Jun 26, 2026, 07:00 AM ET

The NBA offseason is just getting underway, yet major deals are already altering the league's balance of power. Giannis Antetokounmpo heads to the Miami Heat. LaMelo Ball joins the Minnesota Timberwolves. Austin Reaves inks a fresh max pact with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Plenty of summer tasks still lie ahead across the NBA. With the 2026 draft wrapped, here is how every franchise can master the remainder of its offseason.

ESPN's NBA insiders examine the crucial choices confronting each front office - signings, trades and cost-cutting steps to stay under the luxury tax and apron - ahead of next week's official free-agency opening (Tuesday, 6 p.m. ET).

Note: Team order follows ESPN's post-Finals NBA Power Rankings.

Jump to a team:
ATL | BOS | BKN | CHA | CHI | CLE
DAL | DEN | DET | GS | HOU | IND
LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN
NO | NYK | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHX
POR | SAC | SA | TOR | UTAH | WAS
More: Latest free agency, trade buzz

Oklahoma City Thunder

How they ace their offseason: Reduce the tax bill and create roster space for incoming rookies without harming the club's winning chances. The Thunder already added Michigan center Aday Mara, a 7-foot-3 answer to West rival Victor Wembanyama, for added frontcourt depth. The Aaron Wiggins trade to Atlanta opened room, yet OKC also selected Iowa guard Bennett Stirtz, so at least one more player must depart or a team option must be declined. Veteran defender Lu Dort and reserve guard Isaiah Joe look most exposed. Both have served as useful rotation pieces, so GM Sam Presti must locate young, cost-controlled replacements. Success this summer likely hinges on whether Presti succeeded with the Mara and Stirtz selections.

One move they should make: Reacquire Isaiah Hartenstein by exercising his $28.5 million team option or declining it and re-signing him at a reduced figure to ease the tax. Hartenstein has shifted the needle for the Thunder across two seasons. Oklahoma City has drafted a center in each of the past two Junes, but that youth cannot yet be relied upon to contain elite bigs such as Wembanyama and Denver's Nikola Jokic in the playoffs. Hartenstein performed that role during a seven-game series against San Antonio in the conference finals. He remains essential. -- Anthony Slater

San Antonio Spurs

How they ace their offseason: Although De'Aaron Fox's uneven NBA Finals performance sparked trade chatter, San Antonio benefits from a measured path after one of the league's youngest groups nearly captured a title. The Spurs began well by selecting Jayden Quaintance and Tarris Reed Jr. to strengthen frontcourt depth, yet they must add a proven, versatile power forward to pair with Victor Wembanyama. Game 4's dramatic finish was no fluke; Knicks forward OG Anunoby highlighted this roster gap throughout the series by outperforming San Antonio's smaller wings.

One move they should make: The Spurs will execute the summer's simplest step by extending Wembanyama a five-year maximum rookie deal that could top $300 million. Wembanyama, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper will all operate on inexpensive rookie contracts next season, but San Antonio will begin feeling the effects of its lottery fortune once Wembanyama's extension begins in 2027-28. -- Ben Golliver

New York Knicks

How they ace their offseason: As defending champions, the Knicks must balance roster continuity with awareness that the rest of the league is studying their vulnerabilities. Owner James Dolan may have invited scrutiny by stating he prefers to avoid the punitive second apron, suggesting backup center Mitchell Robinson could depart. Retaining him would signal more than goodwill; his offensive rebounding and interior defense appear vital after he contained Wembanyama, neutralized Cleveland's bigs and disrupted Joel Embiid during the title run. At $12.9 million last season, an agreement should be reachable.

One move they should make: Extend Karl-Anthony Towns this summer. Towns and the Knicks failed to reach terms before the season, which might have complicated their championship pursuit. Instead, Towns delivered in the playoffs with some of his most complete basketball. Towns is owed $57 million followed by $61 million (player option in 2027-28) and wishes to remain a Knick long-term. Removing uncertainty, whether Towns accepts a discount or not, is key to New York's repeat hopes. -- Vincent Goodwill

Boston Celtics

How they ace their offseason: The Celtics face multiple issues this summer: Derrick White shows signs of decline, Boston's revamped frontcourt was overpowered in the playoffs, and the offense lacked rim pressure. Yet addressing these areas will prove difficult if Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and White remain on the books. That trio is projected to earn a combined $145 million in 2026-27 against a salary cap near $165 million. Something must change for Boston to improve its title outlook.

One move they should make: Celtics president Brad Stevens recently alluded to ongoing trade speculation around Brown, a five-time All-Star who has reportedly drawn interest from multiple clubs. Trading Brown after a decorated decade in Boston would mark a difficult shift, yet it offers the clearest route to rebalancing the roster. Brown excelled as the top option last season while Tatum recovered from a torn Achilles, and a deal would allow him to lead his own franchise. -- Golliver

Detroit Pistons

How they ace their offseason: The Pistons' playoff shortcomings underscored their primary need: a complementary scorer for Cade Cunningham who can stretch the floor and supply secondary creation. Detroit captured 60 wins and the East's top seed through defense and effort, but the offense lacked dynamism around Cunningham to become a genuine title contender. Following a quiet trade deadline, the club now has the chance to fix that shortcoming.

One move they should make: Re-sign Jalen Duren. While the Pistons could pursue perimeter scorers ranging from Kawhi Leonard to Trey Murphy III, Norman Powell and Tyler Herro, they must first retain their breakout All-Star center. A restricted free agent, Duren became indispensable after Detroit dealt Isaiah Stewart on draft night. His playoff showing disappointed, yet 14 subpar games should not erase 70 strong regular-season outings. Duren is only 22 and should continue alongside Cunningham. -- Zach Kram

Denver Nuggets

How they ace their offseason: Avoid overreacting to apron concerns by thinning the rotation or accepting an unfavorable deal. Observers assume the Nuggets must move a contract such as Cameron Johnson's ($23 million expiring) or Christian Braun's (five-year, $125 million extension) to keep rising wing Peyton Watson. That is not automatic. If ownership accepts a large luxury-tax payment, Denver could retain Watson, Johnson, Braun and Aaron Gordon while staying deep on the wing, health permitting.

One move they should make: Keep Watson. Drafted 30th overall in 2022, he developed from a project into a versatile two-way wing with high upside across his first four seasons. As a restricted free agent, Denver holds matching rights. Even if ownership pushes for savings, securing Watson should take priority. -- Slater

Cleveland Cavaliers

How they ace their offseason: Cleveland remains committed to its core, which reached the conference finals before a sweep by the Knicks. Absent a surprise trade, the Cavaliers appear poised to tweak around the margins and hope a full season of the James Harden-Donovan Mitchell backcourt plus further growth from Evan Mobley keeps them in contention. With Harden's contract status uncertain and Mitchell extension-eligible, Cleveland is more likely to lock in existing pieces than rebuild.

One move they should make: Re-sign Harden to a multiyear deal at a lower annual figure than his $42.3 million player option. The arrangement would benefit both sides: Harden gains added security as he nears his late 30s, while the reduced yearly hit drops Cleveland below the second apron and increases flexibility around its stars. -- Kram

Minnesota Timberwolves

How they ace their offseason: The question typically centers on how aggressive president Tim Connelly is in pursuing trades. This summer the answer came swiftly. Minnesota surrendered its only tradable first-round pick (2033) and key reserve Naz Reid to acquire LaMelo Ball from Charlotte, a bold move from a front office known for big swings. Connelly previously landed Rudy Gobert from Utah in 2022 and sent Karl-Anthony Towns to New York for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo in 2024.

One move they should make: Re-sign guard Ayo Dosunmu. With DiVincenzo sidelined by an Achilles injury for much or all of 2026-27, Minnesota must prioritize keeping Dosunmu. Acquired at the deadline from Chicago, Dosunmu averaged 14.4 points on 52.1 percent shooting and 41.4 percent from three in 24 games with Minnesota. He also posted the two highest-scoring bench performances in Timberwolves playoff history. Because Minnesota obtained Dosunmu's Bird rights, it can exceed the luxury tax and apron to retain him. -- Bobby Marks

Los Angeles Lakers

How they ace their offseason: The Lakers addressed a major priority by securing Austin Reaves on a four-year, $185 million maximum contract - the largest ever for an undrafted player. That step should help keep Luka Doncic content. Another priority is adding a lob-catching, rim-protecting big man. GM Rob Pelinka must construct around Doncic, who thrives with an athletic center and shooters nearby. Detroit's Jalen Duren and Utah's Walker Kessler are restricted free agents who fit the profile, yet both carry matching rights. New York's Mitchell Robinson and Portland's Robert Williams III could intrigue but will likely draw strong interest elsewhere if they leave their current teams.

One move they should make: Bring back LeBron James. James's plans remain unknown, but if he chooses to play a 24th season the Lakers should exhaust every option to keep him in purple and gold. The Doncic-LeBron pairing showed promise, including a 16-2 stretch after the All-Star break. After Doncic and Reaves missed significant playoff time, the Lakers should explore how far the Doncic, James and Reaves trio can advance. Should 2025-26 mark LeBron's final season, no venue offers a better Hollywood finish. Allowing the all-time leading scorer to conclude elsewhere would represent a missed chance for Los Angeles, assuming James agrees. -- Ohm Youngmisuk

Houston Rockets

How they ace their offseason: After acquiring Kevin Durant last summer, Houston appears headed for a quieter 2026 offseason. The Rockets have their five most-used players from 2025-26 under contract for 2026-27 and will welcome back Fred VanVleet from knee surgery. VanVleet's return should improve a sometimes stagnant offense and keep Houston competitive for another 50-win campaign. Still, the Rockets should test the trade market for Durant and center Alperen Sengun. The two stars have yet to develop seamless chemistry, so preparing for all scenarios is prudent.