2026 NBA free agency: Grades for offseason signings, extensions

The NBA offseason is here, and teams across the league have been busy making moves. Free agency officially began June 30.

I'm grading every free agent signing and the most impactful extensions this offseason, breaking down the ramifications for all teams and players involved.

To determine each grade, I'm looking at multiple factors, including the player's on-court impact and age, the contract's financial implications and the context of the team's short- and long-term outlooks. How risky or certain is the move? And how much does it help or hurt the team's chance to win a championship, next season or beyond?

Let's get into the latest moves:

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Sept. 22: Leonard, Raptors agree to $115 million extension

Kawhi Leonard terms: Two years, $115 million, with player option in second year

Grade: B-

An extension agreement between Leonard and the Raptors seemed like a fait accompli as early as June, when the Raptors and Clippers first agreed on the terms of Leonard's eventual trade to Toronto. Leonard was set to enter the final season of his controversial contract, and the Raptors wouldn't have wanted to trade multiple unprotected picks for a one-year rental.

This new deal will pay Leonard about $11 million less than his possible maximum, per ESPN's Shams Charania, which is capped at two years because of the NBA's over-38 rule. Leonard, now 35, will turn 38 years old at the end of this extension.

Just because an extension was expected, however, doesn't mean it's an incredible value for the team involved. Leonard now projects to have among the dozen highest cap hits in the league during this deal. And while he's also one of the dozen best players in the NBA if he's on the court -- and you can read about how optimistic I am about his fit in Toronto this upcoming season in my trade grade -- that's a major if for a player with his age and extensive injury history.

For comparison, last summer, Kevin Durant signed a new two-year contract with the Rockets, but that $90 million pact came with considerably greater savings for Houston. Leonard's new contract does give Toronto some extra wiggle room compared to if he had taken the max, but not by nearly the same amount.

Instead, Leonard's new deal seems more akin to the four-year, $273 million extension Donovan Mitchell signed this summer. Both deals were anticipated, given the stature the two stars hold in their respective franchises, but neither deal seems likely to age especially well. The Raptors and Cavaliers are both hoping that they win now, because these big new contracts could hamper their ability to win in the future.

Sept. 21: Thompson gets five-year extension from Pistons

Ausar Thompson terms: Five years, $155 million

Grade: B-

It's fitting that Thompson agreed to his rookie extension within a few hours of Keyonte George doing the same, because both players signed for nearly identical amounts even though they have polar opposite playing styles.

While George, who inked a five-year, $157.5 million extension with the Jazz, is a budding offensive star who might be the worst defensive player in the league, Thompson is an offensive liability who might be the NBA's best perimeter defender.

Thompson finished third in Defensive Player of the Year voting last season, behind only Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren, as he led the league in steals and routinely locked up the opponents' top scorer. Largely because of his spectacular defensive prowess, the Pistons have been better with Thompson on the floor in every season of his career to date.

The concerns about his future come on the other end, because his shooting form, which was never strong to begin with, has gone backward. Last season, Thompson made just seven total 3-pointers on 23% accuracy, counting both regular season and playoffs.

Compared to his brother, Amen, who signed a five-year, $208 million extension earlier this offseason, Ausar has demonstrated less offensive potential. Amen isn't a 3-point marksman, either, but he at least improved to 78% at the free-throw line last season, suggesting untapped shooting potential, while Ausar made just 57% of his free throws. Amen has also been better than his brother at scoring on drives and handling the ball; there's a reason he averaged 18.3 PPG last season to Ausar's mere 9.9.

That's not to say Ausar is completely unproductive; he's effective in transition and a solid offensive rebounder -- a must, given how often he hangs out near the basket -- and the Pistons have still been better with him on the court than off, even on the offensive end.

Yet that considerable weakness will limit Thompson's long-term ceiling and potentially complicate Detroit's roster-building plans, which drops this extension's grade a couple notches. In the modern NBA, it's not easy to win with a perimeter player who's such a non-shooter, and Thompson's new contract brings into greater question Jalen Duren's future in Detroit, as the All-Star center lingers in restricted free agency.

Sept. 18: Heat give Larsson a new deal

Pelle Larsson terms: Four years, $60 million, with a mutual option in the fourth year

Grade: B

At summer league in Las Vegas this year, I had a conversation with various NBA folks about the Miami Heat. We were talking about the Heat's lineup possibilities around Giannis Antetokounmpo and how they might build a winner with depleted depth. One clear conclusion from this conversation was that Pelle Larsson was going to get a lot of minutes because Heat coach Erik Spoelstra adores him.

The 25-year-old Swedish guard was a steal at the No. 44 pick in the 2024 draft, and he took a big step forward last season, averaging 11.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists. The Heat also trust him as a lead defender on the perimeter. He ranked fourth on the team in starts and fifth in total minutes last season.

Larsson profiles as a high-floor, low-ceiling player, given his age and skill set. Most prominently, a shaky 3-point shot (33% in his career) means he's not truly a 3-and-D player but rather a jack of all trades who fits the Heat's preferred ethos with his hustle and stamina.

Still, that high floor means a $15 million average for Larsson is a reasonable value for Miami, and this new deal will carry him through most of his prime years. Larsson must be happy with his new deal, given that his rookie contract was worth only $5.4 million over three years. Spoelstra must be happy to lock up one of his favorite players for the long term, too.

Sept. 18: George, Jazz agree to extension

Keyonte George terms: Five years, $157.5 million

Grade: C+

George was one of the breakout players of the 2025-26 season, averaging 23.6 points and 6.1 assists while making 37% of his 3-pointers. He also boosted his efficiency from 7-8% below average in his first two seasons to 5% above average last year, which made him one of the top offensive guards in the sport.

On its own, that trajectory -- combined with George's age, as he'll turn 23 in November -- makes him more than worthy of this new rookie extension, which will pay him an average of $31.5 million per year. For context, this contract will pay nearly $100 million less over half a decade compared with the possible 25% max (which Victor Wembanyama, another member of the 2023 draft class, signed earlier this offseason).

But the complication with analyzing George's new deal is uncertainty about his ability on the other end. The Jazz have been worse with George on the floor versus when he's off in every season of his career to date. The defensive swing has been particularly problematic: Per Cleaning the Glass, Utah's defensive rating was 6.7 points worse with George last season and 8.7 points worse in 2024-25. Both marks ranked in the bottom 10% of players leaguewide.

Because of that track record, advanced stats that factor in on/off data are much lower in their assessment of George than his shiny box score stats would suggest. DARKO rates George as the third-least-valuable defender in the league, and both estimated plus-minus and xRAPM put him all the way in last place. Other players in his range include the likes of Cam Thomas and Trae Young, who have proved difficult to build around because of their limitations.

It's possible that this indictment of George is attributable to Utah's noncompetitive status during his time there; the Jazz haven't exactly been concerned about finishing 30th, 29th and 29th on defense over the past three years, as they've sought high draft picks instead of regular-season wins. Perhaps in a more competitive situation going forward, George will prove himself a mediocre or even normally below-average defender, rather than the truly terrible defender that his current metrics suggest.

But it's impossible to know that yet, so this grade comes in lower than what might be expected for a rising young star signing a reasonable-looking contract. The other young guards in his new salary range are Immanuel Quickley and Jalen Suggs, whose contracts don't look like bargains a couple of years after they signed. George might be a better player than them, but it would have been nice to see his development, particularly on defense, for another year before judging his pricey new deal an unreserved win for the Jazz.

Sept. 17: Bey signs extension with Pelicans

Saddiq Bey terms: Three years, $55.5 million

Grade: B

Bey arrived in New Orleans as an afterthought. The former Detroit Piston, Atlanta Hawk and Washington Wizard missed the 2024-25 season because of a torn ACL before shipping to New Orleans in the Jordan Poole-CJ McCollum swap.

Bey responded to his new circumstances with the best season of his career. He started 64 games (out of 72 total played) last season and averaged a career-high 17.7 points. He made 37% of his 3s and showed improvement as a perimeter defender.

So the Pelicans gave him a big raise, from $6.6 million in this upcoming season to an average of $18.5 million over the following three years, which will keep Bey in New Orleans through his age-30 season. That's a solid contract for a solid player.

It's a bit less clear how New Orleans plans to structure its wing rotation in the short and long term, with Bey, Bennedict Mathurin, Trey Murphy III and Herbert Jones all worthy of playing time, to say nothing of Zion Williamson and/or Derik Queen grabbing minutes at power forward.

To that end, it's possible that Bey's new contract could make New Orleans more amenable to a trade of Murphy or Jones, two more established wings who could fetch draft picks from contenders.

Sept 3: Rockets, Amen Thompson agree to five-year deal

Amen Thompson terms: Five years, $208 million

Grade: A-

Thompson is the second member of the 2023 draft class to sign a rookie extension this summer, following in the steps of No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama. That order tracks, as Thompson is the second-best player from that draft class after Wembanyama.

He might not have exploded into superstardom as some expected -- and as Wembanyama did -- last season, but Thompson still fits the profile of a future two-way star. He's only 23 years old, he's one of the NBA's fiercest perimeter defenders and he boosted both his points (18.3 per game) and assists (5.3 per game) last season while leading the NBA in minutes played.

Thompson's 3-point shot remains a glaring hole in his game, as he's at just 22% from distance in his career on low volume. That weakness could limit his ultimate upside, as he might be best suited as an ace defender and offensive role player, rather than a No. 1 scoring option.

But given his present ability and future potential, extending him was a no-brainer for Houston. And as they have with other recent first-round picks, including Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun and the since-traded Jalen Green, the Rockets actually negotiated with Thompson to save some money, rather than simply presenting him with a max deal to sign.

Compare Thompson's new deal to Wembanyama's max contract, which is worth an estimated $252 million. The difference between the two extensions comes out to about $44 million over five years, or $8 million to $9 million per year -- which the Rockets can instead use to add an extra role player or help squeeze in other expensive players under the various tax thresholds.

Locking in that number for Thompson now also means the Rockets won't run the risk of paying even more for his new deal if he makes an All-NBA team (or wins Defensive Player of the Year or MVP) this upcoming season, which would have allowed him to qualify for rookie supermax status.

This deal thus carries tremendous benefits for both parties. Thompson gains generational wealth before he reaches his mid-20s, and the Rockets both retain their most talented young player for the long term and maintain a bit of financial flexibility in the process. That sounds like a win-win.

Aug. 26: Kuminga, Timberwolves agree on two-year deal

Jonathan Kuminga terms: Two years, $12.4 million, player option in Year 2

Grade: A-

Few players in recent memory have received more fanfare, relative to their on-court impact, than Kuminga. The former No. 7 pick was a key member of the Warriors' theoretical "two timelines" dynastic extension, and he was a main character of the 2025 offseason, as he lingered in restricted free agency.

A year later, however, Kuminga's new contract actually deserves the attention -- but more for the context of his new situation than because of his own development.

One of the main reasons that I was critical of the Timberwolves' trade for LaMelo Ball is that the series of transactions they used to acquire the All-Star point guard left them with a giant, gaping hole at power forward. They were already a top-heavy team without much depth, and then they parted with Julius Randle and Naz Reid in the process.

And with the LeBron James dream dashed last month, the Timberwolves had few remaining resources to acquire another frontcourt contributor. The Ball trade left them with almost no draft capital -- they have zero tradeable first-round picks, and their only tradeable second is a top-50-protected selection from Memphis in 2030 -- and they're hard-capped at the second apron, with only about $4 million in wiggle room below that barrier. (Thus, they will have to figure out a way to dump some salary before officially signing Kuminga.)

So given all those limitations, and the slim pickings nearly two months into free agency, Kuminga was clearly the best option available. The expectation is that he'll join Ball, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert in a talented starting lineup, where Kuminga's ability to run the floor should get him enough easy buckets every game to keep his scoring average in double figures.

Kuminga isn't a perfect fit in his new role. His outside shooting struggles (33% on 3s in his career) could strain his partnership with Gobert on offense, and it's still an open question whether Kuminga will ever bring the consistency required of a nailed-down NBA starter. He has always shown flashes, but never for more than a few games or weeks at a time.

Yet on the other hand, Kuminga is still just 24 years old, and he clearly has potential if he can find the right situation in which to thrive; most recently, he was one of Atlanta's best players in the playoffs. According to ESPN's Shams Charania, other teams were interested in signing Kuminga to a larger contract this summer, which points to his continued desirability despite his flaws.

He doesn't need to be a star in Minnesota, either, but rather a competent role player. He may not even close games for his new team, whose five best players are probably Gobert, McDaniels and a trio of guards. But what the Timberwolves needed most of all was a capable power forward who can protect McDaniels -- one of the league's best perimeter defenders -- from sliding up to that position full time.

They found one, at a reasonable price. As long as Kuminga stays healthy -- he has appeared in only 83 combined games over the past two seasons -- and engaged, he'll provide a meaningful upgrade to a fringe title contender next season.

Aug. 26: Pels, Mathurin reach two-year deal

Bennedict Mathurin terms: Two years, $16 million, player option in second year

Grade: B+

The Pelicans are finally getting involved in the summer transaction cycle, after essentially sitting on their hands for the first two months of the offseason.

They picked their first spot well. Mathurin is still just 24 years old, with the potential befitting a former No. 6 pick. He's a strong individual scorer who averaged a career-high 17.6 PPG last year, and his driving ability and free throw generation remain standout skills.

Among all active non-centers with at least 5,000 career minutes, Mathurin ranks sixth in career free throw attempt rate (or the number of free throw attempts per field goal attempt). The rest of the top 10 is filled with superstars:

That said, Mathurin has been a one-dimensional player throughout his career, which holds him back from reaching the same overall level as those superstars. He has averaged only 1.9 assists per game, and he's a weak defender despite his 6-foot-5 frame.

It's notable that both the Pacers -- who saw Mathurin up close for four years -- and Clippers, who had him for half a season after the Ivica Zubac trade, were comfortable letting him go despite his youth and potential, and that Mathurin didn't attract other suitors as a restricted free agent.

But for this price and contract length, Mathurin's addition is a low-risk gamble for New Orleans, which is in need of more talent. (Expect further transactions before the season begins to create more space to fit Mathurin below the first apron.)

The second-year player option reduces some of the upside for the Pelicans, as they could lose Mathurin as early as next summer if he takes a leap under their purview. But they'd surely be thrilled if he made that leap in the first place.

Aug. 21: Thompson to join Heat after Mavs buyout

Klay Thompson terms: Two years, $13 million, player option in second year

Grade: B-

Thompson's on-court value no longer matches his name value, as a future Hall of Famer who was a centerpiece of the NBA's last great dynasty.

There's a reason, after all, that the Mavericks were amenable to buying Thompson out of the last year of his contract to pave his path to Miami. He is now 36 years old and nowhere near the sort of two-way star he was at his peak. Instead, the five-time All-Star is now a well below-average player.

DARKO Career DPM Progression

But Thompson will bring one important skill to Miami that the Heat are currently lacking: Even as he has declined, he has remained an elite shooter. Thompson has made at least 38% of his 3-pointers on high volume in every season of his career, and even coming off the bench last season, he ranked among the top 20 players in made 3s per game.

Incidentally, Thompson ranked second in total 3s from a reserve last season -- one spot behind Tim Hardaway Jr., his new teammate on Miami's perimeter.

Because the Heat already added Hardaway in free agency, it's possible that Thompson's presence will be redundant. And a two-year, $13 million deal with a second-year player option is less of an obvious win for Miami than a veteran minimum would have been.

But in truth, the Heat need all the shooting they can get around Giannis Antetokounmpo, after they lost Norman Powell and Tyler Herro, their top two shooters last season. And if any team can cover for Thompson on the defensive end, where he's now a liability because of his age and injury history, it might be a group with Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo, Davion Mitchell and Andrew Wiggins, to say nothing of Erik Spoelstra pulling the strategic strings.

It's still unlikely that Thompson, at this stage of his career, will be a major difference-maker for his new team. But Thompson is a better use of a roster spot than other options Miami had to complete its 2026-27 rotation.

Aug. 21: DeRozan joins Nuggets on one-year deal

DeMar DeRozan terms: One year, $3.9 million 

Grade: B

Presumably, DeRozan signed this contract knowing he'd likely be asked to come off the bench in Denver, even though he has started every NBA game he has played since his rookie year -- 1,250 and counting, between the regular season and playoffs.

That shift couldn't come at a better time for the Nuggets, whose bench was incredibly depleted following the Peyton Watson sign-and-trade earlier this week. This is far from a like-for-like replacement, to be clear: DeRozan is about as different from Watson as two similarly sized players can be. The 23-year-old Watson is strongest on defense and -- in a new turn -- from the 3-point line; the 37-year-old DeRozan is a midrange master with considerable defensive limitations.

That difference could make DeRozan a somewhat clunky fit in Denver, where he won't patch the defensive holes left by Watson's departure, and where his lack of 3-point range could complicate his fit with Nikola Jokic (and Christian Braun, if he can't rebound from last season's 30% performance from distance).

But on a relative basis, DeRozan should provide a major upgrade in his new home. Until the six-time All-Star joined on a veteran minimum contract, the Nuggets' highest-scoring reserves were projected as backup center Marvin Bagley III (10.5 points per game last season) and wing Julian Strawther (7.2).

Even in his late 30s, DeRozan offers a different level of scoring and playmaking -- he's a very underrated passer -- than any other option outside the Nuggets' starting lineup. He should be able to help stabilize the offense when Jokic or Jamal Murray rest, as he has continued to score efficiently even in a dour situation in Sacramento over the past two seasons.

For years now, Denver's bench has been a problem, and DeRozan won't come close to solving that issue all on his own. But it's slightly less of an issue today than it was yesterday.

 

Aug. 20: Harden, Cavs agree to new contract

 

James Harden terms: Three years, $97 million, with a player option in the third year

Grade: B

At this point, you know what you're getting with Harden. He has remained a metronomic offensive force even into his late 30s; he can create for others and score of his own accord inside, outside and at the free throw line. He also rarely misses time, as he has appeared in 70 or more games in each of the past three seasons.

That combination makes for a powerful regular-season catalyst. In 15 of his 17 NBA seasons, including each of the last 10, Harden has finished the year with a team that won at least 50 games (or the equivalent winning percentage in a shortened season). He has never finished with a losing record.

You also know, however, the downsides that come with relying on Harden. He was a relatively indifferent defender even in his 20s, and now he's one of the least active defenders in the league. His production also routinely shrinks in the postseason, or at the very least becomes wildly inconsistent.

Those attributes are essentially baked into Harden's player profile at this point, and his return to Cleveland also seemed baked in as soon as the Cavaliers traded Darius Garland for him at last season's deadline. The Clippers weren't willing to extend Harden at his desired amount, so he sought a trade to a team that would.

And after Harden declined his $42 million player option earlier this summer, it was only a matter of time before the Cavaliers completed the rest of their offseason business -- which they did with the Peyton Watson sign-and-trade on Wednesday -- and brought back Harden on a longer-term deal with a lower annual value.

The resulting contract is a year longer than would be optimal for the Cavaliers, as it gives Harden a player option in his age-39 season. A straight two-year deal in the $60 million range would have protected Cleveland more against potential decline as Harden ages.

But for all the holes in Harden's game, he's still a valuable playmaker and regular-season innings eater, and his backcourt partnership with Donovan Mitchell worked reasonably well in limited time last year. The Cavaliers certainly couldn't afford to lose him, with Garland already gone and no means to replace his production with another trade or free agent signing.

That 2028-29 player option could -- and likely will -- prove problematic in a couple of years. But the Cavaliers are an all-in, win-now team, and they're hoping that Harden helps them finally get over the playoff hump and return to the Finals at some point before then.

Aug. 13: Beal re-signs with Clippers

Bradley Beal terms: Two years, $13.2 million

Grade: C

Beal declined a $5.6 million player option in late June before agreeing to a new deal with the LA Clippers six weeks later. He didn't make much of an impression in his first stint in Los Angeles, appearing in only six games before undergoing season-ending hip surgery.

In those six games, Beal averaged a career-low 8.2 points and experienced a startling decline in efficiency and production. His player efficiency rating ranked 498th out of 503 players with at least 100 minutes played last season.

On the one hand, it would be easy to chalk up that decline to Beal's injury and expect a bounce-back performance in 2026-27. On the other hand, Beal is now 33 years old with a fairly extensive injury history -- he hasn't played more than 53 games since 2020-21 with the Washington Wizards -- and he was already on the downslope of his career in Phoenix before becoming a Clipper.

Because of that context, it's hard to expect much of anything from Beal at this point. His re-signing won't complicate the Clippers' finances, but it likely won't move the needle on the court, either.

Aug. 6: Suns sign Brooks to extension through 2030

Dillon Brooks terms: Three years, $73 million

Grade: B-

Brooks was a revelation in his first season in Phoenix, after heading to the Suns in the trade that sent Kevin Durant to Houston. Not only did the veteran wing average a career-high 20.2 points per game, but his attitude and mentality spread throughout the franchise.

"He's exactly the type of player [who fits] what we talk about here in Phoenix, what we want to be, the identity of the Suns," team owner Mat Ishbia told ESPN's Tim MacMahon earlier this year.

Phoenix is keeping him around for a few years longer, at a fairly reasonable price. Brooks is entering the last year of a four-year, $86 million contract that accounted for about 15% of the salary cap per season; his new three-year extension projects to make up about 13% of the salary cap each season until 2029-30.

From the pure perspective of his on-court value, Brooks doesn't project to be worth that much money, given his age -- this extension covers his age-32 to 34 seasons, when he'll likely be in the decline phase -- and unimpressive advanced statistics. He has never been an efficient scorer, with a below-average true shooting mark in every season of his career.

But given his cultural fit and leadership responsibilities in Phoenix -- and the fact that the rising salary cap means a $24.3 million average salary will account for such a manageable portion of it -- this extension makes a lot of sense for the Suns. It's not as team-friendly as some of Phoenix's other deals this summer, such as bringing back Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin, but it might have a greater impact nonetheless because of Brooks' more prominent role on the team.

Aug. 2: Marshall, Mavericks agree to extension

Naji Marshall terms: Three years, $52.2 million

Grade: B-

Marshall was set to enter unrestricted free agency next summer but instead signed a three-year contract that will keep him with the Dallas Mavericks through the 2029-30 season. Not accounting for inflation, this extension is essentially double what he signed for two years ago, when he joined the Mavericks on a three-year, $27 million free agent contract.

He has earned a raise in that time. In his first four seasons, all with the Pelicans, Marshall never averaged more than 9.1 points, but he has averaged 13.2 and 15.2 points in his two seasons in Dallas. Marshall's rise has gone under the radar amid all the other drama surrounding the Mavericks during those years, but he has quietly blossomed into a solid NBA forward.

After that developmental leap, Marshall grades out an average player -- he scores with near-average efficiency on a near-average usage rate (20.3% in Dallas, versus an average of 20.0%), leading to a near-average player efficiency rating (15.3 in Dallas, versus an average of 15.0).

So why does an extension that will keep that caliber of player in town through the rest of his prime, for only around 10% of the salary cap, receive a mere B-minus grade rather than higher marks? Because of one key weakness in Marshall's game: He's only a 30% career 3-point shooter, and he has been even worse (28%) in Dallas.

Granted, Marshall has enjoyed considerable improvement from 2-point range, and a healthy free throw rate buoys his overall efficiency. But absent a better 3-point shot, he won't fulfill the ultimate 3-and-D potential.

If he had a more threatening jump shot, Marshall would be a surefire starter, but he's instead stuck with the profile of a fringe starter or solid bench player for a good team. That weakness also complicates his fit on a Mavericks roster with so many other questionable shooters in the frontcourt, from Cooper Flagg to 2026 lottery pick Morez Johnson Jr. to a host of paint-bound centers.

Because of its length and manageable cap figure, the Mavericks are unlikely to ever seriously regret giving Marshall this extension. But they're also unlikely to end up viewing it as a slam dunk success, either.

July 28: Draymond back to Warriors

Draymond Green terms: One year, $27.7 million

Grade: C

Before the offseason began, the expectation was that Green would play out the 2026-27 season on a $27.7 million deal. He had a player option for that amount and likely wouldn't have received any more on the open market as a 36-year-old with more value to the Golden State Warriors than any other team.

That expectation changed for about a month, after Green declined his player option to give the Warriors the financial flexibility to pursue free agent LeBron James. But after James went to Philadelphia 76ers rather than northern California, it made sense for Green to re-sign with the Warriors for the same one-year deal he declined a month earlier. Because the baseline for these free agent grades is a "C," and because Green stuck with the baseline expectation entering this summer, that's the logical grade to give this deal.

But the one-year pact, rather than a multiyear deal with a lower annual value but more total guaranteed money, sets up a fascinating situation next summer. Golden State's three highest-paid players -- Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler III and Green -- could all enter free agency in 2027, while the fourth-highest-paid player is Kristaps Porzingis, whose deal is guaranteed for only $3 million in 2027-28.

That means Golden State could set itself up for tremendous cap space a year from now. Even a hefty new deal for Curry, who becomes extension-eligible on Aug. 29, wouldn't take up all that space.

• More on the Warriors' offseason

July 24: LeBron chooses 76ers

LeBron James terms: Two years, $8 million

Grade: A+

How James fits in a new-look, star-studded lineup in Philadelphia, immediately becomes one of the most fascinating questions in the NBA.

On the one hand, James averaged 20.9 points per game last season, tied with his rookie campaign for the lowest of his career. His 27% usage rate was his lowest ever, and his time of possession was by far his lowest in the tracking era (since 2013-14): James handled the ball for 3.8 minutes per game in 2025-26, a 37% drop from his previous low of 5.3 minutes. He also averaged just 15.5 picks per 100 possessions as the ball handler, a 40% drop from his previous low.

Yet on the other hand, James was still productive and efficient by any measure, and he settled much more comfortably into a secondary offensive role -- which he'll presumably occupy once more in Philadelphia -- as the season continued. His 59% true shooting was right in line with his career average (also 59%) and his mark across eight seasons with the Lakers (60%). And he averaged 7.2 assists per game, generated gobs of free throws and played 1,989 minutes, which was the third most on the Lakers.

• Full deal grades, winners and losers

July 11: Bucks bring back Trent on big deal

Gary Trent Jr. terms: Four years, $64 million

Grade: D-

Half a decade ago, Trent signed a three-year, $54 million contract with Toronto. It made sense at the time: Trent was 22 years old and coming off a breakout season, during which he was traded for Norman Powell. He looked like a strong 3-and-D prospect.

On Saturday, Trent agreed to similar terms on a new deal: four years, $64 million to stay with the Bucks. But there's only one problem: He has declined significantly since his early 20s.

Trent was arguably the least valuable veteran rotation player in the entire NBA last season. He averaged only 8.1 points, 1.2 assists and 1.0 rebounds per game, and his 3-point percentage fell to a league-average 36%.

Out of 279 players with at least 1,000 minutes, Trent ranked 276th in both box plus/minus and player efficiency rating, and every player below him was 21 or younger. Trent, conversely, was an eight-year veteran in his age-27 season.

Given the combination of that decline and the Bucks' overabundance of young guards who need playing time -- after the draft and the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade -- it makes little sense for Milwaukee to lavish Trent with a new contract with so many dollars and so many years. Still in his 20s, he has time to bounce back, but for the moment, he profiles more like a minimum-salary player than one who deserves eight figures per year.

Coincidentally, Trent played on minimum or near-minimum deals for Milwaukee in each of the past two seasons, despite coming off much better performances in both years. Last summer, he signed a two year, $7.5 million deal with a second-year player option, which he declined, despite his woeful 2025-26 campaign, to secure a much larger payday this summer.

July 10: Wemby, Spurs agree on rookie extension

Victor Wembanyama terms: Five years, $252 million

Grade: A+

This might be the easiest transaction I'll ever grade.

Before last season, 83% of the NBA's general managers chose Wembanyama as the player they'd most like to build a franchise around. And that number has probably risen since, as Wembanyama was the unanimous Defensive Player of the Year, finished third in MVP voting and was the best player on a Finals team in 2025-26.

The Spurs would have received an "A" grade for extending Wembanyama no matter the contract details. He could have received the max, a player option and "Rose rule" salary escalator language, and Spurs brass would have been thrilled.

But in the end, he did not take every possible bell and whistle allowed for a player of his experience level, which boosts this grade to an "A+" for the Spurs.

According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Wembanyama is locking himself into a 25% maximum contract. He could have chosen an extension that would rise to 30% of the cap if he received postseason honors next year -- which seems like a virtual lock if Wembanyama reaches the 65-game minimum for awards consideration again.

Many other young stars have opted for that latter route in recent years, and they deserve no blame for maximizing their earnings. Evan Mobley, for instance, landed a 30% supermax before winning Defensive Player of the Year in 2025.

But Wembanyama has evidently taken a lesson from the star guard who beat the Spurs in the Finals last month, after the Knicks' title run was aided in part by Jalen Brunson's decision to sacrifice some of his own potential earnings to help New York build a championship roster.

The difference between 25% and 30% of the cap projects as $8.7 million next season, per ESPN's Bobby Marks, and that gap would grow over the course of Wembanyama's extension to a total of $50 million over five years. Now, the Spurs can use those savings to extend Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper, and still bolster the rotation around those young stars.

July 8: Post to join Grizzlies on offer sheet

Quinten Post terms: Three years, $30 million

Grade: B-

Post made a little bit of history with this contract, as the Warriors chose not to match Memphis's offer sheet to retain their 7-footer. It represents the first time a restricted free agent's original team didn't match an offer sheet since 2020, when Bogdan Bogdanovic left the Kings for the Hawks, according to ESPN's Bobby Marks.

That decision made sense for Golden State. Post is far younger than Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis, but his stretch big skill set is duplicative next to those veteran spacers. And more importantly, this level of financial commitment would have been punishing for the Warriors, who are hard-capped at the first apron and still have a fair bit of summer business -- re-signing Draymond Green and potentially adding LeBron James -- to accomplish before reaching that barrier.

For the Grizzlies, however, fitting Post into their cap sheet is a relatively easy feat after they traded the more expensive Santi Aldama. Post, 26, is a lesser version of Aldama on offense but a superior defender; opponents have made 58% of their shots at the rim against Post in his career, per NBA Advanced Stats, which is a solid number for a reserve big.

Whether Post is actually a formidable stretch big is a more worrying question for Memphis, as his 3-point accuracy fell from 41% in his rookie season to just 34% last year. And with Zach Edey and the recently acquired Isaiah Stewart also on the roster, to say nothing of No. 3 pick Cameron Boozer and the recently acquired Jerami Grant and Taylor Hendricks, Memphis is chock-full of players who are best suited to play the 4 and 5.

Post brings a unique element in that group because of his combination of size and shooting. But if Edey can stay on the court next season, it's unclear how much Post will actually play.

July 7: Mitchell, Cavaliers agree to four-year deal

Donovan Mitchell terms: Four years, $273 million

Grade: B-

Mitchell is a consistently excellent NBA superstar. He has been an All-Star in each of the past seven seasons and a first- or second-team All-NBA honoree in three of his four years in Cleveland.

The Cavaliers gave up a haul in their blockbuster trade for Mitchell in 2022, and they have to be mostly pleased with the results. Even if they haven't reached the Finals with Mitchell, they've been a consistent contender with him aboard.

And with Darius Garland now traded, James Harden well past his prime and Evan Mobley stuck on a developmental plateau, Mitchell remains the team's clear No. 1 option even as he approaches his 30th birthday. With two seasons left on his current contract, including a player option in 2027-28, there was an imperative for Cleveland to extend Mitchell now, lest he decline his option and leave in free agency next summer.

But that logistical reality doesn't make this new contract any more comfortable for Cleveland. Mitchell's maximum extension will start at $60.9 million in 2027-28, per ESPN's Bobby Marks, and will run through his age-34 season in 2030-31, when he'd be projected to hold a player option for $75.5 million.

This extension is a gamble that Mitchell will enjoy an elongated prime, but that's a risky proposition. He's a relatively small guard who regularly misses time each season, though he admittedly hasn't suffered any severe injuries; he's played between 53 and 71 games every year since 2018-19.

He also seems to wear down by the postseason and struggles to maintain his form when the games matter most. Mitchell famously reached the conference finals for the first time this spring, but he was far from his best self -- his true shooting fell from 61% in the regular season to 56% in the playoffs -- along the way.

Devoting such a high percentage of the salary cap to a second-tier star -- someone who makes All-NBA teams but never seriously contends for MVP -- complicates a team's roster-building options in the NBA's current financial environment. In a world in which the Celtics struggled to find any trade partners for Jaylen Brown, who's owed an average of $61.7 million over the next three seasons, a new contract for Mitchell at an average of $68.2 million per season is similarly daunting.

Cleveland's new pact with Mitchell is similar to the Suns' deal with Devin Booker, who signed an extension last summer that will pay him an estimated $68.8 million in his age-33 season in 2029-30. Mitchell has experienced higher highs than Booker, who has been a top-10 player (in All-NBA terms) only once. But they're in the same broad category of star guards who probably can't be the best player on a championship team.

That probably qualifier is important, because Jalen Brunson just provided proof of concept for a small scoring guard to win Finals MVP. The Cavaliers hope Mitchell can pull off the same feat at some point during the span of his new contract -- preferably on the earlier side, before he reaches his mid-30s with an escalating salary.

But Mitchell is a rung below Brunson in terms of postseason pedigree, and, crucially, Brunson signed a below-market extension to help New York construct a robust roster around him.

Mitchell doesn't deserve any blame for not taking as much money as he could -- but the fact of the matter is that his new extension, combined with Cleveland's already-limited resources, won't make it any easier for the Cavaliers to improve in the near future, when they most need that improvement to take advantage of Mitchell's remaining prime.

July 5: Hachimura, Clippers agree to two-year deal

Rui Hachimura terms: Two years, $28 million
Grade: B+

Hachimura's $14 million per year places him in the middle of several other power forward types who have signed in free agency this summer: John Collins at $17 million annually, Tobias Harris at $15.5 million and Sandro Mamukelashvili at $13 million.

Compared with that group, Hachimura has the best singular standout skill. After a poor start to his career from long range, Hachimura has developed into an excellent shooter. Over his three full seasons with the Lakers, he made 42.6% of his 3-pointers, which ranked second (behind Luke Kennard) out of 216 players with at least 500 attempts in that span.

The rest of Hachimura's game isn't so special, which is why he's not at the top end of the power forward market. He's a sturdy defender because of his size (6-foot-8, 230 pounds), but not a game changer on that end of the floor, and he has never created many shots for others (0.8 assists per game last season, 1.2 per game in his career).

For the Clippers, Hachimura represents a low-risk floor-raiser after the team turned over its entire roster over the past few years. And while Hachimura might have made more sense for a contender, where his shooting could have made a real difference as a supplement to stars -- as it did with the Lakers during their conference finals run in 2023 -- he preferred to stay in Los Angeles, per ESPN's Shams Charania. That sounds like a win-win deal.

July 3: Drummond to Knicks as champs find a center

Andre Drummond terms: One year, $3.9 million

Grade: B-

Stylistically, the Knicks couldn't have found a better replacement for Mitchell Robinson. He and Drummond are massive centers, indefatigable rebounders and poor free throw shooters.

Robinson is the best offensive rebounder in the NBA, but so too was Drummond, once upon a time. He led the league in offensive boards per game from 2013-14 through 2019-20, and his per-36 numbers remain similar to this day. When Drummond enters games, he'll give the Knicks this same offensive advantage that Robinson did.

But this is a qualitative downgrade for the Knicks. There's a reason that Robinson commanded a $47.4 million contract over three years, while Drummond signed for the veteran minimum.

Notably, Drummond is a worse defender. He allowed opponents to shoot 68% at the rim last season, one of the worst marks for a center, while Robinson was at 58%. That difference could be an issue in the playoffs, where such weaknesses are magnified and Drummond hasn't had much success; he won the first series of his career this spring, when the Philadelphia 76ers upset the Boston Celtics.

If the Knicks were never going to go into the second apron for any reason, as owner James Dolan suggested, then they couldn't have afforded to retain Robinson. Drummond is a worthy replacement in that context. But if Karl-Anthony Towns is in foul trouble in a crucial moment next postseason and the Knicks have Drummond playing big minutes, New York might regret this financially motivated roster change.

July 3: Queta returns to Boston on four-year deal

Neemias Queta terms: Four years, $56 million

Grade: A-

The same advanced stats that have so riled up Celtics fans in recent weeks due to their mild skepticism of Jaylen Brown positively adore Queta. xRAPM ranks Queta in the 96th percentile of players in per-possession impact, and estimated plus-minus ranks him in the 95th percentile.

That's pretty good for a former two-way player who had never reached 1,000 minutes in a season before 2025-26. But Queta was extraordinary stepping into Boston's vacated starting center role, averaging 10.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.1 stocks (steals plus blocks) per game. Most importantly, the Celtics had a plus-13.2 net rating with him on the floor, the highest mark on the team.

The Celtics extended Queta for the long term with a two-step maneuver. First, they exercised his $2.7 million team option for 2026-27, giving the team extra financial flexibility for next season -- which they used to sign Mitchell Robinson, another center with excellent advanced stats. And second, they inked Queta to a four-year extension that will start in 2027-28, keeping him in Boston through his prime.

Especially given other, more expensive contracts handed out to centers this offseason, Queta's new deal looks like a bargain for Boston, if his performance last season is any indication of the half-decade to come. Only two small nuggets of concern drop this grade from an A to an A-minus.

First, Queta has a relatively short track record of that level of play. And second, he struggled in the postseason as Boston lost in seven games against Philadelphia. It remains to be seen whether Queta functions better as a regular-season innings-eater or a championship-level contributor.

 July 2: Eason, Rockets agree to five-year deal

Tari Eason terms: Five years, $81.5 million

Grade: A

The NBA's current cap environment is designed to punish complacency. In previous eras, teams could prioritize good feelings and round up on their contract offers -- giving a slightly sub-max player the max, proposing an extra year or a player option, and so on.

But not anymore. Now, every dollar beneath the apron counts, and flexibility is the new guiding light. Front offices must be cutthroat rather than complacent if they want to build a sustainable winning roster over the long term.

It has taken some time to adapt to that new state of affairs, and even now, not every team has made the adjustment. But the Rockets have been one of the new model teams in how to negotiate with their own players: Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun, Jalen Green and Fred VanVleet all signed deals with some team-friendly elements, rather than their individual maximums.

They did it again with Eason, one of the best 3-and-D prospects in the league. The 6-foot-8 Eason is a phenomenal defender with positional versatility, and he and Amen Thompson -- who's eligible for a rookie contract extension of his own this summer -- could continue harassing opposing guards and wings for years to come.

He has also improved on the offensive end, even if that will never be his greatest strength. Last season, Eason made a career-best 36% of his 3-pointers on a career-high number of attempts (though his 2-point percentage plummeted at the same time).

Perhaps most importantly, Eason has been mostly healthy for two seasons in a row, which assuages the greatest concern about his profile: He played just 22 games in 2023-24, but he has increased his availability to 57 and 60 games over the last two seasons.

At just over $16 million per year for a player with his skill set and potential, this could end up as one of the best value contracts signed by any player this summer. At the very least, a version of Eason who's locked in for half a decade at this price should be very attractive in a trade, if the Rockets ever decide to make him available in a deal for another star.

And at the most, he'll deliver tremendous value to Houston over the course of this deal, as the Rockets use the added flexibility from their hard bargains to continue upgrading their roster and constructing a contender.

 July 2: Simons, 76ers agree on two-year deal

Anfernee Simons terms: Two years, $12.3 million (player option in second year)

Grade: C+

Simons is one of the NBA's premier microwave scorers, the spiritual heir to the likes of Lou Williams and Jamal Crawford. With the Celtics last season, he averaged 14.2 points in 24.5 minutes per game while making 39.5% of his 3-pointers, before a trade to Chicago and a wrist injury ended his season.

He'll now serve as the 76ers' third guard, replacing the departed Quentin Grimes, who signed a much larger deal (four years, $60 million) with the Lakers. Equally capable of spotting up on the perimeter or running a pick-and-roll on his own, Simons should give Philadelphia instant offense off the bench.

But this is a curious fit because of Simons' ineffectiveness on the other end. He's a small guard whom advanced stats rank as one of the NBA's worst defenders. So it's unclear whether he'll be able to play next to Tyrese Maxey without compromising Philadelphia's defense beyond repair.

It's also unclear what Simons' arrival means for No. 22 pick Labaron Philon Jr., another small guard with defensive question marks. Philon weighed 176 pounds at the NBA combine, which made him the lightest player taken in the first round. For that reason, it's difficult to imagine him and Simons playing together in bench units. Perhaps that doesn't matter much to the 76ers, who have more pressing win-now demands following the Jaylen Brown trade. It's unlikely that a rookie guard taken after the lottery will help a contender next year, anyway.

But with Brown and VJ Edgecombe able to soak up much of the playmaking duties when Maxey goes to the bench, if Philadelphia staggers its best perimeter players, Simons seems like more of an oddly fitting luxury than a player who fills a glaring need. His signing brings the 76ers within $4 million of the first apron hard cap, and one wonders whether they could have found a more compelling use of their remaining space.

 

July 1: Oubre joins Pacers on two-year deal

Kelly Oubre Jr. terms: Two years, $17 million

Grade: B

No NBA team can have enough 3-and-D wings. That role is too valuable and too versatile. So, on the surface, adding Oubre to a group that already includes Aaron Nesmith, Andrew Nembhard and Ben Sheppard makes all the sense in the world.

It is worth asking how many members of that group are actually reliable shooters. Nesmith is a given, at 39.6% from distance over four seasons in Indiana. But there's a curious trend with the other three members of Indiana's wing rotation.

Oubre, Nembhard and Sheppard were all around 33% in their careers before last season, which is quite poor. But then they all improved to reach league-average accuracy. Oubre's jump was particularly notable because he had the greatest subpar track record heading into 2025-26; he shot a career-high 36% just one year after shooting 29% from distance.

There's a potential downside here: If Oubre, Nembhard and Sheppard all regress to their career norms next season, Indiana's offense might not improve as much as expected with the return of Tyrese Haliburton because they'll miss a lot of 3s on kickout passes from their star point guard.

But if the trio's league-average performance from distance is more than a one-year fluke, then Indiana might just have enough for a Finals return.

July 1: Spurs sign wing Tobias Harris

Tobias Harris terms: Two years, $31 million

Grade: A-

The Spurs had a number of mid-30s veterans on their roster last season, but they contributed much more off the court than via their actual play on it. Harrison Barnes played only 17 minutes in the Finals, and Bismack Biyombo, Kelly Olynyk and Mason Plumlee didn't play at all.

So, San Antonio entered the offseason with two holes to fill: on-court veteran experience and a two-way power forward with more size than Julian Champagnie and more skill than Carter Bryant, after the likes of OG Anunoby and (briefly) Julius Randle presented problems in the postseason. Enter Tobias Harris.

Harris will turn 34 later this month, and he has never made an All-Star team or received end-of-season awards votes of any kind. But he remains a well-above-average contributor because of his consistency and all-around play.

Harris is almost always available, having appeared in at least 62 games in each of the past dozen seasons. He's a viable 3-point shooter (37% both in his career and last season) who can create his own shot in a pinch, and he's a solid rebounder and defender.

Above all, Harris' teams have been better with him on the court in six of the past seven seasons, per Cleaning the Glass -- never by a gigantic amount but consistently enough to form a recognizable trend.

Even at his age, that sort of production should be worth more than $15.5 million per season. It's possible that the Spurs could have found a superior free agent option for their midlevel exception; Rui Hachimura's shooting advantage over Harris could make him a better fit in San Antonio, for instance.

But because the Spurs' contracts will grow much more expensive in the next few years, as their top-five picks start receiving extensions, they had an incentive to limit the years on their contracts this summer. And Harris' age evidently made him amenable to signing for just two years, even as other players in this range sign for longer (see, for instance, Sandro Mamukelashvili's and Dean Wade's four-year pacts with the Lakers and 76ers, respectively).

By signing Harris at this price, the Spurs got better, and they got a bargain, simultaneously.

July 1: Celtics sign former Knicks big Mitchell Robinson

Mitchell Robinson terms: Three years, $47.4 million (player option in third year)

Grade: B+

Boston likes to shoot 3-pointers, and Robinson has never even attempted -- let alone made -- a 3. But this signing is an example of the Celtics doubling down on a strength, regardless.

With Neemias Queta replacing Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis as the Celtics' primary center last season, they added a new wrinkle to their offense in an effort to win the possession battle. They ranked fifth in offensive rebounding rate, their first time in the top 10 under Joe Mazzulla.

And it just so happens that Robinson is one of the best offensive rebounders in NBA history. Among players with at least 5,000 career minutes, Robinson is tied for second (with Dennis Rodman) in career offensive rebounding rate.

That's just one of several fascinating elements to this signing, which sends a key player from the champs to one of their biggest rivals. This isn't a consideration notable enough to affect many free agent grades, but the fact that the Celtics not only added Robinson, but simultaneously took him away from the second-apron-averse New York Knicks adds to their score.

Robinson is a unique player with both obvious strengths and just as obvious weaknesses. He'll offer Boston unparalleled second-chance opportunities, rim protection and much-needed above-the-rim athleticism, and he'll also frustrate Celtics fans with his free throw struggles and inconsistent availability.

In games between the Celtics and Knicks, Mazzulla was one of the most frequent Hack-a-Mitch practitioners, as Robinson's woes at the charity stripe only grew more extreme. He made just 41% of his free throws in the 2025-26 regular season, and an even worse 29% in the playoffs.

The Knicks' fear of Robinson free throws often kept him off the floor. So did various injuries, as Robinson's 60 games last season were his most since 2021-22; in the two previous years, he played just 48 regular-season games combined.

But Boston has the depth to manage Robinson's minutes carefully throughout the regular season, and his new team is really hoping he raises its ceiling in the playoffs. Queta excelled in the starting lineup last season -- up until the playoffs, when he lost his way against Philadelphia. Robinson is an NBA champion who won't be cowed by the moment next spring.

July 1: Warriors bring back De'Anthony Melton on 2-year deal

De'Antony Melton terms: Two years, $11 million (player option in second year)

Grade: A

Last summer, Melton signed a two-year deal with the Warriors, with a player option in the second year. He opted out and is going the same route this summer, just with a slightly higher price tag following a strong comeback season from a torn ACL in November 2024.

Regardless of whether the Warriors' star ambitions pan out this summer, Melton will be an excellent fit on their roster as a do-it-all guard with a knack for forcing turnovers. He doesn't need the ball to contribute, and if his 3-point shot bounces back with more time removed from his injury -- he was at 29% last season, a big step down from his previous 37% career mark -- he'll thrive playing off Stephen Curry (and LeBron James?).

The Warriors had a plus-3.9 net rating with Melton on the court last season, which ranked second on the team behind Jimmy Butler III. Still only 28 years old, he's squarely in his prime.

Perhaps he'll turn in another solid season and do the "opt out and re-sign" dance with Golden State once again next summer.

July 1: Lakers sign three players in half-hour span

Quentin Grimes terms: Four years, $60 million

Grade: B-

Sandro Mamukelashvili terms: Four years, $52 million

Grade: B

Collin Sexton terms: Two years, $19 million (player option in second year)

Grade: B-

The Lakers piled all of their offseason activity into one hectic hour. After coming to an agreement on a blockbuster trade for center Walker Kessler, they signed these three role players in quick succession, dramatically reconfiguring their roster around Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.

LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard were the top four Lakers in minutes played last postseason, but all four are now out, while Grimes, Mamukelashvili and Sexton are in. So what does that exchange mean for the Lakers' present and future?

Grimes is the cleanest fit of the bunch, so he naturally received the biggest payday. After uneven stints in New York, Detroit and Dallas -- where he was Doncic's teammate for half a season -- he broke out in Philadelphia, averaging 15.7 points in 30.6 minutes per game.

After playing behind Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe last season, and behind Doncic and Kyrie Irving before that, Grimes is intimately familiar with the role of a third guard, which he'll occupy behind Doncic and Reaves in Los Angeles. He might even start with the Lakers, because of their two stars' size.

Grimes doesn't fill the 3-and-D archetype, because he's both too small to guard top-tier wings and not an accurate enough shooter (33.4% on 3s last season, 36.6% in his career) to stretch opposing defenses. But because Doncic and Reaves aren't going to defend point guards, Grimes can capably take on that assignment every night, and he'll help with secondary creation when either of the stars rests.

Sexton, conversely, will stretch opposing defenses, as he has made between 39.3% and 40.6% of his 3-pointers in each of the past four seasons. That's not quite at Kennard's level, but on a Lakers roster that could be starved for shooting, he could play a major role in preventing opposing defenses from collapsing on Doncic-Kessler pick-and-rolls.

Sexton's $9.5 million per year is right in line with the going rate for shooters this offseason, and he offers more on-ball juice than so-called pure shooters with more singular skill sets.

Can the Lakers survive defensively if Sexton plays alongside Doncic and Reaves? That's a less promising prospect. But coach JJ Redick's scheme managed to protect a collection of subpar defenders last season -- the trio of Doncic, Reaves and Kennard posted a league-average defensive rating in 175 minutes together -- so it's at least feasible.

Finally, the Mamukelashvili signing might have the highest ceiling and lowest floor from this flurry of free agent deals. I'm a big believer in Mamukelashvili, who finally got a chance to play real minutes last season and broke out to the tune of 11.2 PPG and a 39% 3-point stroke for the Raptors. He rates well by advanced stats and still appears to have untapped potential.

Mamukelashvili did most of that work as a center, where he played 61% of his minutes, per Cleaning the Glass. Toronto had a plus-9.4 net rating with him at center, versus a minus-1.1 net rating with him at power forward. That might say more about the Raptors as a team than about Mamukelashvili as an individual, but his ability to space the floor is much less unique when he's playing power forward.

Yet it still seems as if the Lakers, with Kessler in the fold, plan to use Mamukelashvili more as a power forward. That's a better match for his defensive ability, but could sap some of what makes him special. And if Mamukelashvili is effectively replacing Hachimura in the rotation, even he can't measure up to Hachimura's elite shooting ability.

The end result from all of these moves is a roster with much more offensive ability next to Doncic and Reaves, but a paucity of defense around that already offensively inclined duo. Grimes is a strong defender, but small, and Sexton and Mamukelashvili are weak links on that end. Adding Kessler, one of the NBA's top rim protectors, will help, but he'll have to compensate for an extreme weakness on the perimeter.

July 1: Bulls sign Norm Powell, bring back Zach Collins

Norman Powell terms: Two years, $45 million

Grade: B-

Zach Collins terms: Two years, $17 million

Grade: C-

The Bulls entered the offseason with more than $50 million in cap space, and they've essentially used it all. First, they traded for Nic Claxton, and then they signed Powell and re-signed Collins.

The Claxton trade received a B-minus grade. Find the full analysis at this link, but the crux of my assessment was: "Taking on his contract into their cap space means it's fair to treat the Bulls' end of this three-team deal as if they were signing Claxton to a two-year, $44 million contract. That would be decent but not overwhelming value, and their grade here reflects that tradeoff."

The same sentiment -- decent but not overwhelming value -- applies to Powell's new contract, which is strange insofar as it brings one of the only All-Star free agents to a rebuilding team, rather than a win-now contender.

Chicago is entering a new era, with a new general manager, a new coach and a roster built around 19-year-old Caleb Wilson and 21-year-old Matas Buzelis. Powell, conversely, is 33 years old, and even though he's peaking late -- the past two seasons are arguably the best of his career -- he's unlikely to be part of the next winning Bulls team.

To be fair, there is value in competence, especially in the new lottery era. With Powell on board, the Bulls seem destined to finish with between the fourth- and 10th-worst record in the league -- which would maximize their lottery odds -- rather than as one of the three worst teams. And Powell's shooting (40% on 3s in his career) and individual shot creation should create space for Wilson and Buzelis to operate and grow their games.

But as with the Claxton trade, the opportunity cost is considerable. Because Claxton, Powell and Collins are all on two-year deals, Chicago didn't sacrifice any of its long-term aspirations with its three offseason moves/ But it didn't wield its cap space with any creativity, either.

Instead, the Bulls could have pursued promising young centers Jalen Duren and Walker Kessler (who's now off to the Lakers) in restricted free agency, or they could have opportunistically worked the phones with teams that needed to trade players for financial reasons. Perhaps that era of NBA trades is over -- notably, the Nets haven't been able to use their cap space for that purpose yet this offseason, either -- but the more direct approach of signing older players who aren't likely to help the Bulls by the next time they're ready to compete isn't the most inspiring alternative.

While Powell's new contract was a surprise because he didn't join a contender, Collins' was a surprise because of his inability to consistently stay on the floor. In nine years since being drafted, Collins has played 63-plus games five times, but in the other four seasons, he has played 11, 0, 28 and 10.

When healthy, he's a serviceable backup center, but $8.5 million per year is higher than the going rate for that position. Add in Collins' availability concerns and the fact that Chicago already had Claxton and the underrated Jalen Smith, and this transaction receives the worst grade of the three Bulls' moves this summer.

July 1: Pistons land big man John Collins

Terms: Three years, $51 million

Grade: C+

The Pistons have already traded Isaiah Stewart, added Isaiah Joe and re-signed Kevin Huerter, but this feels like their first big move of the offseason. They're not just signing Collins, they're presumably importing him as a replacement for free agent Tobias Harris, as ESPN's Shams Charania reported Collins is "their top target to assume an expected starting role at power forward."

That's a significant change for the East's No. 1 seed, as Harris was their second-best player in the playoffs, stepping up as Jalen Duren faltered, averaging 18.1 points per game.

Ignoring that context, there is plenty to recommend Collins to the Pistons. He made 40% of 3-pointers over the past two seasons -- a big deal for a team that has targeted shooting upgrades this offseason -- and is a strong finisher around the rim. He's also five years younger than Harris, which places him closer to the same timetable as Cade Cunningham, Ausar Thompson and Duren (if Duren even stays in Detroit, as what appears to be a contentious restricted free agency begins).

But Detroit's timetable should be right now, and that's where this change grows more perplexing. The Pistons won 60 games last season but struggled more in the playoffs, and in replacing Harris with a younger forward -- Collins will turn 29 in September -- they'd be removing one of their only players who actually performed under the bright postseason lights.

Cunningham is already a first team All-NBA talent; Detroit should be taking steps to push forward with him, rather than shuffle sideways. Yet while Collins might have a smidge greater upside than Harris, by virtue of his youth and athleticism, the best public advanced stats all say that Harris is a better player right now. He's a stouter one-on-one defender, and he's better at creating his own shot in an offense already too reliant on Cunningham as a singular creator.

In a vacuum, three years and $51 million is a fair contract for Collins, who has turned in several solid, underrated seasons since leaving Atlanta. But this deal is less encouraging for what it says about the Pistons more broadly, as the latest step in a very unsettled offseason for a team on the rise.

July 1: Rockets get Marcus Smart on 2-year deal

Terms: Two years, $13 million

Grade: A-

This is a smart (sorry) deal for the Houston Rockets, who will likely lose Josh Okogie in free agency but can replace his 17.4 minutes per game with a better version of the same player.

After leaving Boston, Smart didn't make a mark in Memphis or Washington, but he got his career back on track with a bounce-back 2025-26 campaign in Los Angeles. The 32-year-old guard's offense is rougher than ever -- he has shot below 40% from the field over the past two seasons -- but he averaged 1.4 steals per game last season, and the Lakers' defensive rating was 7.3 points better with Smart on the court, per Cleaning the Glass.

Because of his offensive limitations, Smart won't fix the broader problems that plagued Houston last season, and he could be squeezed out of the Rockets' crunch-time lineups. His availability is also a concern, given his age and physical playing style: He played in 62 games last season but just 54 combined in the two previous seasons.

But reuniting with Rockets coach Ime Udoka, who coached Smart during his Defensive Player of the Year season in Boston in 2021-22, is a bonus. And the Rockets have sufficient space under the second apron to fit him with this contract, and still have enough money left over to re-sign restricted free agent Tari Eason to a fair deal.

June 30: 76ers sign Dean Wade away from East rival

Terms: Four years, $39 million

Grade: B+

ESPN's Shams Charania reported that "several contenders" were hoping to sign Dean Wade before the Philadelphia 76ers won the bidding war, and it makes sense that the 6-foot-9 forward would have drawn so much interest.

Earlier this offseason, I listed him as one of my underrated free agents whom teams should target because his size, defense and versatility make him a suitable role player for a contender.

How does a player who has never averaged more than 6.0 points per game in any season, and who has a career 11% usage rate, command $39 million on the open market? By guarding the best perimeter player on every opponent, as Wade did in Cleveland, and by making 37% of his 3-pointers.

Conveniently, Philadelphia has been searching for that exact sort of player for years. The 76ers have plenty of guards and centers but a dearth of wing connectors between them. Other than Paul George -- a big swing on a maximum contract at forward -- they've cycled through various options who haven't quite panned out.

And in lineups with George, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and rising star VJ Edgecombe, a low-usage player who doesn't need shots to contribute should slot right in.

Philadelphia doesn't get a full "A" grade here because a four-year contract is a bit rich for a player who will celebrate his 30th birthday in November and already has an extensive injury history. Wade has played between 44 and 59 games in each of the past five seasons -- which is a concern, given Philadelphia's rough injury track record.

But new 76ers president of basketball operations Mike Gansey is very familiar with Wade's strengths and weaknesses, because he came to Philadelphia from Cleveland. At less than $10 million per season, Wade will never put undue strain on the 76ers' cap sheet, unlike his other oft-injured teammates. So it's difficult to imagine Gansey ever looking back on this deal with much regret.

June 30: Suns snag Luke Kennard with 2-year contract

Terms: Two years, $13 million (player option in second year)

Grade: A

Luke Kennard signed a one-year, $11 million contract as a free agent last offseason, but he's taking a pay cut next season despite leading the NBA in 3-point percentage (48%) and briefly turning into a playoff hero with the Los Angeles Lakers.

That can't be construed as anything other than a stellar deal for the Phoenix Suns, who needed more shooting after trading Grayson Allen and Royce O'Neale, and now add the most accurate 3-point marksman in the NBA.

A player option in the second year of this deal is a win for Kennard, who can reenter the market next summer if he has another strong season in 2026-27. But it's surprising that he couldn't land a higher per-year commitment now.

In previous seasons, one of the greatest drawbacks to Kennard's game was his difficulty staying on the court in the playoffs. But he stepped up in that scenario this spring with both Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves injured, as he scored 50 points on 65% shooting (80% on 3s) in the Lakers' first two wins against the Houston Rockets. He couldn't sustain that hot streak through the rest of the postseason, but his overall playoff numbers -- 11.5 points per game, 47% on 3-pointers, with notably more aggression than usual -- were more than satisfactory.

Kennard is now 30 years old, and he always has been a target on defense. But he was solid in Atlanta last season before the trade deadline, and he was solid in Los Angeles after. He should be just as solid again for Phoenix next season.

June 30: Nets, Keon Ellis agree to deal

Terms: Two years, $18 million

Grade: A-

The bloom has come off of Keon Ellis' rose somewhat, as the young player with strong advanced stats and a promising 3-and-D projection took a step back in 2025-26.

The previous season, Ellis averaged 1.5 steals per game and made 43% of his 3-pointers. But as his jumper regressed (36% on 3s last season), he lost some playing time in Sacramento. And after a midseason trade, he barely figured into Cleveland's postseason rotation despite the Cavaliers' dire need for perimeter defense; Ellis picked up six playoff DNPs and averaged only 7.4 minutes per game when he did play.

With official measurements of 6-foot-4 and 175 pounds, Ellis is too slight to guard some of the NBA's best playmakers, which limits his upside as a true defensive stopper. For comparison, ace point-of-attack defenders such as Kris Dunn and Cason Wallace are similar in height but 20 to 30 pounds heavier.

That uneven trajectory makes Ellis a smart investment for Brooklyn, however. He is 26 years old but still has fewer than 5,000 NBA minutes under his belt, so he can continue to develop without needing to contribute to a contender right away. And on the Nets' side, they could use some defensive help on a depth chart full of youngsters. Regardless of Ellis' shortcomings, he's still a far superior defensive option to any other guard on the roster.

June 30: Tim Hardaway Jr. agrees to deal with Heat

Terms: One year, $6.5 million

Grade: B+

When I ranked the top under-the-radar free agents in this year's class earlier this offseason, Tim Hardaway Jr. was my last cut from the piece. He delivered an impressive bounce-back season after signing for the minimum with the Denver Nuggets, averaging 13.5 points per game and making 41% of his 3-pointers.

Hardaway posted career bests in both 3-point and 2-point percentages while playing next to Nikola Jokic, and he finished third in Sixth Man of the Year voting -- which is a convenient coincidence for the Miami Heat, given that Hardaway will be replacing the man who finished second in that vote, Jaime Jaquez Jr.

After shipping out Jaquez and three other players (plus picks) in the Giannis Antetokounmpo blockbuster, and with it also appearing as if signing free agent Norman Powell will be out of Miami's price range, the Heat had two glaring needs: shooting and depth, especially in the backcourt. Hardaway won't solve those problems by himself, but he checks both boxes.

Miami clearly recognized the value he'd bring, so it scooped Hardaway up within the first hour of the market opening June 30. Hardaway will be a reliable option to convert kickout passes from Antetokounmpo, and he is almost always available (70-plus games in six of the past seven seasons, including 80 in 2025-26).

Hardaway won't add much playmaking, and he'll likely be the weakest defender in various permutations of Erik Spoelstra's lineups. But the Heat know what they're getting out of the veteran shooter, and that's enough for their short-term needs.

June 30: Ousmane Dieng returns to Bucks on 3-year deal

Terms: Three years, $17.5 million

Grade: B-

Ousmane Dieng is the exact sort of player the Milwaukee Bucks should be targeting this offseason: a 23-year-old former lottery pick with upside that hasn't yet manifested in the NBA.

Dieng was the New York Knicks' No. 11 pick in the 2022 draft before the Oklahoma City Thunder traded three future conditional first-round picks to acquire him. He never fully found his footing there. His single-season high in games played for the Thunder was 39, and he played just 32 total playoff minutes in 2024-25 for the champions.

On the merits, he's probably worth only a minimum contract at this point, and the Thunder's decision to trade him suggests that one of the NBA's smartest teams isn't convinced he'll ever make good on his draft promise.

But Dieng is a skilled forward with an improving jump shot (34% on 3s last season), and he played the best basketball of his career when given an opportunity in Milwaukee last season, after bouncing from Oklahoma City to Charlotte to Chicago to Milwaukee in a dizzying series of trades.

He averaged 11 points and 3.6 assists in 26.8 minutes per game with the Bucks, and though his efficiency still leaves a lot to be desired, his youth gives him plenty of room to grow. Taking a flier to retain him is smart business for a team embarking on a new rebuilding path.

June 30: Robert Williams III gets new 3-year deal in Portland

Terms: Three years, $44 million

Grade: B

Williams' career peaked in the 2021-22 season, both in quantity and quality of play. For a Boston Celtics team that surged to the Finals, the center nicknamed "Time Lord" averaged career highs in minutes, points and rebounds while ranking second in the league with 2.2 blocks per game. He finished seventh in Defensive Player of the Year voting -- but was arguably an even more valuable defender than the winner, teammate Marcus Smart, due to his extraordinary rim protection and help defense.

Perhaps most importantly, Williams played 61 games that season. And the fact that's still a career high helps explain why his career has gone sideways since.

Injuries limited Williams to just 35 games in 2022-23, and he played even less after arriving in Portland the following year, in the trade that sent Jrue Holiday to Boston. Williams played six games in 2023-24 and only 20 more in 2024-25, meaning he'd appeared in 61 games combined across three seasons.

So even though he bounced back to play 59 games last season, availability remains his clearest knock. He played 1,008 regular-season minutes last season, and Portland would likely be thrilled if he averages that amount over the duration of his new deal.

But in that limited playing time, Williams remains a positive player because of his defensive prowess. He showed as much in Portland's first-round loss against San Antonio, when he gave the Spurs' slashers a lot of trouble as they attacked the rim.

Overall last season, Williams allowed opponents to shoot just 53% at the basket, per NBA Advanced Stats, which was in the same range as Isaiah Hartenstein (53%), Victor Wembanyama (54%) and Rudy Gobert (54%). With Williams and Donovan Clingan (55%) protecting the paint, Portland will have a superb defensive spine.

One ripple effect of this signing is that it raises questions about the Trail Blazers' view on 2025 first-rounder Yang Hansen, as it seems unlikely that any of the three centers can play together. Clingan and Hansen never shared the court last season, per databallr, while Williams did so with the others for 48 total minutes, to disastrous results. Perhaps that calculus will change if Clingan's 3-point shot develops further, and he and Williams can play together much as Williams did with Al Horford in Boston.

June 29: Jusuf Nurkic re-signing with Jazz

Terms: Two years, $22 million

Grade: B-

This deal is somewhat of an overpay in a vacuum, given Nurkic's unspectacular value at this point of his career, but the Jazz can afford it. And Nurkic clearly ingratiated himself to Utah by stuffing the stat sheet last season, when he averaged a double-double in only 26 minutes per game and contributed a career-high 4.8 assists per contest.

He appeared in 41 games and didn't play after the All-Star break, after undergoing nose surgery to address a deviated septum.

Nurkic occupies a sort of middle ground for the Jazz, at least until they resolve Walker Kessler's restricted free agency. If Kessler leaves, then they'll probably want to add another center who can play ahead of Nurkic, as the 31-year-old is no longer a starting-caliber center for a contender, which Utah hopes to be this season.

(Jaren Jackson Jr. would also be an option to slide up to center in that scenario, with Lauri Markkanen playing power forward. But Jackson has operated much more smoothly next to another true big man throughout his career.)

If Kessler stays in Utah, though -- which should almost always be the expectation with a restricted free agent -- then Nurkic can function as a perfectly qualified backup center. And if his lack of footspeed and defensive versatility mean he gets played off the court in the postseason, well, the Jazz would surely be happy to be a good enough team to have that problem.

June 29: Warriors bring back Kristaps Porzingis on 2-year deal

Terms: Two years, $40 million

Grade: B-

This is a low-floor, high-ceiling play for a veteran team that's angling to become one of the lowest-floor, highest-ceiling squads in the league.

Porzingis' floor is tied entirely to his availability. The 30-year-old center is still an effective player if he's healthy, but that's a mighty large "if" at this point: He played just 42 games for the Boston Celtics in 2024-25 and 32 combined games for the Atlanta Hawks and Warriors last season, because of an illness that Boston's doctors reportedly diagnosed as postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS).

He also never played more than 29 minutes in a game with Golden State and averaged a career-low 24 minutes per game over the whole season, as the Hawks and Warriors sought to manage his stamina.

But Porzingis averaged 25 points per 36 minutes when he was able to stay in games, right in line with his other recent averages. And his decline in efficiency (58% true shooting, his first time below 62% in four years) was likely tied to his inability to develop a rhythm, with so many long absences throughout the year.

Those stats suggest Porzingis' high ceiling as a stretch big who can also protect the rim in Golden State, which also re-signed Al Horford this summer, two years after Horford and Porzingis teamed up to help Boston win a championship. Playing Porzingis only 24 minutes per game could be workable if Warriors coach Steve Kerr also has Horford and Draymond Green to round out his big man rotation -- and even more so if Anthony Davis is involved, as well.

The broader importance of Porzingis' new contract is what it means for the Warriors' pursuit of even brighter stars than him. This deal likely restricts Golden State from using the full non-taxpayer midlevel exception, according to ESPN's Bobby Marks, which complicates the Warriors' scheme to add both Davis and LeBron James this summer.

It's still possible that Golden State could pull off that superstar teamup, such as by shedding money elsewhere -- Moses Moody would be a prime candidate to be moved in that scenario, as he's owed $12.5 million next season after tearing his left patellar tendon in March -- or getting James to sign for an even smaller contract than the midlevel. It remains to be seen how Porzingis' new deal affects the rest of Golden State's offseason plans.

But for now, committing up to $20 million per year -- only $3 million is guaranteed for the second season, according to ESPN's Anthony Slater -- is a questionable move for a team that hopes to finish the offseason with a crowded cap sheet. There's a world in which Porzingis, Horford, Green and Davis all take turns missing games and form a sort of super-center Voltron when they're available; there's also a world in which the Warriors miss out on Davis and end up paying Porzingis about $1 million per game because he plays so infrequently.

June 29: Julian Champagnie lands 3-year deal with Spurs

Terms: Three years, $45 million

Grade: A

Champagnie has only one standout NBA skill, but it's fortunately one of the most valuable skills to have -- especially so on a team led by Victor Wembanyama, De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper, who are all much better on 2-point shots than on 3s.

Champagnie made 38% of his 3-pointers in the regular season and 40% in the playoffs, and he and Devin Vassell are the only meaningfully above-average shooters in San Antonio's rotation. Last season, 74% of Champagnie's shot attempts were 3-pointers, the 10th-highest mark among qualified players.

That ability to space the floor around the Spurs' stars is crucial, so it made sense that San Antonio improved as a team after Champagnie replaced Harrison Barnes as a starter.

The Spurs were good before that point, which came on New Year's Eve in 2025; they'd reached the NBA Cup final and gone 23-9 (a 59-win pace) with a plus-5.7 net rating. But they leaped to another level afterward, going a league-best 39-11 (a 64-win pace) with a plus-10.1 net rating with Champagnie as a permanent fixture in the starting lineup.

Before this new deal, Champagnie had a $3 million team option for next season, and he would have become an unrestricted free agent thereafter. So this is a win-win, as it gives him a significant raise in 2026-27 and ties him to San Antonio for an additional two years at a below-market rate. Knockdown shooters who can play credible defense tend to cost a lot more to sign than $15 million per year.

San Antonio also structured this contract shrewdly, to take advantage of the team's broader cap outlook. Champagnie's salary will be the highest in Year 1 of the new deal and then descend slightly in Years 2 and 3, when the rest of the team around him will get more expensive.

High-priced extensions for Wembanyama and Castle will likely begin in 2027-28 and 2028-29, respectively, so reducing Champagnie's payments in those seasons will help balance out the Spurs' cap sheet over the next few years.

June 29: Pistons bring back Kevin Huerter on 3-year deal

Terms: Three years, $27 million

Grade: D

Huerter has a reputation as a knockdown shooter, but he hasn't lived up to it over the past few seasons.

Since making 40% of his 3s in 2022-23 -- when he and Domantas Sabonis enjoyed a delightful handoff chemistry as the Sacramento Kings led the NBA in offensive rating -- Huerter's shooting accuracy has declined precipitously. He made 36% of his 3-pointers in 2023-24, 34% in 2024-25 and just 31% last season (31.4% with the Chicago Bulls before the trade deadline, 29.4% in Detroit afterward).

Perhaps the torn labrum in his left shoulder that ended his 2023-24 season in March has played a contributing role in that change. But whatever the cause, it's not ideal for a player whose value is so dependent on his shot -- more than half of his attempts have been 3s in every season in his career, and he leans much more toward the "3" than the "D" in the "3-and-D" formulation -- to lose it so drastically.

That decline makes Detroit's decision to retain Huerter on a multiyear deal somewhat odd. So, too, does the way the Pistons used him after acquiring him in February: He scored six total points in 42 minutes in the first four games of Detroit's playoff run, then didn't play again until a scoreless, shotless three-minute stint in a game against Cleveland.

That lack of playing time made it seem as if the Pistons didn't value the 27-year-old wing. But they rewarded him with an average of $9 million over three years nonetheless.

The Pistons need more shooting -- that's why their trade for Isaiah Joe graded so well -- but they already had Huerter last postseason, and he didn't do anything to solve that issue. Maybe they think he will do better with a full season in their system, rather than as a midseason addition, but there's not much recent evidence that he's worth this sort of investment.

Detroit's offseason is far from complete, but at least for now, one wonders whether there was a better use of this cap room and roster spot.

June 29: Landry Shamet returning to Knicks on 4-year deal

Terms: Four years, $24 million

Grade: B+

With five different teams before the Knicks, the story was the same: Shamet would play well as a floor spacer in the regular season only to lose his coach's trust as rotations shrank in the playoffs. He has averaged 8.4 points per game in the regular season in his career, versus just 4.9 in the playoffs.

But Shamet finally found his ideal situation in New York, where he served as a sort of sixth man during the Knicks' title run. On nights when starter Josh Hart struggled to shoot -- and opposing defenses' plans to play off Hart allowed them to gum up the works elsewhere in New York's offense -- coach Mike Brown could insert Shamet to form a five-out lineup.

That group was untouchable: The Knicks' five-man unit with Shamet in Hart's place among the starters outscored its opponents by 54 points in 34 minutes in the postseason for a whopping plus-67.2 net rating. And Shamet himself made 47.5% of his 3-point attempts in the postseason.

Those specific numbers are unlikely to last beyond the Knicks' magical playoff journey. Shamet is a very good shooter, but he's only at 39% on 3s for his career, and his on/off ratings have a mixed track record.

But with Shamet's shooting ability, improved defense and perfect fit on the champions, he should be worth more than $6 million per year. The Knicks are likely trading off extra length -- this contract will take him through his age-32 season -- in exchange for a lower annual salary, which will help the team meet its owner-mandated goal of staying under the second apron threshold next season.

Signing Shamet, however, means the Knicks will lose fellow free agent Mitchell Robinson this summer unless they're actually willing to go into the second apron.

It's not as if the Knicks chose Shamet over Robinson, necessarily: The backup center might command a sufficiently high salary that the Knicks couldn't have afforded to keep him and stay under the second apron even without Shamet also on the books. But that's an unfortunate tradeoff regardless, as the Knicks' bench leans small with Shamet, Jose Alvarado and Miles McBride leading the way, and they won't be able to find a Robinson replacement who's nearly as valuable.

June 29: Andrew Wiggins inks new 3-year deal with Heat

Terms: Three years, $64 million

Grade: C

Wiggins' extension is reportedly coming in two parts. First, he's opting into his $30.2 million player option for 2026-27. Then he's adding two years and $34 million afterward, with another player option in the final year.

That's a little rich for someone who will be approaching his mid-30s by that point and is only a roughly average player. It's not a disastrous addition by any stretch of the imagination, though, because even an average forward who can make 3-pointers -- Wiggins shot a career-high 41% from distance last season -- and engage as a solid defender retains value in the modern NBA.

In the short term, the first year of Wiggins' new pact is more problematic, because rather than spread out the $64 million total more evenly across three seasons -- or even backload the contract to make the 2026-27 payment as small as possible -- Wiggins will earn the most money next season. And that happens to be right when the Heat are facing a cap crunch, as they're hard-capped by the first apron after the Giannis Antetokounmpo blockbuster.

Taking the full $30.2 million next season is Wiggins' prerogative -- that's the whole point of a player option -- but restructuring his new deal differently could have helped Miami retain free agent guard Norman Powell.

Now, though, the Heat are unlikely to be able to afford to keep Powell, which will remove a key source of 3-point shooting and shot creation from their lineup. They will likely have to make due with minimum signings and under-the-radar fliers as the offseason continues and they fill out the rest of their roster.

That financial rigidity is one reason I gave the Heat a B- grade for the Antetokounmpo deal -- because even with the addition of the two-time MVP, Miami didn't seem like an immediate title contender, which should be the goal for any team that adds a player with his current skill, age and contract. This latest Wiggins update only reinforces that perception.

June 29: Nets bring back Day'Ron Sharpe on 2-year contract

Terms: Two years, $20 million

Grade: A-

Sharpe has quietly emerged as one of the NBA's best backup centers, even as the Nets have declined around him. He has never reached 20 minutes per game in a season, but he has made the most of his time on the court.

Last season, Brooklyn had a minus-4.3 net rating with Sharpe on the floor, versus minus-12.3 without him, which was the best swing on the team. In 2024-25, he had the second-best swing among Nets rotation players, behind only Dorian Finney-Smith (before his trade to the Lakers). And in 2023-24, Sharpe had the Nets' best on/off differential, too.

Sharpe is a solid finisher around the rim, an active defender -- even if his rim protection numbers are lacking for a center -- and an excellent offensive rebounder. He's the active leader (among players with at least 1,000 minutes) in career offensive rebounding rate, ahead of a bunch of bigger, better-known centers:

Sharpe should have the opportunity to step into a starting role for the Nets next season, after they agreed to trade Nic Claxton for Julius Randle. Perhaps he'll get some more of the recognition he deserves while doing the dirty work next to Randle and Michael Porter Jr.

To reach this new deal, the Nets declined Sharpe's $6.25 million team option for next season and extended him for two years and $20 million instead -- which is still a bargain, given his subtle value. The only reason the Nets get an A-minus instead of a full A is because they signed the 24-year-old Sharpe for only two years at this figure, instead of locking him down for additional years through more of his upcoming prime.

June 27: Thunder to keep Isaiah Hartenstein on new three-year deal

Terms: Three years, $75 million

Grade: A

Step by step, the Thunder keep getting closer to slipping under the second apron threshold.

First, GM Sam Presti traded Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins -- who will make just over $20 million combined next season -- for a combined four second-round picks. But Joe and Wiggins were deep bench players who ranked 10th and 12th, respectively, on the team in playoff minutes last season. The Thunder can afford to let them go without losing much championship equity.

Hartenstein is a different story. He's a nailed-down starter for the Thunder, and his value goes far beyond what the surface stats say, to the point that a $25 million annual salary seems like a bargain.

The now-28-year-old center averaged just 9.2 points and 9.4 rebounds last season. But both estimated plus-minus and DARKO think he's a top-25 player in the league, in terms of per-possession impact, and xRAPM's review is only slightly less glowing, placing Hartenstein just outside the top 30.

Or, consider that Hartenstein has a low block rate (just 0.8 blocks per game last season) for a center. But he is still one of the best rim protectors in the league: Last season, opponents shot just 52.7% against Hartenstein at the rim, which ranked ninth among players with at least 150 shots defended.

Hartenstein's teams have had a better defensive rating with him on the court in every season of his career, per Cleaning the Glass -- even in Oklahoma City, where almost every one of his teammates is an elite defender. With the Thunder still reluctant to play Chet Holmgren as a full-time center, Hartenstein is a necessary member of their rotation.

And if anything, Hartenstein has become even more valuable to the Thunder over the past year, because now they're staring down more potential playoff matchups against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs. On offense, Hartenstein offers a different wrinkle from any other Thunder player against the Spurs,as a threat to grab offensive rebounds and score on lobs and floaters.

And on defense, the Thunder primarily defended Wembanyama with wings in the regular season, but they switched tactics after Game 1 of the conference finals, when the Spurs center torched that coverage en route to 41 points. From then on, Hartenstein -- who'd played just 12 minutes in Game 1 -- became the primary defender on Wembanyama.

Given both Hartenstein's overall value and his specific value against the Thunder's greatest rival, there was no way the team could part ways with him this offseason, even though they held a $28.5 million team option and could have dropped under the second apron entirely by letting him go.

Oklahoma City turned that $28.5 million option for one year into a $25 million average over three years, with a "unique mutual option that allows both parties to rework the agreement again in 2028 before the final season," according to ESPN's Shams Charania.

The new deal both keeps a key player in Oklahoma City and saves the Thunder some money while they're at it. And while the details of that mutual option remain to be seen, it seems as if the two parties are preserving their chance to renegotiate another extension in a similar scenario two years from now.

Maybe at that point, the Thunder will be ready to reconsider Hartenstein's fit on their roster (and in their cap sheet) once No. 12 pick Aday Mara develops into the sort of big, physical center who can take on Wembanyama. But for now, they made the easy decision to lock down a crucial championship contributor for the next couple years.

June 26: Jose Alvarado, Knicks agree to new deal

Terms: Three years, $14-plus million

Grade: A

Every dollar counts for the NBA champs this summer. That's because owner James Dolan doesn't want to go into the second apron to keep his full championship roster together, saying last week, "We're willing to stretch, but there's certain things in the NBA that you'd have to be suicidal to do. One of them is the second apron."

With that (self-imposed) limitation in mind, the Knicks must be breathing a sigh of relief that they were able to retain Alvarado for this price. The backup point guard likely could have earned more money in 2026-27 if he'd declined his $4.5 million player option and reached the open market, but he evidently decided to give New York a hometown discount and accept a smaller payment next season in exchange for a greater long-term guarantee.

Expect more players with options to pursue this sort of salary structure as the offseason continues, as teams within range of the apron thresholds balance their 2026-27 commitments with their multi-year cap sheets.

Andrew Wiggins could pull off this maneuver with the Miami Heat, for instance, because the Heat have limited space to fill out a roster around new star Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Cleveland Cavaliers could dip under the second apron if James Harden does the same. And the Oklahoma City Thunder could opt for this strategy with the team options it holds for Isaiah Hartenstein and Luguentz Dort.

But back to Alvarado: The feisty guard seemed like a perfect fit in New York after being traded back home at the deadline, and he managed to exceed those lofty expectations. The Knicks had a plus-24.5 net rating in the playoffs with Alvarado on the floor, which was the best mark on the team. They were also plus-12.5 in the regular season with Alvarado on the court, which led all of New York's rotation players.

New York's five starters are all signed for next season, but the bench is in greater flux, with the likes of Mitchell Robinson, Landry Shamet and Jordan Clarkson all reaching free agency. Alvarado could have done so as well, but the Knicks got a sensible deal done early, so one key item from their offseason checklist is complete.

June 25: Mark Williams, Suns agree to deal

Terms: Three years, $38 million

Grade: B+

When the Phoenix Suns recently re-signed two of Mark Williams' teammates, I wrote in my analysis, "In a vacuum, the Suns did well to re-sign both [Collin] Gillespie and [Jordan] Goodwin for reasonable rates." But in context, I asked, "Is Phoenix content to run it back while also accepting the penalties that come with exceeding the luxury tax and first apron?"

The answer is apparently yes, because all of that analysis applies just as well to Williams' new deal. Again, in a vacuum, three years and $38 million is more than a reasonable contract for Williams, a solid starting center who averaged 11.7 points per game while playing a career-high 60 games last season.

But in practice, the Suns might have completed their most important offseason transactions while pushing above the luxury tax line, above the first apron and close to the second apron, all to bring back a roster that won 45 games before losing in a first-round sweep last season.

For Williams alone, however, it's hard to argue against Phoenix's decision to offer this contract. The 24-year-old center has durability concerns, as he'd never played more than 44 games in a season before 2025-26, and he infamously failed a physical with the Los Angeles Lakers to scuttle a completed deal at the 2025 deadline.

Nor is he a particularly impactful defender, despite his size. Williams has allowed opponents to shoot around 65% at the rim throughout his career, which ranks among the worst marks for NBA big men.

But Williams has a good touch on offense -- he has shot better than 60% from the field in every season -- and the Suns would have a massive hole at center if he departed: Oso Ighodaro is a fine role player, but he's not up to the rigors of starting 82 games at center, and 2025 lottery pick Khaman Maluach is still an extremely raw prospect.

In an ideal world, Maluach will be the Suns' center of the future. But Williams can help hold down the fort as Maluach develops, and he signed for a relative bargain given the current salary scale for starting centers.

More broadly, the Suns have work to do if they want to avoid paying so much for a middling team, and the likes of Jalen Green and Grayson Allen could be trade candidates if that's the goal. But Phoenix deserves credit for not letting the broader financial picture get in the way of re-signing Gillespie, Goodwin and Williams to three sensible deals.

June 25: Coby White returns to Hornets on three-year deal

Terms: Three years, $74 million

Grade: B

A spot in the Charlotte Hornets' starting lineup opened up on Thursday morning, as they traded franchise player LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves. But it closed two hours later, as the Hornets re-signed Coby White, a hometown kid whom they first acquired at the 2025-26 trade deadline.

It will be interesting to see how coach Charles Lee structures his offense with Ball gone. White is more of a combo guard than a pure point, so Lee could opt for a point guard by committee approach in which White, Kon Knueppel, Brandon Miller and reserves Tre Mann, Sion James and No. 18 pick Christian Anderson Jr. all get reps.

Barring further upgrades in the backcourt, Charlotte's offense will likely fare worse without Ball in 2026-27, regardless.

White is a lot like his former teammate in Chicago, Ayo Dosunmu, who agreed to a big new free agent contract of his own (five years, $112 million) this week. The two 26-year-old guards were born just a month apart, and they both have a lot of strengths but no true standout skills.

White is a good shooter, a good passer and a good floor runner in transition, but he's not a top-tier player in any of those categories. He's probably best known for his shooting, but while he's at 37% in his career on 3-pointers on high volume, he doesn't have much more of a ceiling from distance: He has been within 1.5% of his career mark -- in either direction -- in every season.

Comparing White's contract to Dosunmu's is instructive because Dosunmu received more years, but White received more dollars per year. The two deals thus look relatively balanced.

So why does White's contract receive a B grade, when Dosunmu's received a B-minus? Because Dosunmu's new salary put additional pressure on the Timberwolves' more strained cap sheet, while the Hornets have more than $50 million to work with below the luxury tax, even after giving White a sizable raise.

June 25: Warriors bring back Horford on two-year deal

Terms: Two years, $14 million

Grade: B+

Al Horford got off to a very slow start in Golden State last season, to the point that it seemed as if the veteran big man might be done as an NBA rotation player. Amid various absences, he averaged just 5.6 points per game on 45% true shooting before Christmas.

But he soon rediscovered his typical form and averaged 9.3 PPG on 59% true shooting from Christmas through the end of the season -- right in line with his 8.8 PPG and 60% true shooting from his final two seasons in Boston. He was also one of Golden State's best performers in the play-in round.

So don't close the book on Horford's career just yet. He is 40 years old now, and he might need plenty of rest throughout the regular season -- he hasn't played 70 games in a season since 2017-18 and appeared in only 45 last year -- but he can still play 20 productive minutes per game, supplying savvy defense, offensive spacing and positional flexibility.

It's not easy for the Warriors to find role players who belong in their read-and-react system, but with his unselfish play and basketball intellect, Horford is a strong fit.

Horford is replacing his $6 million option for 2026-27 with a new two-year contract worth just a bit more than that per year. At some point, he'll inevitably slow down for good. But this is a low-dollar, low-risk deal for Golden State, and Horford seems to have enough left in the tank to make it worth the Warriors' while.

June 24: Lakers re-up Reaves on a max deal

Terms: Four years, $185 million (with a player option in Year 4)

Grade: B+

It might seem impossible, given the intense media attention the Los Angeles Lakers receive, but Austin Reaves might be underrated.

Because he plays on a team with Luka Doncic and LeBron James, Reaves doesn't collect the counting stats he would if he were a different team's lead option. But look at Reaves' statistics in 2025-26 in 669 minutes without Doncic, per databallr, and how extraordinary they are.

In fact, they're extremely similar to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's stats:

That's not to say that Reaves is as good as Gilgeous-Alexander, of course. He's more prone to turnovers, he's a much worse defender, and he isn't as durable. But he doesn't need to equal the back-to-back MVP to be worth a whole lot of money, so the former undrafted player is cashing in during his first foray into unrestricted free agency.

After Reaves signed a team-friendly bargain during his last contract negotiation -- a four-year, $53.8 million pact when he was a restricted free agent in 2023, with the final year a player option -- he didn't give the Lakers a home-team discount this time around. But after playing like a superstar for large stretches last season, and now at 28 years old, Reaves earned this expensive new deal. The Lakers couldn't afford to lose him.

Building a championship team around two similar players in Doncic and Reaves won't be easy, however. There is some unfortunate overlap in the two stars' skill sets. Reaves' usage rate dropped from 34.5% without Doncic to just 21.4% with Doncic, for instance, suggesting the Lakers aren't maximizing his offensive potential when he's playing off the ball. Both players can be targeted on defense. And now they'll make more than half of the cap, combined, over the course of their contracts.

But constructing a top-tier contender around two players who are either highly paid or stylistically similar isn't impossible. The Celtics are perennial contenders despite max deals for Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, and Doncic himself reached the Finals in Dallas while playing next to another offensively oriented guard in Kyrie Irving.

That Mavericks team had enough high-quality complementary players to provide balance for Doncic and Irving, and that's where the remaining uncertainty lies for the Lakers: Can they build the same support structure?

Beyond Doncic and Reaves, the Lakers' only players who are signed for next season without any options are Jarred Vanderbilt, Jake LaRavia, Dalton Knecht, Bronny James and Adou Thiero. To say they have an unfinished roster is an understatement; their roster-building around their star guards has barely begun.

So in a vacuum, Reaves' new contract agreement -- he won't actually sign it until the Lakers finish the rest of their offseason spending, because of his relatively low cap hold in the meantime -- is logical, because he is still climbing the ranks of the NBA's best scorers. But this deal is only the team's first step this summer.

Signing max players to max contracts is the easy part. Now the Lakers need to round out a winner with limited remaining financial resources.

June 22: Wolves bring back Ayo Dosunmu after making trade

Terms: Five years, $112 million (with a player option in Year 5)

Grade: B-

The Minnesota Timberwolves didn't waste any time making use of the cap space they freed up by salary-dumping Julius Randle. On the same night they agreed to trade Randle to Brooklyn, they also agreed to re-sign Ayo Dosunmu, whom they'd initially acquired at the February trade deadline, to a nine-figure deal.

The new contract means a massive windfall for Dosunmu, a former second-round pick who had earned less than $25 million in his career until now. He clearly aced his audition with his new team, with a strong close to the regular season and an eye-opening performance in the playoffs.

It's fair to come to two overlapping conclusions about Dosunmu's new deal: First, the Timberwolves needed to re-sign him, and second, they probably overpaid for the privilege.

The first part is easy: With Donte DiVincenzo sidelined by a torn Achilles and Minnesota's perimeter depth essentially barren behind Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels, the Timberwolves were eager to bring back a positive contributor. Dosunmu turned in his best season in 2025-26, and his energy and shooting (44% on 3s last season, 38% in his career) fit especially well after his midseason trade.

He'll either start next to Edwards in a dynamic backcourt, or be the Timberwolves' new sixth man -- with Naz Reid entering the starting lineup to replace Randle -- if they acquire another guard with their extra financial wiggle room. At 26 years old, Dosunmu's new deal will take him through the rest of his prime, and the team is counting on further development after his career year.

It's unclear whether Dosunmu's ceiling warrants a nine-figure deal with a player option, however. He's a solid all-around player who doesn't have an obvious carrying skill: a fine passer, but overqualified as a lead creator; a useful defender, but with strangely muted steal rates (his career high is 0.9 per game); a knockdown shooter, but on relatively low volume.

Dosunmu has never rated well by advanced stats because he had a negative on/off differential in every season of his career until this past season.

Much has been made of Dosunmu's postseason breakout, highlighted by a 43-point outburst in a Game 4 win over the Nuggets. But while he averaged 21.8 PPG on 61% shooting against Denver, he fell to 9.4 PPG on 36% shooting as Minnesota was eliminated by San Antonio.

To be fair, he was hampered by calf tightness, but it's also possible the Timberwolves are reading too deeply into a couple of hot games against a weak Denver defense that had done more preparation to stop the injured Edwards and DiVincenzo than Dosunmu.

June 22: Trae Young, Wizards agree to four-year deal

Terms: Four years, $212 million (with a player option in Year 4)

Grade: D

When the Wizards traded for Trae Young in January, it seemed like an opportunistic buy-low move for a franchise devoid of star power, as they didn't have to surrender any picks to add the four-time All-Star.

But now we've learned the true price of Washington's acquisition, and it didn't turn out to be a buy-low endeavor at all. Young's new contract isn't the maximum that the Wizards could have given him -- that four-year deal would've been worth $222 million -- but it will still pay him an average of $53 million over four seasons and make him one of the 20 highest-paid players in the NBA.

If Young was ever at that level in terms of his performance -- he's made one All-NBA third team in his career -- he's not anymore, as he prepares to enter his age-28 season following a marked decline on the court.

While Young remains an offensive engine who has averaged double-digit assists in each of his past three full seasons, he has also lost some of what made him so special on that end in his early 20s.

Young's penchant for highlight-worthy deep 3-pointers hides the fact that he has shot 34% or worse from distance in three of the past four seasons. Over that span, he ranks 49th out of 56 players with at least 1,500 attempts in 3-point percentage. The only point guard below him on that list is De'Aaron Fox, who faces major questions due to his own four-year contract that kicks in next year.

Even more worrying, some of Young's burst has disappeared, which raises broader concerns about a decline in athleticism. In the 2020-21 season, which ended in Atlanta's surprising trip to the conference finals, Young averaged 29 drives per 100 possessions, per GeniusIQ, which ranked third behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Doncic.

But over the past three seasons, Young is down to 21 drives per 100 possessions, a drop of more than a quarter. He ranks 14th in drive frequency in that span (minimum 1,000 total drives), which is still good, but nowhere near the elite level anymore.

Trae Young's Drives Per 100 Possessions

And if Young isn't maximizing his offensive impact, then it's unclear how much he can help a contender because his contributions on the other end are so meager.

The advanced stat xRAPM ranks Young in the 97th percentile for offensive impact, but below the first percentile in defensive impact. Estimated plus-minus, similarly, has Young in the 97th percentile on offense and the fourth percentile on defense.

In every season of his career (until this last, injury-shortened one), Young's teams have been much better with him on offense, and in almost every season, they've been much worse with him on defense, according to Cleaning the Glass' on/off data.

A player with that profile still has value to the right team in the right context. And Washington fits in some respects, as a franchise lacking a clear lead creator, with lots of present-day cap flexibility and young players on rookie contracts. Young will certainly raise the Wizards' floor as they seek to climb out of the NBA's basement after losing 67, 64 and 65 games in the past three seasons.

But soon enough, some of those young players will start demanding contract extensions, and now they'll receive their raises at the same time that the Wizards are paying upward of $50 million per season to a small guard with huge flaws on the wrong side of the aging curve.

Under the NBA's current financial regime, the worst mistake a team can make is committing superstar money to a good but not great player who's a rung below that level. The Wizards would have been OK if they had re-signed Young to fewer dollars or fewer years, ideally both. But they didn't pick either option.

June 21: CJ McCollum returning to Hawks on one-year deal

Terms: One year, $21 million

Grade: A

McCollum played an unexpectedly important role in Atlanta last season, as the Hawks surged after the All-Star break. And in retrospect, he might have been the most valuable player in the playoffs because he accomplished something that nobody else in the entire NBA could: With game-winning buckets in the final minute of consecutive games, he managed to beat the Knicks multiple times this postseason.

That wasn't the expectation when McCollum came to Atlanta in the Trae Young trade, where he was seemingly included primarily to help match Young's salary. Any on-court contributions would have been a bonus.

But McCollum meshed well with Atlanta's untraditional positional alignment. The Hawks' five-man lineup of McCollum, Dyson Daniels, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu had a plus-21.4 net rating, per Cleaning the Glass, which ranked second among all lineups with at least 500 possessions. In a larger sample, the trio of McCollum, Alexander-Walker and Johnson -- the veteran guard alongside the Hawks' two best players -- had a plus-14.5 net rating, per NBA Advanced Stats.

Next season, the Hawks will continue using those effective lineups, and McCollum's ability to play both on- and off-ball -- which he has successfully balanced throughout his entire career, starting when he was Damian Lillard's sidekick with the Portland Trail Blazers -- makes him an asset in Atlanta. He can run the offense himself, take a backseat to Johnson (the Hawks' assist leader after Young's departure) and help mentor a young point guard, if Atlanta goes that route with the No. 8 pick in this week's draft.

And while McCollum is well past his peak and will be 35 years old at the start of next season, his extension qualifies for one of my favorite sports aphorisms: There's almost no such thing as a bad one-year deal.

After making $30.7 million last season, McCollum's salary will drop to $21 million in 2026-27. That number maintains the Hawks' offseason flexibility, as ESPN's Bobby Marks wrote in his offseason guide that "Atlanta is in as good a financial shape as any playoff team." And it includes almost no downside, because the Hawks aren't committing to pay McCollum into his late 30s, when his gradual (thus far) decline should grow more pronounced.

June 20 & 21: Suns agree to deals to bring back two guards

G Collin Gillespie
Terms: Four years, $48 million

Grade: A-

G Jordan Goodwin
Terms: Three years, $19 million

Grade: B+

When I ranked the most underrated free agents of this class, Gillespie topped the list. He enjoyed a breakout 2025-26 season, averaging 12.7 points per game and sinking 40% of his 3-pointers. His 46% mark on catch-and-shoot 3s ranked third among 121 players with at least 200 attempts (behind Luke Kennard and Jamal Murray). And he rates well by advanced stats.

For Gillespie, who went undrafted out of college and played three consecutive seasons on a two-way deal before 2025-26, a $48 million pact represents life-changing money.

For Phoenix, Gillespie fills a much-needed role as a ball handler next to Devin Booker, who led the Suns with 6.0 assists per game but isn't the sort of playmaker who should dominate the ball on every possession. A four-year deal will cover the rest of Gillespie's prime (he celebrates his 27th birthday this week) and tie him to Phoenix at a fair price.

Goodwin is also a 27-year-old point guard, but he's a much more unorthodox player for the position than Gillespie: He's not a remarkable scorer or creator (though his improved 3-point percentage, up to 37% last season, is notable), but he's a strong defender and -- most remarkably -- an incredible offensive rebounder.

One of the most incredible statistics of last season is that the 6-foot-3 Goodwin ranked 15th among qualified players with a 9.4% offensive rebounding rate. All 14 players ahead of him were centers.

In a vacuum, the Suns did well to re-sign both Gillespie and Goodwin for reasonable rates.

The potential complication is how these deals affect the rest of the Suns' offseason plans, with starting center Mark Williams also due for a new contract as he enters restricted free agency. They entered the offseason just $18 million shy of the luxury tax line and $26 million shy of the first apron.

And although the Suns greatly exceeded expectations last regular season, winning 45 games with a feel-good group and landing the West's No. 8 seed, they were uncompetitive in a first-round sweep against Oklahoma City and don't have any clear pathways to greater contention. Is Phoenix content to run it back while also accepting the penalties that come with exceeding the luxury tax and first apron?