NBA free agency began on Monday with a number of players changing teams, after even more players re-signed with their old teams in the week leading up to the start of the league year. After the first day of free agent action, here are the winners and losers of the NBA offseason so far.
Winners
Houston Rockets
- Added: Forward Kevin Durant, forward Dorian Finney-Smith, center Clint Capela
- Lost: Forward Dillon Brooks, guard Jalen Green
- Re-signed: Center Steven Adams, forward Jabari Smith, Jr., guard Fred VanVleet, guard Aaron Holiday, forward Jae’Sean Tate, forward Jeff Green
The Rockets remade a 52-win team with a blockbuster trade that brought in future Hall of Famer Kevin Durant last week, then beefed up their bench with three-and-D wing Dorian Finney-Smith and a third center in Clint Capela, returning to Houston after five years with the Atlanta Hawks.
The key to all of this was getting Fred VanVleet back on a two-year, $50M extension that cut next year’s salary by $20M. That opened the door to adding Finney-Smith, plus they locked up Jabari Smith, Jr. for the next six seasons with a bargain extension. The Rockets are deeper, far better on offense and still not overextended financially.
Denver Nuggets
- Added: Forward Cam Johnson, guard-forward Bruce Brown
- Lost: Forward Michael Porter, Jr.
The Nuggets decisively retooled their roster, trading Michael Porter, Jr, for the similar-but-far cheaper Cam Johnson, getting them under the luxury tax and giving them the flexibility to extend young rotation player Christian Braun and/or Peyton Watson. They’ll have access to the full mid-level exception (starting at $14.1M) and far fewer restrictions on trades and signings.
They also brought back a member of the 2023 championship team, Bruce Brown, on a veteran’s minimum deal. Brown was a beloved member of the team and an incredible fit alongside Jokic as a smart player who could play anywhere from point guard to power forward. Effectively, the Nuggets didn’t just get Johnson — they got access to multiple other players to fill out their roster.
Atlanta Hawks
- Added: Guard-forward Nickeil Alexander-Walker, center-forward Kristaps Porzingis, guard Luke Kennard
- Lost: Center Clint Capela, forward Georges Niang, guard-forward Caris LeVert, guard Terance Mann
Atlanta added a lot of shooting and versatility with Kristaps Porzingis, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard. Porzingis can play alongside incumbent big man Onyeka Okongwu, while NAW can slot in at any wing spot. Kennard only plays shooting guard, but he’s a career 43.8 percent three-point shooter.
The Hawks have gone from a middle-of-the-pack shooting team to a really good one, and all it cost them was the three players received in the De’Andre Hunter salary dump and the No. 22 overall pick.
Los Angeles Clippers
- Added: Center Brook Lopez
- Re-signed: Guard James Harden, forward Nic Batum
The Clippers didn’t lose anyone from last year’s 50-win team and added a great center and rim protector in Brook Lopez. While Harden’s deal might be an overpay, the second year is only partially guaranteed. Nice bit of business for the Clippers.
