The NBA offseason has delivered a wave of intriguing changes and bold decisions, setting the stage for an exciting upcoming season. Among the teams making significant moves, the Boston Celtics have been at the forefront, reinforcing their status as a powerhouse in the league.
Widely regarded as the best team in the NBA, the Celtics have built upon their success by claiming the NBA championship and securing critical player extensions. Jayson Tatum received a supermax extension, while Derrick White signed a four-year deal worth $125.9 million. Additionally, the Celtics locked in Sam Hauser with a four-year, $45 million contract. There is also speculation regarding the potential sale of the team by Wyc Grousbeck, though nothing has been confirmed.
Meanwhile, the Philadelphia 76ers have made bold moves of their own. The acquisition of Paul George from the Clippers, without sacrificing any significant assets, stands out as a masterstroke. "George's fit in Philadelphia is about as clean as you'll ever find within a star trio," commented one analyst. The 76ers further bolstered their lineup by signing Caleb Martin to a four-year, $35 million contract and adding Kelly Oubre Jr. with the cap room mid-level exception. Veteran Kyle Lowry joined the team for the minimum, and Andre Drummond remains a reliable backup center. In exchange for these additions, the 76ers received two future first-round picks from the Clippers, underscoring their long-term strategy.
The Brooklyn Nets also made headlines by trading Mikal Bridges for five first-round picks and a first-round swap, signaling a shift towards a more asset-driven approach. Nic Claxton signed a four-year, $97 million extension, while the Nets regained control of their 2025 and 2026 draft picks from the Rockets. The New York Knicks, in turn, traded Bridges to the Nets, setting off a domino effect of transactions. Isaiah Hartenstein moved to the Oklahoma City Thunder, and Mitchell Robinson stepped up as a starter for the Knicks, who also traded away Precious Achiuwa.
In Cleveland, the Cavaliers made a significant coaching change by replacing J.B. Bickerstaff with Kenny Atkinson. Donovan Mitchell solidified his commitment to the team by signing an extension. An analyst speculated, "The deal doesn't have to come now, but if we get to February and Cleveland is a No. 5 seed, the pressure is just going to mount."
The Milwaukee Bucks opted for a cost-effective strategy, bringing in Gary Trent Jr., Taurean Prince, and Delon Wright on minimum-salary contracts, while the Orlando Magic retained key players Goga Bitadze, Mo Wagner, and Gary Harris. The Magic also managed to renegotiate and extend Jonathan Isaac's contract and signed Franz Wagner to an extension.
The Indiana Pacers made a splash by signing James Wiseman and securing Pascal Siakam with a max deal. Additionally, Obi Toppin joined the team on a four-year, $60 million contract, adding depth to their roster. Conversely, the Atlanta Hawks traded Dejounte Murray for two first-round picks, Larry Nance Jr., and Dyson Daniels.
The Washington Wizards made strategic acquisitions by bringing in Jonas Valanciunas and Saddiq Bey, while the Toronto Raptors signed Immanuel Quickley to a five-year, $162.5 million contract and extended Scottie Barnes' rookie max deal. On the trade front, the Charlotte Hornets acquired Josh Green and awarded Miles Bridges a $75 million contract.
The Detroit Pistons had a productive offseason, drafting Ron Holland and signing Tobias Harris to a two-year deal. They also brought in Tim Hardaway Jr. and appointed Trajan Langdon as their new general manager. On the downside, the Miami Heat saw the departure of Caleb Martin, Gabe Vincent, Max Strus, and Kyle Lowry from their 2023 Finals team. However, they retained core players Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo while adding Terry Rozier to their roster.
With so many teams making significant moves, the upcoming NBA season promises to be one filled with heightened competition and high expectations. As one insider remarked, "There's a real chance the Celtics emerge from this era with multiple championships."