The NBA offseason has once again delivered a landscape-shifting series of moves, with teams retooling their rosters in bold, headline-grabbing fashion. Chief among these seismic shifts is the activity surrounding the Philadelphia 76ers and the Los Angeles Clippers.
Philadelphia 76ers' Major Moves
In a blockbuster trade, the 76ers acquired Paul George from the Los Angeles Clippers, signaling their ambition to dominate in the Eastern Conference. This acquisition came after the Clippers decided against offering George a four-year max contract. Alongside George, the Sixers further bolstered their roster by adding veterans Eric Gordon and Andre Drummond. Keeping continuity in their squad, they also re-signed Kelly Oubre.
An important internal move for the 76ers was signing Tyrese Maxey to a lucrative $204 million extension, solidifying their commitment to building around young star talent. The flurry of activities positions Philadelphia as a powerhouse with a robust blend of experience and youthful energy.
Clippers Reshape Their Roster
While moving George was a significant decision, the Clippers didn't sit back. They brought in Derrick Jones Jr., Nic Batum, Kevin Porter, Kris Dunn, and Mo Bamba in an effort to retool their roster depth. The Clippers also made a splash by signing James Harden to a two-year, $70 million deal, aiming to inject some star power and playmaking prowess into the team.
Major Signings and Trades Across the League
The New York Knicks continued their strategic rebuilding, acquiring Mikal Bridges while trading Isaiah Hartenstein to the Thunder. The Oklahoma City Thunder not only took Hartenstein but also added Alex Caruso. In a notable move, they traded Josh Giddey to the Chicago Bulls, indicating a shift in their young core development.
Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks made headlines by signing Klay Thompson to a three-year, $50 million contract after reportedly refusing a two-year, $48 million deal from the Golden State Warriors. "Thompson feels slighted by the Warriors, and he ends up taking less money on an annual basis from the Mavericks," sources close to the player revealed. The Mavericks orchestrated trades to acquire Thompson, sending Josh Green and Tim Hardaway Jr. in exchange. They also traded Derrick Jones Jr. for Naji Marshall and added Marshall to their roster.
Star Extensions and Re-signings
In Cleveland, Donovan Mitchell inked a three-year, $150.3 million extension, while Boston Celtics' Jayson Tatum signed a monumental five-year, $315 million contract extension. The Detroit Pistons secured Cade Cunningham with a $226 million, five-year max rookie extension. Similarly, the Toronto Raptors ensured their future by signing Scottie Barnes to a potential $270 million, five-year extension and adding Immanuel Quickley to a five-year, $175 million contract.
New Orleans Pelicans' Strategic Acquisition
The New Orleans Pelicans made a bold move by acquiring Dejounte Murray, trading Larry Nance Jr., Dyson Daniels, and two first-round picks in 2025 and 2027. This acquisition solidifies their backcourt and aims to elevate the team's competitiveness in the Western Conference.
Brooklyn Nets' Rebuilding Efforts
Rebuilding was also an underlying theme for the Brooklyn Nets, who traded Kevin Durant in exchange for nine first-round picks. This strategic maneuver regained their control over their 2025 and 2026 first-round picks, setting the stage for a future rebuild centered around youth and draft capital.
Smaller Yet Significant Moves
The San Antonio Spurs signed veteran guard Chris Paul to an $11 million deal and acquired the rights to Stephon Castle. They reshuffled their future assets by trading Rob Dillingham to the Timberwolves for an unprotected 2031 first-round pick and a protected 2030 first-round swap.
In Orlando, the Magic signed Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to a three-year, $66 million deal and extended Jonathan Isaac on a five-year, $84 million contract, ensuring a solid defensive presence for the team in the upcoming seasons.
The Atlanta Hawks continued to build for the future by acquiring a 2025 first-round pick from the Lakers and a 2027 pick from the Pelicans as part of the package for Dejounte Murray, further enhancing their draft prospects.
As the dust settles on this whirlwind of trades, signings, and extensions, the new NBA season promises to be one full of intrigue and high-stakes competition. The jockeying for position in both conferences is set to begin anew, with several teams retooled and ready to challenge for supremacy.