NBA Free Agency Shocker: Hawks and Rockets Skyrocket, But What’s Holding the Lakers Back?

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The winners

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AdvertisementFree agency’s curtain has only just lifted, yet already the NBA landscape feels like a whirlwind of surprises and second guesses. I’ve seen this dance before—teams hustling, deals flying left and right, fans clutching their hopes and doubts in equal measure. Some franchises are quietly stacking their decks while others stumble out of the gate, and honestly, it’s hard not to feel part-excited, part-bemused watching it all unfold. From bold gambles that could reshape seasons to baffling moves that leave you scratching your head, this early snapshot tells us a great deal about who’s poised to rise and who might be heading for a stutter. Strap in—it’s NBA musical chairs, and the game has only just begun. LEARN MORE

Honorable mention

LeBron James and Luka Dončić From a front-office perspective, the Lakers are riding high. The team just sold for a record-shattering bn to Dodgers controlling owner Mark Walter and, for now at least, they still have the crown jewel of one of the most lopsided trades in NBA history on their roster. But for said crown jewel, Luka Dončić, and his childhood idol turned teammate LeBron James, the outlooks isn’t quite so rosy. The company line out of Laker Land is that they’re prioritizing future flexibility over win-now moves, but that feels like a bit of a ridiculous conceit. For starters, when was the last time a true game-changer actually made it to free agency instead of signing the max and requesting a trade later? And LeBron, now 40 and coming off a season where he finished sixth in MVP voting and made the All-NBA second team, clearly doesn’t fit that long-term timeline. Even Dončić, at 26 and entering his prime, doesn’t have time to wait around. Yes, they technically addressed their glaring hole at center by adding Deandre Ayton on a buyout, and Jake LaRavia was a nice, low-cost pickup at forward. But after losing Dončić’s close friend and key contributor Dorian Finney-Smith in free agency, reportedly not on great terms, there are still serious holes in this roster. And little sign the front office feels any urgency to fill them. Dončić and James deserve better.