NBA Free Agency 2025 Grades: Best to Worst (Preliminary) A Grades: Excellent Moves / Major Improvements
Milwaukee Bucks: A
Moves: Myles Turner (4 years, $107M, likely S&T involving Damian Lillard), Taurean Prince (2 years, $7M), Gary Trent Jr. (2 years, $7.5M), Kevin Porter Jr. (2 years, $11M), Bobby Portis (3 years, $44M)
Reasoning: Landing Myles Turner is a game-changer for their defense and spacing next to Giannis. The other additions provide excellent depth and role-playing talent. This is a clear "all-in" move.
Orlando Magic: A
Moves: Tyus Jones (1 year, $7M), Desmond Bane (trade acquisition from Memphis)
Reasoning: Trading for Desmond Bane is a fantastic acquisition, adding a high-level scorer and shooter to their young core. Tyus Jones is a solid, reliable point guard. The Magic are clearly signaling their intent to compete.
Philadelphia 76ers: A
Moves: Tyrese Maxey (re-signed to max deal), Paul George (trade acquisition, prior to FA)
Reasoning: Securing Tyrese Maxey was paramount for their future. The earlier trade for Paul George significantly elevates their star power alongside Joel Embiid. They're built to contend.
New York Knicks: A-
Moves: OG Anunoby (re-signed, deal terms not fully out), Jordan Clarkson (reported deal), Julius Randle (re-signed for 3 years, $100M)
Reasoning: Retaining Anunoby was their top priority for defensive identity. Re-signing Randle keeps their established core together, and Clarkson provides a needed scoring punch off the bench. Strong moves for a team aiming high. B Grades: Solid Moves / Maintained Status Quo / Sensible Additions
Houston Rockets: B+
Moves: Dorian Finney-Smith (4 years, $53M), Clint Capela (3 years, $21.5M), Fred VanVleet (2 years, $50M), Jabari Smith Jr. (5 years, $122M), Jeff Green (1 year, $3M), Aaron Holiday (1 year, $3M), Jae'Sean Tate (1 year, $3M)
Reasoning: Very active and purposeful offseason. They've added veterans who fit needs (defense, rebounding) and locked up key young talent. They are clearly trying to accelerate their timeline.
Dallas Mavericks: B+
Moves: Kyrie Irving (3 years, $119M), D'Angelo Russell (2 years, $13M with PO in Y2)
Reasoning: Re-signing Kyrie Irving was crucial to keep their star duo. Adding D'Angelo Russell provides a capable third guard, which is important for depth after the Luka Doncic trade.
Minnesota Timberwolves: B+
Moves: Naz Reid (5 years, $125M), Julius Randle (3 years, $100M), Joe Ingles (1 year, $3M)
Reasoning: Re-signing Naz Reid was excellent value for a talented backup big. Locking up Julius Randle long-term after acquiring him shores up their power forward spot. Ingles is a solid veteran.
Memphis Grizzlies: B
Moves: Jaren Jackson Jr. (max deal extension), Santi Aldama (3 years, $52.5M), Ty Jerome (3 years, $28M), Lost Desmond Bane (traded to Orlando)
Reasoning: Extending JJJ is an A+ move. Re-signing Aldama and Jerome are good depth moves. The Bane trade is a big loss of talent, but the four first-round picks provide significant flexibility for their future.
Denver Nuggets: B
Moves: Bruce Brown (1 year, $3M), Tim Hardaway Jr. (1 year, TBA)
Reasoning: Bringing back Bruce Brown on a team-friendly deal is a smart re-addition for their playoff rotation. Hardaway Jr. adds shooting. They're good at finding complementary pieces around their core.
Los Angeles Clippers: B
Moves: James Harden (2 years, $81.5M), Nicolas Batum (2 years, $12M), Brook Lopez (2 years, $18M)
Reasoning: Re-signing Harden was a priority. Bringing in Lopez is a good veteran big man addition, and Batum provides solid wing depth. They're trying to maximize their current window. C Grades: Average Moves / Mixed Results / Questions Remain
Cleveland Cavaliers: B
Moves: Traded for Lonzo Ball (prior to FA)
Reasoning: While their free agency has been quiet, the trade for Lonzo Ball is a significant piece of their offseason strategy, if he can stay healthy. Their grade reflects the overall offseason.
Detroit Pistons: B-
Moves: Caris LeVert (2 years, $29M), Duncan Robinson (3 years, $48M)
Reasoning: LeVert adds scoring, and Robinson provides much-needed shooting. These are decent additions for a young team, though the Robinson contract might be an overpay.
Sacramento Kings: B-
Moves: Dennis Schroder (3 years, $45M), Drew Eubanks (1 year, TBA)
Reasoning: Schroder provides a veteran backup point guard and scoring. Eubanks adds depth at center. Solid, unflashy moves to help their bench.
Los Angeles Lakers: B-
Moves: LeBron James (picked up $52.6M player option), Jake LaRavia (2 years, $12M)
Reasoning: LeBron opting in was expected. The prior Luka Doncic trade was the big move. LaRavia is a good value 3-and-D wing. Still need to address the center position more definitively.
Atlanta Hawks: C+
Moves: Nickeil Alexander-Walker (4 years, $62M), Luke Kennard (1 year, $11M)
Reasoning: Alexander-Walker is a solid defensive wing, and Kennard adds shooting. These are decent role player additions but don't address their larger organizational direction.
New Orleans Pelicans: C+
Moves: Kevon Looney (2 years, $16M)
Reasoning: Looney is a reliable, championship-experienced big man for rebounding and defense. It's a sensible addition, but not a needle-mover for their overall health/contention questions.
San Antonio Spurs: C+
Moves: Luke Kornet (4 years, $41M)
Reasoning: Kornet is a depth piece for their frontcourt. The Spurs are still firmly in a development phase around Victor Wembanyama, so big free agency splashes aren't their priority.
Brooklyn Nets: C+
Moves: Day'Ron Sharpe (2 years, $12M), Ziaire Williams (2 years, $12M)
Reasoning: Re-signing Sharpe is good for their big man rotation, and Williams is a low-risk, high-upside flyer. Still very much a team in transition.
Charlotte Hornets: C
Moves: Mason Plumlee (1 year, $3M), Tre Mann (3 years, $24M)
Reasoning: Plumlee adds veteran center depth, and re-signing Mann is a good move for their young guard rotation. They're still rebuilding.
Golden State Warriors: C
Moves: Jonathan Kuminga (Restricted Free Agent)
Reasoning: Their grade hinges on Kuminga. If they retain him for a fair deal, it's good. Not much other activity expected given their roster and salary.
Oklahoma City Thunder: C
Moves: Not many reported so far.
Reasoning: The Thunder have a wealth of young talent and draft picks. Their focus isn't typically on making big free agency splashes, but rather internal development and strategic trades.
Boston Celtics: C (Neutral)
Moves: Largely maintaining core.
Reasoning: The Celtics are already over the cap and operating in the luxury tax. Their focus will be on internal development and minimal, cost-effective additions. "No news is good news" for a cap-strapped contender.
Miami Heat: C (Neutral)
Moves: Not many reported so far.
Reasoning: The Heat are known for being quiet early in free agency, often pursuing bigger moves later or through trades. Their cap situation is tight, limiting big splashes.
Toronto Raptors: C (Neutral)
Moves: Not many reported so far.
Reasoning: The Raptors are in a re-tooling phase. Expect them to be relatively quiet in terms of major free agency additions, focusing on development and value.
Utah Jazz: C (Pending Kessler Decision)
Moves: Walker Kessler (Restricted Free Agent)
Reasoning: Their grade depends entirely on the outcome of the Walker Kessler situation. If they trade him, the return will dictate the true grade. If they retain him for a high price, it could drop. D Grades: Disappointing Moves / Setbacks
Chicago Bulls: C- (Pending Giddey Decision)
Moves: Tre Jones (3 years, $24M)
Reasoning: Re-signing Tre Jones is solid. However, the major looming question is restricted free agent Josh Giddey. If they lose him or fail to get value, this grade will plummet.
Washington Wizards: C- (Neutral given rebuild)
Moves: Not many reported so far.
Reasoning: Deep in a rebuild, they're not expected to make significant free agency moves. Their focus is on future assets and developing young talent. A quiet free agency is expected, so it's not necessarily bad, but also not good.
Portland Trail Blazers: C- (Neutral given rebuild)
Moves: Not many reported so far.
Reasoning: Similar to the Wizards, the Blazers are in a rebuild. They are focused on developing their young players and potentially acquiring assets, not making splashy free agent signings.
Phoenix Suns: D+
Moves: Collin Gillespie (1 year, $3M), Nigel Hayes-Davis (1 year, $3M), Deandre Ayton (entered free agency after buyout)
Reasoning: The Ayton buyout is the biggest news, creating a hole at center without an immediate return. The additions are minor depth pieces. They still have significant work to do with their cap situation.
Indiana Pacers: D+
Moves: Lost Myles Turner (to Bucks)
Reasoning: Losing Myles Turner, even in a sign-and-trade, is a significant blow to their frontcourt and defensive identity. While they reportedly wanted to keep him, the outcome is a net negative.