NBA free agency instant grades for every major 2025 signing and trade

The champagne has barely dried on the Oklahoma City Thunder’s championship parade, but the NBA offseason is already in full swing. Kevin Durant was traded to the Houston Rockets before Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals, and a wild summer full of trades and surprising draft selections has played out ever since.

NBA free agency is now underway, and many of the top players available flew off the board in the opening hours. The first day of free agency gave us one big trade from the Denver Nuggets that increases their championship chances, while smart signings have helped one more contender emerge in both the East and the West.

We’re making note of every deal of NBA free agency with our live tracker. Now let’s grade the bigger deals as they come in. This post will be updated throughout the day with deals from the start of free agency.

Lakers grade: B-

The Lakers needed a center, and Ayton was the best option on the market after he was bought out by the Trail Blazers. I just worry that the Lakers will wish they were more creative in searching for a big man, because Ayton leaves a lot to be desired. His lack of physicality is astounding for such big, strong, and athletic center. Luka Doncic has made young centers look good before, and Ayton was at his best when he was playing with another gifted playmaker in Chris Paul back in Phoenix. Ayton is just an inherently frustrating player because he leaves you wanting so much more. Maybe Doncic unlocks him, otherwise Lakers fans will be wishing that was a team option on the end of the deal.

Pistons grade: B+

I’m a big believer in the Pistons needing to surround Cade Cunningham with shooters, especially after they lost Tim Hardaway Jr. to the Nuggets and potentially Malik Beasley to a federal gambling investigation. Robinson is an elite shooter, but he doesn’t do much else. This feels like a lot of money to me for a specialist when Detroit’s middle-class peers in the East like Atlanta and Orlando have improved their teams significantly more. Robinson has never posted a PER better than 13 in his career, and that was in 2019-2020. Yes, it’s a flawed stat, but still, it shows how little he contributes outside of shooting. The Pistons are getting passed by in the East right now unless Ausar Thompson, Ron Holland, Jalen Duran, or Jaden Ivey makes a real leap. I upgraded this grade after seeing the deal is only partially guaranteed in year two and non-guaranteed in year three.

Bucks grade: B

This is the most stunning move of free agency. The Pacers reportedly didn’t want to pay the luxury tax while Tyrese Haliburton is out for the year with a torn Achilles, and it cost them their long-time veteran center. No one saw the Bucks making a move like this with zero cap space or tradeable assets. The Bucks waived Damian Lillard to make this happen, and now they will pay him more than $22 million per year over the next five seasons. That’s a lot of dead cap space for an already cash-strapped team, but if it means keeping Giannis Antetokounmpo, it’s worth it. Turner started to slip a bit last year and had some troubles against quicker perimeter players in the playoffs, but he’s still a solid center who can keep the Bucks’ five-out look alive after Brook Lopez moved on. Turner turns 30 in March and should have several good years left. He made 39.6 percent of his threes on 5.5 attempts per game last year, and his rim protection is still solid even if his mobility has declined a bit. Desperate times call for desperate measures. Assuming this pacifies Giannis, it’s a worthy move.

Hawks grade: A

We’ll tie these deals together and give Atlanta an A for signing two quality players to fair contracts that bolster the rotation and make a dream playoff run possible. The Hawks have aced this offseason from the very beginning with new lead executive Onsi Saleh dramatically improving his team’s outlook for both the present and the future. The Hawks won’t be the favorite to win the East coming into next season, but they’re not far off either.

Alexander-Walker might be the best free agent to change hands this year. He was a key part of Minnesota’s rotation on back-to-back conference finals teams, and he gives Atlanta a big guard who can draw tough defensive assignments while also adding a dash of shooting and playmaking to the offense. Alexander-Walker has knocked down 38.5 percent of his threes the last two years while also shooting around 52 percent on two-pointers. He is a natural fit in lineups next to Trae Young or Kennard, and he has more offensive utility in the halfcourt than incumbent starter Dyson Daniels. Kennard is also a nice signing as an elite shooter with a little bit of playmaking. Atlanta already landed Kristaps Porzingis and the New Pelicans’ 2026 unprotected first-round pick earlier this offseason. The Hawks are loaded, and they have a real shot to make a deep playoff run this year and then find a young franchise star in the next draft. These free agent signings make Atlanta’s already great offseason even better.

Rockets grade: B+

Are the Rockets the biggest challenger to the Oklahoma City Thunder next season? It’s starting to feel that way. Houston already won 52 games this past season to earn the No. 2 seed in the West, but they failed to win a playoff series. The Rockets started this offseason trading for Kevin Durant without giving up too much, and now they’ve replaced the key outgoing piece in that deal (Dillon Brooks) with another tough three-and-D style wing in Finney-Smith. There will be no questions about Finney-Smith’s role in Houston: he’ll defend big forwards, space the floor, and knock down shots. He’s a perfect complementary player around Durant, Alperen Sengun, Fred VanVleet, and Amen Thompson, and his presence makes an already strong defense even better. It’s possible this deal doesn’t age all that well because Finney-Smith started to slip on the Lakers last year and is already 32 years old. Still, the Rockets have tons of young depth behind him, and getting him now improves their chances of breaking through the West in 2026.

Lakers grade: A

LaRavia was one of my favorite sleeper free agent targets this year. The soon-to-be 24-year-old wing has a great mix and size (6’8) and shooting. He’s hit 42.3 percent of his threes this past season between stops with the Grizzlies and Kings, and his off-ball scoring will be a nice complement to Luka Doncic’s creation. He isn’t the defender Finney-Smith is, but it’s possible he’s a better offensive player at this stage of his career who comes at a much lower cost. This isn’t a life-changing move for the Lakers, but it’s a good bargain signing that could pay off.

Nuggets grade: A

The Nuggets were never the same after Brown left in free agency following the team’s 2023 championship run. Brown’s career was never the same either. To bring him back on a minimum deal is a wonderful piece of business for both sides and should give Brown a chance to boost his value again. The Nuggets really needed one more solid guard in the rotation the last two years, and Brown can be that still as he prepares to turn 29 years old. The Nuggets got better.

Nuggets grade: B+

Nets grade: A

Read our full breakdown of the Nuggets acquiring Cam Johnson for an unprotected 2032 pick and Porter Jr.

Clippers grade: A

The Clippers didn’t really have a five-out look they could go to this past season. Brook Lopez changes that. The 37-year-old center is still an excellent shot-blocker, and the Clippers’ ferocious point-of-attack defense should make his drop coverage even more effective. Lopez still hit 37 percent of his threes on 4.7 attempts per game this year. He’ll backup Ivica Zubac in LA, and give them 48 good center minutes every night.

Grizzlies grade: B+

Jerome was one of the best bench players in the league this season for the East-best Cavaliers, but it feels like he lost himself some money with his playoff performance. The Cavs were upset in the second round by the Indiana Pacers, and Jerome had a few tough games in the series where his shots weren’t falling. His shooting (44 percent from three) and shot-creation will be a nice addition for the Grizzlies team that will be missing Desmond Bane next season. This is a low price for a player firmly in his prime who seems to have unlocked something in his game recently.

Spurs grade: B-

Kornet has carved out a tremendous career for himself, and this contract validates all the work he’s put in. He took on a bigger role with the Celtics this past season and thrived in the opportunity, turning into a super efficient finisher (68.3 percent true shooting) who could also protect the rim and add some passing value. He’s a good defender and good locker room presence, but this still feels like a lot of money for a player as limited as he is. The Spurs will believe they can play him with Victor Wembanyama or behind him, and that can work in small spurts. I just find it hard to believe he can live up to this kind of deal because he’s such a low volume scorer, he doesn’t shoot threes, and he doesn’t have a ton of scheme versatility defensively. His rim protection is awesome, but this feels slightly too rich for my blood.

Grade: C+

As the Magic and Hawks have improved enough to be considered pre-season Eastern Conference contenders, the similarly positioned Pistons have had a quiet offseason. Detroit added a solid bench scorer in Caris LeVert, but I fear that’s not enough to keep up in the conference arms race. LeVert is historically a very streaker shooter (34 percent from three in his career) and a below-average defender. His shot-creation will be a welcome addition in lineups lineups with Ron Holland and/or Ausar Thompson, but this feels like a lot of money for a player who doesn’t really move the needle.

Grade: D+

Looney is a solid veteran locker room presence for a young Pelicans team, but I’m skeptical he actually fits into many lineups there. The Pelicans could have really used a stretch five option off the bench with Zion Williamson, Derik Queen, and Yves Missi slated to take up the majority of the front court minutes. Looney’s screening and rebounding still plays regardless of who he’s next to, and he should get plenty of chances for o-boards chasing Jordan Poole’s misses. I once again do not understand the vision at all for the Pelicans.

Grade: A

Aldama had a breakout year this past season and felt like one of the most underrated free agents available. He has a unique skill set in the front court as a 6’11 forward who can shoot, rebound, and make plays as a passer. He fits into plenty of different lineup constructions, and still has some upside at 24 years old. Memphis did well to lock him up for his prime years at a deal just above the mid-level exception.

Grade: C-

Jones caught fire for the Bulls at the end of the season after he was acquired in the Zach LaVine trade, and it made him a lot of money. Jones was a career 30 percent three-point shooter before arriving in Chicago and making 50 percent of his threes on low volume to close the season. Despite joining the team just as the Bulls were getting hot, Jones also had a poor net-rating and the team was better with him off the court. He’s one of the smallest guards in the league at 6’1, he’s extremely reluctant to even attempt three-pointers, and his defense doesn’t have much utility in high-leverage situations. The Bulls are amassing some talented young play-finishers on the roster so it makes sense to retain a good facilitator like Jones at backup point guard, but this deal is too long and a bit too expensive. This feels like the Bulls’ Jevon Carter signing from a couple years ago all over again.

Grade: A-

Watford is a fun upside swing at a low cost. On the brink of his 25th birthday, Watford is a big forward who can find open teammates as a passer and contribute on the glass. He’s a shaky shooter with turnover issues, but his floor game and physicality is intriguing for a young player on such a cheap deal.

Grade: B+

This signing puts a hard cap on the Knicks, but it seems worth it. Yabusele had a nice season for the Sixers in his return to the NBA last year, and gives New York a beefy forward with a 38 percent three-point stroke who can also rebound and make some plays as a passer. The Knicks’ bench desperately needed to get stronger if they want to win the East next season, and this move accomplishes that.

This post will be updated throughout the day.