5 NBA Teams That Made the Biggest Offseason Upgrades in 2025
The 2025 NBA offseason is nearly complete, with most major moves finalized and only a handful of notable free agents still unsigned. While some franchises spent the summer retooling or pivoting toward rebuilding, others made bold moves to take the next step heading into the 2025-26 season.
Here’s a look at five teams that clearly improved their rosters this summer and set themselves up for bigger things in the year ahead.
1. Houston Rockets
The biggest headline of the offseason came when Kevin Durant landed in Houston. The 14-time All-Star instantly transforms the Rockets into one of the most dangerous teams in the West.
Houston did part ways with Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks in the trade, but they reloaded with veterans Dorian Finney-Smith and Clint Capela to balance the roster. Already a strong defensive team, the Rockets now have an elite offensive centerpiece in Durant to push them toward true contention.
2. Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks pulled off one of the most praised moves of the summer — a draft-day deal with the Pelicans that netted them an unprotected 2026 first-round pick. While that’s a future asset, the present-day additions were just as impactful.
Atlanta added Kristaps Porziņģis, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Luke Kennard without giving up core pieces. With Dejounte Murray and Trae Young still in place, the Hawks now enter the 2025-26 season with one of the East’s most intriguing rosters.
3. Denver Nuggets
Denver reshaped its roster around reigning MVP Nikola Jokić by trading Michael Porter Jr. for Cam Johnson. The move had financial motivations but also brought in a versatile shooter and defender who fits well next to Jokić and Jamal Murray.
The Nuggets also bolstered their notoriously thin bench with Tim Hardaway Jr., Jonas Valanciunas, and a reunion with Bruce Brown. With 2024 first-round pick DaRon Holmes II healthy and ready to contribute, Denver now looks much deeper than in years past.
4. Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers added talent across the board this summer, though durability remains the big question with an aging core. Still, the new pieces raise their ceiling.
- Chris Paul adds veteran leadership and playmaking.
- Brook Lopez stretches the floor behind Ivica Zubac.
- Bradley Beal gets a fresh start without superstar-level expectations.
- John Collins gives L.A. a natural power forward who should thrive next to Harden.
Ultimately, the Clippers’ fate still hinges on Kawhi Leonard’s health, but the supporting cast is as strong as it’s been in years.
5. Orlando Magic
Orlando quietly put together one of the smartest offseasons in the league. They already had a solid young core with Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, but they added exactly what the roster needed.
Desmond Bane provides elite shooting and toughness, while Tyus Jones gives the Magic a steady veteran hand at point guard. Combine those upgrades with the natural development of their young stars, and Orlando could move from division champs by default to a legitimate Eastern Conference threat.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 offseason reshaped the NBA landscape in significant ways. From Houston landing Kevin Durant to Orlando finding its missing pieces, several teams dramatically improved their outlook. While the ultimate test comes during the grind of the 2025-26 season, these five franchises clearly took steps forward — and may be the biggest stories to watch when the new campaign tips off.
