2025 NBA Free Agency: Early winners and losers

Melissa Rohl

Fox Sports NBA Vriter

Welcome to the NBA free agency, where, at least for a moment, fans of all 30 teams are filled with hope and excitement for the upcoming season.

Unfortunately, for a handful of fanbaza, that optimism was short-lived. But for others, the path to the final – or at least relevance – was never clearer.

Here are our early winners and losers from the craziest time of the year.

Winner: Houston rockets

(Photo Harry How / Getty Images)

The gold medal goes on rockets, who are traded during the 15-time all the stars Kevin Durant 22. June and then continued its hot streak with a series of moves that would greatly strengthen their list.

They stole Dorian Finney-Smith away from Los Angeles Lakers For 53 million dollars for four years. They refused Fred Vanvleet’s The $ 45 million option for the next season and continued to sign it in Timoren’s two-year, 50 million dollars. They gave Jabari Smith Jr. A five-year, $ 122 million extension. Clint Capela It is returned for three years and $ 21.5 million.

The rockets ended last season at another place in the Western Conference before they were blowing in the first round of the playoffs against the Golden State. They are now deeper at both ends of the court and can be a vocation candidate.

Loser: Los Angeles Lakers

(Photography David Bending / Getty Images)

Lebron James He decided to his option for $ 51 million, and then cleaned it through the agent, rich Paul, to better improve his list … or otherwise. So far, the biggest sprayer for bakers? Jake Laraviawhich is more than drizzle. Not to mention, they lost Dorian Finnei-Smith, whom they had acquired in the late December trade. And in another strike, Brook Lopez chose to join Sliders.

With James’s salary, Lakers can’t get in the building Luka Doncic for the future. And so far they have not built a roster that can win now. The pressure is at the General Manager of Lakers Rob Pelinka to at least fill the washing hole in the central position.

LOSER: MILVAUKEE BUCKS

Bucks gave up Damian Lillardwho suffered torn Achilles in May and stretched the remaining $ 113 million earnings to buy free agent center Miles Turner. When it comes to Bucks, they are clearly trying to do everything in power to stay Giannis Antetokounpo.

Bucks General Manager Jon Horst has a history of taking large swings to try the antetokounpo happy, including acquiring Jrue Holiday In 2020. year, then Lillard in 2023. years, and now Turner is on a four-year, $ 107 million.

But will he turn enough to buy antetokounpo, especially given their other moves in essence, they consisted of re-signing the players and lost Lopez? Or will Bucks regret that he gave up Lillard, who was in both houses in both of his seasons with a team, to basically pay more than $ 50 million a year to make Rights to Turner?

Turner is eight years younger than Lopez, and the center is a powerful strike and shooter with 3 points. But it is questionable whether this move is enough to cause antetokounpo while relieves his future.

Photo: John Fisher / Getty Images

Winner: Damian Lillard

Lillard will get to pay all the money he owes him. He will be able to rehab his ripped Achilles in Portland around his family. And then it will come to decide where he wants to play next to the salary is quite a nonfactor. It’s a damn good job.

The last two seasons was not easy for Lillard, who wanted to play for Miami after asking him to trade it Portland Trail Blazers. He did not land where he hoped, he struggled that he was so far away from his family and Bucks failed to go through the first round of the playoff last two seasons.

Now Lillard will finally have control over the career.

Winner: Atlanta Hawks

Hawks landed Kristaps Porzingis By trading in Pick no. 22 in the draft in the three team agreement. They used a draft night store to get from 2026. Years received an unprotected choice of Milwaukee or New Orleans. Added a shooting with Luke Kennard and strengthened their defense Nickeil Aleksandar-Walker.

With their upgraded list together with an offensive power Trae Young and defensive skill Disin DanielsThis team could be really good.

Loser: Indiana Pacers

(Photo Slaven Vlasic / Getty Images)

After an amazing Cinderella in which pagers shocked the NBA World reaching the match 7 of the NBA finals, the next season will be the flop.

Tires Haliburton suffered torn Achilles in the game 7 and will come out for a campaign of 2025-26. Then Pakeni Lovballed Turner, who clearly did it, wanted to stay with Pejačani. (Bakeries didn’t want to pay too much for him knowing it would be without haliburton.) So, Turner went to Milwaukee.

It is a burr of a turnover for a franchise that was so close to conquering its first championship.

Winner: Denver

The Nuggets Traded Michael Porter Jr .. and 2032 unprotected first round for Cam Johnson, which allowed them to make salary holding the presence of shooting. Also relieved them to be acquired again Bruce BrownWhat is a powerful counsel and was on their detachment for 2023 title. years.

Nuggets also dealt with Dario Saric on Sacramento Kings for John Valanciun. And they ran the team Cardai Jr.

The new Nugget Front Office made crucial moves, making them deeper.

Loser: Miami

After Miami heat They were kicked out of the first round of the playoffs, President Pat Riley said the change would come. But so far, the team did not make any great moves.

They have acquired Simone Fontecchio From Detroit in sign and trade after separating the manner with Duncan Robinson. And they added Kaspar Jacuculation in the draft.

If heat wants to become a candidate, they must be far more aggressive in a free agency.

Melissa Rohlin is included NBA A writer for fox sports. She has previously covered the league for illustrated sports, Los Angeles Times, News Gulf Group and News San Antonio Express news. Follow it on Twitter @Melissarohl.