To complete this NBA series out of season, we have the elite of last season’s elite.
The New York Knicks want to go one step further with a new head coach. The Houston Rockets acquired a legend of the game to plant themselves in the inner circle. The Cleveland Cavaliers calmly stretch in the face of a number of adversity after the season and the Thunder also play it cool, but reached on the back of the mountain top.
Then there are the Boston Celtics. A team that had the unfortunate circumstance to lose his best player to an injury for the full season and was forced into a pivot point.
Here are the details about how they did their business in the summer of 2025.
New York Knicks
Remarkable additions: Jordan Clarkson, Guerschon Yabusele
Remarkable departure: Precious Achiuwa
As talented as the Knicks that start five, a lack of depth The team has cost the last two PostEensons.
Clarkson now offers the team a microwave option that must be insulated on the other side of the floor. Yabusele performed pretty well last season in his return to the competition after a strong Olympic Games of 2024. These are important in the large schedule of things.
What is most important is how new head coach Mike Brown will change the attack and use the improved depth to his advantage.
This feels like a big moment for both Brown and the Knicks. Brown may not have asked a better opportunity to push a team above their current ceiling. In the meantime, the will of Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony cities will know that in the coming years of their career years, defining inheritance can be inheritance.
Mikal Bridges are committed to binding a discount, even if it is small, could have important benefits.
Grade: B-
Houston Rockets
Remarkable additions: Kevin Durant, Dorian Finney-Smith, Clint Capela, Josh Okogie
Remarkable departure: Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Cam Whitmore, Jock Landale
One of the worst Half Court -violations acquired one of the most efficient scorers In the history of the game. They also did this in exchange for one jalen green who was perhaps the most inefficient and ineffective scorer of last year’s play -offs and a replaceable Dillon Brooks.
To add that, the rockets could also steal Finney-Smith from the Los Angeles Lakers. That reinforces their defense but also adds a solid external threat to the catch-and-shot. Clint Capela pushes the middle depth together with Steven Adams from the couch behind Alperen Sengun.
They were also able to get Jabari Smith into a fair long -term extension after five years and $ 122 million.
All I ask here is whether this same money might have been better spent on Nickeil Alexander-Walker. The rockets currently have a shooting watch card that slips in Amen Thompson as standard, followed by Josh Okogie.
Houston has many attackers and therefore that potential lack of depth is the only reason why they do not get full figures for this low season.
Grade: A
Boston Celtics
Remarkable additions: Anfernee Simons, Georgeus Niang, Luke Garza, Hugo Gonzalez, Josh Minott
Remarkable departure: Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, Luke Kornet
There is no way to suggest this, it has been a cheeky low season for the very recently powerful Celtics.
Porzingis and Kornet are losing all vacation and this season is at least this season from Boston. Based on the rumors, the Celtics wanted to go even further from Simons after they had taken it over.
It is acknowledged that the Celtics went on this path because of the Achilles fracture that Jayson Tatum has suffered. That ended every hope to compete for a title next season and ownership, as well as the Front Office has since shifted the focus to minimizing tax payments.
So, credit where it should be, the Celtics were successful in this. The transactions of Brad Stevens and Co. have reduced the tax assessment by around $ 200 million. It is a pity that the second apron forced the hand of a team that his core group built organically.
Grade: B
Cleveland Cavaliers
Remarkable additions: Lonzo Ball, Larry Nance Jr.
Remarkable departure: You Jerome, Isaac Okoro
The Cavaliers have shown a lot of calmness in not being exaggerated to their premature play -off exit. It seems that they have been on the side of the fence that they tell them that this was a team hindered by a crucial toe injury for Darius Garland and a missed match for Evan Mobley.
At the same time, Cleveland also acknowledged their lack of size on the half of the defense and he went further from Ty Jerome to acquire Lonzo Ball. The health of the latter will play a major factor in the success of the transaction, but there is little to ask in terms of process. It is very clear the right idea.
Would the cavs consider going from Garland if the right player would present himself? Possible. For now, the injuries in the east meant that a measured approach can be everything needed.
Grade: B
Oklahoma City Thunder
Remarkable additions: N / A
Remarkable departure: N / A
You cannot blame the champions for the fact that they have kept the focus on the low season on securing their ‘Big Three’ for the long term. With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren are all drawn for extensions, Oklahoma City can expect to fight at least a few years.
The extension of Holmgren is one to keep an eye on. He missed his entire Rookie season and played only 32 regular season matches last year. His talent is the Rookie Max extension where he received compliance, but now there must be the corresponding availability.
With the activity of the Nuggets and Rockets this season outside of season, it gives the impression that the gap was tackled in a large way before the low season.
The old saying is that champions need a little fresh blood to bring the fire back the next season. No team has repeated since the Golden State Warriors in 2017 and 2018.
The experience to only win a title will make a Young Thunder selection even better next season, but it is fair to wonder if that is only enough.
Grade: B-
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