Grading Every Team's 2025 NBA Free Agency So Far
The dust has settled on the first wave of NBA free agency, giving us a good feel for how every team has performed so far.
There's still a lot to be decided, however. Players like Damian Lillard, Jonathan Kuminga, Josh Giddey, Cam Thomas, Al Horford, Quinten Grimes, Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook and others are still floating around waiting to find a new home.
For grading purposes, we're only evaluating free agency signings and not trades or player extensions who were already under contract. Trades that originally began as free agent signings but turned into sign-and-trades still count since the deal originated with a free agent. We're going to count the Michael Porter Jr.-Cam Johnson trade as an exception since it was only orchestrated due to the Brooklyn Nets cap space as well.
Here's how all 30 NBA teams have done in the 2025 free agency period thus far.
Atlanta Hawks: A-
1 of 30
Notable Signings: G/F Nickeil Alexander-Walker, G/F Luke Kennard
Notable Losses: G/F Caris LeVert, C Clint Capela, F/C Larry Nance Jr.
The Atlanta Hawks clearly plan to continue building around Trae Young, as all their offseason moves have either complemented or tried to make up for the All-Star point guard's strengths and weaknesses.
Alexander-Walker is going to become the team's sixth man with LeVert gone and is an overall upgrade due to his defense, youth and consistent shooting. He'll run point guard at times while defending three different positions.
It would have been nice to get Alexander-Walker for the full mid-level exception, although Atlanta ultimately needed to give up a future second-round pick and cash in a sign-and-trade that rewarded the 26-year-old with $62 million over the next four years. The Hawks also had to include a trade kicker and player option for the final season. Kennard is a proven shooter who gives Young more room to operate.
Losing LeVert, Capela and Nance for nothing stings a bit, especially since Kristaps Porziņģis will inevitably miss time. The Hawks probably still need to sign another center for depth.
Boston Celtics: D
2 of 30
Notable Signings: C Luka Garza, SF Josh Minott
Notable Losses: C Luke Kornet
It's been a rough offseason for the Boston Celtics as they've prioritized cutting payroll over upgrading the roster.
It doesn't look like Al Horford is coming back in free agency and Kornet left to sign with the San Antonio Spurs. Boston is extremely thin up front, an area where Garza will help little.
Veteran free agents looking to win have clearly avoided the Celtics given Jayson Tatum's injury, although there are certainly big roles available at power forward and center. Minott is 22 and carries some upside yet wasn't able to crack the Minnesota Timberwolves rotation the past three years.
Celtics fans may want to hibernate this winter and hope for a brighter 2026.
Brooklyn Nets: B*
3 of 30
Notable Signings: F Michael Porter Jr.*, F/C Day'Ron Sharpe (re-signed), F Ziaire Williams (re-signed)
Notable Losses: F Cam Johnson,*, G D'Angelo Russell, PF Trendon Watford
We're typically not including trades in this free agency grading, although the Porter-Johnson swap with the Denver Nuggets could only happen with the Brooklyn Nets using $17 million of cap space. This was a win-win for both franchises, as the Nets got the younger, more dynamic offensive player and a 2032 unprotected first-round pick from the Nuggets that could become extremely valuable.
No decision has been made on Cam Thomas yet, although giving Sharpe and Williams two-year deals with team options gives the Nets some more time to evaluate both young forwards while maintaining cap flexibility for next summer.
Watching Russell walk in free agency wasn't a big surprise, nor does it hurt the present or future of this team. It's been a good start to free agency overall for Brooklyn.
Charlotte Hornets: B-
4 of 30
Notable Signings: G Tre Mann (re-signed), PG Spencer Dinwiddie, C Mason Plumlee
Notable Losses: N/A
LaMelo Ball's 47 games played last season were actually his highest since 2021-22, so it's been easy to see why the Charlotte Hornets have built up their guard rotation this summer.
A healthy Tre Mann is worth well more than $24 million over the next three years, giving the Hornets a potential steal. The 24-year-old averaged 14.1 points and 3.0 assists while shooting 40.0 percent from three last season, albeit in just 13 games.
Dinwiddie is a solid veteran option on a minimum deal, someone who can keep the offense afloat if Ball has to miss time. Plumlee returns to Charlotte and may actually be the starting center right now after the Hornets traded away Mark Williams and Jusuf Nurkić. Hopefully a trade for another center is coming.
Chicago Bulls: B
5 of 30
Notable Signings: Tre Jones (re-signed),
Notable Losses: N/A
As we await the fate of Josh Giddey, the Chicago Bulls secure their backup point guard position by bringing Jones back on a three-year, $24 million deal.
This is a really good value for Chicago, as Jones is still only 25 years old and was very solid after being traded to the Bulls last season (14.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, 7.1 assists, 57.1 percent from three in nine starts).
Chicago has assembled a locker room full of big, long forwards in Matas Buzelis, Noa Essengue and Patrick Williams. They'll need as much playmaking as possible to maximize these wings, with the return of Jones a big help.
Cleveland Cavaliers: B-
6 of 30
Notable Signings: F/C Larry Nance Jr, G/F Sam Merrill (re-signed)
Notable Losses: G Ty Jerome
Not offering Ty Jerome a contract after he finished third in Sixth Man of the Year voting was a bizarre decision by the Cleveland Cavaliers front office, especially since they essentially gave the same money to Sam Merrill instead. Merrill is the better defender, although Jerome brings far more scoring and playmaking ability and finished tied for third in the NBA in three-point shooting at 43.9 percent.
Cleveland has to hope that Lonzo Ball can stay healthy or else playmaking will be an issue.
Nance was the perfect third big for this team, however, someone who can play alongside Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen while spacing the floor. Someone who still spends his offseasons in Northeast Ohio, Nance returns to the Cavs for a second time and with a much better roster around him.
Dallas Mavericks: A-
7 of 30
Notable Signings: PG Kyrie Irving (re-signed), G D'Angelo Russell, G/F Dante Exum
Notable Losses: PG Spencer Dinwiddie
Kyrie Irving turning down his $43 million player option to return on a new three-year, $119 million deal that starts at $36.7 million was a win for both player and team, as the Dallas Mavericks gained a little more flexibility with their offseason moves.
Russell has his faults, although they're far easier to overlook when he's making $5.7 million instead of $18.7 million. He'll hold down the fort at point guard while Irving returns from a torn ACL.
Exum reportedly chose the Mavericks over two other contenders, returning for a veteran minimum deal. Dallas needs his playmaking with Irving out and Exum has become an excellent three-point shooter (47.2 percent over the last two years).
Denver Nuggets: A-
8 of 30
Notable Signings: F Cam Johnson*, G/F Bruce Brown, G/F Tim Hardaway Jr.
Notable Losses: F Michael Porter Jr.*
Giving up an unprotected 2032 first-round pick is a huge risk for the Denver Nuggets, yet was the price of doing business to save $17 million and swap Porter for Johnson. While this technically wasn't a free agent signing, it was only made possible with the Brooklyn Nets' cap space and has opened up the non-taxpayer mid-level exception for Denver to use.
Getting Brown and Hardaway for the veteran minimums was a huge discount for players who likely could have gotten chunks of exceptions elsewhere. Playing next to Nikola Jokić in his prime is clearly a draw for free agents.
This is an ideal destination for Chris Paul and/or Al Horford if Jonas Valančiūnas wants to play in Greece.
Detroit Pistons: B+
9 of 30
Notable Signings: G/F Caris LeVert, G/F Duncan Robinson (via sign-and-trade), F/C Paul Reed (re-signed)
Notable Losses: PG Dennis Schröder, G/F Tim Hardaway Jr., SF Simone Fontecchio
The Detroit Pistons have some notable additions and losses in free agency thus far, yet overall have improved the team's offense and future flexibility.
LeVert is an ideal sixth man for this group with his scoring and playmaking ability. He's an underrated defender who typically gives good effort. Reuniting with head coach JB Bickerstaff should bring some comfortability and LeVert takes offensive creation pressure off of Cade Cunningham.
Detroit ranked 14th out of 16 playoff teams in three-point shooting, an area that Duncan Robinson will certainly help with. His three-year, $48 million contract is only partially guaranteed in Year 2 and non-guaranteed in Year 3.
Losing Schröder to the Sacramento Kings isn't all bad, as Detroit was able to turn the transaction into a sign-and-trade that will either return some talent or net them a $14.3 million trade exception to use at a later date.
Golden State Warriors: F
10 of 30
Notable Signings: N/A
Notable Losses: C Kevon Looney
So far, the 2025-26 Golden State Warriors project to look remarkably similar to the group that ended the 2024-25 season.
The Jonathan Kuminga situation is far from settled. The center position is worse with Looney leaving for the New Orleans Pelicans and a lot of the best veteran minimum level guys have already signed elsewhere.
The Warriors still have the full $14.1 million mid-level exception to use as well as an $8.7 million trade exception created last February in the Jimmy Butler deal.
If Golden State can sign Al Horford and sign-and-trade Kuminga for other players/picks, this could still be a good offseason. For now, the Warriors have done nothing to earn anything but a failing grade.
Houston Rockets: A
11 of 30
Notable Signings: F Dorian Finney-Smith, Fred VanVleet (re-signed), C Clint Capela, Steven Adams (re-signed), F Jeff Green (re-signed), F Jae'Sean Tate (re-signed), G Aaron Holiday (re-signed)
Notable Losses: C Jock Landale
The Houston Rockets are dominating the offseason, and not just because of the Kevin Durant trade.
VanVleet's new two-year, $50 million contract lowered his salary number enough for the Rockets to use the full mid-level exception and steal Finney-Smith away from the Los Angeles Lakers, the team that finished immediately below them in the West standings.
Signing both Adams and Capela was a surprise given how many big men are now on this roster, although Houston had a net rating of plus-32.1 in the 347 total possessions that Alperen Şengün played power forward last season.
Houston is deeper and better defensively now and have been one of the biggest winners in free agency.
Indiana Pacers: F
12 of 30
Notable Signings: N/A
Notable Losses: C Myles Turner
The Indiana Pacers run to the 2025 NBA Finals is looking more and more like a fun story rather than a sustainable future.
The Pacers only offered Turner a three-year, $66 million contract to return according to RG Media's Spencer Davies, one that paled in comparison to the four-year, $107 million deal he ultimately signed with the Milwaukee Bucks.
If Turner would have received an offer of $30 million to $35 million annually, Indiana may have been justified in walking away, or at least should have worked out a sign-and-trade. To lose Turner for nothing, and for less than $27 million a season, is a terrible look for a notoriously cheap franchise.
Indiana loses a key starter in free agency and has done nothing to this point to offset Turner's absence. It's been a rough start to the offseason for the Eastern Conference champs.
Los Angeles Clippers: A-
13 of 30
Notable Signings: PG James Harden (re-signed), C Brook Lopez, F Nic Batum (re-signed)
Notable Losses: C Drew Eubanks
Eventually the Los Angeles Clippers are going to need to find a replacement for Harden, as the 11-time All-Star will turn 36 next month. Harden was still incredibly productive last season, however, and the Clippers have been smart to only offer him one-plus-one contracts the past two summers. A new two-year, $81.5 million deal is still worth it, at least in the regular season.
Lopez looked like he could have still won a starting job with the Los Angeles Lakers or Milwaukee Bucks, so it was a bit of surprise to see him accept a backup job with the Clippers. His three-point shooting brings another dynamic to LA's frontcourt, as Ivica Zubac (a former teammate of Lopez' with the Lakers) has made just one three in his career.
Batum made 43.3 percent of his own three-pointers last year and is a good depth piece and locker room leader.
Los Angeles Lakers: D+
14 of 30
Notable Signings: C Deandre Ayton, F Jake LaRavia, C Jaxson Hayes (re-signed)
Notable Losses: F Dorian Finney-Smith
No, the Los Angeles Lakers have not "found their center" contrary to what you may have heard. Ayton is a terrible fit for a team in need of rim protection and three-point shooting around Luka Dončić, skills in which the former No. 1 overall pick does not provide.
Is Ayton better than any other center the Lakers have had since trading Anthony Davis? Yes, although that's a low bar to leap over. Los Angeles should have pursued a trade for a player like Jarrett Allen or Daniel Gafford instead of investing in Ayton, even at a modest $8.1 million following his buyout from the Portland Trail Blazers.
The rush to sign LaRavia with nearly half of their mid-level exception seemed strange and losing Finney-Smith is going to really hurt this team's defense.
Once again the Lakers prioritized the sizzle over the steak and are left with a lot of holes to fill.
Memphis Grizzlies: B+
15 of 30
Notable Signings: F Santi Aldama (re-signed), G Ty Jerome
Notable Losses: G/F Luke Kennard
A three-year, $52.5 million contract for Aldama looks really good if he's a starter and just OK if he's a reserve. Like the past three years, we'll likely see the 6'11" forward split his time, meaning this contract should age just fine.
The Jerome signing is a steal if he can replicate last year's production of 12.5 points, 3.4 assists, 1.1 steals and a 43.9 percent mark from three. A three-year, $28 million deal is extremely reasonable, as Jerome was a big part of the Cleveland Cavaliers reaching 64 wins last season with his offensive spark off the bench.
Jerome, 6'5", is big enough to play alongside Ja Morant or can run the offense behind him when he needs a break or misses time. Memphis did quite well here.
Miami Heat: B-
16 of 30
Notable Signings: G Davion Mitchell (re-signed)
Notable Losses: F Duncan Robinson
The Miami Heat are yet to sign any outside free agents, although they did acquire Simone Fontecchio in a sign-and-trade deal that sent Duncan Robinson to the Detroit Pistons. Bringing Mitchell back on a two-year, $24 million deal was important, as the 26-year-old was a key starter/rotation piece for the Heat.
These moves are fine, but, where's the improvement for a team that got swept in historic fashion during the first round of the playoffs?
Miami currently sits at a full 15-man roster, so a trade of some sort is likely coming that would open up a roster spot or two. The Heat still have the full $14.1 million mid-level exception but are just $5.5 million away from paying luxury tax.
It's been a very underwhelming offseason to this point for a franchise that's typically been very creative (and successful) this time of year.
Milwaukee Bucks: C
17 of 30
Notable Signings: C Myles Turner, F/C Bobby Portis (re-signed), G Kevin Porter Jr. (re-signed), SG Gary Trent Jr. (re-signed), F Taurean Prince (re-signed), SG Gary Harris, C Jericho Sims
Notable Losses: PG Damian Lillard, C Brook Lopez
We won't be able to give this offseason a proper grade until we know the ultimate fate of Giannis Antetokounmpo. If signing Turner was enough to get the two-time MVP to stay, then this grade will deserve a bump.
For now, it appears the Bucks have nearly gone all-in in terms of trade assets and future financial flexibility to put together a team that will almost certainly be much worse than last year's version that finished No. 5 in the East. That's not good.
There's currently no starting-level point guard on this roster, although Chris Paul remains unsigned. Turner should be a good fit alongside Antetokounmpo in the frontcourt given his outside shooting ability. Portis re-signing at three years, $44 million wasn't surprising, although Trent and Prince coming back to play on this average roster at the veteran minimum instead of joining a title contender certainly was.
Waiving Lillard was not worth the price of Turner, however, especially since he'll cost the Bucks $22.5 million in each of the next five seasons without even playing a game.
Minnesota Timberwolves: C+
18 of 30
Notable Signings: Julius Randle (re-signed), Naz Reid (re-signed), F Joe Ingles (re-signed)
Notable Losses: G/F Nickeil Alexander-Walker, C Luka Garza, SF Josh Minott
An ideal offseason for the Timberwolves would have been to re-sign Randle, Reid and Alexander Walker. Still, two out of three isn't bad.
Minnesota has been able to stay under the second apron while maintaining its core. If players like Rob Dillingham and Terrence Shannon Jr. can turn into real rotation players, the loss of Alexander-Walker won't hurt as bad. The Wolves at least got a second-round pick in return via a sign-and-trade.
Randle (three years, $100 million) and Reid (five years, $125 million) are both contracts that should age fine, although it's fair to question if this team can win a championship with the former as the No. 2 option.
This would have been a fun Kevin Durant team. Moving Randle via sign-and-trade for some picks and young players and giving Reid the starting power forward job could have increased the team's long-term ceiling as well.
Minnesota probably did what it could, but losing Alexander-Walker didn't make this team better.
New Orleans Pelicans: C
19 of 30
Notable Signings: C Kevon Looney
Notable Losses: G/F Bruce Brown
The New Orleans Pelicans added a lot of playoff experience to their center position, as Looney won three titles in a decade with the Golden State Warriors and appeared in 89 playoff games. His experience should be valuable around players like Yves Missi and Derik Queen. A two-year, $16 million deal was probably a slight overpay, but shouldn't hamper this team in any way.
Losing Brown to a veteran's minimum contract with the Denver Nuggets was a little disappointing.
Even if the Pelicans didn't view him as an important piece moving forward, they could have offered Brown a few million more and used him as a trade chip closer to the deadline.
New York Knicks: A-
20 of 30
Notable Signings: G Jordan Clarkson, F/C Guerschon Yabusele
Notable Losses: N/A
Depth was a major problem for the New York Knicks a season ago. Adding two rotation pieces for less than $8 million was exactly what this team needed to stay under the second apron.
Clarkson's surprising buyout from the Utah Jazz was a blessing for the Knicks, as the 33-year-old is still a big-time offensive threat off the bench. He'll help reduce the 35 minutes a game Jalen Brunson has had to log the past three seasons.
Yabusele became one of the more underrated players in his return to the NBA last season. He can do a little bit of everything as a strong backup big and should be able to play alongside both Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson.
Oklahoma City Thunder: B
21 of 30
Notable Signings: Jaylin Williams (re-signed), G Ajay Mitchell
Notable Losses: N/A
The champs have been relatively quiet this offseason, and deservedly so.
With a full-15 man roster already and with no major weaknesses, this summer is going to be more about celebrating and less about free agency.
Williams isn't going to play enough to justify his three-year, $24 million contract if everyone is healthy, especially after the Thunder selected Georgetown center Thomas Sorber with the No. 15 overall pick. OKC wisely made the third year a team option, however, and has the contract descend year over year.
Mitchell is another depth piece that showed flashes and is now on a reasonable three-year, $9 million deal. Both players may be used to match salaries in a trade at some point, giving the Thunder additional ways to upgrade the team.
Orlando Magic: A-
22 of 30
Notable Signings: PG Tyus Jones, F/C Moe Wagner (re-signed)
Notable Losses: G/F Gary Harris
We pegged the Orlando Magic as the best fit of any team for Jones' services going into free agency, as this offense desperately needed his playmaking and three-point shooting.
Getting Jones for $7 million was a great bargain for Orlando and less than his younger brother Tre Jones got from the Chicago Bulls ($24 million over three years).
The team turned down an $11 million option on Wagner only to re-sign him at a much more palatable $5 million, which keeps Orlando under the first apron with 14 players under contract.
Philadelphia 76ers: D+
23 of 30
Notable Signings: F Justin Edwards, G/F Eric Gordon (re-signed), F/C Trendon Watford
Notable Losses: F/C Guerschon Yabusele
The Philadelphia 76ers have been fairly quiet this offseason despite having two open roster spots and are $21.7 million below the second apron. Quentin Grimes remains a restricted free agent with no offer sheet signed yet.
Edwards had a sneaky-good rookie season, although it remains to be seen how much he'll play on a healthy team. Gordon took a big step back last season and will turn 37 later this year. Watford helps make up for the loss of Yabusele, one of the only bright spots on the team in 2024-25.
The 76ers have done nothing to actually improve in free agency to this point. For a team that (we think) is still going to be chasing a title when healthy in a weak East, this has been highly disappointing.
Phoenix Suns: C-
24 of 30
Notable Signings: F Nigel Hayes-Davis
Notable Losses: PG Tyus Jones, F Cody Martin, C Mason Plumlee
If the Phoenix Suns have a plan, they've done an unbelievable job of hiding it.
Phoenix is still over the second apron even after trading Kevin Durant and his $54.7 million salary, so they are limited to veteran minimum deals and re-signing their own free agents. Even so, Martin was waived to cut the tax bill while Jones (Orlando Magic) and Plumlee (Charlotte Hornets) have both departed.
The Suns' only signing to date, Hayes-Davis, hasn't played in the NBA since the 2017-18 season, although he's been incredibly successful in the Euroleague and passed up a contract that would have paid him more than the $2 million he'll make from the Suns this season.
It's hard to imagine Hayes-Davis seeing a lot of playing time on a wing-heavy rotation in Phoenix unless a trade shakes things up.
Portland Trail Blazers: C
25 of 30
Notable Signings: N/A
Notable Losses: C Deandre Ayton
The Portland Trail Blazers have yet to sign anyone in free agency, although buying out Ayton has opened up enough money to spend the full $14.1 million mid-level exception while still avoiding the luxury tax.
With 13 players already under contract, the Blazers may hold off on any impact signings for now, choosing to operate as a facilitator who can take on money in bigger trades while picking up assets.
Paying a player $25.5 million NOT to play for you isn't ideal, although at least Portland did the right thing and chose not to stretch his remaining money over the next three years.
Sacramento Kings: C-
26 of 30
Notable Signings: PG Dennis Schröder
Notable Losses: PF Jake LaRavia
No team loves overpaying past-their-prime players more than the Sacramento Kings, a time-honored tradition that includes the likes of Rajon Rondo, DeMar DeRozan and now Schröder.
Sacramento gave the 31-year-old point guard a three-year, $45 million contract that will end up being a sign-and-trade with the Detroit Pistons. Schröder got off to a strong start with the Brooklyn Nets last season, yet shot below 38.0 percent overall with both the Golden State Warriors and Pistons.
Schröder isn't a starting-caliber NBA point guard at this point in his career, yet he's probably still the Kings' best option unless they go with Malik Monk.
Kings fans deserve better.
San Antonio Spurs: B-
27 of 30
Notable Signings: C Luke Kornet
Notable Losses: F/C Sandro Mamukelashvili
A four-year, $41 million contract for Kornet was one of the biggest surprises of free agency. The 29-year-old has become a solid backup option, although he received more annual money than Brook Lopez, Clint Capela and other more decorated centers.
Even a two-year deal at a higher rate would have expired the same time a max contract extension was due for Victor Wembanyama. The soon-to-be 30-year-old's money will now overlap with Wemby for two seasons.
Kornet is a good interior defender who held opponents to just 52.2 percent shooting at the rim last season, a number not far off from Wembanyama (50.0 percent). The Spurs could use their 7'4" cheat code at power forward more next season alongside Kornet.
This was an overpay, although it won't become an issue until at least Year 3.
Toronto Raptors: C
28 of 30
Notable Signings: SG Garrett Temple (re-signed), F/C Sandro Mamukelashvili
Notable Losses: N/A
Parting ways with team president Masai Ujiri has been an awkward start to the offseason and led to a lack of notable activity for the Toronto Raptors. The team also has 16 current players on the roster, meaning a trade or cut will need to be made before the start of the regular season.
Temple has become the new Udonis Haslem, as the 39-year-old returns to the Raptors locker room despite averaging just 1.9 points on 30.0 percent shooting last season. He may be the NBA's highest-paid assistant coach.
Mamukelashvili never really got a big role with the San Antonio Spurs, but he can really shoot the basketball, something this Raptors team desperately needed.
Utah Jazz: F
29 of 30
Notable Signings: N/A
Notable Losses: G Jordan Clarkson, SG Johnny Juzang
At least Ace Bailey has given Utah Jazz fans something to talk about, as the franchise has made zero free agent signings to this point while giving away their fifth-leading scorer for nothing.
Buying Clarkson out was an extremely disappointing end to his time in Utah, as we pondered trade deadline after trade deadline why the rebuilding Jazz kept hanging on to him.
Juzang was even solid during his opportunities, averaging 11.7 points on 37.7 percent from three in 18 starts last season.
With a full 15-man roster already, we may not see too many fireworks in Utah this free agency even with the full $14.1 million mid-level exception still in play.
Washington Wizards: F
30 of 30
Notable Signings: N/A
Notable Losses: PF Anthony Gill
The Washington Wizards have made most of their noise through the draft and via trades, bringing in Tre Johnson, CJ McCollum, Kelly Olynyk and others.
Free agency, even with a full $14.1 million mid-level exception to use, has been very quiet.
With no signings to date and a full 15-man roster, the Wizards let Gill walk to open up space for their rookies. The veteran power forward saw his role shrink in each of the past three seasons.
This team could be a prime facilitator near the trade deadline, as we saw Washington take on Khris Middleton and Marcus Smart last year.
For now, however, this free agent period has been a dud.
