The Best and Worst of the Post-2025 NBA Market

Remember when the 2025 offseason felt like it would be quiet? Yeah, right. Teams went all-in, some with brilliant foresight, others… well, others are still trying to figure out what they were thinking. It's been a wild ride since then, and with a year and change under our belts, it’s time to sort out the genius from the outright blunders.

Let’s start with the good stuff, because who doesn't love a savvy front office? The Thunder, for instance, landing Jared McCain in the 2026 draft was an absolute steal. That kid, even as a rookie, immediately put up 16 points and 5 assists per game, shooting 42% from deep in his first 30 contests. He’s the perfect backcourt complement to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, easing SGA’s offensive burden and providing consistent secondary playmaking. OKC looks like a perennial contender for the next decade thanks to moves like that. And credit to the Lakers for picking up Donovan Mitchell after his Cavs tenure soured. They sent D'Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt, and a protected 2027 first-rounder to Cleveland for him. Mitchell is averaging 28.5 points and 6.2 assists since joining, and that’s a bargain for a proven scorer who elevates their title hopes. No more relying solely on LeBron's heroics.

You also can’t ignore the Suns’ three-team maneuver that brought them Nic Claxton without giving up a single key rotation piece. They got him for salary filler and a couple of distant second-rounders. Claxton immediately transformed their defense, bumping their defensive rating from 18th to 7th, and he’s grabbing nearly 10 boards a night. That’s the kind of move that wins you a couple extra games a season. The Hawks, too, made a quiet but effective splash signing veteran wing Bruce Brown to a two-year, $20 million deal. He’s the glue guy they desperately needed, consistently locking down opponents’ best perimeter players and hitting corner threes at a 39% clip. Sometimes, it's the smaller, smart signings that pay off biggest.

Now, for the other side of the coin. The deals that make you wince. The Clippers trading for Bradley Beal? That was a disaster from day one. They sent Norman Powell, Marcus Morris, and a 2028 first-round pick to Phoenix for a guy who, frankly, doesn't fit their timeline or their cap sheet. Beal has played just 40 games since the trade, missing significant time with hamstring and knee issues, and when he’s on the floor, he’s averaging a career-low 17 points on inefficient shooting. They paid a premium for a player in decline.

And don’t even get me started on the Rockets giving up two first-round picks and Jalen Green for Mikal Bridges. Bridges is a good player, sure, but not *that* good. Houston was trying to fast-track their rebuild and ended up mortgaging their future for a guy who, while defensively solid, isn’t a primary scorer. They've hovered around .500 ever since, and their young core hasn't blossomed as hoped. That trade felt desperate, and it looks worse with every passing game. The Blazers extending Anfernee Simons for five years and $180 million was also a head-scratcher. Simons is a decent scorer, but he's a defensive sieve, and his numbers haven't jumped significantly since the new deal. He’s putting up 22 points a night, but their team defense is still bottom-five. They paid starter money for an elite sixth man.

Here’s my hot take: the Grizzlies giving up a protected first-rounder and Luke Kennard for De’Andre Hunter was one of the most baffling moves of the bunch. Hunter is a fine defender, but he’s never been consistent offensively. He shot under 40% from the field in his first season in Memphis, and his contract is an albatross. Memphis needed shooting and depth, and they traded it away for another wing who struggles to stay healthy and create his own shot.

The lesson here? Patience is a virtue, and sometimes the biggest splash isn't the best one. Some GMs learned that the hard way. My prediction? The Thunder, with McCain now a year older and wiser, win the Western Conference next season.