NBA Free Agency has just started! yet this off-season has been crazy already!
Game, Series, Toronto
The Toronto Raptors are bringing back former Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard via trade with the Clippers.
Trade Details:
Raptors Receive: Kawhi Leonard
Clippers Receive: Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, two second-round picks, pick swap
The Toronto Raptors fly their former Finals MVP back up north to join the young, exciting Raptors team. Leonard, who recently turned 35, hit one of the greatest shots in NBA history, sending the 76ers packing and the Raptors into the Eastern Conference Finals, eventually taking them to an NBA Championship. The Raptors are taking advantage of a wide-open Eastern Conference by keeping their name sneakily around the contention mark. The starting lineup for the Raptors as it currently stands earns a total of $173 million, meaning they are over the soft salary cap with just these players alone. With new two-way addition Allen Graves, I will be extremely excited to see the mentorship that Kawhi can provide and help Graves develop into a viable two-way option. Taking a big risk on a large contract in the Raptors' current financial situation could prove costly, especially giving up as much draft capital as they have.
The Clippers receive a solid wing, a young guard with untapped potential and some draft capital. Brandon Ingram is making $10 million less than Kawhi Leonard. With the roster currently constructed, they will be set up perfectly for the new lottery system. They won't be the worst team in the league, but they could push towards a potential play-in spot, which will grant them higher odds in the new draft lottery system. This would be beneficial, however they don't own their first-round pick in three of the next four years. The Clippers will be an interesting team to watch, with the additions over the off-season as well as their late-season acquisition in Darius Garland, who the Clippers are high on. Owning other teams' first-round picks is more valuable than ever in today's NBA.
Lebron James and lakers weird off-season
LeBron has told the LA Lakers that he will not return to the organisation in the 2026-27 season. Just days after Bronny James re-signed with the Lakers, LeBron will head into free agency, set to join another team for the first time since joining the Lakers in 2018. Whilst rumours have been circulating over the previous couple of seasons about James joining Steph in Golden State, this is the most likely time for this to occur. However, this would occur without Anthony Davis joining the Warriors, as the Wizards have shut down these rumours. James is also heavily rumoured to be considering reunions in Miami and Cleveland. With James open to taking a pay cut, we could see LeBron join a couple of teams that would instantly make them championship calibre, especially if he is open to taking a pay cut. James Harden has also not re-signed yet, as they attempt to make a play for LeBron.
The Lakers have had an interesting off-season so far. Losing James will force the Lakers into a more modernised plan, thinking about long-term fit alongside Luka Dončić. The Lakers have signed one player to a max deal this off-season in Austin Reaves. His contract will see him earn over $40 million in each of the next three seasons, with a player option for $50 million in his fourth year. This move has baffled me, as they are paying more than $40 million for a backcourt partner who doesn't offer any defensive upside. Essentially they are paying him this sum to be an off-ball scorer. In an era where contracts are more valuable than ever, the need to be smart with them is paramount. We have seen decent players used as negative assets over the last couple of years due to their contract size, with players like Randle and Lillard serving as recent examples — and future players in the same scenario will include Quickley and Keegan Murray. Unless Reaves develops some incredible defensive upside or playmaking ability, I can see this contract ending up the exact same way. Whilst Reaves is a great player, he just doesn't seem like the right fit alongside Luka Dončić. I believe this will be an interesting story in the coming years.
An Abundance of Guards in Portland
The Portland Trail Blazers start their off-season with a trade for yet another guard. Portland add Ja Morant after it became clear the Morant era had come to a close in Memphis. The two-time All-Star will be headed to the Trail Blazers to start the 2026-27 season.
Trade Details:
Trail Blazers Receive: Ja Morant
Grizzlies Receive: Jerami Grant, Kris Murray
The Trail Blazers get rid of the Grant contract and add a former two-time All-Star. It is unclear whether this is a long-term move to Portland or purely to get the most value out of the Grant contract. The guards in Portland now include: Lillard, Holiday, Henderson, Sharpe and Ja Morant. In this group there are three All-Stars, one potential future All-Star, and an athletic off-ball guard who is a real contributing piece to this team. It will be interesting to see how new head coach Micah Nori manages all these guards in the rotation if they were to all stay on the roster. I am very much looking forward to watching this Blazers team next season.
The Grizzlies move on from the Ja Morant era and shift focus to third overall pick Cam Boozer. This is a good move to hone in on this new team, led by the 19-year-old. This fresh start gives Boozer the keys with no distractions and can give the Grizzlies a chance to build over the coming years. The Grizzlies could have netted a first-round pick in this deal, but will instead have to pay Grant $35 million a year over the next two seasons. For the Grizzlies, this is more of a reset than an upgrade.