The NBA never disappoints when it comes to dominating the offseason.For the first 20 or so years of this century, free agency was the preferred method for stars and superstars to make public their next moves and plow over Major League Baseball and the NFL for summertime attention around the Fourth of July. LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Chris Bosh, Kyrie Irving — all of them made franchise-shifting moves via unrestricted free agency after holding up league business for a few days while they had dalliances with prospective suitors. Gordon Hayward had everyone on pins and needles before signing a big deal with the Boston Celtics in the summer of 2017. Paul George made headlines simply by staying in Oklahoma City in 2018.But today, trades are the way.Almost no team operates as a cap-space team anymore, unless they’re in the midst of a yearslong rebuild. It’s so lucrative to sign an extension off a current deal for most of the league’s best players, so it’s rare to see a young superstar get to a seventh season without a new deal in hand. So when a star player changes teams these days, it’s almost always via trade.This offseason kept the pattern going.Giannis Antetokounmpo, finally, after years of smoke, was dealt by Milwaukee to Miami. Memphis, not surprisingly, moved Ja Morant to Portland. The Clippers got out of the Leonard business, sending him to Toronto before the NBA’s investigation into alleged cap circumvention by the Clippers involving Leonard was completed. And Boston, shockingly, not only traded Jaylen Brown, a fixture for a decade alongside Jayson Tatum in Beantown, but also traded him to a division rival — the 76ers — for George. That wasn’t the biggest move Philly made this summer, of course, but it was the most stunning.Why Philly will be LeBron's hardest testDavid Aldridge and Johnny SweetBolstered by a group of incoming rookies that made the 2026 draft one of the most anticipated in recent years, many NBA rosters are not just different going into next season. Teams at the top of the lottery got desperately needed injections of talent and hope. And if you needed a point guard, this was your year!All of the above means it’s time for the annual assessment of every NBA team’s offseason, taking everything into account: the draft, trades, free-agent signings, coach hirings and firings.To repeat: This is a ranking of every team’s offseason. It is not a power rankings list, as you may have come to know that term. Power rankings place every team in order, based on how they’re playing in a given week of the season. This isn’t that. These rankings ask, and try to answer, one question: Is the team better now than it was at the end of last season?I write this to head off the wrath of John T.John T., or Rich L., or Bob S. — they’re all the same guy/bot that jumps into the comments section seven seconds after an editor presses publish on this every year and writes, with all the cleverness of your basic ferret, “Wiz bettor (sic) than the Knicks lol. Knicks in Five! Your (sic) an idiot.”(I very well may be an idiot, but not because of that. And … find that writing ferret!)I am not saying the Wizards are now better than the Knicks. I am saying they had a better offseason, and that their team has improved, relative to where it was, more than New York, relative to where it was. The Knicks, of course, won the NBA championship in June. The Wizards … did not. So, of course, the Knicks still have a better team than Washington. But the Wizards improved their roster since the end of their season more than the Knicks improved theirs — even though New York still has a better team. You can hold both thoughts in your head at the same time. Really.In making these determinations, there are levels. If I really like a guy in the draft — such as, for example, Kingston Flemings — I probably rewarded that team a little more. If a team took a veteran who impacts winning, as OKC did a couple years ago in getting Alex Caruso, it gets a similar kind of bump. If a rebuilding team such as Utah was especially smart in how it used its assets/players, it’s rewarded. Same for a team that’s facing a repeater tax and/or the second apron and maneuvers around it without impacting its core roster.Injuries also matter, of course. Indiana will be better next season with Tyrese Haliburton back on the court. Not rocket science.So, three stories, three sets of rankings, from 30 to 21, 20 to 11 and 10 to one. Here we go.Salary numbers, with a couple of exceptions, come from Spotrac, which stays on top of this stuff as well as anyone. The website rookiescale.com produced an exhaustive list of 2026 two-way and Exhibit 10 post-draft signings this year, from which I have borrowed copiously. Future draft pick details are from both Spotrac and RealGM. Transactions through Aug. 2.30. New Orleans Pelicans2025-26 record: 26-56; did not make playoffsAdded: G/F Jaron Pierre Jr. (second round, 58th pick); F Solomon Washington (Exhibit 10); G/F Jordan Riley (Exhibit 10); F Chris Bell (Exhibit 10); C Christian Koloko (Exhibit 9); G Kobe Bufkin (Exhibit 9); hired head coach Jamahl MosleyLost: C Kevon Looney (signed with Lakers)Retained: C DeAndre Jordan (two years, $7.9M); C Hunter Dickinson (two-way); F Karlo Matković (team picked up 2026-27 option)Extended: NoneReturning from injury: NoneThe skinny: Mosley did a great job raising the Magic’s floor. But the Pels needed more than just a new coach. This was a dead offseason for a team that finished 30 games under .500 last season, and status quo in the Western Conference is falling behind. For now, the Pels haven’t moved Zion Williamson or Trey Murphy III or Herb Jones. Obviously there’s talent in the room, but there was last season, too — and, without its first-rounder in 2026 and having no reason to lie down, New Orleans wasn’t an egregious tanker. The Pels played most of their key guys all year. They were just bad. That’s not encouraging.29. Milwaukee Bucks2025-26 record: 32-50; did not make playoffsAdded: G Tyler Herro (acquired from Miami); C Kel’el Ware (acquired from Miami); F Jaime Jaquez Jr. (acquired from Miami); G Kasparas Jakučionis (acquired from Miami); G Caris LeVert (acquired from Detroit); F Bogoljub Marković (four years, $9.3M); G Kam Jones (two-way); F Rafael Castro (two-way); G Brayden Burries (first round, 10th pick); F Nate Ament (draft rights acquired from Miami); F Malique Lewis (draft rights acquired from Washington); 2031, 2033 first-round picks (acquired from Miami); 2030 first-round pick swap (acquired from Miami); 2033 second-round pick (acquired from Miami); two 2027 second-round picks (acquired from Detroit); hired head coach Taylor JenkinsLost: F Giannis Antetokounmpo (traded to Miami); F Bobby Portis (traded to Miami); F Taurean Prince (traded to Detroit); G Gary Harris (traded to Detroit); G/F Andre Jackson Jr. (team declined 2026-27 option); fired head coach Doc RiversRetained: G Gary Trent Jr. (four years, $64M); F Ousmane Dieng (three years, $17.5M); F Pete Nance (two years, $5.2M); G Kevin Porter Jr. (exercised player option for 2026-27); C Jericho Sims (exercised player option for 2026-27)Extended: NoneReturning from injury: NoneThe skinny: Bucks fans never really had much time to enjoy their 2021 title before enduring five years of seemingly endless speculation about Antetokounmpo’s future. The package of players and picks from Miami for the Greek Freak isn’t nearly as robust as Heat fans (and many of their local media) insisted it was, but it’s an OK return for the two-time league MVP and 10-time All-Star. Burries and Ament are a good beginning for a rebuild. Ware and Jaquez are good young pieces (one suspects Herro will, if not next season, ultimately be re-routed elsewhere), and the Bucks will likely move out any remaining vets with any value before February’s trade deadline.Giannis' Bucks career by the numbers28. Denver Nuggets2025-26 record: 54-28; lost in Western Conference first round to Minnesota, 4-2Added: G Tyus Jones (one year, $3.88M); C Marvin Bagley (one year, $3.5M); F Alpha Diallo (one year, $1.35M); F Bryce Hopkins (second round, 49th pick); F Trevon Brazile (draft rights acquired from San Antonio); F Aaron Nkrumah (Exhibit 10); F Mark Mitchell Jr. (Exhibit 10); C Giovanni Emejuru (Exhibit 10); future second-round picks (acquired from San Antonio)Lost: G Tim Hardaway Jr. (signed with Miami); G Jalen Pickett (team declined 2026-27 option); C Tarris Reed Jr. (draft rights traded to San Antonio); C Jonas Valančiūnas (waived)Retained: F Spencer Jones (two years, $11.75M)Extended: NoneReturning from injury: F Aaron Gordon (left calf tightness)The skinny: Even with a transcendent superstar such as Nikola Jokić, it’s hard to ask ownership to again go above the second apron and/or write a massive repeater tax check. This offseason, Denver started pulling back. You can not like it, after the Nuggets went all in to bolster its bench last year (I loved the plays the Nuggets made, for the record), but you can’t say you don’t understand why. The Nuggets went with mostly low-budget adds to the rotation this summer, and we’ll see if they can wait out restricted free agent Peyton Watson to make a long-term deal. But San Antonio and OKC are ascendant in the West, and the gap between them and Denver isn’t getting smaller.27. Golden State Warriors2025-26 record: 37-45; lost in Western Conference Play-In to PhoenixAdded: F Yaxel Lendeborg (first round, 11th pick); F Lajae Jones (second round, 54th pick); G Nick Boyd (Exhibit 10); C Graham Ike (Exhibit 10)Lost: C Quinten Post (signed with Memphis)Retained: F Draymond Green (one year, $27.68M), F/C Al Horford (two years, $13.99M); G De’Anthony Melton (two years, $11M); G Gary Payton II (one year, $3.88M); C Charles Bassey (one year, $2.85M)Extended: C Kristaps Porziņģis (two years, $40M)Returning from injury: G/F Jimmy Butler (torn right ACL); G Moses Moody (torn left patellar tendon)The skinny: The Dubs held out hope that they could get LeBron James to take his last ride with Stephen Curry and Green, but that never felt real. What does is Golden State’s continued decline in the West, though it did get a very good prospect in Lendeborg, a centerpiece of Michigan’s national championship run. But asking Lendeborg to hold off Father Time by himself is a bit much. Is there enough firepower surrounding the 38-year-old Curry to keep Golden State in the hunt until Butler returns at some point next season?26. Indiana Pacers2025-26 record: 19-63; did not make playoffsAdded: F Kelly Oubre Jr. (two years, $16.5M); F Larry Nance Jr. (one year, $3.88M); G Braden Smith (draft rights acquired from Chicago); F Jalen Slawson (two-way); G Tamin Lipsey (Exhibit 10); F Kowachie Reeves Jr. (Exhibit 10); C Keba Keita (Exhibit 10); C Rienk Mast (Exhibit 10)Lost: G Kam Jones (traded to Chicago); C Micah Potter (waived); G Taelon Peter (waived)Retained: G Quenton Jackson (one year, $2.58M); F Kobe Brown (two-way)Extended: NoneReturning from injury: G Tyrese Haliburton (torn right Achilles); G/F Johnny Furphy (torn right ACL)The skinny: The Pacers gambled their 2026 first-round pick as part of the trade for Ivica Zubac. That it didn’t work, and that the Clippers got to take Illinois freshman Keaton Wagler fifth instead of Indy, doesn’t mean the shot wasn’t worth taking. But I can’t give Indy a good offseason grade when it didn’t have a lottery pick to improve the roster following a 19-63 gap season. Haliburton’s return will surely re-energize the franchise, and Oubre will help Pascal Siakam in the forwards room, but can the Pacers regain the frenetic pace that made Rick Carlisle’s team so difficult to handle during its run to the 2025 NBA Finals?25. Orlando Magic2025-26 record: 45-37; lost in Eastern Conference first round to Detroit, 4-3Added: C Nikola Vučević (one year, $3.88M); F/C Izaiyah Nelson (draft rights acquired from Washington); F Malik Reneau (Exhibit 10); hired head coach Sean SweeneyLost: C Felix Okpara (draft rights traded to Washington); fired head coach Jamahl MosleyRetained: F Jonathan Isaac (one year, $3.52M); G Jevon Carter (one year, $3.5M); F Jamal Cain (team picked up 2026-27 option); F Colin Castleton (two-way)Extended: NoneReturning from injury: Nelson (fractured left ankle)The skinny: Mosley was going to take the fall whenever the Magic lost in the postseason. That they blew a 3-1 first-round lead to Detroit only made the decision easier. But Orlando’s problem remains the postseason productivity of its core, not its coaching. Even Desmond Bane’s 43 percent shooting from deep against the Pistons couldn’t keep the Magic from cratering at the worst possible moment, blowing a 24-point second-half lead over Detroit in Game 6 at home. To be sure, Franz Wagner’s injury was a key factor in the series loss, but the Magic have now flamed out three straight seasons in the first round. I’m not sure how many more swings this current group should get.24. Portland Trail Blazers2025-26 record: 42-40; lost in Western Conference first round to San Antonio, 4-1Added: G Ja Morant (acquired from Memphis); C Branden Carlson (one year, $2.45M); F Jeremy Sochan (one year, $2.6M); C Micah Potter (claimed off waivers from Indiana); G John Tonje (two-way); F Barry Dunning Jr. (Exhibit 10); hired head coach Micah NoriLost: F Jerami Grant (traded to Memphis); F Kris Murray (traded to Memphis); former interim head coach Tiago Splitter signed with ChicagoRetained: G Sidy Cissoko (one year, $2.5M)Extended: C Robert Williams III (three years, $43.5M)Returning from injury: G Damian Lillard (torn left Achilles)The skinny: Adding Morant is a reasonable gamble. I’m not at all sure, though, that Morant and Lillard can play together or defend at anything approaching league average. Bank on Jrue Holiday still playing a lot. Nori can certainly handle both people and the X’s and O’s, but the circumstances of his hire — an unheard-of-in-the-modern-era deal with just one year guaranteed — are flashing red lights. Tom Dundon’s surely going to point to his Stanley Cup-winning Hurricanes as a model for how to run his NBA team. But his hardball tactics with the city about who’s going to pay to renovate the Moda Center are lousy PR for a franchise that got some positive traction last season.Why the Portland Trail Blazers traded for Ja MorantEsfandiar Baraheni and Jeshua Kidd23. Cleveland Cavaliers2025-26 record: 52-30; lost in Eastern Conference finals to New York, 4-0Added: F Mario Hezonja (one year, $3.06M); G Meleek Thomas (draft rights acquired from Sacramento); C Ernest Udeh Jr. (two-way); G Xaivian Lee (Exhibit 10); F Rashaun Agee (Exhibit 10); F Tre’Von Spillers (Exhibit 10); 2032 second-round pick (acquired from Sacramento)Lost: F Dean Wade (signed with Philadelphia); G/F Keon Ellis (signed with Brooklyn); F Larry Nance Jr. (signed with Indiana); F Alex Karaban (draft rights traded to Sacramento)Retained: C Thomas Bryant (one year, $3.52M); G Craig Porter Jr. (team picked up 2026-27 option)Extended: G Donovan Mitchell (four years, $272.7M)Returning from injury: NoneThe skinny: The Cavaliers’ understandable re-pursuit of LeBron James took up most of their summer, but that meant waiting until almost all other potential free agents signed elsewhere — including some of their own. Cleveland may have unearthed a gem in Thomas, who showed signs of being a potent scorer in the Las Vegas Summer League. A full season of James Harden, likely to re-sign soon, and Mitchell together should keep the Cavs in the top half of the East, but leaves the same questions this current iteration of the franchise has faced the last few years: Can its backcourt defend well enough and its frontcourt score enough when it most matters?22. Brooklyn Nets2025-26 record: 20-62; did not make playoffsAdded: F Julius Randle (acquired from Minnesota); G/F Keon Ellis (two years, $18M); C Moe Wagner (two years, $19M); F Joshua Jefferson (draft rights acquired from Minnesota); G Mikel Brown Jr. (first round, sixth pick); F Tyler Bilodeau (second round, 43rd pick); F Ben Humrichous (Exhibit 10); G Dion Brown (Exhibit 10)Lost: C Nic Claxton (traded to Chicago); F Ziaire Williams (signed with Lakers); G Malachi Smith (waived); G Isaiah Evans (draft rights traded to Minnesota)Retained: C Day’Ron Sharpe (two years, $20M); F Josh Minott (two years, $9M)Extended: NoneReturning from injury: G Nolan Traoré (right knee surgery)The skinny: I’ll be surprised if Randle is here long term (the 31-year-old has a player option for the 2027-28 season at $35.8 million). But for now, he and Michael Porter Jr. can put the ball in the basket, Egor Dëmin should take a Year 2 jump, and Brown should finally solve the search for a franchise point guard. Brooklyn has a ways to go, but at the very least, this group should be more competitive most nights next season for Jordi Fernández — and get out of the league basement in offensive rating. It’s a start.21. New York Knicks2025-26 record: 53-29; won NBA championship over San Antonio, 4-1Added: C Andre Drummond (one year, $3.88M); F Tyler Nickel (draft rights acquired from Phoenix); G Jack Kayil (draft rights acquired from Houston); G Mojave King (NBA rights acquired from Houston); F Melvin Ajinça (NBA rights acquired from Dallas); F Louis Labeyrie (NBA rights acquired from Lakers); F Chinemelu Elonu (NBA rights acquired from Lakers); 2029 second-round pick (acquired from Houston); 2029, 2033 second-round pick (acquired from Phoenix); 2030, 2032 second-round picks (acquired from Dallas)Lost: C Mitchell Robinson (signed with Boston); G Cameron Carr (draft rights traded to Lakers); G Bruce Thornton (draft rights traded to Houston); F Nick Martinelli (draft rights traded to Houston); C Ugonna Onyenso (draft rights traded to Detroit)Retained: G Landry Shamet (four years, $23.9M); G Jordan Clarkson (one year, $3.88M); G Jose Alvarado (three years, $14.3M); F Mohamed Diawara (four years, $11.2M)Extended: NoneReturning from injury: G Jalen Brunson (left wrist/hand surgery)The skinny: With James Dolan determined not to go into the second apron next season, New York did well to limit its losses to Robinson. Drummond isn’t the rim defender Robinson was, but he still hits the glass decently in limited minutes. Otherwise, the Knicks will run it back, assuming Brunson is back and ready for the start of the season. I always say that owners in any sport have every right to run the teams they buy the way they want, as long as they’re transparent about their intentions with their paying customers. Dolan was definitely transparent. But if the big-money Knicks won’t go all-in to keep their team together after winning it all, who will?