A month after the 2025 NBA free agency officially began, the league looks very different when it comes to team rosters. Kevin Durant's departure from Phoenix and Damian Lillard's and Chris Paul's homecoming are just a few transfers that left the NBA fans in awe. All the teams are hoping that the moves they made will bring them success in the upcoming season, and in this article, we point out the five teams who have done the best job so far in the offseason. If you're planning to get in on the action, check this list of offshore sportsbooks that are considered trustworthy and safe first.
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder won their first NBA championship since moving from Seattle back in 2008. Sam Presti has been the team's general manager since then, and he finally managed to take the team all the way. What makes their championship run even more impressive is the fact that they won the chip with the second-youngest roster that has ever done that. Given that, all Presti needed to do was to keep the championship team together, and he definitely did so.
The League and NBA Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander signed a four-year. $285 million supermax extension. The 26-year-old will stay in OKC at least until 2031 and will earn close to $80 million in the 2030-31 season. Jalen Williams, who made his first All-Star appearance last season, signed a five-year maximum rookie contract extension that could reach $287 million, and center Chet Holmgren agreed on a five-year contract extension worth $240 million.
2. Denver Nuggets
After winning the 2023 NBA championship, the Denver Nuggets have not been even close to winning another chip. Nikola Jokic is, by many, still the best player in the league after averaging a triple-double last season. Still, no matter how good the Joker is, there is no doubt that he will not be able to win alone. Nikola Jokic is still seen by many as the best in the league after averaging a triple-double last season. But even offshore sportsbooks aren't counting on him carrying the Nuggets by himself.
The Nuggets fired head coach Mike Malone late last season and needed some roster changes as well to have a fresh start. Trading Michael Porter Jr. and his huge contract was the main target for new GM Ben Tenzer, and he swapped him for Cameron Johnson. Trading Dario Saric, who barely saw any playing time, for Jonas Valanciunas was a real gift for the Nuggets, who now have a real center as a backup for Jokic. Bringing back Bruce Brown Jr., who was a part of the 2023 championship team, and signing sharpshooter Tim Hardaway Jr. closes the Nuggets' free agency so far, which has been close to perfect.
3. Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets made a huge leap last season, finishing second in the Western Conference in the regular season, but for any major playoff success, they would need a superstar. The Rockets' GM, Rafael Stone, was aware of that and brought in one of the all-time greatest scorers, Kevin Durant. The former MVP had no success with the Phoenix Suns and decided to move to Houston. The Rockets had a huge bill to pay, sending Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks, among others, in a seven-team trade, the biggest in NBA history. Despite the fact that Durant is 36 years old, he is still an elite scorer, averaging 26.6 points in 36.5 minutes per game last season.
Besides KD, the Rockets signed Dorian Finney-Smith and JD Davidson and brought back Clint Capela, who is returning to Houston after five seasons with the Atlanta Hawks.
4. Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers have been a desired destination for top free agents in recent years, and that trend continued this summer. With veteran superstars like Kawhi Leonard and James Harden on the roster, the Clippers signed Chris Paul, Bradley Beal, and Brook Lopez.
Paul played six seasons for the Clippers in his prime but could not lead the team further than the second playoff round. This will most likely be the last season for one of the best point guards of all time, hoping to finally win his first championship. Bradley Beal has the same goal. After 11 seasons with the Washington Wizards, Beal looked for a chance to win in Phoenix, but his two seasons in Arizona did not see any success. Lopez has championship experience with the Milwaukee Bucks and is still one of the best shooters among centers in the league. The Clippers also brought in power forward John Collins from Utah, while their second-leading scorer from last season, Norman Powell, moved to Miami.
5. New York Knicks
The New York Knicks are coming off an epic season as they returned to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2000. The player movement they did in the last couple of seasons paid off, and the Knicks made a couple of moves to add the missing pieces. One of the key players on both ends of the floor was Mikal Bridges, who signed a four-year contract extension worth $150 million.
Jordan Clarkson, the 2021 Sixth Man of the Year, is coming to New York after six years in Utah. He would bring elite scoring off the bench for the Knicks after averaging 16.2 points in 26 minutes per game for the Jazz last season. Guerschon Yabusele is another addition for the Knicks. The Frenchman returned to the NBA last season with the Philadelphia 76ers after playing for Real Madrid.
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