The Boston Celtics traded Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday. They traded for Anfernee Simons and signed a couple of role players to fill out the rest of the roster. After NBA all-star Jason Tatum suffered a torn right Achilles tendon during the playoffs, the Celtics will probably lose their spots as top dogs in a top-heavy Eastern Conference. In my opinion, Boston could still make the playoffs, but losing their best player and a big defensive presence in Porzingis will make it very difficult to contend with teams like the Cavaliers and the Knicks.
The Atlanta Hawks made a big trade for Kristaps Porzingis to give their star Trae Young a viable third option and make big improvements to the front court. While signing Nickeil Alexander-Walker, N’Faly Dante, and Luke Kennard. With these additions mixed with the lethal scoring from Trae Young and elite defense from Dyson Daniels. I believe that the Hawks could make it into the playoffs this upcoming season, but I do not believe they have the talent to compete with teams like the Cavaliers, Knicks, or Magic.
The Denver Nuggets traded Michael Porter Jr to the Brooklyn Nets for Cameron Johnson and traded Dario Šarić to Sacramento for Jonas Valančiūnas. And they signed Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr. With the Nuggets having arguably the best player in the league, improving their depth will give them a really good opportunity to compete with some of the best teams in a stacked Western Conference. In my opinion, they will be a top-five team in the Western Conference and a team that NBA fans and critics will have at the top of their list of teams to take down the defending champions.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – FEBRUARY 05: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on February 05, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Going further west, the Dallas Mavericks re-signed Kyrie Irving, Dante Exum, and PJ Washington. The Mavericks brought two new players in D’Angelo Russell and Dennis Smith Jr. while losing Spencer Dinwiddie in free agency. Once the Mavericks are healthy, I believe that they are one of the better teams in the Western Conference, but their success will depend on the development of the first overall pick, Cooper Flagg, and the team’s ability to stay healthy.
The Rockets acquired Kevin Durant in a historic seven-team trade. While bringing other new additions such as Clint Capela, JD Davison, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Josh Okogie. They re-signed Steven Adams, Aaron Holiday, Jeff Green, Jabari Smith Jr, Jae’Sean Tate, and Fred VanVleet. They did lose a decent amount of players, but with all of the new acquisitions, I think that they are the favorites to give the defending champs a run for their money. I am very confident that they will be a top-three team in a loaded Western Conference.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 16: James Harden #1 of the Los Angeles Clippers brings the ball up court during the first quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Crypto.com Arena on January 16, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
The Clippers re-signed James Harden and Nicolas Batum. Received John Collins in a three-team trade. And signed Bradley Beal, Brook Lopez, Chris Paul, and TyTy Washington. The Clippers are the oldest team in the NBA and in a stacked Western Conference. I believe it will be more of the same mediocracy that the Clippers have been giving for the past three years.
The Lakers re-signed Luka Dončić and Jaxson Hayes. The Lakers picked up DeAndre Ayton, Jake LaRavia, and Marcus Smart. With the loss of Dorian Finney-Smith, I believe this will hurt the Lakers a lot. I believe that the Lakers will be a good team, but the ceiling will be capped due to their supporting cast. The conference they are in is too strong for a team with below-average defense to get far in the postseason. A Lebron and Luka-led offense will win them games, but not lead them to a championship.
The Memphis Grizzlies re-signed Jaren Jackson Jr, Santi Aldama, and Cam Spencer. Then they traded Desmond Bane and Jay Huff. Next, they brought in Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Ty Jerome, and Jock Landale. And waived Cole Anthony and Zyon Pullin. With the loss of Desmond Bane, I think that the Grizzlies will be a middle-of-the-pack team in their conference.
The Milwaukee Bucks picked up Myles Turner, Cole Anthony, Amir Coffey, and Gary Harris. While re-signing a lot of their role players, losing players like Damian Lillard has put the Bucks in a very bad spot. I don’t think they will be a very bad team, but I believe they will be in mid-tier purgatory. They will need to make some moves soon to keep Gannis happy, or he may be requesting a trade soon, and the situation will get even worse.
The Timberwolves re-signed Julius Randle, Naz Reed, and Joe Ingles. The only player they signed this offseason was Johnny Juzang. While losing three bench players to free agency. I believe that the Timberwolves will be another middle-of-the-pack team in the Western Conference. If they can stay healthy and play at a high level, I can see them giving a couple of the top teams in the west a hard time.
The New York Knicks re-signed Mikal Bridges and signed four players from free agency. They did not trade or lose anyone to free agency. The Knicks have a real chance of becoming the top dog in the Eastern Conference. With the Celtics and Pacers losing their best players for all of next season, this is their time to strike.
May 18, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) talks to a tv reporter following his teams win against the Denver Nuggets in game seven of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
The Thunder re-signed Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, Ajay Mitchell, and Jaylin Williams. They did not bring anyone in, and the only player they lost was Dillon Jones. The Thunder have gone all-in with their Championship roster. All I have to say is that as long as they keep playing at a high level, they will be a force to reckon with for the next couple of years. The only negative about this roster is that the new luxury tax will not allow that team to stay together for too long.
The Orlando Magic re-signed Paolo Banchero and Moritz Wagner. They made a big trade for Desmond Bane and picked up Tyus Jones in free agency. The Magic traded away two players and lost one to free agency. The Magic have an opportunity to take that next step and become one of the big dawgs in the Eastern Conference. As I mentioned earlier about the Pacers and Celtics are taking a step back this upcoming season. The Magic have a real chance to not only become the first seed in the East, but take it all the way to the NBA championship.
The San Antonio Spurs re-signed De’Aaron Fox, Jordan McLaughlin, and Bismack Biyombo. The Spurs brought in Luke Kornet, Kelly Olynyk, and Lindy Waters III. They traded one player and lost three players in free agency. With Victor Wembanyama coming back from injury and a big re-signing of De’Aaron Fox, they have the ingredients to make some noise in the Western Conference. They will take that step from being on the worst teams in the conference to being a competitive middle-of-the-pack team. In my opinion, as long as they stay healthy, they have a good chance of making the playoffs.
The Utah Jazz traded for Kyle Anderson, Kevin Love, Georges Niang, and Jusuf Nurkić. They lose a lot of key players such as Jordan Clarkson, John Collins, and Collin Sexton. I believe that the Jazz will be one of, if not the worst, teams in the NBA. I believe the best they can get from this season is a high draft pick.
The only person the Washington Wizards re-signed was Marvin Bagley III. They received Malaki Branham, Dillon Jones, CJ McCollum, Kelly Olynyk, Blake Wesley, and Cam Whitmore from trades. They traded three players, waived three players, and one player left in free agency. The Wizards will continue being the laughing stock of the NBA.
The Toronto Raptors re-signed Jakob Poeltl and Garrett Temple. They brought in Sandro Mamukelashvili, and Chris Boucher left in free agency. The Raptors have to figure out what they are going to do with RJ Barrett and Brandon Ingram. Both these players are very talented and possess some trade value. It will be very interesting to see how Toronto’s front office will go about this.
