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Let’s take a look at the winners and losers of the 2025 NBA Free Agency frenzy. Who got the most and who got less than that? How did your team do? Who were the winners, the losers? Let’s get into this:
Atlanta Hawks: Winner
The Atlanta Hawks had a surprising start to free agency, being a part of a three-team trade with the Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets. The Hawks would land Celtic big man Kristaps Porzingis. Despite missing just under half the season due to injuries and illnesses, Porzingis still averaged 19.5 PPG, 6.8 RPG, and 2.1 APG while shooting a career-high 41% from three. The Hawks would also acquire Nickeil Alexander-Walker from the Minnesota Timberwolves and Luke Kennard from the Memphis Grizzlies. With these notable additions around the core of Trae Young, Jalen Johnson, and Dyson Daniels, the Hawks have a strong chance of being a playoff lock this coming season.
Los Angeles Lakers: Loser
Despite the expectations always being high for the Los Angeles Lakers in the offseason, the team has had one of the more disappointing offseasons so far. LeBron James would opt into his $52 million player option, limiting what the Lakers could do. They would lose Dorian-Finney-Smith to the Houston Rockets and re-sign Jaxson Hayes on a one-year deal. They would sign Jake LaRavia on a two-year deal, and their biggest addition so far would be DeAndre Ayton. The Lakers would miss out on multiple centers, including Myles Turner and Brook Lopez. There are already questions about Ayton’s fit with the team, as he’s been known for his defensive lapses and not having the best work ethic.
Denver Nuggets: Winner
The Denver Nuggets have had one of the better offseasons as they have made several notable moves. The best move Denver could make is moving on from Michael Porter Jr. in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets. In return, they would land Cameron Johnson. Johnson averaged a career-high 18.8 PPG and 3.4 APG in 57 games this past season. Johnson gives the Nuggets a more reliable third option to put next to Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. Denver would also see the return of 2023 champion Bruce Brown and veteran three-point shooter Tim Hardaway Jr. They would also trade for Sacramento Kings big man Jonas Valanciunas, but reports suggest he may be nearing a deal to play in the EuroLeague. With their additions, the Nuggets should be considered a legitimate championship contender.
Chicago Bulls: Loser
A continuing trend for the Chicago Bulls, the team has not made any notable moves with free agency just passing. Another continuing trend for the Bulls, Chicago would trade away another member of the 2021-22 core, trading away Lonzo Ball for Cleveland Cavaliers forward Issac Okoro. The Bulls would not land any picks in the trade, despite rumblings that teams offered trade packages including draft picks for Lonzo Ball earlier in the season. The team would re-sign Tre Jones, making many ask if a Coby White trade could be coming soon. As of this writing, the Bulls are yet to re-sign Josh Giddey, even though there are very few teams that can offer Giddey the money he is expected to make.
Houston Rockets: Winner
The Houston Rockets have had one of the best offseasons so far. Before free agency, Houston would land one of the biggest stars available in Kevin Durant. Even nearing the end of his career, Durant has proved to be one of the best scorers in the game, showing very little signs of slowing down. The Rockets would re-sign Steven Adams, Jeff Green, Jabari Smith Jr., and Free VanVleet. They would add Dorian-Finney-Smith and Clint Capela, making the Rockets 10-11 players deep. Via FanDuel, the Rockets now have the four best odds of winning the 2026 NBA championship.
Golden State Warriors: Loser
In a shocking move to start free agency, the Golden State Warriors have yet to make a move in free agency. The Warriors have not signed anybody and restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga is expected to depart the team this summer. The only player they lost so far is Kevon Looney to the New Orleans Pelicans. For the Warriors, the priority is to build a championship contender around Stephen Curry. While they did add Jimmy Butler right before the trade deadline, the current team built around Curry will not be able to compete in a stacked Western Conference. If the team could add a big man, they would be in a better position, but that addition would have to come from a trade with most notable big men locked up in contracts.
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