Anshari Taslim
As mid-July progresses, the professional basketball landscape continues to grapple with the unresolved futures of two of its most prominent figures. LeBron James, a four-time NBA champion and MVP, currently operates as a free agent, reportedly engaging with multiple teams through unconventional means, including voice-memo pitches. Simultaneously, the status of two-time NBA champion and Defensive Player of the Year Kawhi Leonard remains in flux. His anticipated trade back to the Toronto Raptors, or a potential move to the Los Angeles Clippers, is currently on hold pending an NBA investigation into his dealings with Aspiration, a financial services company. While the investigation’s conclusion has been anticipated for months, its findings could theoretically void Leonard’s contract, adding an unusual layer of uncertainty. The protracted nature of these high-profile situations is rare this late in the offseason, undoubtedly constituting the most significant outstanding questions. However, beyond these two superstars, the league faces a series of pivotal decisions that will shape numerous franchises.
Moving past the immediate impact of James and Leonard, several other crucial questions remain unanswered across the league. What strategic maneuvers are other teams contemplating, and what developments are they awaiting? The following outlines seven of the most pressing questions independent of the James and Leonard sagas.
1. Will the Thunder Duck the Second Apron?
The Oklahoma City Thunder, fresh off a successful season culminating in a Western Conference Finals appearance, initiated their offseason with anticipated moves designed to manage their financial position. Exiting the playoffs approximately $40 million above the NBA’s second apron, the Thunder promptly offloaded Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe, both of whom had cost-effective replacements already integrated into the roster. Similarly, the restructuring of contracts for Isaiah Hartenstein and Kenrich Williams aligned with standard financial management.
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However, as of mid-July, the Thunder remain more than $12 million above the second apron, standing as the only team in this position. This places them in line for a projected luxury tax bill exceeding $100 million. While the team’s long-term financial planning has always anticipated future high-spending seasons, incurring such a substantial tax penalty already raises questions about their immediate strategy. The organization is poised for years of expensive rosters, with Cason Wallace’s rookie extension likely to kick in next offseason and Ajay Mitchell’s team-friendly deal expiring a year later. Conventional wisdom suggests the Thunder would aim to defer significant tax implications for as long as feasible.
Several pathways exist for Oklahoma City to circumvent the second apron. The most straightforward involves trading Luguentz Dort, whose $17.7 million team option was exercised last month. His contract could be absorbed by various trade exceptions held by other teams, or potentially by the Brooklyn Nets, who possess the cap space to acquire him if desired. An alternative approach would entail a series of smaller transactions. Players like Nikola Topić and Thomas Sorber, with combined salaries around $10 million, could bring the Thunder closer to the apron threshold, allowing them to make further adjustments during the season. The question then becomes whether these players have been sufficiently replaced within the Thunder’s long-term strategic outlook.
It is important to note that the Thunder are arguably as well-equipped as any franchise to navigate the stringent roster-building restrictions imposed by the second apron. Their extensive stockpile of draft capital mitigates the impact of future frozen picks, and a championship-caliber roster reduces the immediate need for aggregated salaries in trades or the use of mid-level exceptions. Yet, as a small-market team with a defined budget, the long-term implications of recurring, massive tax bills cannot be ignored. Logic dictates a desire to postpone such expenditures.
2. Is There a Wing the Lakers Can Afford?
The Los Angeles Lakers entered the offseason with significant assets: portions of five first-round picks to trade and over $50 million in cap space. Their primary objectives included addressing the center position and bolstering their wing rotation. While they successfully acquired Walker Kessler to solidify their frontcourt, paying him at the maximum end of the non-star center market and relinquishing two first-round picks and two first-round swaps, their wing situation remains unresolved. This aggressive pursuit of Kessler leaves the Lakers with only one first-round swap (in 2032), three second-round picks, and no remaining cap space to secure a vital wing player.
The Lakers’ options for acquiring a wing are now limited. They could leverage their second-round picks to create additional cap space. For example, a package of three second-round picks might enable them to move players like Dalton Knecht and Jaden Hardy, thereby opening approximately $10 million in space. Reports suggest this space could be offered to Jonathan Kuminga. However, this would represent a substantial financial reduction for Kuminga, and given his inconsistent performance, it offers no guarantee of immediate success for the Lakers.
Alternatively, the Lakers could utilize their 2032 first-round swap in a trade. This asset might facilitate a sign-and-trade for Kuminga, with the Atlanta Hawks reportedly open to acquiring Jarred Vanderbilt as part of such a deal. Executing this would deplete the Lakers of all their future first-round trade capital. The question arises whether they could secure a more impactful player than Kuminga. While the Thunder have a known affinity for deep future draft assets, it is unlikely they would part with Luguentz Dort for a 2032 swap. The rebuilding Dallas Mavericks might be open to trading P.J. Washington, primarily to shed the long-term contract he received from General Manager Nico Harrison.
Ultimately, the Lakers face a challenging predicament. Wings are among the most sought-after player archetypes in the contemporary NBA, and the Lakers’ significant investment in Kessler has left them with minimal resources to address this critical need. General Manager Rob Pelinka faces an uphill battle in the coming weeks.
3. Can the Pistons Add Some Offense?
Jalen Duren’s status as a restricted free agent for the Detroit Pistons remains unsettled, though the implications are minimized by the nature of restricted free agency. Duren is widely expected to remain with the Pistons, whether through a one-year qualifying offer, a long-term contract below his initial hopes, or by matching an offer sheet from another team (the Nets currently represent the most plausible financial option for an outside offer). Therefore, Duren’s eventual destination is not the primary concern in Detroit; rather, it is the terms of his retention.
The more pressing issue for the Pistons is their offensive production. Aside from the largely lateral move of replacing Tobias Harris with John Collins at power forward, most of Detroit’s offseason transactions appear to be preparatory steps for a larger acquisition. While Isaiah Joe offers valuable shooting, the Pistons already possessed a similar archetype in Duncan Robinson. The decisions to offload Caris LeVert and Isaiah Stewart, while creating financial flexibility, have yet to yield a significant offensive addition.
Detroit is in critical need of a secondary creator. The team has been linked to numerous players, including Norman Powell, who ultimately signed with Chicago, and Zach LaVine, who is reportedly not pursuing a buyout. The possibility of the Milwaukee Bucks rerouting Tyler Herro, a player of prior interest to Detroit, or the Nets reconsidering a Michael Porter Jr. trade if an extension is not reached, remains. There is a clear and urgent void in the Pistons’ roster for players capable of dribbling, passing, and shooting effectively, potentially even two such players if Collins is viewed as a backup rather than a starting option. Given the team’s struggles in recent seasons, including a 26-56 record in 2023-24, the absence of offensive playmakers is a significant impediment to improvement. It is widely anticipated that the Pistons will, at some point, address this glaring deficiency.
4. Will the Knicks Add Another Backup Center?
The New York Knicks are operating with approximately $3.2 million in second-apron space and one roster spot left to fill. The most logical application of these resources would be to acquire a third center. The departure of Andre Drummond, an obvious downgrade from Mitchell Robinson, has been compounded by Ariel Hukporti’s move to the Philadelphia 76ers. Consequently, the Knicks require additional frontcourt depth, and the path to acquiring it is not immediately clear.
The Knicks attempted unsuccessfully to trade for Yves Missi. They may now pivot to exploring other centers on rookie deals. While the organization would prefer to retain its remaining precious draft capital, it is worth noting that their 2033 first-round pick, alongside swaps in 2030 and 2032, are tradable assets. The potential inclusion of Deuce McBride, who is entering the final year of a team-friendly extension and plays in a guard-heavy rotation, in such a trade would not be surprising. If the Knicks pursue a more prominent name, a move during the regular season might offer greater flexibility, as filling roster spots typically becomes less expensive, allowing for trades involving higher salaries.
The current free-agent pool for centers is not particularly robust. Nick Richards, recently traded from Phoenix to Chicago, is perhaps the most recognized player available, having been fourth on Phoenix’s depth chart. The Knicks have also been linked to Jonas Valančiūnas, recently waived by the Denver Nuggets. New York’s previous success with non-guaranteed deals for guards like Malcolm Brogdon and Garrison Mathews, leading to Landry Shamet’s unexpected and essential contribution, might inspire a similar approach at center, though the talent pool is demonstrably shallower. Irrespective of the method, the addition of a big man appears inevitable. Given Karl-Anthony Towns’ frequent foul trouble, robust center depth is considered 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 it being curtailed by injuries. He represented a potential target for the Los Angeles Lakers and was reportedly in discussions with the Los Angeles Clippers. However, following the Clippers’ acquisition of Rui Hachimura, they no longer possess the cap space required to extend an offer sheet to Watson. The Brooklyn Nets remain a theoretical cap-space threat, but Watson has not been definitively linked to them in any substantial reporting.
The prospect of a substantial offer sheet for Watson would have presented a significant financial challenge for Denver. Even after waiving Jonas Valančiūnas, the Nuggets maintain only approximately $8 million in second apron room and have at least four roster spots to fill. Retaining Watson at the estimated $25 million he was projected to command would have propelled the Nuggets deep into the second apron. Given their repeater tax status, this could have resulted in a historic luxury tax bill, potentially escalating their total salary obligations to around $400 million. This financial pressure led many observers to anticipate a cost-cutting trade from the Nuggets earlier in the summer. However, the organization has publicly maintained its intention to avoid such moves. The impact of Nikola Jokic’s reported delay in signing his contract extension on these decisions remains speculative.
Regardless, Denver’s public stance appears to have been effective. The immediate threat of a substantial Watson offer sheet has seemingly diminished, positioning the Nuggets to either execute a sign-and-trade for valuable draft picks, secure him on a favorable long-term contract, 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 concern that becomes more manageable with Cameron Johnson’s contract set to expire from their books the following year. While the Nuggets are not entirely free of financial considerations and may still shed salary, the current market appears to have alleviated the immediate pressure of a hefty, long-term offer sheet for Watson.
6. What Will the Nets Do With Their Cap Space?
A notable outstanding item is the unofficial status of the Brooklyn Nets’ reported acquisition of Julius Randle. Once this trade is finalized, approximately $13 million of Brooklyn’s current cap space will evaporate due to Randle’s higher salary compared to Nic Claxton and the inclusion of the No. 28 overall pick, Joshua Jefferson. The delay in formalizing this trade suggests the Nets may be strategically preserving their cap space, albeit for a limited window, in case a significant opportunity arises.
By mid-July, the vast majority of prominent free agents have already committed to teams. A move for Peyton Watson, if intended, would likely have materialized by now. Brooklyn could consider renegotiating and extending Michael Porter Jr.’s contract, effectively front-loading a deal while the rest of their roster is relatively inexpensive. However, there has been limited reporting on such a development. The Nets represent an obvious trading partner for the Thunder should Oklahoma City decide to shed more salary. Yet, with the recent signing of Keon Ellis, the acquisition of another defensive guard like Luguentz Dort raises questions about immediate roster fit.
Cap space, even late in the offseason, offers numerous productive avenues. The Nets could facilitate a multi-team trade, absorbing undesirable contracts for draft compensation, or delve into the free-agent bargain bin for rotational pieces. Until the Randle deal is formally completed, it is reasonable to infer that Brooklyn is actively exploring all possibilities to maximize the strategic value of its remaining financial flexibility.
7. Are the Pelicans Going to Do… Anything?
The individual decisions made by the New Orleans Pelicans this offseason can largely be rationalized. Their insistence on a high price for Trey Murphy III is understandable; as a 26-year-old wing on a team-friendly contract, he is a highly coveted asset, warranting a premium return akin to the Mikal Bridges haul. Their refusal to trade Yves Missi to the Knicks aligns with the current value placed on centers and their potential need for a long-term rim-protecting prospect to complement Derik Queen. The retention of Zion Williamson, despite questions about his fit with Queen, is also defensible given his strong performance last season and the mostly non-guaranteed nature of his contract, making it illogical to simply give him away.
However, a holistic review of the Pelicans’ offseason reveals a striking lack of activity. They have not added a single player on a standard contract. Their only draft pick, Jaron Pierre Jr., is expected to sign a two-way deal, typical for late second-round selections. Their sole free-agent move has been the re-signing of 37-year-old DeAndre Jordan. With 14 players currently under contract, the team technically does not need to add anyone else.
The fundamental question then becomes: are the Pelicans genuinely planning to run back a team that finished the 2023-24 season with 26 wins? Furthermore, this win total was arguably inflated by external circumstances. The Pelicans held the NBA’s worst record as late as January 22. Their subsequent improvement was partially attributable to facing teams actively engaged in tanking. Half of their 16 wins after January 22 came against the Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings, Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards, and Dallas Mavericks, all of whom were reportedly prioritizing draft positioning. The reforms to the NBA lottery system have diminished the efficacy of overt tanking, yet the impact on the Pelicans’ record remains pertinent.
In an environment of honest competition, the Pelicans might have possessed one of the league’s weakest rosters in the 2025-26 season. The only substantive change made to their core team has been the hiring of Jamahl Mosley as head coach. Is this truly the extent of their offseason strategy? What is the overarching plan for the franchise, and will its contours even become clear before the next season commences?
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