NBA free agency 2025: Tracking the biggest moves from Day 2

Contract: Four years, $285 million

This one was as obvious as it gets — a slam-dunk decision for the Thunder.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who turns 27 this month, is just stepping into the heart of his prime. Fresh off an astonishing run that saw him snag the scoring crown, league MVP, and Finals MVP all in one whirlwind campaign, SGA has solidified himself as one of the game’s true elite.

With him on the court last season, OKC played like a 72-win juggernaut. And the best part? The core group that just hoisted the trophy with him is staying put for the foreseeable future.

Locking in SGA to this mega-extension all but guarantees the Thunder will continue circling the top of the title race for years to come.

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Contract: Four years, $107 million

Just a day after watching Brook Lopez, 37, head west to join the Clippers, the Milwaukee Bucks responded with a bold twist, landing a younger, high-impact version of him in Myles Turner, age 29. And they didn’t just sign him, they cleared the runway with a series of jaw-dropping moves to make it happen.

The biggest shocker? Damian Lillard is out. The Bucks waived the injured star point guard, who tore his Achilles during the playoffs, and will now stretch the $113 million remaining on his contract across five seasons. That leaves Milwaukee eating a $22.5 million dead cap hit annually through the decade, but it freed up the space needed to bring in Turner.

From a numbers standpoint, Turner brings plenty to the table. Over the last three seasons, he’s averaged 16.8 points, 7 boards, 2 blocks, and nearly two made threes a night, all while shooting a crisp 37.7% from downtown. A true modern big.

Of course, letting go of Lillard hits differently on an emotional level. He was locked in through 2026-27, with a $58.5 million player option waiting at the end. Now, he faces a long rehab without a team but he won’t be short on suitors once he’s healthy again. He’ll still pocket every cent of his deal and hit free agency likely just in time for one final chapter elsewhere.

The Denver Nuggets are treating this free agency like a heavyweight bout—and they’re landing punch after punch.

After flipping Michael Porter Jr. for Cameron Johnson and reuniting with Bruce Brown, the reigning champs addressed another key need on Tuesday by upgrading their backup center spot, shipping out Dario Šarić and bringing in the more impactful Jonas Valančiūnas.

The rationale for Denver is crystal clear. Šarić, signed last summer with the taxpayer mid-level exception, barely cracked the rotation. Now, using part of the trade exception from the MPJ deal to bring in a bruising big like Valančiūnas—who quietly averaged 10.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in under 19 minutes per game last season—is a tidy bit of business.

As for the Kings, who sent out Valančiūnas, it feels like this move is setting up a bigger play. Šarić doesn’t seem like a long-term fit in Sacramento, making a buyout or a future trade highly plausible. His expiring deal and lower salary do, however, give the Kings some financial flexibility—particularly access to the full non-taxpayer MLE while staying under the luxury tax threshold.

Denver struck gold again with a bargain-bin signing: Tim Hardaway Jr. is headed to the Mile High City on a one-year veteran minimum deal. Considering he made $16.2 million with Detroit last season, that’s an absolute steal.

The sharpshooter averaged 11 points and drilled 2.2 threes a night on 36.8% shooting from deep with the Pistons. As a floor-spacing sniper off the bench, Hardaway Jr. has the kind of microwave scoring ability that can flip the momentum of a game in a hurry.

Veteran presence and perimeter shooting played a huge role in the Detroit Pistons' turnaround last season, but early signs in free agency suggested they might be taking a step back in both areas.

Malik Beasley—the team’s top option from deep—is currently under federal investigation for alleged gambling violations, while Tim Hardaway Jr., who trailed just behind him in total three-point attempts, has taken his shooting talents to Denver.

To fill the void, Detroit initially brought in Caris LeVert, a versatile wing who offers plenty, but not the kind of high-volume outside shooting that opens the floor for Cade Cunningham to go to work.

Now, though, they’ve addressed that need head-on by acquiring Duncan Robinson. The 31-year-old sharpshooter comes with a reputation as one of the league’s most consistent threats from long range—owning career averages of 11.3 points and 2.8 threes per game, while connecting on nearly 40% from beyond the arc. His off-ball movement and quick trigger make him a tailor-made fit alongside a playmaker like Cunningham.

The Pistons had to send out Simone Fontecchio in a sign-and-trade to make the move happen, but Robinson is expected to bring more to the table in the role Fontecchio was projected to fill.

Jakob Poeltl's return to the Toronto Raptors is a bit more puzzling.

The big man brings value with his clever passing, relentless offensive rebounding, and sturdy interior defense, tools that, on paper, justify the investment.

But in Toronto’s specific setup, it’s a curious call. Poeltl doesn’t space the floor at all, and placing him alongside a trio of below-average shooters in Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram, and RJ Barrett could make the offense feel awfully cramped.

After a baffling string of decisions that saw them part ways with both Tyrese Haliburton and De’Aaron Fox, the Sacramento Kings were left scrambling for stability at point guard. Enter Dennis Schröder, a well-traveled floor general who might just bring a steady hand to the backcourt.

Schröder split time between Brooklyn, Golden State, and Detroit last season, averaging 13.1 points and 5.4 assists across 28.1 minutes per game. While he's never been a lights-out shooter, posting a career mark of 34.2% from three, he's a capable playmaker and brings veteran savvy to a roster that runs much of its offense through Domantas Sabonis. Ideally, Sacramento would’ve landed a guard with more reliable range, but in terms of experience and ball-handling, Schröder checks some key boxes.

Tre Mann's return didn't exactly come out of left field but the numbers behind the deal did catch some off guard.

The 24-year-old guard showed flashes last season, averaging 14.1 points while shooting an impressive 40% from deep. However, those figures came from a small sample size, just 14 games, due to injury. Add to that his career struggles with consistency and defense, and the contract feels like a bit of a gamble.

Still, for a Hornets squad in the midst of a rebuild and working under a cap north of $150 million, the risk is manageable. Mann could evolve into a valuable piece—or, at the very least, become a movable asset if the right opportunity presents itself.

The Cleveland Cavaliers may have taken a hit in the depth department this offseason, Ty Jerome was one of the league’s most reliable bench pieces last year, but there's a silver lining: Larry Nance Jr. is back in the fold.

When he's fit, and that’s always the catch with Nance, he brings a rare blend of versatility and IQ. A crafty small-ball five who defends across positions, facilitates well for his size, and has quietly become a deep threat, shooting 43.3% from beyond the arc over the last two seasons.

The downside? Injuries have followed him throughout his career, and now he joins a second unit that already includes the injury-prone Lonzo Ball.

The Celtics are rolling the dice on a low-risk, high-upside prospect in Josh Minott.

The 2022 second-round pick has barely scratched the surface in the NBA, logging just 463 minutes across 93 games in three years. That said, his G League flashes have been intriguing, posting 21.2 points per game in limited action, along with signs of court vision and playmaking chops.

It’s a punt, no doubt but in what might be a transitional season for the Celtics, Minott could earn meaningful minutes and showcase the energy and athleticism that once made him a sleeper pick.