For 18 NBA franchises, the 2026 offseason has begun.

Which teams are ready to take the next step in their rebuilds? Which have massive draft and trade decisions ahead? Could stars such as Giannis Antetokounmpo and Ja Morant be on the move this summer?

We're breaking down the potential moves for each eliminated franchise, including a look at the state of the roster, finances, front office priorities, extension candidates to watch, team needs and future draft assets. (Note: 2026 draft picks are based on current league standings.)

Jump to a team:
ATL | BOS | BKN | CHA | CHI | CLE
DAL | DEN | DET | GS | HOU | IND
LAC| LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN
NO | NY | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHX
POR | SAC | SA | TOR | UTAH | WAS

Eliminated in first round

Denver Nuggets

2025-26 record: 54-28
Draft picks in June: No. 26, No. 49 (via ATL)

Free agents:

• Peyton Watson (restricted, Bird)

• Bruce Brown (unrestricted, non-Bird)

• Tim Hardaway Jr. (unrestricted, non-Bird)

• Jalen Pickett ($2.4 million, team option)

• Spencer Jones (restricted, early-Bird)

• Tyus Jones (unrestricted, non-Bird)

• David Roddy (restricted, non-Bird)

• Curtis Jones (restricted, non-Bird)

State of the roster:

Last offseason, the Nuggets traded third-leading scorer Michael Porter Jr. and their last tradeable first-round pick (in 2032) to the Nets for Cameron Johnson.

The logic was sound: improve the bench without going over the first apron or hampering their financial flexibility. Denver's offseason also featured trading for Jonas Valanciunas, signing veterans Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr. and extending starter Christian Braun's contract.

The moves helped the Nuggets secure the league's top offense and win four more games than last season (and one more than their 2022-23 championship team). Denver averaged 123.3 points per road game, second most in league history.

That regular-season success did not carry over. The Nuggets lost every road game to the Minnesota Timberwolves while averaging less than 97 points. (Denver is 2-8 in its past 10 road playoff games.)

And the Nuggets' offseason additions had little impact. In the first four games, Valanciunas was a DNP, and Johnson (22.2%) and Hardaway (33.3%) struggled from 3-point range.

Denver enters the offseason with more roster decisions. Though Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and the other starters are under contract, Denver is pressed financially to retain Watson, Hardaway and Brown in free agency. Including its late first-round pick in June, Denver is at the second apron.

Offseason finances:

All eyes are on the Nuggets' finances, as the franchise enters the offseason $18 million over the luxury tax and over both aprons. Denver has some financial flexibility because of Valanciunas' partially guaranteed contract. If the veteran center is waived by July 8, Denver is responsible for $2 million of his $10 million salary. The Nuggets could also stretch the protected salary over three seasons.

Top front office priority:

Besides a new contract for Jokic, Denver's focus should be on Watson's restricted free agency.

"From what I understand, it was just a financial business decision [for the Nuggets]," Watson told the Denver Post in October. "With the new CBA and the second apron ... they wanted to stay out of that. As a business, you've gotta operate [based on] what's best for your business. And when it comes time for me to make my decision next summer, I've gotta operate as a business myself."

What is best for Watson is taking advantage of a career season with the Nuggets.

Before injuring his right hamstring Feb. 4, Watson was averaging 14.9 points while shooting 49.6% from the field and 41.7% on 3-pointers. His 53% clip on corner 3s this season ranked sixth in the NBA among players with at least 1,000 minutes. Watson aggravated his injury April 1 and did not play in the first round.

Because Watson is a restricted free agent, the Nuggets can match any offer sheet. But unless Denver looks to trade Johnson's expiring $23 million contract, the franchise appears headed over the second apron if Watson returns.

The futures of reserves Hardaway, Brown and Jones are uncertain. Denver cannot sign any of the three players for more than 120% of the veteran minimum. (For example, Hardaway's first-year salary would not exceed $4.7 million.)

Hardaway, a 2026 Sixth Man of the Year finalist who played 80 games for the first time since his rookie season, averaged 13.5 points and hit 205 3s, the sixth most by a reserve in the 3-point era.

Jones, who failed to reach a long-term contract during the season, started a career-high 37 games. Jones will become a restricted free agent if Denver tenders the forward a one-year, $2.7 million qualifying offer. Because he has early Bird rights, Denver can sign Jones to a contract up to $15 million but for a minimum of two seasons (not including an option).

Extension candidate to watch:

Jokic took a business-like approach on tabling extension talks last offseason.

"I mean, I don't think about it," Jokic said at Nuggets media day in September. "I think those contract extensions come as a reward, as something that is natural to the sport. Especially in today's NBA -- how you see how the salary cap is growing and everything."

Because Jokic had two years remaining on his contract heading into 2025-26, he was eligible to sign a three-year, $201 million extension. But by waiting until this summer, Jokic can tack on another season worth up to $76.9 million. A new contract would put the three-time MVP under contract through 2030-31.

Other extension-eligible players:

• Valanciunas (four years, $92.8 million, can sign after NBA Finals)

• Johnson (four years, $144.7 million, after NBA Finals)

• Zeke Nnaji (four years, $92.8 million, as of Oct. 1)

• Julian Strawther (rookie scale)

• Pickett (four years, $87 million, through June 30)

Team needs:

Depth. Denver will need to replace Hardaway's outside shooting and Brown's versatility if both sign elsewhere this summer. The Nuggets also need a reserve point guard, a rim-protecting reserve big and continued development of former draft picks Strawther and DaRon Holmes II.

Future draft assets:

Recent trades have left Denver with no first-round picks available to trade. The Nuggets are allowed to swap picks in 2031 and 2033, and they have one second-round pick available.

Future first-rounders owed by Nuggets:

• 2027: top-5 protected to Oklahoma City

• 2029: top-5 protected to Oklahoma City

• 2032: unprotected to Brooklyn

Atlanta Hawks

2025-26 record: 46-36
Draft picks in June: No. 7 (more favorable of MIL and NO), No. 23 (via CLE), No. 57 (via BOS)
Odds at the No. 1 pick: 6.8%

Free agents:

• Gabe Vincent (unrestricted, Bird)

• CJ McCollum (unrestricted, Bird)

• Jonathan Kuminga (team option, Bird)

• Jock Landale (unrestricted, non-Bird)

• Mouhamed Gueye (team option, Bird)

• Tony Bradley (unrestricted, non-Bird)

• Keaton Wallace (restricted, early Bird)

• Christian Koloko (restricted, non-Bird)

State of the roster:

The Hawks have the roster resources to build off their best regular season since 2015-16.

The January trade that sent Trae Young to Washington for McCollum and Corey Kispert provided the Hawks with not only a financial runway but also an on-court identity for next season.

The Hawks had the fourth-best record since the All-Star break, trailing only San Antonio, Oklahoma City and Boston. They finished the season ranked third in both points off turnovers and fast-break points. And since Jan. 11, Atlanta went 27-15 and ranked eighth defensively.

Atlanta has 11 players under contract next season, including All-Star Jalen Johnson and 2026 Most Improved Player Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Starters Dyson Daniels and Onyeka Okongwu are also under contract. Fifth starter McCollum is a free agent.

Since the Young trade, the Hawks' starting lineup of McCollum, Alexander-Walker, Daniels, Johnson and Okongwu was plus-21.4 points per 100 possessions, per Cleaning the Glass. That ranked second among lineups with at least 500 possessions.

More importantly, Atlanta joins Oklahoma City as the only playoff teams with lottery picks in June. The Hawks have the most favorable first-round pick between Milwaukee and New Orleans. Atlanta also has a 2026 first-round pick from Cleveland.

Offseason finances:

Atlanta is in as good a financial shape as any playoff team. No players making more than $31 million are under contract next season.

That financial flexibility is based on Kuminga's $24.3 million team option and Buddy Hield's partially guaranteed contract. The Hawks have until June 29 to exercise Kuminga's option, and Hield's contract becomes guaranteed June 25. (Just $3 million of his $9.7 million salary is currently protected.)

If both players return this offseason, Atlanta will be $36 million below the luxury tax. The Hawks would likely have their $15 million non-tax midlevel exception available, even if McCollum returns. The Hawks have four other trade exceptions: $11 million, $6.7 million, $4.5 million and $2.3 million.

Top front office priority:

The draft, McCollum and Kuminga.

The Hawks' offseason to-do list is a result of trades general manager Onsi Saleh orchestrated since taking over last offseason.

The trade with New Orleans to move back in last year's draft from No. 13 to No. 23 landed Atlanta the most favorable first-round pick between Milwaukee and New Orleans. With the Bucks and Pelicans each in the league's bottom 10, the Hawks will enter the May 10 lottery with a 29.3% chance of picking in the top four.

And even if Atlanta misses out on a top prospect such as AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer or Caleb Wilson, there are strong options if Atlanta does not move up from No. 7, including guards Darius Acuff Jr., Brayden Burries, Kingston Flemings, Mikel Brown Jr. and Keaton Wagler. The Hawks also have the resources to explore moving up. They have their 22nd pick in June and the least favorable 2027 first-rounder between Milwaukee and Atlanta (if Nos. 5-30).

In the scenario Atlanta drafts a guard, would that impact McCollum's future? The 34-year-old averaged 16.7 points in 41 games with Atlanta and was plus-11.5 points per possessions.

In the first round, McCollum scored the second-most points through three games in Hawks playoff history. The free agent can sign up to a three-year, $115.9 million extension through June 30. Atlanta can re-sign him and exceed the cap because of his Bird rights.

Kuminga's future is a bit more complicated. The Hawks have three options this summer:

Exercise the $24.3 million team option for next season. Because Kuminga signed a two-year contract with Golden State, he is not extension-eligible and is a free agent in 2027.

Decline the option, then sign Kuminga to a contract with more guaranteed seasons but a lower salary in the first year.

Decline the option, and Kuminga is not brought back. Atlanta loses a key player off the bench who could also be used in a trade in the future. In 16 games with Atlanta during the regular season, Kuminga averaged 12.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. Those numbers saw a slight bump in the playoffs.

Extension candidate to watch:

Besides Johnson, there has been no Hawks player more reliable than Okongwu. A starter at center for 63 games, Okongwu averaged career highs in points (15.2), assists (3.1) and steals (1.1) per game and shot a career-high 37.6% on 3-pointers. Okongwu has two years remaining on his contract, and starting on Oct. 1 he is eligible to extend for three years and $76.6 million. The deadline to extend is the last day prior to the start of the 2026-27 regular season.

Other extension-eligible players:

• Gueye (four years, $86.9 million; eligible to sign through June 30)

• Hield (three years, $55.9 million; after the NBA Finals)

• Vincent (three years, $52.4 million; through June 30)

Team needs:

Frontcourt size. In the playoffs, Atlanta's defense ranked second to last in second-chance points and point paints allowed. It finished 18th in blocked shots during the regular season. Following the Young trade, the Hawks could also use a primary ball handler who can create and pressure the rim.

Future draft assets:

The Hawks owe San Antonio their 2027 unprotected first-round pick but still have seven first-rounders and four that can be traded. From the Dejounte Murray deal, Atlanta will receive the least favorable 2027 pick between Milwaukee and New Orleans (top-4 protected). The Hawks also have 2028 swap rights with Cleveland or Utah and eight second-rounders available.

Portland Trail Blazers

2025-26 record: 42-40
Draft picks in June: None

Free agents:

• Matisse Thybulle (unrestricted, Bird)

• Blake Wesley (unrestricted, fourth-year restriction)

• Robert Williams III (unrestricted, Bird)

• Caleb Love (restricted, non-Bird)

State of the roster:

At his introductory news conference, new Trail Blazers owner Tom Dundon sent a message on what he expects moving forward:

"I think the focus that's been the last few years -- around development -- is now around winning. So, we've tried to get this message through the last couple days that was fun and probably necessary, but it's more fun to win."

The winning has been gradual since 2023-24. The Trail Blazers won 21 games that season, 36 in 2024-25 and 42 this season.

But considering Dundon's other team's success -- the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes have reached the playoffs in eight straight seasons, and they entered the 2026 playoffs with the league's second-best record -- a run of postseason futility will be unacceptable.

Despite Portland losing in the first round, the bones of the roster remain strong. It returns All-Star Deni Avdija, a mixture of veterans led by Jrue Holiday and Jerami Grant, and a solid young nucleus that includes Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe, Toumani Camara, Donovan Clingan, Kris Murray and Yang Hansen. The roster also will get a boost with Damian Lillard returning from an Achilles injury next season.

Starting with their 2027 pick, the Trail Blazers have six tradable first-rounders and financial flexibility this offseason to add via free agency or trades or to retain free agents Robert Williams III and Matisse Thybulle.

Off the court, coach Chauncey Billups was indicted two days after the season started on charges of wire fraud and money laundering conspiracies and was replaced by assistant Tiago Splitter for the remainder of the season. But rather than the adversity fracturing the locker room, Portland won its most games since 2020-21. Heading into the offseason, ownership and general manager Joe Cronin will have a decision to promote Splitter or look elsewhere for a new coach.

Offseason finances:

Extensions for Sharpe and Camara resulted in Portland going from a possible cap space team to having $171 million in salary. The Trail Blazers are, however, in good enough shape financially to bring back Williams and Thybulle or use their $15 million non-taxpayer midlevel exception on a free agent. Portland will enter the offseason $31 million below the luxury tax and $39 million under the first apron.

Top front office priority:

It starts with a new contract for Splitter. After the Trail Blazers topped San Antonio in Game 2, he was honest about his future.

"Just trying to be a pro," Splitter told ESPN's Ramona Shelburne. "[I] try to focus on my locker room and my staff to stay and think about basketball. Same way when I got the job and all the stuff that was going on."

The Trail Blazers ended the regular season going 13-8 and ranked No. 1 defensively in their last 15 games.

"He got thrown in a difficult situation," Avdija said after the Trail Blazers evened the series in Game 2. "It wasn't easy for him to just all of a sudden take the head job. But I think he's done phenomenal. He's getting the best out of everybody. He's believing in each and single one of his players, and we love playing for him.

"He's a winner. He's a competitor. He knows how it is to win a championship. He's passionate, and he got all the tools to be a great coach, and that's what he's doing."

Dundon is a wild card this offseason, not just because of the possible void at coach but because of the learning curve when it comes to roster building.

"Our plan is to work hard, make good decisions," Dundon said earlier this month. "I'm probably more aggressive than most. If it doesn't exist, then you gotta go about finding the pieces to continue to get better and then decide if you can get good enough to win a championship or you have to take a step back. Joe and I have talked about this a lot. There's no one way this is going to go."

That leaves the question of whether Portland will take a win-now approach but at the expense of draft capital and their younger players. Because their 2026 first-round pick was sent to Chicago, Portland has just six first-rounders available to use in trades.

Extension candidate to watch:

Williams is a free agent this offseason but is eligible to extend his contract prior to June 30.

A reserve this season, Williams played a significant role in the first round. He played the fifth-most minutes (more than Clingan, the starting center), while averaging 9.3 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game.

Because of Williams' injury history, the Trail Blazers should include either injury protection or a games played clause in a potential new contract. Since the 2018-19 season, Williams has played more than 59 games only twice -- this season and in 2021-22.

Before going scoreless in Game 4, Henderson had been impactful, as well. In the first three games against the Spurs, Henderson scored 70 points. Over the past 30 seasons, only Brandon Roy (82 points in 2009) and Lillard (79 points in 2014) scored more through their first three playoff games as a Blazer.

Henderson, meanwhile, missed the first 52 games of the regular season because of a hamstring injury. He is eligible to sign a rookie extension until the last day of the offseason.

One player whom we should not expect to sign an extension is Avdija. Because his $13.1 million salary next season is below the average player salary, the maximum Portland can extend him for is three years and $67.1 million.

Avdija is eligible to renegotiate his contract this summer and in 2027 if the Trail Blazers have cap space. He can become an unrestricted free agent in 2028.

Other extension-eligible players:

• Williams (four years, $87 million, can sign through June 30)

• Thybulle (four years, $87 million, through June 30)

• Grant (four years, $214.5 million, as of July 9)

• Murray (rookie extension)

• Vit Krejci (three years, $55.9 million, as of July 12)

Team needs:

Shooting. The Trail Blazers ranked 28th in 3-point percentage this season, and the woes carried over to the postseason. At the time of their exit, Portland had the fourth-worst mark from 3-point range in the playoffs.

Future draft assets:

By reaching the playoffs, Portland now has its own first-round pick in the next seven seasons (from 2027 onward). It is allowed to trade up six and also can trade swap rights in two seasons. Portland has six second-round picks available.

Future first-rounders owed to Portland:

• 2028: swap with Milwaukee

• 2028: unprotected (via Orlando)

• 2029: the most and least favorable of their own, Boston and Milwaukee

• 2030: swap with Milwaukee

Phoenix Suns

2025-26 record: 45-37
Draft picks in June: No. 47 (via PHI)

Free agents:

• Collin Gillespie (Early-Bird)

• Mark Williams (restricted, Bird)

• Jordan Goodwin (Early-Bird)

• Amir Coffey (Non-Bird)

• Jamaree Bouyea (team option, non-Bird)

• Koby Brea (restricted, non-Bird)

• Isaiah Livers (restricted, non-Bird)

State of the roster:

Considering where Phoenix was last April, getting swept by Oklahoma City should not define its season or shape its future.

A year ago, the Suns were a graveyard for coaches, firing three in as many seasons, including Mike Budenholzer last offseason. Phoenix won 36 games and missed the playoffs last season, despite an NBA-record $366 million payroll.

More importantly, the outlook appeared even more bleak. Phoenix had no control of its future first-round picks, a result of the Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal trades. The Suns ranked last in ESPN's most recent NBA Future Power Rankings.

"I want to put a team out there on the court that everyone is proud of," owner Mat Ishbia said last April. "It has to have an identity -- an identity similar to Phoenix. Some grit, some determination, some work ethic, some grind, some joy. We just haven't had that."

To accomplish that, Ishbia veered from his game plan when he first took over. He promoted vice president of player programming Brian Gregory to GM. Gregory had one year of NBA executive experience and had been a college coach (Dayton, Georgia Tech, South Florida) from 2003 to 2023.

Instead of targeting a veteran coach, as he did with Vogel and Budenholzer, Jordan Ott was hired. The 41-year-old had been an assistant since 2016 and coached for the Nets, Lakers and Cavaliers. As for the roster, there were no flashy moves similar to the Beal and Durant trades in 2023. Instead, Durant was traded to Houston for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks and rookie center Khaman Maluach. Beal was bought out of his contract and waived. The unassuming offseason also included trading for center Mark Williams, signing two-way player Collin Gillespie and claiming Jordan Goodwin off waivers.

The moves resulted in the surprise Suns winning 45 games and building a new defensive identity.

But though the Suns improved, they struggled in the last six weeks of the season in clutch games. Not including the blown lead to Portland in the first play-in game, Phoenix went 2-5 in clutch games since March 15.

Offseason finances:

The roster that was once top-heavy with contracts no longer exists, as nine out of the 11 players under contract next season have a salary between $2.3 million and $20 million. The Suns enter the offseason with $159 million in salary on the roster.

However, because of the Beal buyout, Phoenix is $18 million below the tax and $24.9 million below the first apron. The Suns will likely become a tax and apron team if free agents Gillespie and Williams return. In that scenario, Phoenix would have the $6.1 million tax midlevel exception available.

Top front office priority:

Prioritizing their own free agents. Gillespie, Williams and Goodwin have value on this roster, but the franchise might not be able to retain all three without first making another deal to clear space.

Adding Gillespie last offseason proved to be one of the best deals in the league. Signed to a one-year $2.3 million contract, Gillespie averaged career highs in minutes (28.5), points (12.7) and assists (4.6). Phoenix had a plus-3.7 net rating when he was on the court and a minus-3.2 rating when the guard sat.

Because he signed two contracts with the Suns (a two-way in 2024-25 and his current one-year deal), Gillespie can sign for up to four seasons and a $14.9 million starting salary. The contract must be for a minimum of two seasons and cannot include an option.

Williams' durability issues plagued the first three seasons of his career, during which he missed a total of 116 games because of back, left foot and thumb injuries.

In his first season with Phoenix, Williams missed 10 games because of a stress reaction in his left foot but still played a career-high 60 games. Williams ranked in the top 20 in offensive rebounds per game and played a significant role in Phoenix's jump from 26th to sixth in second-chance points. The Suns were plus-8.5 points per 100 possessions when Williams was on the court with Gillespie, Devin Booker, Brooks and Royce O'Neale.

Because of the foot injury, Williams did not appear in the first round.

Williams will become a restricted free agent once Phoenix tenders him a one-year $9.6 million qualifying offer. The Suns would then be allowed to match any offer sheet.

Goodwin had bounced around the NBA since 2021, playing for Washington, Memphis, the Lakers and Suns once before. He was also traded to Brooklyn but did not play. The Suns gave up 113 points per 100 possessions when Goodwin was on the court and were a plus-4.6. Goodwin ranked ninth in the NBA in steals per game this season.

Goodwin has early Bird rights, allowing Phoenix to sign him to a four-year contract.

Extension candidate to watch: Brooks was exactly what the Suns needed, and he played a significant role in the Suns' improvement in almost every defensive category.

"He might agitate the other 29 teams, but for us, he's exactly what we're about," Ishbia said on "The Draymond Green Show" in November.

Starting the day after the NBA Finals, Brooks and the Suns can agree on a new extension. The maximum Phoenix can offer is four years and $125.4 million.

Other extension-eligible players:

• Oso Ighodaro (four years, $92.8 million; eligible to sign the day after NBA Finals)

• O'Neale (three years, $67.1 million; day after NBA Finals)

• Green (four years, $195.2 million; as of Oct. 1)

Team needs:

The Suns are hoping for rookies Maluach and Rasheer Fleming to develop into consistent rotational players. Maluach played sparingly this season but posted 18 points, 14 rebounds and two blocks in the season finale. Fleming had his minutes increase from seven per game before the All-Star break to 18.6 after. The 6-9 forward shot 40.5% on 3-pointers in the 25 final games of the season.

Future draft assets:

Because of prior trades and their status above the second apron in 2024-25, the Suns don't control their first-round pick in six of the next seven years. They are allowed to trade a 2027 first-rounder (the least favorable between Cleveland and Minnesota) and their own first-rounder in 2033. Phoenix has three second-rounders available.

Future first-rounders owed by Suns

• 2027: unprotected to Houston

• 2028: swap with Brooklyn or Washington

• 2029: unprotected to Dallas or Houston

• 2030: least favorable swap with Memphis or Washington

• 2031: unprotected to Utah

• 2032: frozen

Eliminated in play-in tournament

Golden State Warriors

2025-26 record: 37-45
Draft picks in June: No. 11, No. 54 (via LAL)
Odds at the No. 1 pick: 2%

Free agents:

• Draymond Green ($27.7 million, player)

• Kristaps Porzingis (unrestricted, Bird)

• De'Anthony Melton ($3.5 million, player)

• Gary Payton II (unrestricted, Bird)

• Pat Spencer (restricted, Bird)

• Quinten Post (restricted, early Bird)

• Al Horford ($6 million, player)

• Seth Curry (unrestricted, non-Bird)

• Nate Williams (restricted, non-Bird)

• Charles Bassey (unrestricted, non-Bird)

State of the roster: There is no team in the league that faces as many questions and decisions as the Warriors do this offseason.

For the second time in three seasons, Golden State finds itself in the lottery. The Warriors have been a play-in team three out of four seasons since their 2022 championship and finished no higher than seventh in the Western Conference standings in three straight seasons..

While missing the playoffs can be attributed mostly to Jimmy Butler's season-ending injury and Stephen Curry playing his fewest games since 2019-20, the window to compete for a championship is closing if this roster is not healthy.

Butler will be out for an extended period of time to start next season, recovering from a torn right ACL. He underwent surgery on Feb. 19. Before returning for the final three games of the regular season, Curry had been out since Jan. 24 with a right knee injury.

Then there is the uncertain future of coach Steve Kerr.

Kerr has led Golden State to four NBA championships since taking over in 2014-15, and his contract expires at the end of this season.

Despite all of the uncertainty, expect GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. to explore every option on how to improve the roster. The Warriors traded for Butler last February when they were 25-25.

"We're willing to do whatever it takes to improve this team, whether it's young players, first-round picks," Dunleavy said after the trade deadline. "We always have been, we always will be, as long as we're in this win-now window."

The Warriors have the 11th pick in this draft and can trade three additional first-round picks; 2028, 2030 (if 1-20) and 2032. They are allowed to swap firsts in all seven years, as well.

What could present a challenge in the Warriors' roster reconstruction is their inability to cobble together enough salary for a major acquisition, should a player like Giannis Antetokounmpo become available, and still have flexibility adding to the roster.

Because of the lack of sizable contracts on the roster outside of Curry's and Butler's, Green's $27.7 million salary would be required if Antetokounmpo or another All-Star became available.

Curry, Butler and Green constitute 79% of the Warriors' payroll next season. That leaves them with six players (Moses Moody, Brandin Podziemski, Gui Santos, Horford, Will Richard and Melton) each earning less than $13 million.

Green, Horford and Melton have a player option and cannot be traded, unless they opt in to their contract.

Offseason finances:

For the first time since the 2019-20 season, Golden State is projected to be under the luxury tax. Including the player options of Green, Horford, Melton and their 2026 first-round pick, the Warriors are $14.5 million under the tax, $22 million below the first apron and $35 million under the second apron.

The three with player options have until June 29 to opt in. Because of the first apron hard cap, it is unlikely Golden State can use the $15 million non-tax midlevel exception and still have flexibility to remain under once the roster is filled out.

Top front office priority:

Building a roster that can compete for a championship around a 38-year old franchise player in Curry. But can Golden State take a win-now approach and still build the roster for when Curry, Butler and Green are no longer around? The delicate balancing act starts with Kerr.

Kerr has proved that he can win with a veteran-laden roster. But is he willing to take on the arduous challenge of coaching a roster when Curry is no longer on it?

Before the season, Kerr told the media that he was comfortable playing out this season and dealing with his future in the offseason.

"I'm very comfortable just going into this season with a year left [on the deal]," Kerr said. "I'm so aligned with [GM] Mike [Dunleavy] and [owner] Joe [Lacob]. There's no reason for discussion [or] concern. This is kind of a point in our relationship where it's like, let's just see how it is at the end of the year."

Then there are the futures of Curry and Green.

Curry is eligible, starting on Aug. 29, to sign a two-year $136.7 million extension. The new contract would pay him the highest per-year salary in his career ($65.7 million and $71 million) for his age-39 and age-40 seasons.

Other than breaking his left hand in the 2019-20 season and missing 58 games, Curry hasn't suffered a significant injury that cost him more than 12 games until the right knee injury this year.

"You'd start running and doing your normal [rehab] workout," Curry told ESPN's Anthony Slater, describing the problem. "[Then] toward the end of however long the session was, you'd start to feel the pain creep back in and the next day it'd be awful. Played that song and dance so many times over the last two months."

Curry ranks eighth among all active players in career minutes played.

The 36-year-old Green, for his part, has been the heart and soul of the Warriors' past championships, and he too is extension-eligible.

"Maybe you opt out and do a longer deal. Maybe you opt in and extend," Green told ESPN. "I earned the right to be in this position. I won't misuse it. I won't abuse it. I never have. You don't get 14 years out of a place if you were abusing it. All of that s--- matters."

As for the team's post-Curry future, former lottery picks James Wiseman, Jonathan Kuminga and Moody were supposed to form a new core.

Moody is the only player remaining, and the Warriors' future looks uncertain even if Golden State holds on to their future draft picks.

Extension candidate to watch:

Podziemski, in his third season, has played the best basketball of his career since Feb. 25.

The strong play coincides with him being reinstated into the starting lineup. In the 24 games, Podziemski averaged 17.2 points on 45% from the field and 37% on 3-pointers, 6.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game. Defensively, he finished tied for second in charges drawn this season. The 2023 first-round pick is eligible for an extension up until the last day of the offseason.

Porzingis is also extension-eligible (until June 30.) In the play-in against the Clippers, Porzingis recorded 20 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. He scored double-digit points in 13 of 16 games with Golden State.

Other extension-eligible players:

Kristaps Porzingis (three years, $116.2 million, through June 30) Draymond Green (two years, $75.4 million, through June 30) Stephen Curry (two years, $136.7 million) Moses Moody (three years, $67.1 million, as of Oct. 1)

Team needs: Besides adding youth and athleticism, Golden State needs to identify a reserve point guard that can penetrate the paint with consistency.

Other needs include frontcourt help and a 3-and-D wing. If Melton declines his option and does not return, the bench will consist of Moody, Richard and two-way players LJ Cryer and Malevy Leons. Moody tore his left patellar tendon and had season-ending surgery.

Future draft assets:

Golden State has its own first-round pick in the next seven years. Their 2030 first-rounder will be sent to Dallas but only if it falls outside of the top 20.

Because teams are not allowed to trade first-rounders in back-to-back seasons, the maximum picks Golden State can include in one trade is three; 2028, 2030 (if 1-20) and 2032. They are allowed to swap picks in every season. The Warriors have two second-round picks available.

Charlotte Hornets

2025-26 record: 44-38
Draft picks in June: No. 14, No. 18 (via PHX)
Odds at the No. 1 pick: 0.5%

Free agents:

• Pat Connaughton ($3.8 million, team option)

• Coby White (unrestricted, Bird rights)

• Xavier Tillman (unrestricted, early Bird)

• Antonio Reeves (restricted, non-Bird)

State of the roster:

Losing in the play-in and not advancing to the postseason for the first time since 2016 should not diminish what Charlotte accomplished.

After a preseason win total of 26.5, according to DraftKings, the Hornets won 44 to more than double last season's total. Charlotte's 33-16 record since Jan. 1 is a by-product of multiple factors, including availability and consistency in the starting lineup and a strong 2025 draft class headlined by Rookie of the Year finalist Kon Knueppel.

Last season, the Hornets used 45 different starting lineups, and only three players (Moussa Diabate, Josh Green and Seth Curry) appeared in at least 65 games. This season, seven players reached that threshold, including starters Knueppel, Diabate, Miles Bridges, LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. As a result, Charlotte used just 19 starting lineups and went 32-9 when the five started together with a league-best plus-28.1 points per 100 possessions when on the floor. Ball, Miller and Knueppel became the fourth trio in history to each make at least 200 3-pointers.

Hornets rookies Knueppel, Sion James and Ryan Kalkbrenner scored 27% (31.4 points per game) of the teams' offense. Knueppel, meanwhile, became the first rookie to lead the league in 3s with 270.

The turnaround is just a starting point. Entering the offseason, Charlotte has:

• Two top-20 picks in the 2026 draft

• 13 players under contract for next season

• Financial flexibility to sign free agents, including Coby White

• Seven tradable future first-round picks, including a potential three picks in 2027

Offseason finances:

Outside of Ball, the Hornets have no players on the roster earning more than $23 million. The addition of two first-round picks will bring the roster to 14 players with salaries between $2.4 and $22.9 million. As a result, Charlotte is in a strong position to re-sign White and use all of its $15 million non-tax midlevel exception. Including both first-rounders, the Hornets are $43.4 million below the luxury tax and have three trade exceptions available ($8.2 million, $7 million and $2.3 million).

Top front office priority:

It starts with sticking to the core principles general manager Jeff Peterson outlined when he was hired in 2024.

"Our main goal is to have sustained success," Peterson said. "We don't want to make the playoffs one year and then we're out for another three or four years. We want this to be sustainable and turn this team into a consistent winner."

The White trade in February illustrated Peterson's vision. By trading for White, Charlotte inherited his Bird rights, allowing the franchise to sign him as a free agent and exceed the salary cap. Without the trade, Charlotte did not have cap space to sign the guard outright. In 20 games off the bench since the trade, White averaged 15.5 points per game and shot 38.5% on 3s.

The draft and White's free agency are priorities, but Charlotte has decisions when it comes to Bridges, Ball and Miller. All three are eligible for extensions.

Bridges is on an expiring $22.9 million salary and is eligible to extend for four years, $114.2 million. Since the All-Star break, Bridges' scoring has decreased from 18.1 to 15 points per game but on better efficiency. In those 24 games, Bridges shot 49.1% from the field and 35.0% from 3.

Due to the Hornets managing his workload, Ball played the fewest minutes of his career (28 per game) but appeared in the second-most games in his career (72). Ball has two years remaining on his contract and is eligible to extend for three years, $119.9 million.

Extension candidate to watch:

Growth, development and how a player impacts meaningful games are the three attributes to evaluate rookie extension candidates like Miller. After an injury-plagued second season limited him to 27 games, Miller rebounded to have career highs in made 3s and 3-point percentage. One area of concern is Miller's consistency shooting against top-10 defenses this season. In the 21 games against the league's stingiest teams, Miller shot 39.1% from the field and 34.7% on 3s. The 23-year-old is eligible to extend until the last day of the offseason. The Hornets have $81 million in committed salary in 2027-28, the first year Miller's extension would start.

Other extension-eligible players:

• Connaughton (three years, $86.9 million; eligible to sign through June 30)

• Ball (two years, $119.9 million; after NBA Finals)

• Bridges (four years, $114.2 million; as of July 14)

• Green (four years, $92.8 million; after NBA Finals)

• Grant Williams (four years, $92.8 million; after NBA Finals)

• White (three years, $52.4 million; through June 30)

Team needs:

Roster flexibility is a starting point, with Charlotte having two first-round picks in June and 13 players under contract. With Green and Williams entering the final years of their contract, it will be an important offseason of development for former first-rounder Liam McNeeley.

Future draft assets:

The Hornets are well built for the future, with 10 first-round picks and 14 second-rounders available over the next seven years. Charlotte can trade up to seven first-rounders in the next seven years, including four of their own picks.

Future first-rounders owed to Hornets:

• 2027 via Dallas (if 3-30)

• 2027 via Miami (if 15-30)

• 2029 least favorable between Cleveland, Utah and Minnesota (if 6-30)

LA Clippers

2025-26 record: 42-40
Draft picks in June: No. 36 (via MEM), No. 52 (via CLE); has Indiana's pick if it lands Nos. 5 or 6

Free agents:

• Bennedict Mathurin (restricted, Bird)

• Jordan Miller ($2.4 million, team option)

• Kobe Sanders ($2.2 million, team option)

• Nicolas Batum ($5.9 million, team option)

• Bradley Beal ($5.6 million, player option)

• Bogdan Bogdanovic ($16 million, team option)

• John Collins (unrestricted, Bird)

• Brook Lopez ($8.8 million, team option)

• TyTy Washington Jr. (unrestricted, non-Bird)

• Norchad Omier (restricted, non-Bird)

State of the roster:

In August, ESPN ranked the three-year futures of all 30 teams. The rankings took into account the roster, finances and management, among other categories. The Clippers finished fifth.

A month later, the Clippers' outlook became far murkier.

As part of multiple reports by podcaster and ESPN contributor Pablo Torre, the Clippers were accused of circumventing the salary cap to pay Kawhi Leonard. The NBA's investigation, which began shortly thereafter, is ongoing. If they are found guilty of any wrongdoing, building out the roster this offseason and in future years could be more difficult. The penalties could include the loss of draft picks, significant fines and suspensions of team executives, including owner Steve Ballmer.

The investigation will not preclude the Clippers from starting their offseason planning, however.

The Clippers did not make the playoffs for the first time since 2022, but they did identify a blueprint for the future. Since Dec. 19, Los Angeles finished with the fourth-best record (36-19) in the Western Conference. The success stemmed from prioritizing their younger players (second-round pick Kobe Sanders, for example), marking a shift in roster-building philosophy.

"We were the oldest team in the NBA. We were in ninth place despite turning around, which we do not take lightly," said president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank after the trade deadline. "But we had to make some really, really hard and difficult decisions."

The decision Frank is referring to is trading 36-year-old James Harden to Cleveland for 26-year-old Darius Garland. The Clippers would then add a pair of former first-round picks, Bennedict Mathurin and Isaiah Jackson, and two future first-rounders from Indiana for Ivica Zubac.

The Clippers could have the No. 5 or No. 6 pick in this year's draft if the Pacers' first-rounder falls outside of the top four. There is a 27.8% and 20.1% chance that could happen, respectively.

As for the roster, the two-year contract Harden signed last season, letting Paul George walk in free agency in 2024, and including team options for Bogdanovic, Lopez and Batum for the 2026-2027 season established that the Clippers are prioritizing financial flexibility this offseason -- and more importantly next summer.

What that means for the future of Leonard, who is entering the final year of his contract, remains unclear.

Offseason finances:

The Clippers could act as a cap-space team, but at the expense of Bogdanovic, Lopez, Batum, Kris Dunn, Cam Christie, Sanders and Miller. They would also need to renounce the free agent hold of Mathurin.

Those seven players would combine to make $43 million next season and either have a team option or no salary protection. The Clippers have until June 26 to exercise the $16 million Bogdanovic option and until June 29 for options on Lopez, Batum, Sanders and Miller. The contracts of Dunn and Christie become guaranteed on June 30. In the scenario all seven are brought back, the Clippers will be $39 million below the luxury tax. They will have flexibility to stay under the tax and still sign Mathurin by using the $15 million non-tax midlevel exception.

Top front office priority:

Trading Harden and Zubac would indicate the Clippers' future does not include Kawhi Leonard. Frank looks at it differently.

"We can continue and look forward to building with Kawhi while still acknowledging we're going to need more," Frank said in February. "And we'll go through every step of what that looks like, whether it's free agency, whether it's in trade, whether it's in draft and how we build it."

"But Kawhi's been a great partner, and I anticipate him being a great partner moving forward."

Leonard turns 35 in late June but is coming off one of the more efficient seasons in his career.

He averaged the most points per game in his career (27.9) and finished in the top 10 in field goal, 2-point and 3-point percentage. The Clippers were a plus-7.8 points per 100 possessions when he was on the court and a minus-6.9 when he was off. More importantly, Leonard played in 66 games, his second most since the 2016-17 season.

Entering the last year of a three-year $149.5 million extension that he signed in January 2024, Leonard is eligible, starting on the day after the NBA Finals, to extend his contract for two additional seasons. The maximum the Clippers can offer is $126.1 million over the two seasons.

Despite his production this season and durability, it might seem reckless to pay Leonard an average of $63 million over two seasons, especially considering the average salary in his recent extension was $50 million.

What to do with Leonard is not the only decision the Clippers face.

Besides the team options of Lopez, Bogdanovic and Batum, there's Mathurin, a restricted free agent. The 23-year-old averaged 17.2 points per game in the 25 games he played with the Clippers since he was acquired from the Pacers in the Zubac deal.

Extension candidate to watch:

Despite playing in 74 games last season, Kris Dunn failed to reach the 65-game minutes criteria and was ineligible to be named All-Defense.

This season, Dunn played all 82 games and qualified for regular-season awards. He ranked fourth in steals (trailing only Cason Wallace, Dyson Daniels and Ausar Thompson) and fifth in deflections. If Dunn is named to the All-Defense first team, his $5.7 million contract for next season becomes guaranteed. Starting on the day after the NBA Finals, Dunn is eligible to sign up to a four-year, $92.8 million extension.

Other extension-eligible players:

• Collins (four years, $166.7 million, can sign through June 30)

• Bogdanovic (four years, $100.5 million, through June 30)

• Leonard (two years, $126.9 million, day after NBA Finals)

• Derrick Jones Jr. (four years, $92.8 million, as of July 9)

• Christie (four years, $92.8 million, day after NBA Finals)

• Garland (two years, $110.4 million, day after NBA Finals)

Team needs:

Besides lottery luck, the team needs frontcourt help and a playmaker to back up Garland.

Future draft assets:

The Zubac trade to Indiana recouped some of the first-round picks the Clippers lost when they acquired Harden. The Clippers now have eight first-round picks over the next seven years, including four that can be traded. While they cannot trade their own first until 2030 at the earliest, they do have 2029 and 2031 unprotected firsts from the Pacers. They have four second-round picks.

Future first-rounders owed by Clippers:

• 2027: Oklahoma City owns swap rights (The Clippers will have the least favorable of Denver's first-round pick (if 6-30) or Oklahoma City's)

• 2028: unprotected to Philadelphia

• 2029: top-3 protected swap with Philadelphia

Miami Heat

2025-26 record: 43-39
Draft picks in June: No. 13, No. 41 (via GSW)
Odds at the No. 1 pick: 1%

Free agents:

• Norman Powell (unrestricted, Bird)

• Andrew Wiggins ($30.2 million, player option)

• Pelle Larsson ($2.3 million, team option)

• Keshad Johnson (restricted, early Bird)

• Simone Fontecchio (unrestricted, Bird)

• Vladislav Goldin (restricted, non-Bird)

• Trevor Keels (restricted, non-Bird)

State of the roster: After the Heat were swept by Cleveland in last season's playoffs, team president Pat Riley acknowledged that changes were needed. "If you don't win, you have to go about making changes. We know what we have to do. We were not that team in Games 3 and 4."

Getting swept by Cleveland also prompted coach Erik Spoelstra to overhaul an offense that ranked 27th in pace and 21st overall. And while Miami's core returned for 2025-26, the franchise traded for Fontecchio and Powell, who was named an All-Star for the first time in his career.

The Heat started the season 14-7 and finished it ranked first in pace, 13th in offense and with six more wins than last year. While the offense improved considerably, the Heat's defense slipped, forcing a fourth consecutive play-in berth. In the last 15 games of the regular season, Miami ranked 28th in defense and allowed opponents to score at least 130 points six times. They were outscored by 8.9 points and trailed Sacramento for the worst 3-point percentage allowed during that span.

After missing the playoffs for the first time since 2018, the Heat enter the offseason at a critical point, needing to evaluate if this roster can be more than a play-in team. (Eleven players are under contract for 2026-27.)

Miami has a lottery pick for the first time since 2018 and has a decision with free agent Powell, and extension-eligible players Tyler Herro and Jaime Jaquez Jr.

There is also the question of whether the playoff shortcomings create a sense of urgency in trade talks for Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Heat, Timberwolves and Warriors all pursued the former MVP before the February deadline.

Offseason finances: Powell will play a major role in what kind of flexibility Miami has this summer. Including Wiggins' $30.2 million player option -- he has until June 29 to decide -- and the Heat's own first-round pick, they are $33.2 million below the luxury tax and $39 million below the first apron. The Heat have two trade exceptions of $16.8 million and $5.6 million. Miami would be hard-capped at the first apron if they use either.

Top front office priority:

Antetokounmpo. As ESPN's Shams Charania reported, the Bucks and Heat had dialogue in February on a potential trade. Talks centered around a package that included Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, multiple other players and multiple first-rounders and pick swaps.

If the sides revisit talks, Miami should ask itself four questions:

1. Do the Heat have enough roster resources after a trade to field a competitive team in 2026-27 and beyond?

Because of Antetokounmpo's $58.5 million salary, Miami would need to send out at least $46.6 million in contracts. To avoid the first apron hard cap, Miami could look at taking less money in a trade, a move than would then hard-cap Miami at the second apron. This scenario would give Miami the most flexibility to retain their own free agents after a potential blockbuster deal for Giannis.

The Heat have the sizable contracts of Herro ($33 million), Wiggins ($30.2 million after opting-in), Nikola Jovic ($16.2 million) and Davion Mitchell ($12.4 million). The Heat also have a group of players still on rookie contracts, including Ware ($4.7 million), Jaime Jaquez Jr. ($5.9 million), Kasparas Jakucionis ($3.8 million) and Pelle Larsson ($2.4 million).

Including its lottery pick in June, Miami can trade two additional first-rounders and can swap picks in five out of the next seven drafts.

2. To lessen the package sent out in a trade, could the Heat leverage Antetokounmpo's pending free agency in 2027?

With the expiring contracts of Herro and Wiggins, Miami projects to have cap space to sign Antetokounmpo outright as a free agent.

3. Will Antetokounmpo's injury history and next contract be a concern?

The 31-year old Antetokounmpo dealt with right calf and knee injuries this season and played the fewest games in his career (36). He can sign a four-year, $275 million extension six months after a trade, which would see him earn a $76.1 million salary at 35 years old.

4. What options exist if there is no trade?

With or without Giannis, Miami could retain enough flexibility to bring back Powell.

The 32-year old averaged a career-high 21.7 points per game but saw his numbers slip to 17.5 after the All-Star break. Last season with the Clippers, Powell averaged 24.2 points per game before the break and 14.4 after. He missed a combined 24 games since the All-Star break in both seasons. Powell is eligible to sign an extension until June 30.

For a second consecutive offseason, Herro is eligible to sign an extension. Herro had left ankle surgery before the season and played a career-low 33 games, the second time in three seasons that Herro played fewer than 45. Herro did average at least 20 points per game for the fifth consecutive season.

Extension candidate to watch: The Heat have shown a propensity in signing former draft picks to contract extensions. In the past six years, Bam Adebayo, Herro and most recently Jovic signed new deals. This offseason, Jaquez and Larsson are both eligible. Jaquez, a strong candidate for 2026 Sixth Man of the Year and Most Improved honors, has seen his points per game increase from 8.6 last year to 15.0 this season and led the NBA in total points off the bench. He is eligible to sign a five-year extension through the last day of the 2026 offseason.

Larsson took advantage of Herro's absence this season, starting 53 games and averaging a career high 11.4 points per game. Assuming his team option is exercised, Larsson will become eligible to sign a four-year, $92.8 million extension. Because he is a restricted free agent and has a team-friendly $4 million cap hold, Miami could be better off waiting until next summer to ink a new deal.

Other extension-eligible players:

• Herro (four years, $207 million; can sign the day after the NBA Finals)

• Powell (four years, $128.5 million; through June 30)

• Wiggins (four years, $177 million; through June 30)

Team needs: Miami is banking on 3-point shooting improvements from Jaquez, Jovic and Larsson, all three of whom shot less than 32% from deep in 2025-26. There is also a need for a reserve big man to allow more lineup flexibility with Adebayo and Ware.

Future draft assets: The Heat owe Charlotte a 2027 top-14 protected first-round pick from the Terry Rozier trade, which will become unprotected in 2028 if not conveyed in the prior year. Because the pick is unencumbered for two years, Miami is allowed to trade two first-rounders; 2030 and 2032.

If the pick protection is amended -- Charlotte would need to agree -- Miami would then be allowed to trade picks in 2029, 2031 and 2033. The Heat can swap picks in five drafts and have two second-rounders available.

Eliminated after regular season

Washington Wizards

2025-26 record: 17-65
Draft picks in June: No. 1, No. 51 (via MIN), No. 60 (via OKC)
Odds at the No. 1 pick: 14%

Free agents

• Anthony Gill

• D'Angelo Russell ($6 million, player option)

• Jamir Watkins ($2.2 million, team option)

• Trae Young ($49 million, player option)

• Sharife Cooper (restricted)

State of the roster

After 21 trades in less than three years, there is a strong foundation in place. Since taking over in May 2023, president of basketball operations Michael Winger and general manager Will Dawkins have carefully built up Washington's draft assets, financial flexibility and expiring contracts for when the next star player becomes available -- such as Trae Young and Anthony Davis.

The Wizards took advantage of the financial flexibility created when Kyle Kuzma and Jordan Poole were traded for expiring contracts (CJ McCollum and Khris Middleton) that were sent to acquire Young and Davis. And the two first-round picks sent to Dallas were acquired in previous trades, which meant the franchise wasn't mortgaging its future by sending out its own draft picks or former first-rounders Bilal Coulibaly, Alex Sarr and Tre Johnson.

Washington is still in a position to add a lottery pick and to balance its cap sheet. Outside of Young and Davis, no Wizard will earn more than $12.5 million in 2026-27. The Wizards have seven players on rookie contracts and nine players younger than 24.

But those roster improvements should be met with some apprehension.

Young and Davis will improve an offense and defense that each finished 29th in the NBA. But the league's second-youngest roster will need to build winning habits. This season, the Wizards won consecutive games only four times, with no winning streaks of three or more games. They started the season 1-15 and finished it by losing 24 of their final 25 games.

Offseason finances

Before adding Young and Davis, the Wizards projected to have nearly $80 million in cap space this summer. With both players under contract (Young has a $49 million player option) and lottery pick, Washington is $19 million under the luxury tax. They will have the $15 million non-tax midlevel exception available in free agency and also two large trade exceptions of $26.8 and $13.5 million.

Top front office priority

Reaching on a compromise on new contracts for Young and Davis. Wizards fans should circle two dates on the offseason calendar: June 23 and Aug. 6.

June 23 is the deadline for Young to either exercise his $49 million player option or become an unrestricted free agent this summer.

"We have good relationships with his reps," Wizards GM Will Dawkins told Mark Medina of EssentiallySports. "So we've had communication on what it would look like to be a Wizard because he really wanted to be here, and that was important to us. And we want to make sure everybody feels comfortable and builds that partnership and relationship until we have any real conversations."

Young is eligible to sign a three-year, $156.9 million extension until June 30, with the first year of that deal replacing the player option for next season. Young could also opt-in and sign an extension after free agency begins, delaying the start of a new contract until the 2027-28 season. Young could also decline the option, signing for less but with the benefit of up to five guaranteed years.

Young played the fewest games in his career this season but is still one of the best playmakers in the NBA. His career 9.8 assists per game average trails only Magic Johnson and John Stockton. Last season with Atlanta, he averaged an NBA- and career-high 11.6 assists.

Davis, meanwhile, cannot become a free agent but is eligible to sign a four-year extension on Aug. 6. The first year of the extension would replace a $62.8 million player option for 2027-28.

The 33-year-old Davis did not play since the trade and has failed to reach 60 games in five of the last six seasons. But when healthy, Davis remains a two-way force. According to ESPN Research, Davis has averaged at least two blocks and one steal in 11 seasons. That trails only Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon since blocks and steals were first tracked during the 1973-74 season.

Extension candidate to watch

Coulibaly was drafted in 2023 and is the first player who is rookie extension-eligible under the current front office. Per Cleaning the Glass, Coulibaly ranks in the 94th percentile among all wings in blocks and 84th percentile in steals. Offensively, Coulibaly is averaging a career-high 14.1 points per game since the All-Star break.

Other extension-eligible players:

• Davis (four years, $275 million, eligible to sign on Aug. 6)

• Young (three years, $156.9 million, through June 30)

• Cam Whitmore (rookie scale)

• Jaden Hardy (four years, $92.8 million, as of Oct. 22)

Team needs

Roster flexibility. The Wizards enter the offseason with 14 players already under contract for next season, not including their 2026 first-round pick and two second-rounders.

Future draft assets

In prior seasons, trading for Young and Davis likely would have depleted the Wizards' future first-round picks. However, Washington has eight first-rounders still available in the next seven years, five that are tradable. Washington has 10 second-rounders available.

First-round picks owed to Wizards:

• 2028: Second most favorable among Boston, Milwaukee and Portland

• 2028: Can swap their own with the least favorable among Brooklyn, Philadelphia (if 9-30) and Phoenix. Washington can then swap that pick for the less favorable between Milwaukee and Portland (if 15-30)

• 2030: Swap rights with Phoenix

Indiana Pacers

2025-26 record: 19-63
Draft picks in June: No. 2
Odds at the No. 1 pick: 14% (Note: Pick will be conveyed to the LA Clippers if it falls to No. 5.)

Free agents

• Kobe Brown

• Micah Potter ($2.8 million, team option)

• Jalen Slawson (restricted)

State of the roster

The Pacers should enter the summer as one of the favorites to win the Eastern Conference despite finishing 2025-26 with the fewest wins in franchise history. But the Pacers are different from other lottery teams for several reasons.

Indiana returns 10 players, including All-Stars Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam from the roster that pushed Oklahoma City to seven games in the 2025 Finals. Halliburton tore his right Achilles in Game 7 and missed the entire 2025-26 season, turning it into a "gap year" for the franchise. The Pacers were plus-4.1 points per 100 possessions in the regular season and plus-7.8 in the postseason with Haliburton on the court. He had 33 games with at least 10 assists and an assist to turnover ratio of 5.61 in 2024-25.

After losing center Myles Turner in free agency, Indiana traded for Ivica Zubac. Zubac averaged double-doubles in points and rebounds in the three straight seasons and he was named All-NBA Defensive second team last season with the Clippers. Zubac suffered a season-ending rib injury and played only six games after being traded to Indiana at the deadline.

More importantly, if the Pacers retain their first, they would be in position to draft from a pool of top prospects, including AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer, Darius Acuff Jr. and Caleb Wilson.

Offseason finances

The addition of Zubac came at a significant financial cost. In the scenario that their first-round pick is retained, the Pacers will enter the offseason $11.7 million over the luxury tax, $3.2 million above the first apron threshold and $9.8 million below the second.

The Pacers have a decision with Potter's team option and partially guaranteed salaries of Kam Jones and Quenton Jackson. Indiana has until June 29 to exercise the $2.8 million Potter option and the following day to guarantee the $2.2 million contract of Jones, who already has $1.1 million guaranteed. On July 15, the salary protection for Jackson's deal increases from $275,000 to $2.6 million if there are no waivers.

Top front office priority:

The draft is a priority, especially if the Pacers retain their first-round pick. Indiana has never had the first overall pick and has drafted second three times (Steve Stipanovich in 1983, Wayman Tisdale in 1985 and Rik Smits in 1988).

President of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard and general manager Chad Buchanan should be lauded for selecting Andrew Nembhard in the second round of the 2022 draft, but the Pacers resume of selecting players in the lottery is average at best.

Since the 2021 season, Indiana has selected Chris Duarte, Bennedict Mathurin and Jarace Walker in the lottery. Duarte was traded to the Sacramento Kings for two second-round picks and Mathurin was traded to the Clippers in the Zubac deal. Walker, who was not part of the rotation during his first two seasons, averaged career highs in minutes (25.6) and points (11.5) this season as the Pacers dealt with a rash of injuries. Only Walker, Ben Sheppard and Jay Huff played more than 65 games after Indiana had eight such players last season.

Coach Rick Carlisle will need to reestablish an identity offensively with Haliburton returning and the addition of Zubac. The Pacers declined significantly on offense from last season, a result of 41 different starting lineups.

The Zubac fit will be worth monitoring considering he is not a threat from the perimeter -- he has taken 12 3-pointers in his 10-year career -- and the Pacers play at a much faster speed than the Clippers. Indiana ranked ninth in pace last season, while the Clippers were 28th.

Extension candidate to watch

The Pacers have been one of the more aggressive teams in signing their own players to extensions. Since the 2024 offseason, Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith and TJ McConnell have signed long-term deals before their original contract expired. Nine players are eligible this offseason, including Siakam. Despite the Pacers record, Siakam has still managed to average 24 points per game this season (his highest since 2022-23). The 32-year-old forward has two years remaining on his contract and is allowed to extend for three additional years.

Other extension-eligible players:

• Obi Toppin (three years, $72.7 million, eligible the day after the NBA Finals)

• Johnny Furphy (four years, $92.8 million, day after NBA Finals)

• Nembhard (three years, $95.2 million, as of July 26)

• Huff (four years, $92.8 million, as of Oct. 28)

• Haliburton (two years, $121.6 million, as of July 6)

• Walker (rookie scale extension)

• Ben Sheppard (rookie extension)

• Ivica Zubac (three years, $95.2 million, as of Sept. 3)

Team needs

With Zubac, the Pacers' starting lineup is set. The bench, however, could use a combo guard and consistent perimeter scoring.

Future draft assets

If Indiana retains its first-round pick at the lottery, it would be allowed to trade its 2027 and 2033 first-rounders. If the pick is conveyed to the Clippers, the Pacers would then be allowed to trade up to three firsts. Indiana has seven second-round picks available.

First-round picks owed by Pacers

• 2029: To LA Clippers

• 2031: To LA Clippers (if 2026 isn't conveyed)

Brooklyn Nets

2025-26 record: 20-62
Draft picks in June: No. 3, No. 33, No. 43 (via LAC)
Odds at the No. 1 pick: 14%

Free agents

• Ochai Agbaji (restricted)

• Josh Minott ($2.6 million, team option)

• Day'Ron Sharpe ($6.3 million, team option)

• Ziaire Williams ($6.3 million, team option)

• Jalen Wilson (restricted)

• E.J. Liddell (restricted)

• Tyson Etienne (restricted)

• Chaney Johnson (restricted)

• Malachi Smith ($2.1 million, team option)

State of the roster

From an evaluation standpoint, the Nets currently have the look of an expansion team.

They finished the season with the NBA's youngest roster, half of which is under 24 years old and included a league-record five players selected in the first round of the 2025 draft. The roster assembled played a big role in why Brooklyn finished with its fewest wins since 2009-10.

But considering Brooklyn's two major transactions in the 2024 offseason -- the Nets traded Mikal Bridges to the New York Knicks then reacquired their 2025 and 2026 first-round picks from the Houston Rockets -- bottoming out while prioritizing youth, draft assets and financial flexibility has been by design.

The offseason presents an opportunity for Brooklyn to improve significantly. Heading into the May 10 lottery, there is a 40% chance that the Nets select in the top three for the first time since 2010. For the second straight offseason, the Nets will have over $30 million in cap space to use in trades or in free agency. Last summer, the Nets acquired Terance Mann and Michael Porter Jr. with that flexibility. Brooklyn also has draft assets to accelerate a rebuild: nine tradable future first-rounders, including a combined four unprotected picks from New York and the Denver Nuggets.

It is worth mentioning that, unlike the past two seasons, Brooklyn has no incentive to tank in 2026-27. The Rockets can swap first-rounders with the Nets in 2027.

Offseason finances

Including team options of Sharpe, Williams, Minott and their upcoming first-round pick, Brooklyn projects to have $31 million in cap space. The Nets have until June 28 to exercise Sharpe and Williams' $6.2 million options for until June 29 to Minott's $2.4 million option. The Nets will have the $9.4 million room midlevel exception available after cap space is used.

Top front office priority

Outside of the draft, their direction with cap space and internal development of their young players, the Nets must decide whether to build around Porter or to explore trades. Acquired last offseason from Denver along with an 2032 unprotected first-rounder, Porter averaged a career-high 24.2 points per game and shot 36.3% on 3s. It was his fourth consecutive season shooting greater than 36% from deep. He is on an expiring $40.8 million contract and is eligible for four additional years and up to $234 million.

Porter's impact on the court, durability and age -- he will turn 28 in June -- should warrant discussions on a new contract. (Prior to suffering a strained left hamstring last month, Porter Jr. had missed just 14 games since the 2023-24 season.)

Because Brooklyn will have cap space, it could also increase his current salary and then decrease the first year of the extension by up to 40%. For example, Porter would earn $49 million this season and then $30 million next year.

Extension candidate to watch

Were Noah Clowney's 60 starts and development from his rookie season enough to warrant extension discussions? After averaging career highs in minutes (27.0) and points (12.3), Clowney is set to enter the last year of his first-round contract. He is eligible to sign an extension through the end of the offseason.

For a stretch between Nov. 23 to Dec. 29, Clowney averaged 16.1 points per game. But while his points have increased, Clowney remains an inefficient shooter. For a second straight season, Clowney is shooting below 40% on field goals and 34% on 3s. Defensively, opponents shot 49.9% against Clowney. That ranks fourth worst of any player to contest 750 shots this season.

Other extension-eligible players:

• Porter (four years, $234.3 million; eligible after NBA Finals)

• Nic Claxton (three years, $95 million; eligible after NBA Finals)

• Mann (three years, $72.6 million, eligible starting Oct. 1)

Team needs

Development, consistency and winning habits. The Nets finished the season 27th in defense but showed a blueprint for success during a 15-game stretch in late November and December, during which the Nets ranked second in defense and allowed the fewest 3s, offensive rebounds and points.

Future draft assets

Brooklyn has 13 first-round picks available in the next seven years, including nine that can be traded. It also has 19 second-rounders.

Future first-rounders owed to Brooklyn:

• 2027, 2029, 2031 unprotected via New York

• 2028 most favorable of Philadelphia (if 9-30), New York and Phoenix

• 2032 unprotected via Denver

Utah Jazz

2025-26 record: 22-60
Draft picks in June: No. 4
Odds at the No. 1 pick: 11.5%

Free agents

• Walker Kessler (restricted)

• Kevin Love

• Jusuf Nurkic

• Elijah Harkless (restricted)

• Oscar Tshiebwe (restricted)

• Bez Mbeng ($2.1 million, team option)

• Hayden Gray ($2.1 million, team option)

State of the roster

After he was hired as president of basketball operations last June, Austin Ainge was matter-of-fact on the Jazz's rebuild.

"It'll just depend on how these guys develop and what other moves we make, right?" he said. "It's a hard thing to predict. I think it's fair to say we've got a lot of work to do."

The 21 wins this season, four more than last season, suggest Ainge is correct. But do not let the second fewest wins in franchise history fool you; there is finally light at the end of a rebuild that started in the 2022 offseason.

The trade to acquire former Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. -- at the potential cost of their own 2027 first-round pick and two future first-rounders -- is a strong indication.

Unlike recent blockbuster trades that have depleted draft assets and boxed franchises in a corner to improve, that does not apply to the Jazz. Jackson and Lauri Markkanen are under contract through at least 2028-29, and Utah has the financial flexibility to match any offer sheet on restricted free agent Walker Kessler.

They will also enter the May 10 lottery with an 11.5% chance of selecting first, while still retaining former first-round picks Keyonte George, Ace Bailey, Cody Williams, Isaiah Collier and Brice Sensabaugh.

The roster has improved, but there is still a learning curve when it comes to winning and competing in the playoffs. Outside of Jackson and John Konchar, no player on next season's projected roster has postseason experience.

Offseason finances

Before the start of the regular season, Utah was one of the handful of teams projected to have cap space. That changed in early February, when Jackson was acquired from the Memphis Grizzlies. The Jazz still have flexibility but are likely to act as a team over the cap because of Kessler's $14.6 million free agent hold and an upcoming lottery pick. Expect the Jazz to have the $15 million non-tax midlevel exception available to use.

Top front office priority

Other than preparing for draft, the goal is to find a compromise with Kessler's next deal. The Jazz and Kessler can begin negotiating a new contract the day after the NBA Finals.

It was only a three-game sample, but the pairing of the 6-10 Jackson and 7-1 Markkanen proved to be efficient when the forwards were paired with a center in big lineups. The Jazz were plus-9.8 points per 100 possessions when both players were on the court with 6-11 Jusuf Nurkic.

The 7-2 Kessler had season-ending shoulder surgery in November and played only five games this season. But 2024-25 was his best as a pro, as Kessler averaged a career high in points (11.1), rebounds (12.2) and assists (1.7) per game and shot an NBA-leading 66.3% from the field. He held opponents to 48% in the paint as a contesting defender, fifth best in the NBA, per GeniusIQ tracking.

But taking on Jackson's $49 million salary meant Utah can no longer boast financial flexibility to add in free agency outside of retaining Kessler.

The Wizards were a potential suitor for Kessler in restricted free agency but no longer have cap space after blockbuster moves to acquire Trae Young and Anthony Davis ahead of the trade deadline.

That leads to the question: Who exactly would Utah be bidding against? Currently, the only teams projected to have substantial cap space this summer are the Brooklyn Nets, Chicago Bulls and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Extension candidate to watch

Keyonte George would have been a candidate for Most Improved Player if not for the league's 65-game rule. George is one of 18 players this season to increase their scoring average by at least 6.8 points and is one of 11 players to average at least 23 points and six assists per game. Even with a potential new contract for Kessler and trading for Jackson, Utah will have room to extend George and remain well below the luxury tax. He can extend for up to five seasons and is eligible to sign through the eve of the regular season.

Other extension-eligible players:

• Nurkic (four years, $121.5 million, eligible through June 30)

• Sensabaugh (rookie scale)

• Svi Mykhailiuk (four years, $92.8 million, as of Aug. 10)

• Kyle Filipowski (four years, $92.8 million, as of Aug. 12)

• Konchar (three years, $55.9 million, day after NBA Finals)

Team needs

Adding Jackson and signing Kessler will help a defense that ranked last overall and 27th in second-chance points allowed. There is also a need for perimeter bench scoring; Jazz reserves ranked 23rd in 3-point shooting this season.

Future draft assets

The Jazz traded three future first-round picks to acquire Jackson but are still well positioned for the future. Utah has eight first-rounders, five that are tradable in the next seven years. The Jazz also have 11 second-round picks available.

First-round picks owed to Jazz:

• 2027: Second-most favorable among own, Cleveland and Minnesota

• 2028: Swap rights with Cleveland

• 2029: Two most favorable among own, Cleveland and Minnesota (if 6-30)

Sacramento Kings

2025-26 record: 22-60
Draft picks in June: No. 5, No. 34/35, No. 45 (via CHA)
Odds at the No. 1 pick: 11.5%

Free agents

• Precious Achiuwa

• Drew Eubanks

• Zach LaVine ($49 million, player option)

• Doug McDermott

• Russell Westbrook

• Patrick Baldwin Jr. (restricted)

• Daeqwon Plowden (restricted)

• Killian Hayes ($3 million, team option)

State of the roster

The Kings were dealing with injuries before the season even began. Keegan Murray tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb during training camp and missed the first 17 games of the season.

The absence of Murray was the starting point to a season marred by injuries. The Kings ranked 10th in the NBA for most missed games and, as a result, used 34 different starting lineups. Last year they had 18 different starting lineups.

The Kings lost Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine and De'Andre Hunter to season-ending injuries at different points, and no player on the roster played more than 60 games outside of veterans DeMar DeRozan, Westbrook, Achiuwa, and rookies Nique Clifford and Maxime Raynaud. The trio of Murray, LaVine and Sabonis was never on the court for a single possession.

"It's not an excuse, but it's a fact," GM Scott Perry said of the injuries in February.

"I think we're the only team in the league this year that never started the projected starting five going into the season. That makes it very difficult to create any kind of continuity among your basketball team."

The injuries should not be an excuse for Perry not to make changes, however.

"We've got to get younger as a team," the GM told ESPN's Anthony Slater in January.

The Kings finished the season as the fourth oldest team and will get an opportunity in June to draft a foundational player. But the addition of a lottery pick is only the starting point for a roster that could face financial restrictions in how they improve.

LaVine, Sabonis, Hunter and Malik Monk are under contract next season and combine to earn 74% of the Kings' guaranteed salary.

Offseason finances

Including their first-round pick, the Kings are $20 million over the luxury tax and over both aprons. They are $3.9 million over the second. Sacramento can get financial relief if DeRozan is waived and the $3 million team option on Killian Hayes is declined. DeRozan's $25.7 million contract is protected for $10 million and there is no guaranteed date.

Top front office priority

There is no bigger priority than the NBA draft. For a team that finished with the worst record in the NBA, Sacramento has only two players under the age of 23. There are only three players who finished the season on first-round rookie contracts: Murray, Devin Carter and Clifford.

Clifford and Maxine Raynaud were selected last year, and the principles that Perry relied on to select both are likely different this year.

"I like when guys have put a résumé together that you can really evaluate," Perry told "The Drive Guys" last June.

"These are guys that got better each year in college. ... A good by-product when you do get guys 22, 23 years old coming into the league, not only are they a little more physically mature, but they're mentally more mature."

ESPN's Jeremy Woo's recent mock draft has 10 freshmen, including AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer, Caleb Wilson and Darius Acuff Jr. projected to go in the top 10.

As for the roster, there are financial decisions, starting with DeRozan.

Since signing a three-year contract in 2024, DeRozan has been the most reliable and consistent Kings player. He played in more than 75 games both years and trailed only LaVine in points per game this season. He could be a financial casualty because his contract next season is partially guaranteed, however.

One thing not on the priority list is Sacramento looking to replace head coach Doug Christie.

"I'm just expecting him to be my coach until I tell you anything different," Perry said in February. "I'm not even thinking along those lines right now. I want to see us get incrementally better each day, and I want to see him continue to improve as a coach."

Extension-eligible players

• LaVine (four-years $258.7 million, through June 30)

• DeRozan (two-years $75 million, as of July 8)

• Sabonis (three-years $207.5 million, day after NBA Finals)

• Monk (four-years $126.6 million, day after NBA Finals)

Team needs

A starting point guard and defensive identity. The Kings finished the season in the bottom of every defensive category, including transition points allowed, second-chance points, 3-point percentage and points per game allowed.

Future draft assets

In addition to their own first-round pick in the next seven seasons, the Kings have two first-rounders acquired in the De'Aaron Fox trade with the Spurs last year. They will receive a 2027 first-rounder from San Antonio if 1-16 and 2031 unprotected first-rounder from the Timberwolves. The Kings have two second-rounders available.

Memphis Grizzlies

2025-26 record: 25-57
Draft picks in June: No. 6, No. 16 (via ORL), No. 32 (via IND)
Odds at the No. 1 pick: 9%

Free agents

• Kentavious Caldwell-Pope ($21.6 million, player option)

• GG Jackson ($2.4 million, team option)

• Olivier-Maxence Prosper ($2.5 million, team option)

• Rayan Rupert (restricted)

State of the roster

After the Grizzlies were swept in the first round of the 2025 playoffs, general manager Zach Kleiman gave a frank assessment of the roster.

"I don't think we can look back at this series and this season and say, 'Oh, we're close,'" he told the Memphis Commercial Appeal. "No, we're not close. There's a lot of work to be done."

Six weeks later, Desmond Bane was traded to Orlando for four first-round picks and a 2029 top-two protected pick swap. Then, days before the February trade deadline, former Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. was sent to Utah for three first-round picks. Memphis also added former first-round picks Taylor Hendricks and Walter Clayton Jr.

"I don't think this is some five-year, try-to-be-terrible [process]," Kleiman said after the Jackson trade. "I don't believe in that method of team-building. Between the assets that we've accumulated and the players that we have, we're very optimistic."

The Grizzlies are the only team with the possibility to have two lottery picks in this year's draft, their own and the most favorable of Orlando and Phoenix. Memphis also has a second-round pick from Indiana. The picks accumulated from the two trades can be used to move up in the first round, acquire additional assets or trade for a young player on a controllable contract that fits their rebuild. (Last June, Memphis swapped first-round picks with Portland to select Cedric Coward. They included a 2028 unprotected Orlando first that was acquired in the Bane trade.)

As for the roster, half of the returning players were selected in the past three drafts: Coward, Clayton, Hendricks, GG Jackson, Prosper, Cam Spencer, Zach Edey and Jaylen Wells.

Despite the shift in building with younger players, the future of Ja Morant will continue to hang over the organization. "We've been incredibly supportive of Ja for many years. This is about organization direction, though. This is not about Ja in particular," Kleiman said after the Jackson trade.

Offseason finances

The Grizzlies have $130 million in guaranteed contracts but are still likely to act as an over the cap team for multiple reasons. First, and most importantly, Memphis has a $28.9 million trade exception that was created in the Jackson trade with Utah. The exception counts against the cap unless it is renounced. Second, there are five players -- Wells, Prosper, GG Jackson, Scotty Pippen Jr. and Taj Gibson -- with team options or partially guaranteed contracts. Third, the Grizzlies' two first-round picks in June could equal $13 million in combined salary.

Top front office priority

In addition to navigating three draft picks in the top 32, Memphis once again faces a decision on Morant's future. As ESPN's Shams Charania reported, the Grizzlies explored trades for Morant ahead of the February trade deadline with no deals materializing. The two-time All-Star guard has two years and $87 million remaining on his contract.

Morant was shut down for the season in March, two months after he suffered a UCL strain in his left elbow. Throughout his 20 games -- he has played just 79 across the past three seasons -- Morant recorded the lowest field goal (41%) and 3-point (23.5%) percentages of his career. On defense, Morant gave up 1.2 points per possession on drives this season, the most in his career, per GeniusIQ tracking. Morant got blown by on 27.5% of opponents drives, the third highest in his career.

Extension candidate to watch

The past two seasons have been a roller coaster of roster turnover, injuries and a change at head coach. One major positive has been the play of Wells, a 2024 second-round pick who has started 143 games for Memphis. After the 2026 All-Star break, Wells averaged 13.9 points per game while shooting 48% from the field and 39.6% on 3-pointers. He has two years remaining on his contract, including a team option in 2027-28. Wells can sign a three-year extension if the option is exercised or a four-year deal if the option is declined.

Other extension-eligible players

• Morant (three, years, $177.9 million; eligible after NBA Finals)

• Caldwell-Pope (four years, $135.6 million; after NBA Finals)

• GG Jackson (four years, $87 million; as of Feb. 9)

• Brandon Clarke (four-years, $92.8 million; after NBA Finals)

• Hendricks (rookie extension-eligible)

Team needs

Edey's health -- the 7-3 center played just 11 games this season due to left ankle issues -- should incentivize the Grizzlies to target a reserve big that can rebound and protect the rim. There is also an internal need for improved shooting from Wells and Coward.

Future draft assets

The Grizzlies have slowly built a collection of draft assets. Not only does Memphis have their own first-round pick in the next seven years, but the franchise boasts four additional first-rounders acquired in prior trades. In total, Memphis can trade up to eight first- and six second-rounders.

First-round picks owed to Grizzlies:

• 2027: From Lakers (top-four protected)

• 2027: Most favorable among Cleveland, Minnesota and Utah

• 2029: Swap rights with Orlando (top-two protected)

• 2030: From Orlando

• 2031: From Phoenix

Dallas Mavericks

2025-26 record: 26-56
Draft picks in June: No. 8, No. 46 (via PHX)
Odds at the No. 1 pick: 6.7%

* Note: A drawing will be held to break the lottery tie with New Orleans.

Free agents

• Marvin Bagley III

• Khris Middleton

• Ryan Nembhard ($2.2 million, team option)

• Dwight Powell

• Brandon Williams

• Moussa Cisse (restricted)

State of the roster

A lot has changed since the Mavericks traded Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis ahead of the 2025 deadline. The man responsible for making the trade, former general manager Nico Harrison, was let go in November. Davis was traded to the Washington Wizards four months later, a move designed to help the franchise fully reset around former No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg.

This offseason, Dallas will add a lottery pick in a strong 2026 draft to pair with Flagg, Max Christie, Dereck Lively II and the financial flexibility to add more. The Mavericks also have veterans Kyrie Irving, Daniel Gafford, Naji Marshall, Klay Thompson and PJ Washington to keep or explore in the trade market.

"You take a look at our roster now. We have an unbelievable player in Cooper Flagg," co-interim general manager Michael Finley said after the Davis trade. "It's our job to put the right pieces around him."

The question is whether Finley and co-interim GM Matt Riccardi will be making those roster decisions. Since November, Mavericks owner Patrick Dumont has placed both in a dual role in charge of basketball operations. Finley and Riccardi played major roles in orchestrating the blockbuster Davis trade to Washington that returned five draft picks.

Offseason finances

Dallas would have faced a bleak financial future if the franchise had kept Davis on the roster. No longer projected as an apron team in 2026-27, Dallas has the flexibility to add in the offseason. While the Mavericks are not a cap space team, they can use the non-tax and biannual exceptions and can take back salary in a trade. Including both first-round picks in June, Dallas is a projected $38 million below the tax and $45 million under the first apron. They have until June 29 to exercise the $2.2 million team option on Ryan Nembhard.

Top front office priority

It starts with the draft in June. We won't minimize the Mavericks moving up in the lottery last season and selecting Flagg with the first pick -- he averaged 21 points per game and was the second teenager in NBA history with 27 games of 15-5-5 in a season. But considering that, after 2026, the Mavs don't control their first-rounder until 2031, this year's draft offers an important opportunity to select a foundational player to pair with Flagg. The Mavericks have not had consecutive lottery picks since they selected Dennis Smith Jr. and Luka Doncic in 2017 and 2018.

Another storyline to monitor is what Dallas does with Irving. When Dallas re-signed the 34-year-old guard last offseason, the plan was to pair him with Davis and Flagg. But Irving missed the 2025-26 season with a torn ACL and Davis was traded.

With Dallas shifting toward youth, does Irving still fit?

Considering the Mavericks had the sixth worst record in clutch games (17-28), have no incentive to bottom out in the standings because of their pick situation and are in need of a high-level playmaker, the answer should be yes -- at least for now.

"Understanding the offensive end of the ball, [Irving] would help in all categories," coach Jason Kidd told reporters in March. "His shooting, his scoring. And then the biggest is if we can put ourselves in 40 clutch games, you have a closer. A born closer, who I'm not going to say is going to win all 40 games for you. But it puts you in a better seat".

Irving has two years remaining on his contract, including a $42.4 million player option in 2027-28.

The front office is also tasked with evaluating Thompson and Gafford next season. Thompson is on an expiring $17.4 million contract and shot 42.7% on 3-pointers after the All-Star break. Gafford signed a three-year extension last offseason and started 44 games at center in 2025-26.

Dallas also saw positive results when Washington started at center. In those three games, Washington averaged 20 points and 9.4 rebounds per game. Two-way player Moussa Cisse is another option for their frontcourt. The 23-year-old rookie had 14 games of at least seven rebounds.

Extension candidates to watch

Lively, Christie and Marshall top Dallas' list. Lively, who can extend up until the last day of the offseason, has been impactful as a lob threat and defensively but has yet to play more than 55 games in any of his first three seasons. Considering his durability issues -- he had season-ending foot surgery in December -- Dallas should include injury protection if a new deal is reached. The Mavericks' defense was nearly 10 points per 100 possessions better with Lively on the court in 2025-26.

Christie is under contract for two more seasons ($8.3 and $8.9 million). Because his salary is below the estimated average player salary, his maximum extension with Dallas would be four years, $92.8 million. (The first year of the extension would replace his $8.9 million player option in 2027-28.) The 23-year-old Christie started a career-high 66 games this season, averaging 12.2 points per game and shooting 43.9% from the field and a career high 40% from 3.

For a second consecutive season and fourth overall, Marshall played more than 65 games. He averaged a career-high 15.2 points per game and shot 53% from midrange, ranking in the 89th percentile among all wings per Cleaning the Glass. Marshall has a $9.4 million expiring salary next season but is eligible to sign a four-year, $92.8 million extension.

Other extension-eligible players:

• Thompson (four years, $109.5 million; can sign after NBA Finals)

• Caleb Martin (four years, $92.8 million, after NBA Finals)

• Powell (four years, $87 million; through June 30)

• Middleton (three-years, $125.9 million, through June 30)

Team needs

Irving's return next season will address the lack of ballhandling, while Dallas could use a stretch big for lineup versatility.

Future draft assets

The Mavericks have eight total first-round picks and four tradable first-rounders in the next seven years. But because of prior trades, Dallas has no control of its own first-rounder until 2031. They do have a 2029 unprotected pick from the Los Angeles Lakers and a 2030 top-20 protected pick from the Golden State Warriors. The Mavericks have five second-rounders available.

First-round picks owed by Mavericks:

• 2027: To Charlotte (top-two protected)

• 2028: To Oklahoma City (swap rights)

• 2029: To Houston or Brooklyn

• 2030: To San Antonio (swap rights)

New Orleans Pelicans

2025-26 record: 26-56
Draft picks in June: No. 58 (via DET)
Odds at the No. 1 pick: 0%

Free agents

• DeAndre Jordan

• Kevon Looney ($8 million, team option)

• Karlo Matkovic ($2.3 million, team option)

• Hunter Dickinson (restricted)

• Trey Alexander (restricted)

• Josh Oduro (restricted)

State of the roster

Last summer, newly hired president of basketball operations Joe Dumars addressed the 21-61 roster he inherited.

"I thought the core [Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy, Dejounte Murray, Herb Jones] was really good there and I thought if you have a good core, let's build out around that core with the type of players that we need," he told Andscape's Marc J. Spears.

The 2025 offseason saw Dumars add Jordan Poole, Saddiq Bey and Kevon Looney and draft Jeremiah Fears, Derik Queen and Micah Peavy.

But while the core Dumars referred to was plus-9.4 points per 100 possessions when on the court, New Orleans won just five more games from last season.

A 2-10 start, the firing of coach Willie Green, injuries, struggles to find an identity and Fears' learning curve as an NBA facilitator all contributed. New Orleans was bottom-five on offense and defense through Dec. 31.

Dumars has to evaluate the upside of the roster when healthy, or whether time has run out and change is needed. Fourteen players from the current team are under contract next season, including Williamson, Murray, Jones and Murphy.

Offseason finances

New Orleans is $4.8 million below the luxury tax and $5.8 million under the first apron. The Pelicans have until June 29 to exercise the team options of Kevon Looney ($8 million) and Karlo Matkovic ($2.3 million). The decision on Looney will determine if New Orleans has part of its non-tax midlevel exception available. The Pelicans also have a $13.5 and $4.5 million trade exception, but using either would hard cap them at the first apron.

Top front office priority

The Pelicans do not have a lottery pick this offseason but do have a series of important decisions, starting with finding stability at coach. After Green was fired, assistant James Borrego was elevated to an interim role.

Dumars was clear in his vision for the franchise after Borrego replaced Green.

"It's establishing that we are going to be a team that plays hard every night," Dumars said at the time Green was fired. "That's still what I'm looking for right now, and I had that conversation with James this morning."

Dumars has had nearly six months to evaluate whether to remove Borrego's interim tag or hire another coach. Borrego had made a strong case, especially from the All-Star break to March 19, when New Orleans ranked in the top-15 in both offensive rating and net rating.

The improved play during that stretch was a result of Murray returning and Borrego committing to a small-ball lineup with Williamson at center. The lineup of Murray, Murphy, Jones, Bey and Williamson were a plus-16.6 points per 100 possessions. However, before beating Utah on April 7, New Orleans had lost eight straight games.

It has been nearly 16 years since Dumars has made a coaching hire as a team executive. In 2011 as the Pistons general manager, he hired Lawrence Frank but fired him two seasons later.

As for the roster, how does Williamson fit long term?

Before the season, Dumars challenged the former No. 1 pick and All-Star.

"I've talked to him about the responsibility of being great and the responsibility of being a leader, of being a captain, of being the best player, of being the face of a franchise," Dumars told Andscape. "I've talked to him about how all of those things come with responsibility and how it's time now at 25 years old to embrace those responsibilities."

Williamson missed nine games in November because of a hamstring injury but still managed to play more than 60 games for the third time in his career. Williamson trailed only Giannis Antetokounmpo for the most paint points per game this season and had 41 games with at least 20 points despite a career-low usage rate.

With games played and weight criteria in his contract expected to be met, his $42.2 million salary for next season is guaranteed. Before the season, Williamson's 2026-27 season came with zero salary protection. He has two years remaining on his contract and is eligible to extend this offseason.

Extension candidate to watch

For more than 16 months, Bey was a forgotten player. He tore his ACL in March 2024 while with Atlanta, was traded to Washington in the ensuing offseason, signed a three-year contract with Wizards and then missed the entire 2024-25 season while rehabbing his knee.

Now with the Pelicans as part of the 2025 trade that sent CJ McCollum to Washington, Bey has been the most consistent player on the roster. He is one of three players (Fears and Queen are the others) who will play at least 70 games this season. In his 64 starts, Bey is averaging 18.9 points per game, 45.8% shooting from the field and 37.7% from 3. Bey held opponents to 47% shooting as the closest defender, per GeniusIQ tracking, which ranks eighth among players to defend 550 shots this season. Bey is entering the final year of his contract and is eligible to sign a four-year, $92.8 million extension.

Other extension-eligible players:

• Jordan Hawkins (rookie scale)

• Poole (four years, $213.5 million, eligible to sign the day after NBA Finals)

• Matkovic (four years, $92.8 million, as of July 13)

• Williamson (three years, $177.9 million, day after NBA Finals)

• Murray (four years, $180.4 million, as of July 9)

Team needs

Rebounding continues to be an issue for the Pelicans. A year after finishing 29th in defensive rebound percentage, New Orleans finished 28th this season. The Pelicans allowed the third most second-chance points in the league.

Future draft assets

The Pelicans have seven first-round picks, four that can be traded. From the Murray trade, New Orleans will send a 2027 top-four protected first-rounder (the least favorable between its own and Milwaukee's) to Atlanta. The Pelicans have five second-rounders available.

Chicago Bulls

2025-26 record: 31-51
Draft picks in June: No. 9, No. 15 (via POR), No. 37/38 (via NOP), No. 56 (via DEN)
Odds at the No. 1 pick: 4.5%

Free agents

• Zach Collins

• Leonard Miller ($2.4 million, team option)

• Nick Richards

• Collin Sexton

• Anfernee Simons

• Guerschon Yabusele

• Mouhamadou Gueye ($2.4 million, team option)

• Mac McClung (restricted)

• Yuki Kawamura (restricted)

• Lachlan Olbrich (restricted)

State of the roster

In late March, Bulls guard Josh Giddey gave an honest assessment of the roster.

"Everyone wants to know what's going on," Giddey told the Chicago Tribune. "We want to know what the strategy is going forward. If you look at the way this team's put together now, I don't know if we're put together to win a championship this year or whether we're going into a rebuild or a younger phase."

A week after Giddey made those comments, Chicago fired executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley. And in late April, coach Billy Donovan announced he was stepping down after six seasons.

The Bulls have drafted in the lottery four straight seasons and five times during Karnisovas' tenure (since 2020.) They have not selected better than 11th in any of those drafts.

Despite making a league-high seven trades this season that netted eight second-round picks, there were no players acquired that can help Chicago. For the past five seasons, the Bulls have been stuck between contending for the play-in tournament and building for the future, something Karnisovas acknowledged after the February trade deadline: "It's being in the middle. That is what we don't want to do."

The next lead executive and coach will inherit a likely top-10 pick in a strong 2026 draft -- the Bulls are the only team with multiple top-15 picks -- a second first-rounder from Portland and the financial flexibility to reshape the roster.

Offseason finances

With 11 players under contract, including their 2026 lottery pick and $2.4 million team option for Miller, Chicago projects to have a league-high $58 million in cap space this summer. (That projection assumes that Chicago renounces every free agent on its roster.) To reach the minimum salary requirement by the first day of the regular season, Chicago would need to spend at least $46 million.

Top front office priority

It starts with building an identity and foundation with youth. How the Bulls put that plan in motion is the direct opposite of how the former front office built the roster when they took over.

In a five month span in 2021, Chicago acquired veterans Nikola Vucevic, Lonzo Ball and DeMar DeRozan for three first-round picks -- one was eventually reacquired in the Zach LaVine trade -- three second-rounders and a package of players. In 2022, the Bulls traded a then 24-year old Lauri Markkanen to the Utah Jazz for a first-round pick that has yet to be conveyed.

The trades put Chicago on a path of mediocrity, reaching the play-in four straight seasons and winning just one playoff game. Lonzo Ball's season-ending knee injury in January 2022 didn't help the momentum. The Bulls were 27-14 at the time.

"I want someone who's process-oriented," Bulls CEO and president Michael Reinsdorf told the media. "Some of the biggest mistakes we've made are because we haven't followed a process."

As for this offseason, the new front office has to accept that building a sustainable roster will require patience. Players under contract for next season include Giddey, Tre Jones, Matas Buzelis and Noa Essengue. Essengue, drafted No. 12 in 2025, played just two games before season-ending shoulder surgery in December.

"Going forward, it's about sustainability," Reinsdorf said. "We want to build this for the long term. I don't want to be just good for one or two years. I want it to be year in and year out, we have a chance to be competitive and win."

While the Bulls have the spending power to sign free agents, they are not at a stage to commit to the long term, which takes away flexibility in the future. They will also need a checklist for free agents and trade candidates who fit their identity on the court moving forward.

Extension candidate to watch

Roster turnover and injuries to bigs Collins and Vucevic saw Jalen Smith take on a bigger role this season. In the 21 games he started, Smith averaged 12.1 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. He is entering the final year of his contract and is eligible to sign an extension on July 8.

Other extension-eligible players

• Simons (three years, $104.6 million, can sign through June 30)

• Sexton (three years, $71.7 million, through June 30)

• Richards (three years, $52.4 million, through June 30)

• Miller (three years, $55.9 million if team option is exercised)

• Collins (four years $113.4 million, through June 30)

• Isaac Okoro (four years, $92.8 million, starting on Sept. 17).

Team needs

Shooting and frontcourt depth. The Bulls finished ninth in 3-point shooting but fell to 24th in games after the trade deadline. They gave up the second-most second-chance points and allowed the sixth-most points in the paint since Feb. 5. Their frontcourt returns Smith, Buzelis and Essengue.

Future draft assets

The Bulls have their own first-round pick over the next seven drafts and are allowed to trade up to four of those picks. Chicago has 12 second-rounders available.

Milwaukee Bucks

2025-26 record: 32-50
Draft picks in June: No. 10 (less favorable of their own and New Orleans)
Odds at the No. 1 pick: 0%

Free agents

• Thanasis Antetokounmpo

• Ousmane Dieng (restricted)

• Gary Harris ($3.8 million, player option)

• Andre Jackson Jr. ($2.4 million, team option)

• Kevin Porter Jr. ($5.4 million, player option)

• Taurean Prince ($3.8 million, player option)

• Jericho Sims ($2.8 million, player option)

• Gary Trent Jr. ($3.9 million, player option)

• Alex Antetokounmpo (restricted)

State of the roster

The 2026 offseason is the most important in Bucks history. Not only will Milwaukee pick in the lottery for the first time since 2016, but it has a franchise-defining decision on the future of Giannis Antetokounmpo and will also hire their third head coach in as many years.

Wes Edens, the team's controlling owner until April 2028, spoke matter-of-factly when he talked to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne about the future of Milwaukee's franchise player.

"Giannis is going into the last year [of his contract]," Edens said. "So one of two things will happen: Either he will be extended or he'll be traded."

Starting Oct. 1, Antetokounmpo is eligible to sign a four-year, $275 million contract. (If he exercises his $62.8 million option for 2026-27, it would become a three-year, $213.6 million deal.) But to sign a fourth extension with Milwaukee, Antetokounmpo has to be sold on the franchise's plans to bolster a roster that will miss its first playoffs in a decade.

The search process for the next head coach could look different than when Milwaukee targeted veteran coach Doc Rivers to take over a roster that included Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard.

Due to the uncertainty of Antetokounmpo's future, GM Jon Horst will need to cast a wide net of coaching candidates.

The Bucks will likely add a top-10 pick in this year's draft -- due to the Jrue Holiday and Damian Lillard trades, the Bucks do not control their own first-round pick until 2031 -- and have 12 players from the current roster under contract for 2026-27. Five of those players, including starting guard Kevin Porter Jr., have a player option.

Offseason finances

The Bucks enter free agency $15 million below the luxury tax and $20 million under the first apron, including their first-round pick. Milwaukee could gain additional relief if Porter, Trent, Harris, Prince and Sims decline their player options and sign elsewhere. The five players have $21 million in combined salary for next season, and the deadline to opt into their contracts for next season is June 29. The Bucks also have until June 29 to exercise Nance and Jackson's team options.

Top front office priority

If last summer and this regular season taught Milwaukee anything, it is ownership and the front office should have a strategic three-year blueprint on what the roster would be like without Antetokounmpo.

As ESPN's Shams Charania reported, Antetokounmpo expressed serious doubts and concerns about the roster before the season. Those concerns should only accelerate with the state of the Bucks roster heading into the offseason after how the season ended.

Antetokounmpo's last game was March 15 due to a hyperextended left knee. Despite the injury, Antetokounmpo told Milwaukee he was healthy enough to play, but the Bucks did not medically clear him, causing another rift. "I'm available to play, but I'm not in the game. I'm available to play today. Right now. I'm available," Antetokounmpo told reporters.

For the betterment of the organization long term, Milwaukee should not be in a holding pattern on Antetokounmpo, but rather aggressively exploring trades leading up to the draft.

An Antetokounmpo trade would require interested teams to weigh multiple factors before creating a package to land the two-time MVP:

• How much leverage does Antetokounmpo have in choosing his next team?

• Would teams trade a hefty collection of assets -- draft picks, young players on controllable contracts and sizable short-term deals -- with no guarantee on an extension?

Antetokounmpo would be eligible for the same extension he could sign with the Bucks, albeit not until six months after a trade.

Milwaukee has another decision to make. When the Bucks signed Ryan Rollins last offseason, they included a player option in his contract for 2027-28. Rollins had a breakout season and could become a free agent next summer; he is not allowed to sign an extension this season.

As Bucks general manager, Jon Horst spent the past few offseasons retooling around Antetokounmpo to this point. Now as the head of basketball operations, he would be faced with building a roster without their franchise player for the first time.

Extension candidates to watch

The Bucks have either traded previous first-round picks or prospects they drafted, so there are no players eligible for rookie extensions. The only players extension-eligible are Antetokounmpo, Jackson and Kyle Kuzma.

Team needs

Closure with the future of Antetkounmpo is a starting point, but Milwaukee needs a lead guard and an identity on defense. The Bucks went from 12th in defense last season to 27th this year.

Future draft assets

From the Holiday and Lillard trades, Milwaukee has no control of its first-round pick until 2031. It is allowed to trade up to two first-rounders (2031 and 2033) and can swap first-rounders in three years (2031, 2032, 2033). The Bucks have one second-round pick available.

First-round picks owed by Bucks:

• 2027: To Atlanta or New Orleans

• 2028: To Portland or Washington (swap rights)

• 2029: To Portland or Washington

• 2030: To Portland (swap rights)