The NBA offseason has been a wild one, to say the least. In the span of 10 days, Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard and Jaylen Brown — four Finals MVPs! — moved on from their former teams. Just like that.
A number of other All-Stars — LaMelo Ball, Ja Morant, Julius Randle, Paul George, Brandon Ingram and Tyler Herro — also found new NBA homes over the past week and a half. (Oh, and in the middle of all that was the NBA draft, which featured future All-Stars and a number of trades, too. Whew.)
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In case you missed it all, here’s a look at what’s been a blockbuster summer so far:
A day before the NBA draft, the Timberwolves sent Julius Randle to the Brooklyn Nets in a three-team trade that also sent Nic Claxton to the Chicago Bulls. Randle, a two-time All-Star, had averaged 20 points, 6.9 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game during his two seasons in Minnesota since arriving from New York in the Karl-Anthony Towns trade.
The move allowed the Timberwolves to sign Ayo Dosunmu to a five-year, $112 million contract, and Minnesota would make an even bigger splash just a few days later.
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A couple hours after the Randle trade, however, is when the biggest domino fell.
Approaching midnight ET on June 22, Giannis Antetokounmpo was traded from the Milwaukee Bucks to the Miami Heat in a blockbuster deal that finally ended the two-time MVP’s turbulent relationship with the franchise he led to the 2021 NBA championship.
The Bucks also sent Bobby Portis to Miami in the deal. In return, Milwaukee received All-Star guard Tyler Herro, center Kel’el Ware, forward Jaime Jaquez Jr., second-year guard Kasparas Jakučionis, three first-round draft picks (2026, ’31 and ’33), one pick swap (2030) and a 2033 second-round selection.
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The trade culminated more than a year of speculation that the franchise stalwart wouldn’t finish his career with the Bucks team that drafted him. After the Celtics made a failed attempt to trade for Giannis, the 10-time All-Star is now on to Miami, where he’ll be a fascinating fit with the Heat.
Speaking of fascinating fits, the Timberwolves took their big swing a day after the draft and traded for All-Star point guard LaMelo Ball, who will pair with Anthony Edwards to form the NBA’s most electrifying backcourt.
The Charlotte Hornets sent the 24-year-old Ball, along with guard Josh Green, to the Timberwolves in exchange for Naz Reid, a 2033 unprotected first-round draft pick and second-round picks in 2029, 2032 and 2033. The teams also swapped first-round picks in 2028, 2029 and 2030.
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The move marks the sudden end of the LaMelo Ball era in Charlotte, while Ball’s arrival in Minnesota raises more questions than it answers.
The Ja Morant era in Memphis is also over. The Grizzlies struck a deal to send their former star guard to the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday afternoon. In return, the Grizzlies received forwards Jerami Grant and Kris Murray.
Morant was the No. 2 overall pick in 2019, and he initially shined with the franchise, earning Rookie of the Year honors with averages of 17.8 points and 7.3 assists per game. But in recent years, the two-time All-Star struggled to remain on the court — both due to injuries and non-basketball issues.
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The trade signals the end of what had become an awkward, unfortunate divorce. Over the past few months, Morant’s value around the league had rapidly declined as potential landing spots dried up. Now he’ll get a fresh start in Portland.
On Tuesday, hours before free agency officially opened, LeBron James informed the Lakers that he, too, was ready for a fresh start. After eight seasons in Los Angeles, he will look to play elsewhere for the 2026-27 season.
Per ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, James has instructed his agent, Rich Paul, to talk with all teams interested in signing him and then inform him of his options so he can make a decision. The Golden State Warriors are “at the front of the line in pursuit of LeBron James,” per NBA insider Marc Stein. There has also been some speculation that James could opt to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers to potentially close out his career with his hometown team, where he played the first seven years of his career and won his third NBA title in 2016. The Cavs reportedly have interest in a second reunion with James, according to insider Chris Haynes.
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Wherever he signs, James projects to remain a valuable contributor in his 24th NBA season.
Kawhi Leonard is headed back to Canada. The Los Angeles Clippers opted against handing the 35-year-old star an extension and instead decided to deal him to the Toronto Raptors, who he helped lead to an NBA title in 2019.
The move comes as Leonard is owed $50 million in the final year of his current deal. Chris Haynes reported that the Raptors are planning to begin discussions with Leonard on a two-year contract extension.
In return for Leonard, the Clippers received Brandon Ingram and Gradey Dick. They will also get first-round draft picks in 2031 and 2033, second-round draft picks in 2030 and 2033, and a first-round pick swap in 2027.
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After experiencing the best season of his Boston Celtics career, Jaylen Brown is heading to a new franchise. Brown was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday, ending his decade-long stay with the Celtics.
In exchange, the Celtics receive 76ers star Paul George, two future first-round picks in 2028 and 2031, and two future second-round picks in 2028 and 2030.
The deal comes days after Brown was mentioned as a major part of a trade package for Giannis Antetokounmpo. That deal fell through, as the Bucks opted to trade Antetokounmpo to the Heat. With Antetokounmpo no longer available, there was some thought Brown would return to the Celtics. But the team had other plans. Brown will now get a chance to prove his doubters wrong in Philadelphia.
Could we see more NBA fireworks on the Fourth of July? Stay tuned.
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