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NBA Power Rankings, summer edition: Knicks, Nuggets are contenders; Celtics, Pacers slide
The exodus from Las Vegas is behind us, and now that we are almost at the point where all of the needle-moving free agents are accounted for (any day now, restricted free agents…), we're going to offer up some post-free agency Power Rankings! Only a real fiend is going to use summer league to truly assess the offseason or the draft or anything else. (That may be a spoiler alert, you'll have to stay tuned!) Advertisement We're just here to give you completely agreeable standings updates that will absolutely determine how the 2025-26 NBA season will go down. All we have for three months is paper, so we're going to evaluate the league while all of these teams are in a kumbaya state that comes with not losing any games. These rankings will also break down the most relevant offseason moves. I'll retain the tiers as we break down each team's outlook: Here are The Athletic's last NBA Power Rankings until October! Previous rankings are from last month, following the end of the NBA Finals. Last ranking: 1 Free agency: C Jaylin Williams (re-signed), PG Ajay Mitchell (re-signed) Additions: C Thomas Sorber (draft) Departures: SF Dillon Jones (trade) Midsummer summary: This is as strong a 'run it back' as you can ask for. The entire rotation returns for the reigning champions. They paid the stars, with MVP/Finals MVP point guard Shai Gilgeous Alexander, All-NBA/All-Defense small forward Jalen Williams and center Chet Holmgren getting massive extensions. Jaylin Williams and Mitchell were retained, and to make room for first-round pick Thomas Sorber, Oklahoma City traded last year's first-round pick Dillon Jones to Washington. The Thunder even have last year's lottery pick Nikola Topić healthy after a redshirt year. The only concerns are Jalen Williams' recovery from wrist surgery and Sorber's readiness after he rested for summer league while he recovers from the injury that ended his season in February. Last ranking: 3 Free agency: PF Precious Achiuwa (unrestricted), SF Landry Shamet (unrestricted), PG Cameron Payne (unrestricted), PF P.J. Tucker (unrestricted), SG Delon Wright (unrestricted), C Ariel Hukporti (option exercised) Additions: SG Jordan Clarkson, PF Guerschon Yabusele Departures: TBD Advertisement Midsummer summary: It's all about new coach Mike Brown and how he may reimagine what is largely the same team that went to the Eastern Conference finals. Clarkson should be an upgrade on Payne, while Yabusele should be an upgrade on Achiuwa. The offense could be even better, though the question of how well this team can defend with Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns will persist. New York should still add a couple more players, especially in the frontcourt and on the wing. Last ranking: 5 Free agency: SG Sam Merrill (re-signed), C Tristan Thompson (unrestricted), SF Javonte Green (unrestricted), PF Chuma Okeke (unrestricted) Additions: C Larry Nance Jr., PG Lonzo Ball (trade) Departures: PG Ty Jerome, SF Isaac Okoro Midsummer summary: The biggest move the Cavaliers made was to acquire Lonzo Ball in exchange for Isaac Okoro, a move that should help Cleveland account for the loss of key reserve Ty Jerome while giving Cleveland a player who can handle the ball, pass, shoot and make plays defensively. Ball might be needed a lot early in the season with All-Star point guard Darius Garland recovering from surgery on his toe. Like New York, Cleveland could stand to add another player or two to help protect against injury to the frontcourt and wing. Last ranking: 4 Free agency: PF Julius Randle (re-signed), C Naz Reid (re-signed), PG Joe Ingles (re-signed) Additions: C Joan Beringer (draft) Departures: SG Nickeil Alexander-Walker (trade), C Luka Garza, SF Josh Minott Midsummer summary: Two out of three isn't bad. Minnesota kept the frontcourt together by re-signing Randle and Reid. It wound up losing Alexander-Walker, but Minnesota has three players who could vie for Alexander-Walker's minutes in Terrence Shannon Jr., Jaylen Clark and Rob Dillingham. Minnesota also used a first-round pick on center Joan Beringer to replace Garza. Minnesota lost combo forward Minott, so there's a spot for another forward that Minnesota should look to add. Overall, Minnesota is in a good position to attempt to win the West after losing back-to-back conference finals. Last ranking: 6 Free agency: PG Russell Westbrook (unrestricted), C DeAndre Jordan (unrestricted), PF Vlatko Cancar (unrestricted) Additions: SG Tim Hardaway Jr., SF Bruce Brown, C Jonas Valančiūnas (trade), SF Cameron Johnson (trade) Departures: PF Dario Šarić (trade), SF Michael Porter Jr. (trade) Advertisement Midsummer summary: The Nuggets have had a well-received offseason. Johnson is older, shorter and less athletic than Porter, and while Porter has durability concerns due to his back, he has only missed 26 total games the last three seasons. Johnson has missed an average of 30 games per season the last three years. But Johnson should be a better playmaker than Porter while being a more versatile defensive option, and he seems less likely to be a player whom head coach David Adelman needs to call out in the middle of a playoff series. It's all about the fit. Elsewhere, Denver is counting on Brown to rediscover the form that made him an integral part of the 2023 champion Nuggets, as his last two seasons spent on three other teams were underwhelming. Hardaway may be an upgrade over Julian Strawther, but he is 33 and has shot 35.7 percent from the field in the last two postseasons. Getting a year from Valančiūnas is certainly an upgrade on what Denver got out of Šarić last season. Denver is also getting 2024 first-round pick DaRon Holmes II back after Holmes had to redshirt last year due to an Achilles tendon rupture. Last ranking: 9 Free agency: PG Fred VanVleet (re-signed), PG Aaron Holiday (re-signed), C Steven Adams (re-signed), PF Jeff Green (re-signed), PF Jae'Sean Tate (re-signed) Additions: SF Dorian Finney-Smith, C Clint Capela (trade), PF Kevin Durant (trade), SF Josh Okogie Departures: C Jock Landale, SG Nate Williams (waived), SG Jalen Green (trade), SF Cam Whitmore (trade), SF Dillon Brooks (trade) Midsummer summary: The first big move that the Rockets made was getting Durant in exchange for Brooks and Green. The second big move was to backfill Brooks' defense by getting Finney-Smith from the conference rival Lakers. This defense should be at least as good as it was last season. And Houston tripled down on depth at center by getting Capela back to replace Landale. The Rockets are counting on a leap from 2024 lottery pick Reed Sheppard, as Houston is going to need some shooting and ballhandling even when Durant is available. And for all of Green's weaknesses, he only missed 21 games in four seasons, including none the last two years. Durant will be 37 in September and has missed an average of 22 games per season the last four years. Last ranking: 11 Free agency: PG James Harden (re-signed), PF Nicolas Batum (re-signed), C Ben Simmons (unrestricted), SG Amir Coffey (unrestricted), PG Patty Mills (unrestricted) Additions: C Yanic Konan Niederhäuser (draft), C Brook Lopez, PF John Collins (trade), SG Bradley Beal, PG Chris Paul Departures: C Drew Eubanks, SF Jordan Miller (waived), SG Norman Powell (trade) Midsummer summary: Beal becoming available via buyout gave the Clippers a major advantage. They were able to use Powell's expiring contract to upgrade the frontcourt, seizing Collins for their first athletic power forward with size since Blake Griffin was last with the team nearly a decade ago. Beal's addition backfills Powell's departure while actually upgrading the team's ballhandling options next to James Harden. LA also replaced Simmons with Lopez, giving it a relatively sure thing behind Ivica Zubac after trying to experiment with what Simmons could be on this roster. Paul may be 40 and 6-feet tall, but now LA has a much better option in case Harden needs to miss time. Most importantly, Kawhi Leonard is healthy. LA has certainly upgraded its postseason optionality. The question is how long it will take for the new pieces to find their way with the new look Clippers. Last ranking: 13 Free agency: C Moritz Wagner (re-signed), PF Caleb Houstan (unrestricted), PG Cory Joseph (unrestricted) Additions: PG Jase Richardson (draft), PG Tyus Jones, SG Desmond Bane (trade) Departures: SG Gary Harris, PG Cole Anthony (trade), SG Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (trade) Advertisement Midsummer summary: Orlando made one of the earliest moves of the offseason when it traded Caldwell-Pope to Memphis in exchange for Bane, going from a 34.2 percent 3-point shooter to a 39.2 percent 3-point shooter. Now, Caldwell-Pope made 38.3 percent of his 3s in the previous eight seasons before joining the Magic, so Bane will be a test case of whether Caldwell-Pope's off year was due simply to player decline or the annually atrocious shooting environment Orlando seems to be in. Time will tell, and it is a big swing factor in the East. Orlando got another strong shooter in Jones, who replaces Joseph, while first-round pick Richardson takes Anthony's combo guard spot on the roster. Ultimately, the Magic should feel good about their chances of making noise in the East as long as they're done tearing obliques. Last ranking: 7 Free agency: SF Jonathan Kuminga (restricted), C Quinten Post (option exercised), PG Gary Payton II (unrestricted), PG Pat Spencer (unrestricted), PF Braxton Key (unrestricted), PF Gui Santos (option exercised), SF Kevin Knox II (unrestricted) Additions: TBD Departures: C Kevon Looney Midsummer summary: Unlike the other teams mired in a restricted free agency holding pattern, the Warriors actually did something last spring, finishing the season with a winning record while winning a playoff series. Among the key restricted free agents, Kuminga may be the least ideal fit with his incumbent team, which naturally makes him the player who should want to leave the most. The Warriors haven't completed a single transaction in July while the Kuminga proceedings progress, and Looney left the franchise after 10 seasons. Once Kuminga is resolved, the Warriors should be at least as good as they were last season once they added Jimmy Butler III to Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, especially if they acquire a big who can credibly shoot. Last ranking: 12 Free agency: SG Malik Beasley (unrestricted), C Paul Reed (re-signed), SG Lindy Waters III (unrestricted) Additions: PG Caris LeVert, SG Duncan Robinson (trade) Departures: SG Tim Hardaway Jr., PG Dennis Schröder, PF Simone Fontecchio (trade) Midsummer summary: Detroit lost Hardaway in free agency, and Beasley's off-court concerns may have cost him a contract. The Pistons also lost Schröder, who was key in addressing the Pistons' shaky ballhandling last winter. LeVert's shooting fluctuates every year, but he's an on-ball option for Detroit, while Robinson should be a helpful shooter. When it comes to East swing factors, the return to health of Jaden Ivey is a major one, as he represents a secondary ballhandler next to All-NBA point guard Cade Cunningham. Detroit could use another power forward, as Bobi Klintman is slated for that role behind starter Tobias Harris. Last ranking: 10 Free agency: PF LeBron James (option exercised), C Jaxson Hayes (re-signed), PF Markieff Morris (unrestricted), C Alex Len (unrestricted) Additions: C Deandre Ayton, PF Jake LaRavia, SG Marcus Smart Departures: PF Dorian Finney-Smith, PG Jordan Goodwin (waived), SG Shake Milton (waived) Midsummer summary: James opted in and doesn't have a contract beyond this season, so that's been loud. For now, he's on the team, which should be considered Luka Dončić's team going forward. And Dončić is now teammates with the top pick of his draft, Ayton, who can certainly do the baseline tasks of a Dončić center: screen, roll, catch lob. Ayton is a good rim protector and an elite rebounder. The concern with Ayton is his motor and availability; when he is out of the play, he stays out of the play. LaRavia is much younger than Finney-Smith, but also a much less renowned defender who is about to step into a 25-minute role for the first time in his career. Smart, LaRavia's former teammate in Memphis, will be looking to show that he can still contribute after playing in only 54 games in the last two seasons. Last ranking: 14 Free agency: SF Taurean Prince (re-signed), SG Gary Trent Jr. (re-signed), PF Bobby Portis (re-signed), C Jericho Sims (re-signed), PG Kevin Porter Jr. (re-signed), PG Ryan Rollins (re-signed), SF Chris Livingston (re-signed) Additions: C Myles Turner, SG Gary Harris, PG Cole Anthony Departures: C Brook Lopez, SF Pat Connaughton (trade), PG Damian Lillard Advertisement Midsummer summary: Where to begin? The obvious is that Giannis Antetokounmpo is still there. Lillard was shockingly waived and stretched, which is going to be an issue for years to come. But Lillard was already not going to contribute on the floor to the 2025-26 Bucks, and they swiped Turner from the team that ended their season the last two years. Turner replaces longtime starter Lopez, while Anthony replaces Lillard's roster spot. Harris replaces Connaughton, leaving Antetokounmpo and the re-signed Portis as the only members of the 2021 championship team on the roster. Milwaukee retained the remaining rotation pieces from a team that went 16-8 with Lillard out of the lineup last season. If nothing else, Antetokounmpo will be in MVP discussions if he can keep the Bucks out of the Play-In Tournament. Last ranking: 18 Free agency: SG Garrison Mathews (unrestricted) Additions: PF Asa Newell (draft), SF Nickeil Alexander-Walker (trade), C Kristaps Porziņģis (trade), SG Luke Kennard Departures: C Clint Capela (trade), SG Caris LeVert, C Larry Nance Jr., C Dominick Barlow, SF Terance Mann (trade), PF Georges Niang (trade) Midsummer summary: The Hawks are another team that has had a well-received offseason, and they'll certainly be an interesting playoff team. But Atlanta has to get there first. Porziņģis represents a range of possibilities: when he is physically able to be his best, the center is a difference-maker on both ends of the floor and a clear upgrade on the departed Capela due to his shooting and standing reach. But Porziņģis joins Jalen Johnson to form a talented but injury-prone front line. Porziņģis has missed an average of 28 games per season in the last four years, while Johnson has averaged 36 missed games per season in his four-year career. The big get for the Hawks was Alexander-Walker, who the team hopes is an upgrade on Mann, while first-round rookie Newell replaces the traded Niang. Kennard replaces LeVert, a possible downgrade on the ball but a major shooting upgrade. Now we wait to see if Trae Young, who still doesn't have a clear backup, gets paid. Last ranking: 15 Free agency: PF Santi Aldama (re-signed), SF Lamar Stevens (unrestricted), SG Cam Spencer (re-signed) Additions: SF Cedric Coward (draft), SG Ty Jerome, C Jock Landale, SG Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (trade) Departures: SG Luke Kennard, C Marvin Bagley III, SG Desmond Bane (trade), C Jay Huff (trade) Midsummer summary: The biggest move the Grizzlies made is trading Bane to Orlando and hoping that Caldwell-Pope can bounce back after a down shooting year. The rest of Memphis' starting lineup is intact, though All-Star power forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (turf toe) and Zach Edey (ankle) both underwent surgery to address offseason injuries that threaten their availability for the start of next season. Jerome replaced Kennard, a sign that Memphis should run significantly more pick-and-rolls than last season; Cleveland led the league in pick-and-roll volume, while Memphis was dead last. The Grizzlies moved up in the lottery to select Coward, who missed summer league to protect his surgically repaired shoulder. Coward represents a major upgrade in wing talent (he replaces Lamar Stevens on the roster). Landale replaces Huff, and his importance is tied to Edey's recovery. Last ranking: 2 Free agency: C Thomas Bryant (unrestricted), C Tony Bradley (option exercised), C Isaiah Jackson (re-signed), PF James Johnson (unrestricted) Additions: C James Wiseman, C Jay Huff (trade) Departures: C Myles Turner Advertisement Midsummer summary: I hinted in the previous Power Rankings that I wanted to respect the Pacers' accomplishments while acknowledging that they likely won't contend with Tyrese Haliburton recovering from a torn Achilles tendon. Since then, the Pacers watched Turner leave after 10 seasons to go to the rival Bucks. Cold. The Pacers have plenty of ballhandling options in Haliburton's stead: Andrew Nembhard, Bennedict Mathurin, Pascal Siakam in the starting lineup, with T.J. McConnell off the bench. There is still plenty of depth, except at Turner's vacated position. Huff is probably the best option to replace Turner as a 3-point shooting shot blocker. Bradley is back as a reserve center, as are two players (Wiseman, Jackson) who injured their Achilles tendons in the autumn. Rick Carlisle has enough talent to keep the Pacers afloat in the East, but this team doesn't have much of a ceiling. Last ranking: 8 Free agency: C Al Horford (unrestricted), SF Torrey Craig (unrestricted), PG JD Davison (option exercised) Additions: PG Anfernee Simons (trade), PF Georges Niang (trade), C Luka Garza, PF Josh Minott, SF Hugo Gonzalez (draft) Departures: PG Jrue Holiday (trade), C Kristaps Porziņģis (trade), C Luke Kornet Midsummer summary: Like the Pacers, the Celtics have a major Achilles tendon patient. Like the Pacers, the Celtics have lost their 3-point shooting, shot-blocking center to an Eastern Conference rival. Unlike the Pacers, the Celtics didn't stop there. Holiday was traded for Simons, a player who should fit Boston's 3-point heavy offense while taking on many of the touches that Tatum vacates, but who also projects to tank the Celtics' defense. Niang, acquired in the Porziņģis trade, may be the team's best option to start at power forward. Who starts at center? Neemias Queta? Who replaces Horford? Garza? Jaylen Brown, Derrick White and reigning Sixth Man of the Year Payton Pritchard are still here. But Boston doesn't look like a team with enough reliable size, and this defense looks significantly less formidable. Last ranking: 25 Free agency: SG Quentin Grimes (restricted), SG Kelly Oubre Jr. (option exercised), SF Justin Edwards (re-signed), C Andre Drummond (option exercised), SG Eric Gordon (re-signed), PG Kyle Lowry (re-signed), PG Jared Butler (unrestricted), SG Lonnie Walker IV (unrestricted) Additions: SG VJ Edgecombe (draft), PF Trendon Watford Departures: PF Guerschon Yabusele Midsummer summary: The best version of this team is formidable. A recent MVP center. A recent All-Star forward. A recent Most Improved Player at point guard. A top-three pick in this year's draft. A solid group of sophomores. But we know the issue with this team is who will be available and whether the pieces fit. Joel Embiid is hoping to be able to start the season. Paul George just underwent knee surgery. Tyrese Maxey is arguably this team's most reliable player, and the Sixers are trying to determine who can play next to him among third pick VJ Edgecombe, last year's first-round pick Jared McCain and restricted free agent Grimes. Newcomer Watford is Yabusele's replacement at power forward. There's a lot of talent here if everyone can play. But last year showed how bad things can get, and no one should trust Embiid's or George's health right now. Last ranking: 16 Free agency: PG Davion Mitchell (re-signed), SG Alec Burks (unrestricted), PF Keshad Johnson (option exercised) Additions: SG Kasparas Jakučionis (draft), SG Norman Powell (trade), PF Simone Fontecchio (trade) Departures: SG Duncan Robinson (trade), PF Kyle Anderson (trade), C Kevin Love (trade) Midsummer summary: The Heat haven't had back-to-back losing seasons since 2003, when they drafted Dwyane Wade. Miami drafted Jakučionis this year. He's probably not going to be the difference between a winning and losing season, but Powell might be. The contract-year guard only cost Miami Kyle Anderson and Kevin Love, and he should more than replace the shot-making lost when Robinson departed for Detroit; Robinson's exit allowed Miami to acquire Simone Fontecchio. Miami was able to retain Davion Mitchell, who should continue to come off the bench unless Powell, Tyler Herro and Andrew Wiggins prove to be incompatible together. There is a concern about Miami's ballhandling in the first unit, while the second unit lacks size (Nikola Jović and Jamie Jaquez Jr. would be the team's biggest rotation players off the bench). Advertisement Last ranking: 17 Free agency: PG Kyrie Irving (re-signed), SF Dante Exum (re-signed), C Dwight Powell (exercised option) Additions: SF Cooper Flagg (draft), PG D'Angelo Russell Departures: PG Spencer Dinwiddie Midsummer summary: Dallas has something of a crowded roster and needs to shed a standard contract. But whoever that player might be, No. 1 pick Flagg replaces them. Automatic upgrade! The only other roster change of note is that Russell is here to replace Dinwiddie, which should be another upgrade for the Mavericks, although Russell had a forgettable season that saw him drop below 40 percent from the field for the first time in his career. It will be up to Flagg and Russell to run Dallas' offense and find Anthony Davis, who is recovering from surgery to repair a detached retina. Elsewhere in the surgery department, center Dereck Lively II had foot surgery this month. While Davis and Lively should be ready for camp, it underscores the lack of availability both players have had. Availability, of course, is a major concern for Kyrie Irving as well, who re-signed about four months after tearing his ACL. There is more than enough size here, but Irving isn't saving the shaky guard play that this team projects to have. Last ranking: 21 Free agency: C Bismack Biyombo (unrestricted), C Charles Bassey (unrestricted), PG Jordan McLaughlin (unrestricted) Additions: SG Dylan Harper (draft), SF Carter Bryant (draft), C Luke Kornet, PF Kelly Olynyk Departures: PF Sandro Mamukelashvili, SG Blake Wesley (trade), SF Malaki Branham (trade), PG Chris Paul Midsummer summary: Wemby's revenge? Injuries to Victor Wembanyama and De'Aaron Fox allowed 2024 lottery pick Stephon Castle to secure Rookie of the Year honors, then the Spurs were gifted the second pick in 2025 and used it on Harper, who essentially replaced Paul. The young talent is exciting. The fit is not. Someone isn't going to start between Fox, Castle, Harper and Devin Vassell, a player the Spurs extended for five years and $146 million two years ago. San Antonio used its other lottery pick on Bryant, who should be a talent upgrade on Branham. Up front, Kornet and Olynyk replace Biyombo and Mamukelashvili, making the team taller and more skilled offensively. Wembanyama has been cleared to begin next season on time, and his individual possibilities are endless. But coach Mitch Johnson has to figure out how to make sure all of these pieces will elevate the whole team's performance. Last ranking: 20 Free agency: SG Keon Ellis (option exercised), PF Trey Lyles (unrestricted), C Isaac Jones (option exercised), PG Markelle Fultz (unrestricted), SF Doug McDermott (re-signed), PF Jae Crowder (unrestricted) Additions: SF Nique Clifford (draft), PF Dario Šarić (trade), C Drew Eubanks, PG Dennis Schröder (trade) Departures: SF Jake LaRavia, C Jonas Valančiūnas (trade) Midsummer summary: This is the most top-heavy team in the league that has no business being top-heavy. Let's be kind first. I'm a big fan of Clifford, and he takes LaRavia's spot. Don't be surprised if he is contributing early. The rest? I have concerns. Schröder might be the new starting point guard. He takes Fultz's roster spot. But that creates a real logjam at guard with Ellis returning, and that means that Carter, last year's lottery pick, might be the odd man out. None of these guards are going to touch the ball much anyway with Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan continuing Chicago Bulls West. And then the backup big rotation is somehow even less inspiring than before, with Šarić and Eubanks replacing Lyles and Valančiūnas. If anything happens to Keegan Murray or Domantas Sabonis, the elevator plummets in the Capital City. Last ranking: 19 Free agency: PG Josh Giddey (restricted), PG Tre Jones (re-signed), SG Talen Horton-Tucker (unrestricted), PG Jevon Carter (option exercised) Additions: PF Noa Essengue (draft), SF Isaac Okoro (trade) Departures: SF Lonzo Ball (trade) Advertisement Midsummer summary: We return to restricted free agency hell, where Giddey is keeping the Bulls from doing anything except repeat their 2024 trade where they send a former Laker defender to a No. 1 seed in exchange for a lottery pick. Last year, it was Giddey from Oklahoma City in exchange for now two-time NBA champion Alex Caruso. This year, the Bulls sent Ball to the Cavaliers for Okoro. At least Okoro comes equipped with a multi-year contract this time. Horton-Tucker's contract expired before the Bulls could trade him to Oklahoma City, while Carter opted in to keep his money. Jones is back. And the Bulls drafted Essengue to be Matas Buzelis' twin; Essengue essentially replaces Horton-Tucker on a roster that otherwise hasn't changed. Last ranking: 24 Free agency: PF Chris Boucher (unrestricted), SG Garrett Temple (re-signed) Additions: PF Collin Murray-Boyles (draft), C Sandro Mamukelashvili Departures: TBD Midsummer summary: The big story from the Raptors is the departure of Masai Ujiri, architect of the 2019 champions. The Raptors have had a quiet offseason, but it will be interesting to see how Ujiri's last big trade turns out, as Brandon Ingram will debut in the fall after being unable to suit up following his exit from New Orleans in February. Toronto drafted Murray-Boyles and signed Mamukelashvili from San Antonio, giving the Raptors two more reserve bigs while signaling that Boucher's run is up after seven seasons. Temple is also back, meaning someone else has to go between AJ Lawson, Colin Castleton and Jamison Battle. Given Battle's shooting and the logjam of bigs, it would be a surprise if Castleton is on the roster in November. Last ranking: 22 Free agency: SF Matisse Thybulle (option exercised), PG Dalano Banton (unrestricted), SG Rayan Rupert (option exercised) Additions: C Yang Hansen (draft), PG Damian Lillard, PG Jrue Holiday (trade), SG Blake Wesley Departures: PF Jabari Walker, C Deandre Ayton, PG Anfernee Simons Midsummer summary: I mentioned in last month's Power Rankings that the Trail Blazers were better without Simons and Ayton. And what do you know, both are off the team now. Ayton was waived, clearing room for Donovan Clingan to start. And for arguably the most shocking move of the draft, Portland traded down with Memphis to select Yang Hansen. Simons was traded for Holiday, who was a Blazer for about a weekend two years ago after Lillard was traded. Remember Lillard?! Remember how Portland was supposed to have drafted his replacement in Scoot Henderson? Well, now it's Dame Time again! Lillard has a no-trade clause and is back in Portland to rehab for a year, make a comeback, then have the choice to re-enter free agency in 2027. The Blazers are going to be a chore to play against with their defense, but offensively, this projects to be a team that struggles to create advantages consistently. Last ranking: 23 Free agency: PG Monte Morris (unrestricted), PF Bol Bol (unrestricted), SF Damion Lee (unrestricted), PG Collin Gillespie (re-signed) Additions: C Khaman Maluach (draft), SG Jalen Green (trade), C Mark Williams (trade), PF Dillon Brooks (trade), PF Nigel Hayes-Davis Departures: PG Tyus Jones, C Mason Plumlee, PG Vasilije Micić (traded), SF Cody Martin (waived), SG Bradley Beal, PF Kevin Durant (trade) Midsummer summary: This team was in the NBA Finals four years ago and was the top seed in the West three years ago. The Suns traded for Durant and Beal about four months apart two years ago. It's all over now. Durant's traded, and they ate Beal's contract because that's what happens when you acquire a no-trade clause and slaughter a player's value afterward. The assist-turnover merchants whom Phoenix brought in last year, Jones and Morris, were not retained. Phoenix replaced one former Hornets center (Mason Plumlee) with another (Mark Williams), and the Suns decided Khaman Maluach played at Duke like Plumlee and Williams, so they drafted him too. (For those wondering, yes, former Hornets center Nick Richards is still here.) Brooks (not MarShon Brooks) replaces Durant at power forward, while Green essentially backfills Beal, bumping Devin Booker to point guard yet again. As it stands now, the promoted Gillespie is the only traditional point guard on the roster. Advertisement Last ranking: 27 Free agency: SG Brandon Boston Jr. (unrestricted), PF Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (unrestricted), PG Elfrid Payton (unrestricted) Additions: PG Jeremiah Fears (draft), PF Derik Queen (draft), C Kevon Looney, PG Jordan Poole (trade), SF Saddiq Bey (trade) Departures: SF Bruce Brown, SG Antonio Reeves (waived), CJ McCollum (trade), PF Kelly Olynyk (trade) Midsummer summary: It's already rough when you give up a potential 2026 lottery pick for the right to draft Queen, a talented big whom New Orleans likely sees as a power forward more than a center. Then Queen suffered a wrist injury that may delay the start of his rookie season. Such is the torture that is the Pelicans. Dejounte Murray won't begin the season while recovering from a torn Achilles tendon, which should allow lottery pick Fears to get plenty of minutes. Poole was acquired in place of McCollum, and Poole should probably start at point guard in a lineup that includes Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy III, Herbert Jones and Yves Missi. Looney left Golden State after a decade, and he should be the replacement for Robinson-Earl as a backup center. Queen replaces Olynyk, while Fears replaces Payton. Bey, who did not play last year in Washington while recovering from a torn ACL, replaces Brown. There is plenty of size here, but the defense will be a concern, and so will the offense when Williamson starts to miss time. Last ranking: 28 Free agency: SG Seth Curry (unrestricted), PF Taj Gibson (unrestricted), PG Tre Mann (re-signed) Additions: SF Kon Knueppel, SF Liam McNeeley, SG Pat Connaughton (trade), C Mason Plumlee, PG Spencer Dinwiddie, SG Collin Sexton (trade) Departures: C Mark Williams (trade), C Jusuf Nurkić (trade), SG Josh Okogie Midsummer summary: The summer league champions! The most important addition to the team is fourth pick Knueppel, who replaces Okogie and could have a pathway to starting considering Josh Green's shoulder surgery. It should be between Knueppel and Sexton, who was acquired in a trade that sent Nurkić to Utah. Sexton replaces Curry, while Plumlee replaces Nurkić. Charlotte acquired first-round rookie McNeeley in a draft-day deal that sent center Williams to Phoenix, while signing Dinwiddie, who takes Gibson's vacated roster spot. Charlotte also acquired Connaughton and re-signed Mann, so something has to give. There are way too many guards on this team, like Nick Smith Jr. It remains to be seen how DaQuan Jeffries and Moussa Diabaté remain with the Hornets considering their non-guaranteed contracts and the excess contracts on the team, even before they consider what to do with their second-round picks. Last ranking: 30 Free agency: TBD Additions: SF Ace Bailey (draft), PG Walter Clayton Jr. (draft), PF Kyle Anderson (trade), C Kevin Love (trade), C Jusuf Nurkić (trade) Departures: PF John Collins (trade), SG Johnny Juzang (waived), SG Jordan Clarkson, SG Collin Sexton (trade) Midsummer summary: The Jazz went with the high-ceiling player in the draft, selecting Bailey fifth. Bailey basically replaces Clarkson on the roster. Later in the first round, Utah went with national champion Clayton, who takes Sexton's vacated roster spot. Sexton was traded to Charlotte for Nurkić, the appetizer to a three-team trade that sent Collins to LA and Kyle Anderson to Utah. There must have been a UCLA quota on the roster, because Johnny Juzang has been waived and Kevin Love is not expected to play in Utah. Taylor Hendricks is still recovering from his gruesome leg injury suffered early last season. Utah is somehow even bigger than last season's team, but how much better the Jazz can expect to be will come down to the progression of their growing developmental corps. Nine of Utah's top 13 players were in the last four drafts. Last ranking: 29 Free agency: PF Khris Middleton (option exercised), PG Malcolm Brogdon (unrestricted) Additions: PG Tre Johnson (draft), SF Will Riley (draft), C Marvin Bagley III, SF Cam Whitmore (trade), SG CJ McCollum (trade), SF Dillon Jones (trade), SG Malaki Branham (trade) Departures: SG Colby Jones (trade), PG Anthony Gill (waived), C Richaun Holmes (waived), SG Marcus Smart (waived), PG Jordan Poole (trade), SF Saddiq Bey (trade) Advertisement Midsummer summary: How's this for a youth movement: 10 of Washington's 15 standard contracts are occupied by first-round picks from the last four drafts. The exceptions are Middleton, who opted in to the final year of his contract; McCollum, who was traded by New Orleans to Washington for Poole; Corey Kispert, who finally has a shooting friend on this roster in the form of sixth pick Johnson; Justin Champagnie, who has a non-guaranteed contract; and Bagley, who replaces Holmes and is the only true big on a standard contract besides Alex Sarr. Johnson and Riley replace Brogdon and Smart, while 2023 Rockets first-round pick Whitmore and 2024 Thunder first-round pick Jones replace Gill and Jones. A top training camp battle will be determining who should start next to McCollum between Johnson and Carrington. Last ranking: 26 Free agency: SG Cam Thomas (restricted), SF Jalen Wilson (option exercised), SG Keon Johnson (option exercised), C Day'Ron Sharpe (re-signed), PG Tyrese Martin (option exercised), SF Maxwell Lewis (waived), C Drew Timme (option exercised), SG De'Anthony Melton (unrestricted) Additions: PG Egor Demin (draft), PG Nolan Traoré (draft), SG Drake Powell (draft), PG Ben Saraf (draft), PF Danny Wolf (draft), PF Michael Porter Jr. (trade), SF Terance Mann (trade) Departures: PG D'Angelo Russell, SF Cameron Johnson, PF Trendon Watford Midsummer summary: This team used five first-round picks in June, all on players who are highly unlikely to be efficient offensive players throughout most of the 2025-26 season. Denim, Traoré and Saraf are all point guards. Denim is tall, Traoré is fast and Saraf is left-handed. There will be a quiz in the afternoon. Wolf would be a point guard if he had never grown. Powell will never be a point guard; he is here because he has elite physical attributes for a perimeter defender. As far as the serious 'veteran' affairs: Thomas is a restricted free agent. I'm not going to comment on his passing ability, but I will point out that if he is back with the Nets, he is going to score a lot of points if he can stay on the floor; Thomas played in only 25 games last season. Brooklyn traded Johnson to Denver for Porter, who might be the only other player on the team who averages more than 10 shots per game. The Brooklyn-born Mann is also here now. This team is built to tank aggressively, especially if it finds minutes for all of the ballhandling rookies. (Top photo of Mike Brown: Ishika Samant / Getty Images)
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Jalen Williams reflects on Round 2 series win over Nuggets, how Thunder grew from it
Ask anybody who followed the Oklahoma City Thunder's playoff journey to an NBA championship. The moment the fork met the road was against the Denver Nuggets. The Round 2 playoff series was anything but its official name. As the series went the distance, most came away thinking the title winner will likely come from that series. That wasn't just outside noise, either. Jalen Williams felt the same way. He discussed the grueling seven-game series in his "The Young Man and The Three" podcast episode, which was recently published. Nearly two months removed from a blowout Game 7 win, the 24-year-old said OKC shattered through its ceiling with that series victory. "I'm not gonna say we thought, 'Oh, we can win it if we get past Denver,'" Williams said. "It's just more like let's get over the hurdle that we were challenged with last year to show that we got better." There were several moments throughout the playoff series that frightened Thunder fans. Entering as the heavy favorite, the Nuggets served the first punch when Aaron Gordon handed OKC its first playoff loss with a Game 1 game-winner that stunned the crowd. While not as dramatic, the Nuggets delivered again with their Game 3 overtime win. Suddenly, they had a couple of series leads through three games. Up 1-0 and 2-1. All the pressure was on the Thunder not to suffer a catastrophic collapse. A lot of bad memories from last year's Round 2 exit against the Dallas Mavericks resurfaced. "I think last year, that would have devastated us," Williams said. "Once you've been through the playoffs one time, it forces you to be a different person. There's so many emotional swings and ups and downs of the playoffs that it didn't really phase us too much... It sucked, but you can't feel sorry for yourself and lock back in." And the Thunder did that. In a tight back-and-forth Game 5, Williams' catch-and-shoot 3-pointer gave the Thunder the go-ahead lead in the final moments. In a championship run, that was probably the 24-year-old's best singular moment from the run. He screamed at his injured wrist in celebration as OKC held a 3-2 series lead. It was a big-time moment that saw the Thunder mature from a young, up-and-coming squad to the team to beat and eventual NBA champion. They'll now enter next season as every other team's top date. That happens when you have one of the most dominating seasons in league history.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jalen Williams Says He Tried Alcohol For The First Time After OKC Thunder Won 2025 Title
Jalen Williams Says He Tried Alcohol For The First Time After OKC Thunder Won 2025 Title originally appeared on Fadeaway World. The Oklahoma City Thunder's 2025 NBA Championship celebration came with an unexpected twist: Jalen Williams, one of the team's breakout stars, revealed he had his first alcoholic drink moments after the Game 7 victory. And according to Williams, the entire moment was 'a blur.' 'Actually just had my first drink, so I'm like working on that,' Williams admitted in a postgame interview, visibly amused but still clearly processing the magnitude of the night. The Thunder had just secured a historic 103–91 win over the Indiana Pacers to capture the franchise's first NBA title since relocating to Oklahoma City. But if you were expecting wild champagne showers and popping bottles in the locker room like a typical NBA champion, think again. 'That was the most tempered locker room I've seen after any championship,' wrote Marcus Thompson II of The Athletic. There wasn't the over-the-top chaos you might associate with a team full of veterans. Instead, there was laughter, awkward beer sipping, and a team of twenty-somethings trying to figure out how to act like champions while still being barely old enough to rent a car. Williams' teammate Jaylin Williams, no relation, also sampled beer for the first time—and immediately made a face that went viral online. 'Where's the tequila?' he asked moments later, realizing beer might not be his beverage of choice. What makes this story even funnier is how young the Thunder truly are. With an average age of 25.6, they're the second-youngest team in NBA history to win a title—only the 1977 Portland Trail Blazers were younger. The core of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, and Cason Wallace has proven they're not just rising stars, they're champions. Jalen Williams, in particular, had a standout postseason. He played 22 games in the Thunder's run to the title, averaging 21.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.4 steals while shooting 45.5% from the field. During the regular season, he averaged nearly identical numbers and was selected to his first NBA All-Star team. At just 23 years old, Williams became the fifth player in NBA Finals history to post 25+ points in three straight Finals games before turning 25. He wasn't just along for the ride; he was one of the engines. In Game 7, he combined with Holmgren for 38 crucial points, while Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with 29 points and 12 assists. Their dominance, especially in the second half, helped OKC pull away as Indiana faltered, especially with Tyrese Haliburton sidelined. But despite the dominance, what fans will remember just as much as the box score is the Thunder's joy and honesty. A first championship celebration that didn't look like a Hollywood script, but more like a college graduation party. Some first drinks, bad beer faces, and laughter with lifelong teammates. The Thunder are champions. The kids are alright. And Jaylin Williams finally knows what a cold beer tastes story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jun 23, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Thunder Secure Their Future: Jalen Williams Inks 5-Year, $287M Deal
Thunder Secure Their Future: Jalen Williams Inks 5-Year, $287M Deal originally appeared on Fadeaway World. Fresh off their recent NBA title win, the Oklahoma City Thunder have taken a massive step to secure their future and ensure their success for years to come. Following in the footsteps of his teammates Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren, Jalen is now the latest Thunder star to make a long-term commitment with a brand-new five-year, $250M rookie max extension. "After becoming the second-youngest team in NBA history to win a title, the Thunder now have long-term commitments from their Big 3 of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (26), Williams (24) and Chet Holmgren (23) to play together through the rest of the decade as they enter their primes," wrote Shams Charania on X. Williams, 24, is only three years into his NBA career, but he's now set to be one of the league's highest-paid players with a yearly salary of roughly $57.4 million. It's on par with superstars like Stephen Curry, Nikola Jokic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Thunder have come a long way since splitting up Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. Slowly but surely, they stockpiled their assets and built a team that has made their mark on history. Starting with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (who recently signed a massive new contract), his averages of 32.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game this season were enough for him to win MVP months before capturing the Finals MVP. There's also Chet Holmgren, who just agreed to a five-year extension with the Thunder earlier this week, worth potentially $250 million. He didn't play particularly well in the Finals, but he still showed great promise throughout the regular season with averages of 15.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game on 49.0% shooting. Jalen Williams is the third member of the Thunder's essential core, and locking him up for the next five years should be enough to keep them in the title race for a long time coming. At 6'6" and 220 pounds, he's a crafty two-way swingman who can play multiple positions. In 69 games last season, he averaged 21.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game on 48.4% shooting. As the reigning NBA champions, the Thunder are confident that this young core can carry them to a historic level of prosperity in the West. With one title in the books already, and their best players under 30 years old, it's only a matter of time before Oklahoma City adds another Larry O'Brien trophy to their collection. With Shai, Holmgren, and now Williams under contract for the foreseeable future, the Thunder have built more than just a championship team; they've built a culture, a foundation, and a future. In an era of constant player movement and short-term windows, Oklahoma City is betting on continuity, chemistry, and youth. If these extensions pay off, we may be watching the rise of the NBA's next great dynasty, one that's only just getting story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jalen Williams On Handling Criticism: "They Love You One Day, Hate You The Next"
Jalen Williams On Handling Criticism: "They Love You One Day, Hate You The Next" originally appeared on Fadeaway World. Jalen Williams may only be entering his third NBA season, but he already sounds like a seasoned veteran when it comes to dealing with media narratives. During a recent appearance on The Old Man and the Three, the Oklahoma City Thunder guard opened up about how he manages the highs and lows of public perception—and why he's learned to block out the noise. In a league where praise can turn to criticism overnight, Williams made it clear: he's focused on what's real. It's a refreshing mindset from one of the NBA's rising stars, and a window into the mental side of thriving in today's media-driven NBA. "They're gonna love you one day, they're gonna hate you the next day. And that cycle is gonna continue so that they can get people to watch," said Williams on the 'Young Man & the Three. 'And people don't watch, they just listen to what people are saying. That helped a lot because then when I have a bag game it's like… 'meh'. After all, I'm the only one experiencing what's going on.' Williams, 24, is only three seasons into his NBA career, but he's already become a core piece of the best team in the West. With averages of 21.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game on 48.4% shooting, he helped lead the Thunder to the league's top record and a breakthrough title run, cementing his status as one of the most impactful young stars in the game. He also signed a five-year, $287 million extension that will keep him in OKC for the foreseeable future. But the rise didn't come without resistance. Along the way, Williams dealt with the reactionary takes, hot-and-cold narratives, and constant noise from outside voices—many of whom, he notes, don't watch the games. It's something every modern player must navigate, but few speak on it as directly or thoughtfully as Williams. His honesty reflects a deeper truth about the mental grind young players face today: it's not strictly about basketball anymore—it's about managing image and perception from all angles. That media scrutiny has only intensified as Oklahoma City has emerged as a legitimate title threat. With expectations now sky-high and playoff moments magnified, even a single bad game can spark days of overblown headlines and social media takes. But Williams doesn't let it shake him. It's a powerful mindset that speaks to his growing maturity as a leader in one of the league's youngest locker rooms. Despite his inexperience, Jalen knows how to handle the pressure better than most. As Williams aims to pursue another title next season, he's going to focus on playing his game and ignore any noise from the outside. He's not alone in feeling the weight of public perception, but what sets Williams apart is his ability to compartmentalize it. Rather than trying to control the narrative, he's focused on controlling his response. That emotional discipline has helped him maintain consistent production across multiple roles—whether he's creating offense, defending the opposing team's top wing, or closing games next to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren. In a sports media landscape driven by storylines and shock value, Williams' perspective is a reminder that athletes are human first. The ability to stay level-headed, block out false narratives, and focus on the work is what separates the great from the merely talented. For Jalen Williams, it's a sign of ultimate maturity, and perhaps a reason why Oklahoma City's future looks so story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
