3 Winners Of NBA Free Agency

Day one of NBA free agency got off to a busy start as organizations re-signed key players and made valuable additions to their existing rosters for the upcoming season.

A collection of teams were already active on the trade market pre-dating the start of free agency and kept their feet on the gas with various signings during the legal tampering period. Below are three NBA teams that finished the night as winners from transactions made before the draft and up to now.

1. Houston Rockets

Re-Signed: PF Jabari Smith Jr., SF Jae’sean Tate, PF Jeff Green, PG Aaron Holiday, C Steven Adams, PG Fred Vanvleet

Key Additions: SF Kevin Durant, SF Dorian Finney-Smith, C Clint Capela,

Key Subtractions: SG Jalen Green, SF Dillon Brooks

The Rockets started their offseason moves before the draft by trading their 2025 top-10 pick, five second round picks, Jalen Green, and Dillon Brooks to the Phoenix Suns for Kevin Durant. Even at 36 years old, Durant posted one of his more efficient seasons with the Suns, averaging nearly 27 points per game on 52/43/84 efficient shooting splits last season.

The move for Durant emphasized Houston’s intent to go all-in for the upcoming season after its successful 52-30 campaign in 2025. From there, the Rockets bolstered its wing depth by signing Dorian Finney-Smith to a four-year deal to replace Dillon Brooks’ three-and-d production.

The Clint Capela signing may be perceived as slight overkill, but it provides depth to the center position behind Steven Adams, who, while they did extend, has an injury-riddled track record. The center rotation of Adams and Capela gives Houston tons of versatility on the frontline that they didn’t have a few seasons ago.

By getting Durant, Houston didn’t have to sacrifice the heart of its young core in the process. Jabari Smith Jr. was not only not moved, but extended on a rookie contract that makes his services affordable at the price of just $25 million per year.

Paired with rising talents such as Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson, Houston has the veteran talent and young pieces to make a genuine run in the Western Conference this upcoming season.

2. Denver Nuggets

Key Additions: SG Bruce Brown, SF Cam Johnson, Jonas Valanciunas

Key Subtractions: PG Russell Westbrook, SF Michael Porter Jr., Dario Saric

There was no denying that the Denver Nuggets were somewhat constricted in what they could do roster-wise with money tied into their 2023 championship core. So, the franchise decided to part ways with Michael Porter Jr.’s large contract in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets, which led to them acquiring small forward Cam Johnson in return.

The Cam Johnson deal required Denver to shell out an unprotected 2032 first-round selection for his services, but the move made valuable sense for the Nuggets title aspirations. Johnson has the cheaper contract, is just as good of a shooter as MPJ and presents better portability during the playoffs due to his defensive nature.

The return of Bruce Brown on a one-year deal may have been one of Denver’s most underrated additions of the offseason. Brown will regain his role as the team’s backup floor general and will thrive as a cutter, screener, and transition player in his minutes with Jokic and Murray.

The team also moved the contract of Dario Saric to the Sacramento Kings for a backup big in Jonas Valanciunas. Valanciunas provides the team a legitimate backup center to keep the offense somewhat functional during the non-Jokic minutes.

With Jokic in his prime, the window for Denver to win a title is slim, but realistic. Surrounding the team with players that align with the Joker’s skillset is valuable, and the few additions they did make prioritize that greatly.

3. Atlanta Hawks

Key Additions: Kristaps Porzingis, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Luke Kennard

Key Subtractions: Caris Lavert, Terance Mann, Georges Niang, Clint Capela

Atlanta seized the moment in a wide-open East by going all-in around point guard Trae Young. Adding Kristaps Porzingis to their starting five provides a five-out lineup that features optimal spacing in the frontcourt, allowing Young to get to the rack and either finish for himself or initiate plays for others.

The Nickeil Alexander-Walker signing gives Atlanta yet another wing defender to protect its point guard at the point-of-attack while also providing them an extra offensive initiator when Young isn’t on the floor. How NAW fits into the Hawks’ starting five remains to be seen, but he instantly becomes a multi-tool spark plug off the bench.

Luke Kennard isn’t the two-way player that Porzingis and Alexander-Walker are, but he’s been one of the game’s best shooters from three, according to the percentages. An added gun to the team’s uptempo offense will only bolster their offense.

Atlanta has clearly brought in personnel designed to push the pace on offense and applies intense perimeter pressure on defense. Under Quinn Snyder, the team may approach top-five offense and defense rankings in a winnable Eastern Conference next year.