NBA · 5 months ago

Top 10 Most Improved NBA Teams So Far This Offseason

John Canady

Host · Writer

10) Charlotte Hornets
The Charlotte Hornets have a vision in mind, and while not many people may see it, the front office and head coach, Charles Lee, seem to truly believe they have the personnel to build around and make a run in the East next year. They've done exactly that, adding talented players in every avenue they could this offseason.

G Collin Sexton (via Trade)
G Spencer Dinwiddie (via Free Agency)
C Mason Plumlee (via Free Agency)
F Kon Knueppel (via Draft)
C Ryan Kalkbrenner (via Draft)
1) Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are serious about getting over the hump in the Western Conference next season, and they've proven that with an aggressive start to the offseason. Landing players through trade and free agency, Ime Udoka's squad looks poised to be a true contender heading into the 2025-26 season.

Notable Incoming Players:

F Kevin Durant (via Trade)
F Dorian Finney-Smith (via Free Agency)
C Clint Capela (via Free Agency)

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2) Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets fell one game shy of the Western Conference Finals this past season despite losing their head coach seemingly right before the postseason began. Despite that, Denver's front office felt that a few roster adjustments could get them back into contention. Through the first week of free agency, the Nuggets' roster has quietly become one of the best in the league.

Notable Incoming Players:

F Cam Johnson (via Trade)
F Bruce Brown (via Free Agency)
G Tim Hardaway Jr. (via Free Agency)

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3) San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs entered the offseason with enough talent to be considered a contender for the playoffs heading into next year. As one of the youngest squads in the league, the Spurs have done an outstanding job of adding talent through the draft and free agency, giving them a real chance to compete in the West next season, and we're only two weeks into the offseason.

Notable Incoming Players:

G Dylan Harper (via Draft)
F Carter Bryant (via Draft)
C Luke Kornet (via Free Agency)
4) Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks seem to truly be going for it with the Eastern Conference wide open for next season. Atlanta has been aggressive on all fronts since the offseason began, and the front office may have assembled arguably the most competitive team that Trae Young has seen since joining the ATL.

Notable Incoming Players:

C Kristaps Porzingis (via Trade)
G Nickeil Alexander-Walker (via Free Agency)
G Luke Kennard (via Free Agency)
F Asa Newell (via Draft)
5) New York Knicks
The New York Knicks managed to land two of the best free agents on the open market to strengthen their bench unit heading into next season, despite not having a head coach in place. Now, with Mike Brown signed to a deal to become the team's next leader, New York has a retooled roster and a new culture on the way as next season approaches.

Notable Incoming Players:

G Jordan Clarkson (via Free Agency)
F Guerschon Yabusele (via Free Agency)
6) Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons fell short in the NBA Playoffs this past season, but they put the entire Eastern Conference on notice that they were a young team on the rise. Heading into year two of the J.B. Bickerstaff era, general manager Trajan Langdon has signed multiple free agents that will help Detroit take a step closer to competing next year, and the offseason is just getting started.

Notable Incoming Players:

F Caris LeVert (via Free Agency)
G Duncan Robinson (via Free Agency)
G Chaz Lanier (via Draft)
7) Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers haven't been the most aggressive team since the offseason began, but with LeBron James and Luka Doncic seemingly already in place heading into next season, there's no rush. However, Rob Pelinka still managed to land one of the best free agents available without applying any urgency. Now, LA has put itself in a position to focus on other weaknesses, with its glaring hole seemingly fixed with the signing of Deandre Ayton.

Notable Incoming Players:

C Deandre Ayton (via Free Agency)
F Jake LaRavia (via Free Agency)
8) New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans have made multiple head-scratching decisions over the last couple of weeks, most of which came during the NBA Draft when they seemingly paid a rich price to move up in the first round to select Derik Queen. Despite that, there's no denying that the Pelicans are making their fair share of moves to ensure they give themselves a chance to compete next season. In doing so, they've gotten younger and added plenty of talent around their core.

Notable Incoming Players:

G Jordan Poole (via Trade)
F Saddiq Bey (via Trade)
C Kevon Looney (via Free Agency)
G Jeremiah Fears (via Draft)
C Derik Queen (via Draft)
G Micah Peavy (via Draft)
9) Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic have quietly put themselves in a position to be a top contender in the East next season. Orlando has bolstered its backcourt with multiple talented players, headlined by the addition of Desmond Bane. The Magic's defense alone is expected to put them in position to be a top team. If Orlando can get an offensive boost from their additions, their chances will only increase.

G Desmond Bane (via Trade)
G Tyus Jones (via Free Agency)
G Jase Richardson (via Draft)
10) Charlotte Hornets
The Charlotte Hornets have a vision in mind, and while not many people may see it, the front office and head coach, Charles Lee, seem to truly believe they have the personnel to build around and make a run in the East next year. They've done exactly that, adding talented players in every avenue they could this offseason.

G Collin Sexton (via Trade)
G Spencer Dinwiddie (via Free Agency)
C Mason Plumlee (via Free Agency)
F Kon Knueppel (via Draft)
C Ryan Kalkbrenner (via Draft)
1) Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are serious about getting over the hump in the Western Conference next season, and they've proven that with an aggressive start to the offseason. Landing players through trade and free agency, Ime Udoka's squad looks poised to be a true contender heading into the 2025-26 season.

Notable Incoming Players:

F Kevin Durant (via Trade)
F Dorian Finney-Smith (via Free Agency)
C Clint Capela (via Free Agency)

Dunk on the sportsbooks tonight! Grab SportsGrid’s free NBA picks, NBA props, and NBA SGPs.

Top 10 Most Improved NBA Teams So Far This Offseason

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