NBA Free Agency 2025: Reactions and Grades

Grade: B+

Following his buyout agreement with the Portland Trail Blazers, Deandre Ayton appeared to be a strong fit for the Lakers. This isn`t just due to the intriguing symmetry of pairing the 2018 draft`s No. 1 pick with the No. 3 pick, Luka Doncic. At nearly 27, Ayton is significantly younger than the typical center options available via the non-taxpayer midlevel exception. Realistic alternatives for the Lakers included veterans like 39-year-old Al Horford or 37-year-old Brook Lopez, with Luke Kornet (soon to be 30) as another possibility.

If successful, Ayton could provide a longer-term solution at center for the Lakers and offer a more dynamic lob threat for Doncic in pick-and-roll actions. Last season, Jaxson Hayes demonstrated the effectiveness of vertical spacing in a Lakers offense featuring Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves as ball handlers. Hayes saw his efficiency increase dramatically after the All-Star break, but his overall skill set didn`t meet starter standards, leading to him falling out of coach J.J. Redick`s playoff rotation.

Ayton, however, was known as one of the league`s top pick-and-roll finishers during his tenure with the Phoenix Suns, ranking third in points scored as a screen setter according to tracking data. While Ayton offers only a slight improvement over Hayes in rim protection, his greater size makes him a superior defensive rebounder. This trait should help him remain effective against playoff competition.

By dividing their non-taxpayer midlevel exception between Ayton and Jake LaRavia, the Lakers aim to expand their trusted rotation from five players (including Dorian Finney-Smith, who left for Houston) to potentially six. Further depth will depend on the development of their younger players, notably Dalton Knecht, and potential in-season trades.

James` decision to opt into his $52.6 million player option, rather than seeking a slightly higher max salary, provides the Lakers with some flexibility below the lower luxury-tax apron, which acts as a hard cap for them. Should they maintain 14 players and waive Shake Milton`s non-guaranteed salary, they could free up around $5 million for trades or the biannual exception. Whether these moves will be enough to convince James, at age 41, that the roster is championship-ready after a first-round exit is uncertain.

The Lakers possess valuable future draft capital which could be leveraged to acquire significant contributors using expiring contracts. This `win-now` approach is likely what James would prefer. Without complete knowledge of potential trade options, signing Ayton appears to be a sensible move for now. He potentially raises their playoff ceiling if the circumstances of his buyout and smaller contract motivate him to perform at the high level seen during the Suns` 2021 Finals run. Furthermore, delaying major roster overhauls allows the Lakers to gather more information and potentially target players who become available later in the season. If they are willing to offer their unprotected picks and swaps, they should be able to acquire a starting-caliber player before the trade deadline.

Ultimately, the key factor isn`t convincing me or even necessarily James, despite statements from him and his agent. The crucial moment for the Lakers` offseason will be Luka Doncic`s decision regarding an extension starting August 2nd. That signing date will truly determine the success of the Lakers` moves.

Grades

Mann: B-
Dinwiddie: B

Following the acquisition of Collin Sexton from the Utah Jazz, I noted that Sexton addressed Charlotte`s need for playmaking when LaMelo Ball is off the court. By bringing back Tre Mann and adding Spencer Dinwiddie, the Hornets seem determined to ensure this isn`t an issue next season. Mann`s season-ending injury in November significantly contributed to this weakness.

Before his injury, Mann averaged 14.1 points in just 24.5 minutes per game as a reserve. This performance was boosted by 40% 3-point shooting, which might not be sustainable given his career 35% mark. Despite this, Mann has the potential to become a valuable bench scorer. He showed promise in a 28-game stretch as a starter for the Hornets after being traded, averaging 5.2 assists, an encouraging sign of his facilitating ability. As a former first-round pick who is still only 24, Mann likely has further development ahead, provided he stays healthy.

Spencer Dinwiddie`s role with the Dallas Mavericks last season was unexpectedly large due to injuries, playing over 2,000 minutes and starting 30 games. This extended role likely overexposed him, leading to him falling out of the rotation late in the season. As a fifth guard in Charlotte, Dinwiddie is more than capable of providing valuable depth and injury coverage. His addition does create a roster crunch for the Hornets. Charlotte might waive Pat Connaughton, acquired in a salary-related deal, and potentially move on from Josh Okogie`s non-guaranteed contract.

Grade: B-

For several reasons, this represents one of the most surprising moves in recent NBA free agency history, perhaps since the 2019 trade that sent Paul George to the LA Clippers alongside Kawhi Leonard`s signing. Turner was widely expected to re-sign with the Indiana Pacers, especially after starting Game 7 of the NBA Finals for them just nine days prior.

Meanwhile, the Bucks` free agency strategy initially seemed much more modest, expected to stay above the cap and use the non-taxpayer midlevel exception to find a replacement for the departing Brook Lopez. However, with two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo observing the team`s offseason direction regarding his future in Milwaukee, the Bucks opted for a much more significant maneuver. This involved one of the largest `waive and stretch` agreements ever in the NBA, applying Damian Lillard`s entire $112.6 million extension, stretching his salary cap hit through 2029-30.

To create the necessary cap space for Turner`s deal, Milwaukee also agreed to a trade sending Pat Connaughton to the Charlotte Hornets with draft picks for Vasilije Micic. A potential buyout with Micic should bridge the remaining gap. In many ways, Turner profiles as a younger version of Brook Lopez, whose arrival was pivotal in initiating the Bucks` recent era of contention. Having a center who can both protect the rim, thus easing the defensive burden on Antetokounmpo, and stretch the floor offensively is the ideal fit for Milwaukee`s system.

Aside from the 37-year-old Lopez, the only other center in free agency who fit both criteria was Al Horford, who is two years older than Lopez. This made the 29-year-old Turner the sole viable option for the Bucks to pair with Antetokounmpo potentially through the remainder of his prime in Milwaukee. Turner is coming off his most efficient 3-point shooting season, hitting 40% on 2.2 attempts per game. His career 36% from deep is slightly better than Lopez`s mark during his seven seasons with the Bucks.

Turner`s defensive impact might not quite reach Lopez`s peak, but he was often tasked with being the sole rim protector for the Pacers. He has never played alongside a secondary defender as potent as Antetokounmpo. Furthermore, opponents` shooting percentages inside five feet were slightly higher against the aging Lopez last season compared to Turner.

The contrast between Lopez and Turner was starkly evident when they faced off in the first round of the playoffs. Turner performed strongly, while Lopez was less effective, eventually losing his starting spot. While Lopez wasn`t the primary reason for Milwaukee`s series loss, the performance gap was noticeable. The Bucks` starting wing players were largely ineffective, and Milwaukee has not yet addressed this significant roster weakness.

If the Bucks are genuinely committed to championship contention, it`s crucial they utilize their remaining draft assets to upgrade from players like Kyle Kuzma. Cameron Johnson, a potential clean replacement, was already traded to Denver. Should they fail to make further significant upgrades, despite the creativity and boldness of acquiring Turner, I question how much closer the Bucks are to championship contention.

Waiving Lillard removes the possibility of him returning from his Achilles rupture to play at a high level. Turner, who was arguably the third option in the Pacers` offense at best, is now the only player on the roster aside from Antetokounmpo who averaged over 15 points last season. If Antetokounmpo eventually decides to leave Milwaukee, the positive is that Turner`s contract should hold more trade value than Lillard`s max deal would have. The significant drawback is that the Bucks` eventual rebuild will be hampered by a lack of control over their own draft picks and the substantial cap hit from the Lillard stretch. Milwaukee might also be limited in stretching other players for the next five years due to CBA rules.

The situation is particularly difficult for the Pacers, who lost a key player in his prime coming off a Finals run. Indiana can now use the full $14.1 million non-taxpayer midlevel exception to find a replacement, whereas matching Turner`s offer would have required trading a rotation player to stay out of the luxury tax. However, if there was ever a moment for a small-market team like Indiana to absorb the tax, it would be immediately after reaching the NBA Finals.

Tyrese Haliburton`s Achilles injury in Game 7 alters expectations for next season, but Turner would have remained a valuable starter even after Haliburton`s full recovery. Center depth was already a concern for Indiana after two backups suffered Achilles ruptures during the 2024-25 regular season. The Pacers rotated journeymen Thomas Bryant and Tony Bradley in the playoffs. Losing Turner leaves a significant void without a clear replacement on the roster.

Grade: Pass (Extensions are assessed on a pass/fail basis)

The NBA`s `supermax` designated veteran extension was implemented partly in response to Kevin Durant`s departure from the Thunder in 2016. It`s fitting, then, that Oklahoma City can now utilize this mechanism for another MVP-caliber player. In the past, contract rules and salary cap dynamics made a Durant extension complicated even if he had wanted to stay. The current situation is vastly different. The only real question was whether Gilgeous-Alexander would sign the supermax this offseason or wait until next year to potentially add a fifth year to the deal.

Ideally, Gilgeous-Alexander might have accepted a bit less than the full 35% of the salary cap allowed by a supermax. The exact value of the contract remains to be determined until the 2027-28 salary cap is set, but he has undoubtedly earned the full amount. Oklahoma City is exceptionally well-prepared for their stars` future raises. Along with Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder All-Star Jalen Williams and starter Chet Holmgren are eligible for rookie extensions this summer that will take effect in 2026-27.

Anticipating these future contracts, OKC has strategically built their roster with options and descending salaries to maintain flexibility and manage their cap effectively without needing to pay for the privilege of shedding salary. Their historic accumulation of first-round picks also ensures they can consistently integrate cost-controlled talent to replace outgoing players and support continued contention throughout Gilgeous-Alexander`s prime.

Grades

Harris Grade: C
Sims Grade: B-

Following the significant moves made on Tuesday (waiving Lillard and stretching his salary, and signing Myles Turner), the Bucks proceeded to finalize their roster later in the day. Currently, Gary Harris`s reputation outweighs his recent on-court production. Last season, Harris averaged only 14.8 minutes for an Orlando team needing perimeter scoring and scored just 3.0 points. While previously a regular starter as recently as 2023-24, Harris might provide minutes as a `3-and-D` player off the bench, but he doesn`t address a pressing need for Milwaukee.

In fact, shooting guard is arguably the team`s strongest position depth-wise, apart from power forward. The Bucks previously agreed to re-sign Gary Trent Jr. and retain sharpshooter AJ Green, two players coach Doc Rivers relied on heavily late in the first-round series against Indiana. Jericho Sims, acquired during the season from the Knicks, also saw rotation minutes and is a dependable third center option.

A notable point of concern is the number of player options included in the contracts the Bucks are offering this summer. Trent, Kevin Porter Jr., and Taurean Prince also received `one-plus-one` deals with player options for the 2026-27 season. Several teams faced challenges from player options granted in previous years, ending up with contracts that occupied valuable roster spots without corresponding production. Milwaukee faces a similar risk, and I`m not certain Harris and Sims offer enough value over alternative options to justify granting them player options.

Grade: B

Guerschon Yabusele was one of the few positive notes for the Philadelphia 76ers during their challenging season. Returning to the NBA for the first time since 2019 after a successful stint with the French national team in the Olympics, Yabusele started 43 games on a minimum contract, averaging 11.0 points and 5.6 rebounds. With the Sixers facing luxury tax concerns before re-signing Quentin Grimes, Yabusele became available in free agency.

The Knicks have added him to their frontcourt rotation alongside Josh Hart, Mitchell Robinson, and Karl-Anthony Towns. Yabusele was sometimes forced to play center for Philadelphia in Joel Embiid`s absence, a role less suited for him as he is not a primary rim protector. He should fit better in New York. The Eastern Conference Finals highlighted the advantage the Knicks gained from using more size in the frontcourt compared to the 6-foot-4 Hart. At 6-foot-8, Yabusele provides a versatile option between Hart and playing both Robinson and Towns.

A frontcourt featuring Towns and Yabusele also offers valuable `five-out` spacing, as Yabusele shot 38% from beyond the arc last season while attempting over five threes per 36 minutes. Using the taxpayer midlevel exception for this signing necessitates careful cap management for the Knicks. New York is approaching the hard cap imposed by the second luxury tax apron and will likely benefit from the reduced cap hit of second-round picks counting less against the aprons in their first two seasons.

Consequently, the Knicks might have limited further offseason flexibility barring a trade. Yabusele and Jordan Clarkson are the notable veteran additions to a team that reached the conference finals last year. In a competitive Eastern Conference, their contributions could be significant. At 29, Yabusele is young enough to be a potential long-term piece for the Knicks, who may not have access to their midlevel exception next summer if they extend Mikal Bridges and exceed the second apron.

Grade: A-

It`s evident this version is different from the Nuggets under Calvin Booth. Hardaway represents the type of veteran Booth typically avoided adding, preferring instead to allocate minutes to younger draft selections like Julian Strawther and Peyton Watson, a strategy that reportedly frustrated former coach Michael Malone. Hardaway started all 77 games for the Detroit Pistons last season and averaged 31.3 minutes during their playoff run.

While his impact on Detroit`s improved performance might have been overstated, it appears other teams weren`t aggressively pursuing him, allowing Denver to sign him at a favorable price. Alongside fellow free agent Bruce Brown and newly acquired Jonas Valanciunas via trade, Hardaway significantly enhances Denver`s bench depth, which now appears quite strong. As a high-volume 3-point shooter (2.2 per game last season, his fewest since 2016-17), Hardaway directly competes for minutes with Julian Strawther, the 2023 first-round pick who played only 88 minutes in the 2025 playoffs.

If incoming coach David Adelman lacked confidence in Strawther during important playoff moments when the rotation shrunk to seven players, signing a veteran whom Adelman is willing to play makes sense. With 14 players now under contract, Denver appears to be nearing completion of an offseason overhaul that seems to have improved their prospects against teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder next season.

Grades

Poeltl: Fail (Extensions are assessed on a pass/fail basis)
Mamukelashvili: B+

Since trading the pick that became No. 8 overall in the 2024 draft to acquire Jakob Poeltl at the 2023 trade deadline, the Raptors have consistently valued him as an above-average starting center. Toronto re-signed him to a four-year, $78 million contract the following summer and has now given him close to the maximum possible extension on his current deal.

Technically, Poeltl could have added $88.5 million over three years after exercising a $19.5 million player option for 2026-27. This new agreement adds $84.5 million in new money for a total of $104 million after this season. The Raptors might justify this by citing Poeltl`s positive impact in advanced metrics like adjusted plus-minus, placing him in the 89th percentile league-wide according to xRAPM.

However, there are two key issues with relying solely on this metric for his extension. First, it`s improbable that other teams would value Poeltl as highly, suggesting Toronto could likely have re-signed him for less as an unrestricted free agent in the future. Second, there are concerns about Poeltl`s age progression; he will be 32 when this extension starts in 2027-28 and 34 by the end of it. His rim protection metrics have already shown a decline since rejoining Toronto compared to his time with the San Antonio Spurs. Opponents have hit better than 60% of attempts inside the restricted area against him over the past three seasons, compared to 53.5% and 56% previously.

Looking at the broader picture, the Raptors are committing significant resources to a core that has not yet proven capable of reaching the playoffs. With Poeltl`s extension, Toronto now has four starters under contract for a combined $145 million in 2027-28, and it remains uncertain if this group, even factoring in Brandon Ingram acquired at the deadline, is strong enough to compete in the Eastern Conference. Given this context and the lack of immediate pressure to extend Poeltl, waiting would have been preferable.

While this specific contract structure might not have been available later, if Poeltl was willing to exercise his player option, Toronto could have pursued a similar agreement before the start of free agency next summer. By signing an extension that begins two years from now, the Raptors appear to be taking on excessive risk for a limited potential reward.

I view the Sandro Mamukelashvili signing much more favorably. He averaged 20.4 points per 36 minutes for the Spurs last season, including a notable 34-point game. His 37% shooting on a reasonable number of 3-point attempts (161) is promising, as he has long been accurate inside the arc. If Mamukelashvili can maintain his shooting efficiency, pairing him with defensive-minded players like Jonathan Mogbo or Collin Murray-Boyles in bench lineups seems promising, as defense is a weaker area for him. Considering the cost, this signing is a smart, low-risk move for Toronto.

Grade: C-

New Sacramento GM Scott Perry indicated the Kings were seeking a point guard, calling the absence of a traditional playmaker an `obvious need`. While that assessment is hard to dispute, I`m not convinced playmaking was the Kings` most significant deficiency. After overhauling their roster by trading De`Aaron Fox to San Antonio for Zach LaVine, the team largely relied on a committee approach for point guard duties, including LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Keon Ellis, and Malik Monk.

Sacramento did rank 25th in assist rate post-All-Star break. However, this isn`t necessarily a critical issue; successful teams like the 64-win Cleveland Cavaliers and LA Clippers were nearby in the rankings. The Kings` 12th-ranked offense after the break was less impactful on their late-season performance than their 22nd defensive rating over that span. Schroder could potentially help defensively with his ability to apply full-court pressure on ball handlers. However, at 6-foot-1, he makes the Kings` perimeter defense smaller and is likely a defensive step down from Keon Ellis.

Offensively, Schroder has historically been more effective as a bench playmaker than a starter. His performance has often correlated with his 3-point shooting efficiency. He shot 38.5% during 2019-20 when he finished second for Sixth Man of the Year, but hasn`t replicated that sustained level while playing for seven teams in five years. Schroder was arguably at his best starting last season for the Brooklyn Nets, shooting 39% from three. His fit was less ideal after a trade to the Golden State Warriors, before another trade sent him to the Detroit Pistons where he provided valuable minutes off the bench.

Regardless of whether Schroder addresses the right need for Sacramento, the other question is giving a three-year contract to a player turning 32 in September. Given how reliant his playmaking is on quickness, any physical decline would be a major concern. This signing also appeared to necessitate the trade sending backup center Jonas Valanciunas to the Denver Nuggets for Dario Saric. This was a clear step down in on-court production, seemingly justified only by Saric`s lower salary. Considering the overall cost, I would have strongly preferred pursuing a player like Tyus Jones on a shorter, more cap-friendly deal similar to the one he signed with Orlando.

Grades

Jackson: Pass (Extensions are assessed on a pass/fail basis)
Aldama: B-

As part of an already active offseason, the Grizzlies finalized new deals with two existing players shortly after free agency opened. Securing Jackson`s extension was the top priority. Based on his current $23.4 million salary in the final season of his contract, Memphis could have offered a maximum of $147 million over four years, as he didn`t meet the criteria for a supermax extension (falling short of All-NBA honors).

By using cap space to renegotiate Jackson`s 2025-26 salary upwards, Memphis was able to present a more competitive extension offer. This structure reportedly adds $10 million to his current contract, allowing his salary to increase to roughly $46 million in 2026-27. While still slightly below the estimated maximum he could have earned as an unrestricted free agent in 2026 ($50 million), receiving more money sooner helps bridge that gap. In total, Jackson is adding $217 million in new salary, close to the $219 million projected as the maximum other teams could have offered on a four-year max. For Jackson, securing a massive, guaranteed deal in a place he enjoys playing likely outweighs the minor financial difference.

From the Grizzlies` perspective, this is a significant victory. It eliminates the risk of Jackson leaving in free agency and the possibility of him qualifying for the supermax next season. Creating cap space by trading Marcus Smart for expiring contracts did cost a first-round pick, but that strategic gamble appears to have paid off. Technically, Memphis doesn`t yet possess the required cap space to finalize the renegotiation. Reports indicate they don`t need to make another trade but will likely waive players and stretch salaries. Stretching the salary of reserve forward John Konchar wouldn`t be sufficient, suggesting the Grizzlies will likely part ways with recently acquired guard Cole Anthony. If stretched, Anthony`s salary would impact Memphis`s cap through 2029-30.

Trading or stretching a player is necessary for the Grizzlies to retain Aldama`s full Bird rights. Aldama posted career highs in points (12.5), rebounds (6.4), and assists (2.9) per game in the final season of his rookie contract and is expected to remain a key rotation player throughout his new contract. Given the limited cap space available this summer and Aldama`s relatively modest qualifying offer ($5.9 million), Memphis might have had leverage to negotiate a lower salary. Aldama will earn significantly more than the $44 million maximum other teams could have offered using the non-taxpayer midlevel exception.

The advantage for Memphis is structuring Aldama`s contract favorably. It`s likely his salary starts higher and decreases annually, allowing the Grizzlies to absorb more salary now. Memphis is well below the luxury tax line and has ample flexibility to utilize its $8.8 million room exception to add another contributor. Guard Ty Jerome is one player linked to the Grizzlies.

Grades

Alexander-Walker: A-
Kennard: B

The market for Nickeil Alexander-Walker was likely boosted by the recent NBA playoffs, where the importance of having multiple perimeter defenders capable of applying full-court pressure was clearly demonstrated. Players who can defend effectively at the point of attack and also shoot threes are highly valuable. Alexander-Walker himself strengthened his market with a strong performance against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals, ensuring he was likely too expensive for Minnesota and making him both available and desired.

The Hawks ultimately used the $25 million trade exception generated from last summer`s Dejounte Murray trade to sign Alexander-Walker, offering slightly more than the non-taxpayer midlevel exception ($60.6 million over four years). Atlanta will reportedly send a 2027 second-round pick and cash to Minnesota to complete the sign-and-trade. This move continues a positive offseason for the Hawks under new general manager Onsi Saleh. Atlanta previously acquired Kristaps Porzingis in a three-team trade (yet to be officially completed) and added a valuable 2026 first-round pick on draft night.

Alexander-Walker essentially replaces Caris LeVert, who reportedly signed with the Detroit Pistons on a similar two-year deal. Being four years younger, Alexander-Walker aligns better with Atlanta`s timeline. He can also play some point guard alongside Dyson Daniels, potentially creating a formidable defensive backcourt duo when starter Trae Young is resting. Later, Atlanta further enhanced its depth by adding Luke Kennard on a one-year deal for $11 million. Kennard is a career 44% 3-point shooter, leading the league in accuracy in both 2021-22 and 2022-23. The Hawks now have significant depth in the backcourt and appear close to finalizing their offseason roster.

It`s difficult to definitively rank Atlanta in the Eastern Conference at this point. However, if Porzingis can remain healthy for most of the season, the Hawks seem well-positioned to avoid the play-in tournament for the first time since their 2021 East Finals appearance. Although the San Antonio Spurs hold swap rights on Atlanta`s first-round pick, the draft-night trade provides Atlanta with potential upside and lottery opportunity, too.

Grade: A

While speculation focused on Brook Lopez potentially joining the other Los Angeles team, his fit with the Clippers also makes significant sense, especially on a contract suitable for a backup center. Despite their acclaimed depth, the Clippers faced challenges last season when starting center Ivica Zubac was off the court. Lineups without Zubac were outscored by 5.5 points per 100 possessions, indicating offensive struggles.

Compared to Mo Bamba, who was Zubac`s backup to start 2024-25, Lopez provides a much more reliable shooting presence. Known as `Splash Mountain`, he has consistently made a high volume of three-pointers, hitting at least 130 in each of the past three seasons. Lopez can also occasionally post up against switches, something the Clippers could utilize given Zubac posted up more often than any player besides Nikola Jokic last season.

His addition provides the Clippers with 48 minutes of effective rim protection. Opponents shot 59% against Lopez as the primary defender near the basket, comparable to the 57% they shot against Zubac. The only potential drawback is Lopez`s age at 37. However, since his primary strengths – size and shooting – typically age well, a two-year contract seems low-risk. The value of acquiring a player who started 80 games last season for under $10 million per year justifies any potential aging concerns.

Grades

Porter: B
Prince: C
Trent: A

Following the agreement to bring back Bobby Portis on Sunday, the Bucks secured three more rotation players who were previously on minimum contracts at relatively modest costs on Monday. Kevin Porter Jr. received the largest raise after averaging 14.3 points and 4.7 assists in the 13 games following Damian Lillard`s sideline absence due to deep vein thrombosis. With Lillard expected to miss the entire 2025-26 season after an Achilles rupture, Porter is projected to be Milwaukee`s starting point guard.

Porter`s talent is evident. He played last season on a minimum contract after being out of the league in 2023-24 following a plea deal related to assault and harassment charges. Before joining the Bucks, Porter struggled with scoring efficiency. His 41% 3-point shooting with Milwaukee might not be sustainable, but his career-best 53% accuracy inside the arc could be legitimate. The Bucks` use of the biannual exception for his contract was essential to their offseason plans.

Like Porter, Gary Trent Jr. played a key role in the first-round series against the Indiana Pacers, exceeding 30 points twice in five games. The Bucks securing Trent`s return using non-Bird rights (a 20% raise off his minimum salary) is a significant positive. Trent, in turn, will gain early Bird rights if he declines his 2026-27 player option.

Taurean Prince was one of the players whose minutes decreased significantly against Indiana. Despite starting 73 regular-season games, Prince played only 22 minutes over the final three games of the series after scoring a combined six points in Games 1 and 2. Given this, his two-year deal with a player option is somewhat surprising. This contract means his actual $3.3 million salary counts against the cap, rather than the veteran`s minimum.

From a broader perspective, the key question is the Bucks` trajectory by essentially bringing back their 2025 playoff group minus departed Brook Lopez. Milwaukee has sufficient cap space under the lower luxury tax apron to use the $14.1 million non-taxpayer midlevel exception for a potential replacement like Deandre Ayton (before he signed with the Lakers). However, these moves don`t compensate for the loss of Lillard or significantly improve on a Bucks team that hasn`t advanced past the first round since 2022. While trade opportunities might still arise, without a major unexpected move, the Bucks don`t appear significantly closer to contending for a championship.

Grade: B+

Initially, signing a center might seem odd for a team already featuring Victor Wembanyama. However, adding Luke Kornet makes sense for several reasons. San Antonio`s most significant long-term need is likely a versatile forward who can shoot, handle the ball, and defend multiple positions, but finding such a player in free agency at a price the Spurs could afford was unlikely. A more realistic target was perhaps Guerschon Yabusele, Wembanyama`s French national team teammate.

At the center position, the Spurs could target higher-tier free agents. Luke Kornet was highlighted as an underrated free agent, with advanced metrics consistently showing his positive influence through rim protection and efficient scoring near the basket. Since removing the three-pointer from his game, Kornet has shot 68% over the last three seasons. Additionally, opponents` shooting percentage within 5 feet against Kornet was remarkably low at 52% according to tracking data, placing him among the league`s elite defenders near the rim, alongside Wembanyama.

Adding Kornet directly addresses San Antonio`s primary weakness last season: defense when Wembanyama was not on the court. The Spurs` defensive rating significantly declined in minutes without Wembanyama. Improving this area is crucial for the team`s path to reaching the playoffs. Furthermore, I anticipate Kornet might play alongside Wembanyama occasionally. The Spurs moved away from playing Wembanyama at power forward last season after struggling with lineups featuring him and Zach Collins. Wembanyama played exclusively at center in 2024-25.

Still, I think it`s worth revisiting playing them together with a better center option and improved offensive creators on the roster. Exploring `double-big` lineups could be beneficial, especially given the success of similar lineups across the league last season. Even if Kornet serves primarily as a backup center, this contract seems more favorable than deals given to many older big men or less defensively impactful players who re-signed over the weekend. The Spurs can structure Kornet`s contract to begin with a higher salary that decreases annually, minimizing the salary cap impact when Wembanyama signs his post-rookie extension and luxury tax becomes a concern.

Grade: B+

A reunion between Bruce Brown and the Nuggets was widely anticipated and represents a clear fit. Both the player and the team saw less success after Brown`s impactful season in Denver culminated in an NBA championship. As an unrestricted free agent in 2023, Brown signed a lucrative two-year, $45 million contract. His return to Denver marks a potentially valuable addition to their bench.