NBA Free Agency: Top 5 Winners from Week 1 of Free Agency
John Canady
Host · Writer
5) Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers always seem to have good players fall into their lap, and it happened again this offseason with former No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton. The former Portland Trail Blazer was bought out and signed with them once clearing waivers. Add Ayton to the overlooked addition of Jake LaRavia, and there's no way the Lakers couldn't be in the top five of this list.
Notable Incoming Players:
C Deandre Ayton (via Free Agency)
F Jake LaRavia (via Free Agency)1) Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks have made several impressive moves this offseason to position themselves for a run in a wide-open Eastern Conference. Not only have the Hawks been aggressive on the trade market, but they have also remained aggressive in free agency, landing arguably two of the best names available to bolster their bench heading into next season.
Notable Incoming Players:
G Nickeil Alexander-Walker (via Free Agency)
G Luke Kennard (via Free Agency)2) Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets appear to be set on contending in the Western Conference next season, and if their acquisition of Kevin Durant doesn't prove that, their free agency signings suggest that contending for a championship in 2025-26 is at the top of their to-do list.
Notable Incoming Players:
F Dorian Finney-Smith (via Free Agency)
C Clint Capela (via Free Agency)
G Fred VanVleet (Re-Signed)Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.
3) Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets seem focused on returning to the top of the Western Conference, and as long as Nikola Jokic is on their roster, they'll have a chance to do exactly that. However, surrounding him with more talent off the bench this offseason proved to be a priority, and they did exactly that, landing two of the most underrated additions in free agency.
Notable Incoming Players:
F Bruce Brown (via Free Agency)
G Tim Hardaway Jr. (via Free Agency)Dunk on the sportsbooks tonight! Grab SportsGrid’s free NBA picks, NBA props, and NBA SGPs.
4) New York Knicks
The New York Knicks desperately needed to bolster their bench heading into the offseason if they hope to be able to get over the hump in the Eastern Conference next season. Fortunately for New York, they landed two premier second-unit additions to their roster on team-friendly deals.
Notable Incoming Players:
G Jordan Clarkson (via Free Agency)
F Guerschon Yabusele (via Free Agency)5) Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers always seem to have good players fall into their lap, and it happened again this offseason with former No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton. The former Portland Trail Blazer was bought out and signed with them once clearing waivers. Add Ayton to the overlooked addition of Jake LaRavia, and there's no way the Lakers couldn't be in the top five of this list.
Notable Incoming Players:
C Deandre Ayton (via Free Agency)
F Jake LaRavia (via Free Agency)1) Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks have made several impressive moves this offseason to position themselves for a run in a wide-open Eastern Conference. Not only have the Hawks been aggressive on the trade market, but they have also remained aggressive in free agency, landing arguably two of the best names available to bolster their bench heading into next season.
Notable Incoming Players:
G Nickeil Alexander-Walker (via Free Agency)
G Luke Kennard (via Free Agency)
