players available in free agency. A key piece of Minnesota’s elite defense, he also brings dependable perimeter shooting and occasional on-ball creativity.
This move will not get the headlines of Turner to the Bucks, but it could prove just as meaningful.
Minnesota now has a major hole to fill after Alexander-Walker logged 25.3 minutes per game last season. Atlanta has added another strong defender to pair with Trae Young.
Toronto Turmoil
Masai Ujiri was fired one day after the NBA Draft. The Raptors then committed to Jakob Poeltl with a four-year, 104 million dollar extension.
Poeltl is now under contract through the 2029-30 season. This indicates the front office believes he can coexist with Scottie Barnes long term.
Between Ujiri’s departure and the questionable Poeltl extension, the Raptors continue to confuse. It is hard to say what their direction is from here.
Kings Edge Closer to a Tear Down
Since finishing third in the West in 2022-23, the Sacramento Kings have watched Tyrese Haliburton lead his team to the NBA Finals and have traded away De’Aaron Fox. They now resemble a poor version of the 2021-22 Bulls.
There is no realistic path to contention with a core of DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Domantas Sabonis. The departure of Jake LaRavia removes another potential long-term rotation player.
At least 11 Western Conference teams are better than the Kings right now. A rebuild feels inevitable, and trading Sabonis may be their only path forward.
Magic Check Boxes
The Orlando Magic entered the offseason needing shooting and playmaking. They answered both with the acquisitions of Desmond Bane and Tyus Jones.
Bane, Jalen Suggs, Paolo Banchero, and Franz Wagner form one of the most exciting young cores in the league. This group could compete for the top seed in the East next season.
The draft capital used to acquire Bane is not a concern with Banchero and Wagner already locked in. The Magic were proactive and checked every box early.
Knicks Add Bench Pieces
Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele are two smart additions for the New York Knicks. Clarkson brings instant offense to non-Brunson lineups. Yabusele adds physicality on the boards and can stretch the floor.
Yabusele has improved considerably as a shooter, hitting 38 percent of his 3.9 attempts per game last season. Clarkson is a proven bucket-getter and former Sixth Man of the Year who can create his own shot in any situation.
Final Word
The dust is still settling, and many rosters are far from finished. But the first wave of free agency has already shifted power balances, raised eyebrows, and, in some cases, deepened the uncertainty. From win-now swings to confused timelines, this summer has shown that even in a year without marquee free agents, the drama never slows down in the NBA.
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