NBA Free Agency 2025: Who Cashed In—and Who Got Burned
Free agency opened with less drama than usual this year. Most of the top players made quick decisions, and teams without much cap space, apart from Brooklyn, had to find other ways to improve. There were still a few trades that turned heads and a couple of contracts that raised eyebrows. Here’s a rundown of which teams made smart moves and which ones might regret their Day 1 choices in the 2025 NBA free agency.
Denver Nuggets Flip Porter Jr. for a Better Fit
Credit: Wikipedia
Denver’s boldest move on Day 1 was sending Michael Porter Jr. and a 2032 first-round pick to Brooklyn for Cameron Johnson. The trade signals a shift toward smarter, more balanced roster construction. Johnson brings steadier defense, cleaner shot selection, and strong off-ball instincts—ideal traits next to Nikola Jokić. Losing a future pick stings, but the Nuggets prioritized present chemistry, especially after last season’s depth issues.
Los Angeles Lakers Lose Dorian Finney-Smith
Credit: Youtube
The Lakers needed to retain Dorian Finney-Smith, and they didn’t. Houston snatched him for $53 million over four years, which left L.A. short on wing defense and size. Jake LaRavia came in on a modest $12 million deal, but he’s no Finney-Smith.
Houston Rockets Build a Full Contender
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Houston wasted no time adding proven playoff talent. In addition to Kevin Durant’s earlier trade, the Rockets signed Clint Capela, re-signed Fred VanVleet, extended Jabari Smith Jr., and snagged Finney-Smith. That’s elite defense, rebounding, and perimeter shooting all in one go. They also gave head coach Ime Udoka a new deal. The West got tougher because the Rockets aren’t playing around.
New York Makes Targeted Roster Changes
Credit: Youtube
The Knicks made several notable roster decisions to open the summer. New York exercised their $1.9 million team option to keep center Ariel Hukporti for another season, declined the $3.4 million team option on veteran forward PJ Tucker, and extended a qualifying offer to rookie Kevin McCullar Jr. While these aren’t blockbuster signings, they are meaningful moves that provide roster clarity and flexibility as free agency begins.
Atlanta Hawks Add Wings, Win the Day
Credit: flickr
The Hawks followed their Porziņģis trade with two free-agency pickups: Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard. NAW came via sign-and-trade and fits next to Trae Young as a tough, low-usage defender. Kennard adds spacing at $11 million for one year. Atlanta might’ve lost Clint Capela and Caris LeVert, but their wing rotation is now deeper and more flexible, which is exactly what’s needed in a thinning Eastern Conference.
Brook Lopez Leaves Bucks for Clippers
Credit: Reddit
Milwaukee lost their starting center to the Clippers on a two-year, $18 million deal. Lopez may not be at his 2021 championship level, but he still stretches the floor and protects the rim. The Bucks scrambled to fill the hole by eventually signing Myles Turner, but the departure of Lopez, with no replacement on Day 1, left Giannis Antetokounmpo momentarily in limbo and fans concerned.
Clippers Get Defensive Depth at a Steal
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Brook Lopez to the Clippers shifts the power in Los Angeles. Ivica Zubac already anchors one of the league’s best defenses, and now there’s no drop-off when he sits. Lopez still blocks shots and knocks down threes. L.A. also re-signed Nic Batum and extended James Harden—moves that keep them firmly in the West’s upper tier.
Bruce Brown Jr. Returns to Denver on a Bargain
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Two years after helping Denver win a title, Bruce Brown Jr. is back—and at a surprising discount. After being signed to a veteran minimum deal, Brown offers the kind of role versatility Denver missed in his absence. He cuts well, defends multiple positions, and knows how to play off Jokić. After uneven stints in Indiana and Toronto, he reunites with a system that maximizes his strengths at little cost.
Restricted Free Agents Lose Leverage
Credit: Instagram
Josh Giddey, Cam Thomas, and Jonathan Kuminga didn’t find deals on Day 1, and that’s a problem. With the Nets spending their cap space in the Cam Johnson deal, few teams remain with money to offer big sheets. These players could end up re-signing with limited raises or on qualifying offers. It’s a reminder that restricted free agency often favors teams, not the talent.
Bruce Brown Returns Where He Belongs
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Bruce Brown Jr. left the Nuggets after their 2023 championship to chase a $45 million payday with Indiana. Two years later, he’s back on a vet-minimum deal. Denver knows how to use him—his cutting, defense, and feel for the game flourished next to Jokić. Brown struggled to find the same impact in Toronto and Indiana, so this move benefits both sides with minimal risk.
Mavericks Confuse Everyone With D’Angelo Russell
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Dallas didn’t stand still to open free agency. They officially signed No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg to his rookie contract and agreed to terms with D’Angelo Russell on a two-year, $13 million deal. While Flagg brings hope as a new franchise centerpiece, adding Russell to a crowded backcourt—especially with Kyrie Irving’s injury status in question—left fans wondering about the team’s direction. Dallas now faces big questions about their lineup and how these pieces will fit together in the post-Luka era.
Jabari Smith Jr. Cashes In
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Jabari Smith Jr. locked down a five-year, $122 million extension with Houston. That’s big money for the former No. 3 pick, but it might age well. Smith has shown steady growth as a shooter and defender, and the Rockets clearly believe in his future. The extension keeps their core intact while rewarding a young player who’s become a key piece in their resurgence.
Memphis Grizzlies Lock In Core Pieces
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
The Grizzlies weren’t quiet. They gave Jaren Jackson Jr. a five-year, $240 million extension, re-signed Santi Aldama, and grabbed Ty Jerome from Cleveland. Jerome’s three-year, $27.7 million deal strengthens their backcourt, especially when Ja Morant misses time. Clearly, Memphis wants to build around Jackson and Morant. After trading Desmond Bane, this was an important retool.
Lakers’ Center Search Fizzles
Credit: Facebook
The Lakers needed a starting center. They targeted Brook Lopez and Clint Capela. Both signed elsewhere—Lopez with the Clippers, Capela with Houston. That leaves L.A. without a reliable interior anchor and no clear path forward. As of now, their frontcourt rotation looks alarmingly thin for a team chasing a title with a 40-year-old LeBron James.
Good Vibes Guys Get Paid
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Luke Kornet’s journey from undrafted to four-year, $41 million Spurs signing is the stuff locker-room legends are made of. Kevon Looney—never a flashy stat guy—got $16 million over two years from the Pelicans. Dorian Finney-Smith and Alexander-Walker also earned solid paydays. Sometimes, being reliable, unselfish, and low-maintenance is enough to cash in. And it’s refreshing to see those qualities rewarded.