Anshari Taslim
Mid-July finds the NBA offseason still grappling with significant unresolved player situations, most notably those of LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard. James, a prominent free agent, is reportedly engaging with various teams through voice-memo pitches, indicating a wide range of considerations for his next move. Leonard’s status remains similarly fluid, with uncertainty surrounding his future with either the Los Angeles Clippers or the Toronto Raptors. A potential trade sending him back to Toronto is currently on hold, pending an NBA investigation into his dealings with Aspiration. This inquiry, which has lingered for months, could theoretically lead to the voiding of his contract depending on its findings. The prolonged uncertainty surrounding two players of such stature is exceedingly rare at this stage of the offseason, underscoring their undeniable prominence as the biggest questions. However, the league faces a multitude of other critical decisions that extend beyond these two superstars.
Beyond the headlines generated by James and Leonard, several key issues remain for teams across the league. What follows are seven of the most pressing questions that will define the remainder of the NBA offseason, irrespective of the decisions made by the league’s most famous duo.
1. Will the Thunder Duck the Second Apron?
The Oklahoma City Thunder, fresh off a deep Western Conference Finals run, began their offseason with expected roster adjustments aimed at managing their financial commitments. Moves such as offloading Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe, and reworking contracts for Isaiah Hartenstein and Kenrich Williams, were largely anticipated given the team’s cultivation of cheaper replacements and burgeoning talent. These initial steps aligned with a strategy to navigate the league’s luxury tax thresholds.
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Despite these efforts, the Thunder currently find themselves approximately $12 million above the second apron, making them the sole team in this position as mid-July progresses. Facing a projected luxury tax bill that could reach $100 million, the team confronts a significant financial decision. The second apron, introduced in the latest collective bargaining agreement, imposes stringent roster-building restrictions, including limitations on aggregating salaries in trades, using certain exceptions, and potentially freezing future draft picks. Given that the Thunder are poised for years of expensive rosters, with Cason Wallace’s rookie extension and Ajay Mitchell’s contract expiring in subsequent offseasons, logic suggests a desire to avoid the second apron for as long as possible.
Several viable paths exist for the Thunder to mitigate their financial exposure. The most straightforward option involves trading Luguentz Dort, whose $17.7 million team option was exercised last month. His contract could be absorbed by various teams holding trade exceptions across the league, or potentially by the Brooklyn Nets if they opt to create additional cap space. Alternatively, the Thunder could pursue a series of smaller transactions. Trading players like Nikola Topić and Thomas Sorber, whose combined salaries amount to approximately $10 million, would bring the team closer to ducking the apron, allowing for further adjustments during the season. The long-term impact of replacing these players within Oklahoma City’s roster outlook remains a consideration.
While the Thunder possess significant draft capital and a championship-caliber roster, making them uniquely equipped to navigate the second apron’s restrictions, the financial implications are substantial for a small-market franchise. Avoiding these large tax bills now could preserve resources for future roster construction and extensions, even if the current restrictions on trade aggregation or mid-level exceptions are less impactful for their deep roster.
2. Is There a Wing the Lakers Can Afford?
The Los Angeles Lakers entered free agency with considerable assets: parts of five first-round picks available for trade and over $50 million in cap space. Their immediate focus was on addressing the center position, which they successfully did by acquiring Walker Kessler. This move, however, came at a significant cost, with Kessler receiving a contract at the top of the non-star center market, and the Lakers relinquishing two first-round picks and two first-round swaps to secure him. This transaction has left them with severely diminished resources: a single 2032 first-round swap, three second-round picks, and no remaining cap space to pursue their other pressing need: a wing player.
Rob Pelinka, the Lakers’ general manager, now faces an uphill battle in addressing this critical roster deficiency. Several options, each with its own set of challenges, are being explored. The team could utilize its second-round picks to create additional cap space. For instance, if three second-round picks facilitated the Houston Rockets offloading Dorian Finney-Smith’s $14 million contract, a similar package might enable the Lakers to move Dalton Knecht and Jaden Hardy, generating approximately $10 million in space. This freed-up capital could then be offered to a player like Jonathan Kuminga, though such an offer would represent a significant financial step down for him and does not guarantee immediate success for the Lakers given his inconsistent performance history.
An alternative strategy involves leveraging the solitary 2032 first-round swap. This asset could be instrumental in a sign-and-trade scenario for Kuminga, particularly if the Atlanta Hawks are amenable to taking on Jarred Vanderbilt’s contract to facilitate the deal. Such a move, however, would completely deplete the Lakers’ first-round draft capital, limiting future trade flexibility. The scarcity of high-demand wing players in the league, coupled with the Lakers’ constrained resources, makes this a challenging endeavor. Other potential targets, such as Luguentz Dort from the Thunder or PJ Washington from the Dallas Mavericks, appear unlikely given the potential unwillingness of their respective teams to part with them under the Lakers’ current financial limitations.
3. Can the Pistons Add Some Offense?
The Detroit Pistons’ offseason has been characterized by a series of moves that, while creating flexibility, have yet to address a critical need for offensive firepower. Jalen Duren’s restricted free agency, while unresolved, is largely a formality; he is expected to remain with the Pistons, whether on a one-year qualifying offer or a long-term contract. The financial possibilities for another team to sign him to an offer sheet are limited, with the Brooklyn Nets being one of the few with the requisite cap space, though the Pistons would likely match any offer.
The more pressing issue in Detroit is the team’s offensive production. Aside from the largely lateral move of trading Tobias Harris for John Collins at power forward, the Pistons’ other transactions appear to be preliminary steps rather than definitive solutions. The acquisition of Isaiah Joe, while a capable shooter, duplicates an archetype already present in Duncan Robinson. Similarly, the decisions to move Caris LeVert and Isaiah Stewart, while generating cap flexibility, have not yet been parlayed into a significant offensive upgrade.
The Pistons are in dire need of a secondary creator, a player capable of consistently generating offense for himself and others. The team has been linked to numerous players of note throughout the offseason. Norman Powell has since moved to Chicago, while a Zach LaVine buyout appears increasingly improbable. Speculation continues regarding potential targets, including whether the Milwaukee Bucks might reroute Tyler Herro, a player Detroit previously expressed interest in, or if the Nets would reconsider a Michael Porter Jr. trade should they not extend his contract. With John Collins potentially viewed as a backup rather than a starter, the Pistons could require two such additions. The expectation remains that Detroit will eventually add a player who can effectively dribble, pass, and shoot, injecting much-needed offensive dynamism into their roster.
4. Will the Knicks Add Another Backup Center?
The New York Knicks currently possess approximately $3.2 million in second-apron space and one remaining roster spot, presenting a clear opportunity to bolster their frontcourt depth. The departure of Andre Drummond and Ariel Hukporti (who joined the Philadelphia 76ers) has created a significant void behind Mitchell Robinson. This necessitates the addition of a third center, a role for which there is no immediately obvious solution within the current market or their existing roster.
The Knicks’ attempts to address this need have included an unsuccessful pursuit of Yves Missi. The team could explore trading for other centers on rookie deals, though they would prefer to preserve their precious remaining draft capital, which includes a 2033 first-round pick and swaps in 2030 and 2032. Deuce McBride, entering the final year of his team-friendly extension, could also be dangled in such a trade, given the Knicks’ abundance of guard depth. However, pursuing a higher-profile center may be a strategy reserved for the in-season trade market, where roster spots are often cheaper to fill, offering greater financial flexibility for significant acquisitions.
The current free agent pool for centers is not robust. Nick Richards, recently traded to Chicago after being fourth on Phoenix’s depth chart, is arguably the most recognized name available. The Knicks have also been linked to Jonas ValanÄiÅ«nas, who was recently waived by the Denver Nuggets. New York has previously found success by signing multiple guards to non-guaranteed deals to compete for a roster spot, a competition that saw Landry Shamet emerge as an essential player. A similar approach for centers, despite the shallower talent pool, could be considered. Regardless of the specific method, it is widely anticipated that the Knicks will add a big man. Given Karl-Anthony Towns’ propensity for foul trouble, robust depth at the center position is deemed vital for the team’s success.
5. Have the Nuggets Scared Off Peyton Watson’s Market?
Peyton Watson, the Denver Nuggets’ restricted free agent forward, had a breakout season last year despite being hampered by injuries. As a highly sought-after wing, he was initially expected to attract significant interest, particularly from teams with cap space. The Los Angeles Clippers were reportedly in the mix for Watson, but their subsequent signing of Rui Hachimura eliminated their ability to create the necessary cap space for an offer sheet. While the Brooklyn Nets still loom as a potential cap-space contender, Watson has not been seriously linked to them in any recent reports.
The prospect of a substantial offer sheet for Watson was a source of considerable concern for Denver. Even after waiving Jonas ValanÄiÅ«nas, the Nuggets maintain only approximately $8 million in second apron room, with at least four roster spots still to fill. A large offer for Watson, potentially in the range of $25 million, would have propelled the Nuggets deep into the second apron. Compounded by their repeater tax status, this scenario would have resulted in a historic luxury tax bill, potentially pushing their total salary obligations to around $400 million. This daunting financial outlook led many observers to anticipate a cost-cutting trade from Denver entering the summer, although the team has publicly maintained no such intention. The connection between this stance and Nikola Jokic’s reported delay in extending his contract remains a subject of speculation.
The Nuggets’ strategy, seemingly aimed at deterring aggressive offers, appears to have been effective. The immediate threat of a giant Watson offer sheet has subsided, providing Denver with several options. They could pursue a sign-and-trade for a strong package of draft picks, secure Watson on a favorable long-term deal, or retain him on his one-year, $6.5 million qualifying offer. The latter would make him an unrestricted free agent next offseason, a theoretical risk that becomes more manageable with Cameron Johnson’s contract coming off their books in a year. While the Nuggets are not entirely out of the woods and may still need to shed salary in some form, the immediate pressure of a hefty, long-term offer sheet for Watson appears to have been alleviated.
6. What Will the Nets Do with Their Cap Space?
A notable detail in the current NBA offseason landscape is the unconfirmed status of the Brooklyn Nets’ reported acquisition of Julius Randle. The moment this trade is officially completed, approximately $13 million of Brooklyn’s existing cap space will dissipate, primarily due to Randle’s significantly higher salary compared to Nic Claxton and the inclusion of the No. 28 overall pick, Joshua Jefferson. The delay in finalizing this transaction suggests the Nets are intentionally preserving their cap flexibility, potentially exploring other avenues to utilize it before committing to the Randle deal.
By mid-July, most prominent free agents have already secured new contracts, limiting the Nets’ options for a major free-agent signing. A potential swing at Peyton Watson, for instance, would likely have occurred by now if it were a serious consideration. Brooklyn could also look to renegotiate and extend Michael Porter Jr., effectively front-loading a new deal while the rest of their roster remains relatively inexpensive; however, little movement has been reported on this front. The Nets represent an obvious trading partner for the Oklahoma City Thunder if the latter decide to shed additional salary. Yet, with Brooklyn having recently signed Keon Ellis, the need for another defensive-minded guard like Luguentz Dort might be less pressing.
The remaining cap space offers numerous productive possibilities, from facilitating multi-team trades to exploring the free-agent bargain bin for complementary pieces. Until the Randle trade is finalized, the reasonable assumption is that the Brooklyn front office is actively working to maximize the strategic value of its remaining financial flexibility.
7. Are the Pelicans Going to Do… Anything?
The New Orleans Pelicans’ offseason has been characterized by a notable lack of roster movement, raising questions about their strategic direction. Individual decisions, when viewed in isolation, can be rationalized. Setting an impossibly high price on Trey Murphy, a 26-year-old wing on a team-friendly contract, is understandable given his desirability and the precedent of high-value wing trades. Similarly, retaining Yves Missi and refusing to trade him to the Knicks aligns with the team’s potential need for a long-term rim-protecting prospect to complement Derik Queen. The decision to keep Zion Williamson, despite ongoing fit concerns with Queen, can be justified by his strong performance last season and a contract that includes non-guaranteed elements, making a "giveaway" trade undesirable.
However, the totality of the Pelicans’ offseason presents a perplexing picture. The team has not added a single player on a standard contract. Their lone draft pick, Jaron Pierre Jr., is likely destined for a two-way deal, a common outcome for late second-round selections. Their only free-agent acquisition has been the re-signing of 37-year-old DeAndre Jordan. With 14 players currently signed, the Pelicans are technically not compelled to add anyone else.
This inactivity raises a critical question: are the Pelicans truly content with running back a 26-win team? Furthermore, their 26-win total from last season was arguably inflated by specific circumstances. The team held the NBA’s worst record as late as January 22. A significant portion of their subsequent 16 wins after that date came against teams that were actively engaged in tanking, including the Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings, Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards, and Dallas Mavericks. With lottery reform having largely curtailed overt tanking, an "honest" version of the 2025-26 season could potentially see the Pelicans vying for the league’s worst record. The only substantial change made to the team thus far has been the hiring of Jamahl Mosley as head coach. The absence of further roster adjustments leaves observers questioning the franchise’s overall plan and whether any significant moves will materialize before the start of the next season.
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