The NBA crowned a new champion with the Boston Celtics winning their record 18th championship to conclude the 2023–2024 season. With the NBA Finals in the rear view, all 30 teams turned their eyes to the future of their rosters, and how they can chase down the defending champs.
Though free agency didn’t open until days after the 2024 NBA Draft, trades started during the selections that will impact rosters around the league. Similarly, incoming draft picks will also influence team makeup.
But spending money is how NBA teams change their trajectory. A lot of money was spent around the association in the first couple of days of free agency.
Boston didn’t change its winning formula, but spent a lot of money to make winning their ongoing reality. Jayson Tatum signed a record-setting five-year, $314 million max extension, and Derrick White stayed put with a big four-year, $125.9 million contract extension. Including Jrue Holiday, the Celtics will pay three of its starting five more than $30 million in the coming season.
The runners-up in Dallas made a couple of significant moves to upgrade its roster as it looks to take the only remaining step in the championship window. The Mavericks acquired Quentin Grimes in a deal with the Pistons, then made major headlines with a sign-and-trade for Klay Thompson.
Thompson leaving the Golden State Warriors is a sign it’s moving on from the dynasty roster. While Steph Curry and Draymond Green remain, Thompson was half of the legendary Splash Brothers. It will be strange seeing him suit up for a different team in the Western Conference, but his three-point shooting solves a glaring need for Dallas.
Meanwhile, the Warriors also moved on from veteran point guard Chris Paul. Golden State waived him; he is reportedly going to join the San Antonio Spurs to help the development of reigning NBA Rookie of the Year, Victor Wembanyama.
The Oklahoma City Thunder were active trying to improve their chances of getting out of the Western Conference. Before the draft, they made a deal with Chicago to land defensive guard Alex Caruso. The Thunder were also able to land Isaiah Hartenstein on a three-year deal and brought back both Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins.
The other team that made waves in the Western Conference was the Los Angeles Clippers. They watched veteran wing Paul George leave as a free agent, but replaced him with the return of James Harden. The Clippers also brought in Derrick Jones, Jr., Nicolas Batum, and Kevin Porter, Jr. on multi-year contracts.
The Los Angeles Lakers, on the other hand, have been handicapped by cap issues. LeBron James, who opted out of his contract, signed a two-year deal with $104 million, while his son, Bronny, signed a four-year deal as a second-round pick.
In the Eastern Conference, the big free agency story has been the evolving roster in Philadelphia. The Sixers were able to sign George to a four-year, $212 million deal and extended Tyrese Maxey with a five-year, $204 million extension. The Sixers also added veterans Eric Gordon, Kelly Oubre Jr., and Andre Drummond to their mix.
The Sixers are one of the teams that isn’t only chasing the Celtics, but also the New York Knicks. The Knicks made their big headlines before the draft when the team acquired Mikal Bridges from the Nets in a trade that included a collection of draft picks. The Knicks then extended OG Anunoby with a five-year, $212 million deal.
The Chicago Bulls began what might be a dramatic summer by trading Caruso to Oklahoma City, and receiving Josh Giddey. Chicago was able to sign Patrick Williams to a five-year extension and then added Jalen Smith in free agency. Chicago is reportedly looking at more moves, with Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan both potentially leaving town. DeRozan is a free agent who has been linked to the Clippers, Spurs, and Kings, while the Bulls have been trying to trade LaVine for months.
North of the border, the Toronto Raptors were busy remixing their lineup. The team was able to get five-year extensions for Scottie Barnes (worth up to $270 million) and Immanuel Quickley (worth $175 million) and added Davion Mitchell and Sasha Vezenkov via trade from the Sacramento Kings.
The team that owned the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, the Atlanta Hawks, made a big trade. They sent Dejounte Murray to the New Orleans Pelicans for a package that includes Larry Nance Jr. and Dyson Daniels.
The lowest team in the league, the Detroit Pistons, was able to add some veterans around its young core. The Pistons locked up star Cade Cunningham with a five-year extension. He’ll be joined this coming season by Tim Hardaway Jr., Tobias Harris, and Wendell Moore, Jr.
The Cleveland Cavaliers were able to get a three-year extension for guard Donovan Mitchell to keep him on their roster. And the Indiana Pacers extended both Pascal Siakam and Obi Toppin with four-year deals.
Only two teams—the Denver Nuggets and Memphis Grizzlies—have not yet added a player via free agency or trade this offseason.
