5 Best And 5 Worst Trades In The 2025 NBA Offseason

This blockbuster seven-team trade sent Kevin Durant and Clint Capela to Houston in exchange for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, a top-10 draft pick, and five second-rounders. While the Suns amass young talent and long-term flexibility, the Rockets boldly made a win-now move that we all saw coming following their first-round exit in the 2025 playoffs.

Durant’s elite scoring and isolation talents immediately elevate Houston to being a legitimate title-contender, even if he is nearly 37 years old. The Rockets finished second in the West last season, but a first-round exit showed that they had to move on from Green and acquire a go-to scorer. They finally have one, and we can't wait to see KD lead a young team further into the postseason. 

2. Denver Nuggets Trade For Cam Johnson In Interesting Swap

Denver engineered a very smart trade, sending out Michael Porter Jr. and an unprotected 2032 first-round pick to Brooklyn for sharpshooter Cam Johnson. Financially, it’s a clear win: Johnson’s $21M salary is far more affordable than Porter’s looming $38M. Not to mention, Johnson fits the team's dynamics better.

Johnson’s elite off-ball shooting pairs beautifully with Nikola Jokic’s playmaking, making this both a cap-smart and natural upgrade. He is also a better defender than Porter Jr, adds more athleticism, and seems to be more focused off the court. The Nuggets are going all-in, and we recognize that this offseason.

3. Miami Heat Add Norman Powell Without Giving Up Much

In a three-team deal, Miami acquires Norman Powell from L.A. while only moving Kevin Love to Utah. Powell arrives as a high-energy, two-way wing on a modest salary, offering scoring punch and defensive versatility to a talented duo of Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro.

Though adding another extension-eligible salary into Miami’s financial situation creates somewhat of an issue, especially given extension rules and a crowded roster, Powell’s fit within Pat Riley’s culture and system looks immediately win. The Heat aren't giving up on their playoff chase, and this move fits into that ideology. 

4. Atlanta Hawks Take A Gamble On Kristaps Porzingis

We really like this trade from the Hawks. Atlanta gained Kristaps Porzingis and a second-round pick in a three-team deal involving Boston and Brooklyn. Boston shed salary and acquired Georges Niang (who was traded again), while the Nets gained Teran ce Mann and draft capital. No doubt, the Hawks won this trade.

Porzingis brings rare size and shooting, potentially filling a commanding frontcourt role, even if Atlanta will have to deal with the big man's health issues and massive contract. The move is bold, but if Porzingis stays healthy, the Hawks are back in playoff contention. 

5. Nuggets Make Another Trade: This Time For Jonas Valanciunas

Denver’s bench got a sturdy upgrade as they swapped Dario Saric for veteran center Jonas Valanciunas. The big man provides reliable interior scoring and rebounding b ehind Jokic, addressing a long-standing backup center need. 

Signed for a team-friendly $10.4M in 2025-26 (with an optional non-guaranteed $10M in 2026-27), he shores up depth without sacrificing much. This deal might fly under the radar for some, but we think the Nuggets won this deal in a major way. There was some drama to start since Jonas wanted to play in Greece, but he is suiting up for Denver next season. 

5 Worst Trades

1. Jazz Trade Collin Sexton For Jusuf Nurkic

Utah sent one of its most dynamic scorers in contract and asset, Collin Sexton , along with a second-rounder to Charlotte for the unimpressive veteran Jusuf Nurkic. This has to be one of the most baffling trades in recent memory for a variety of reasons. Firstly, the  Jazz are rebuilding, but they traded one of their best assets.

Not to mention, Sexton is not only the younger and more efficient player, but also commands a cheaper contract, making it a clear mismatch in favor of the Hornets. The Hornets are happy, but the Jazz shouldn't be. If we were to give this trade a grade, it's a D at best.

2. Trail Blazers Acquire Jrue Holiday For Some Reason

Portland re-acquires veteran guard Jrue Holiday in exchange for Anfernee Simons and (originally) future second-rounders. While Holiday brings defensive impact, this move burdens the Trail Blazers with a 35-year-old on a hefty contract and compels them to surrender a high-ceiling, younger scorer in Simons.

The Trail Blazers have Damian Lillard returning to the court next year, so perhaps Jrue could fit in that sense, but otherwise, this was confusing. They managed to gift the Celtics with salary-cap relief and are burdening themselves instead. We don't understand this trade, so we are dubbing it one of the worst of the offseason.

3. Houston Rockets Move The Talented Cam Whitmore For Two Second-Rounders

Houston shipped 2023 first-round pick Cam Whitmore to Washington for two second-round picks, a questionable return on potential alone. Whitmore, still raw but athletic and developing, looked poised to take on a larger role in the Durant-era Rockets since the team lacks natural shooting guards. 

To be fair to Houston, perhaps they wanted to move Whitmore to give him a chance to develop his game. If that's true, that's honorable, but that still doesn't make it not one of the worst trades of the offseason. Perhaps the Rockets should have been a little bit more cutthroat and kept Whitmore in his role.

4. Phoenix Suns Lose Two First-Round Picks For Mark Williams

Phoenix gave up significant future draft capital (including a 2029 first-rounder) for young center Mark Williams. We argue the cost was too high relative to Williams’ unproven production and durability, especially with his limited games played historically. 

This move essentially handed Williams leverage, creating one of the most confusing gambles of the offseason. The Suns aren't going to win a title anytime soon, so why are they losing two first-round picks for a center? We don't know what they are doing, so it is a bad trade.

5. Miami Heat Trade Haywood Highsmith... For Nothing

Miami moved bench defender Haywood Highsmith and a 2032 second-round pick to the Nets for a heavily protected 2026 second-rounder. The main aim? Getting under the luxury tax threshold. We have to call it penny-pinching at the expense of solid rotational depth. If 

Highsmith isn't an All-Star or even a bonafide starter, but we loved his impact for the Heat. If the team wants to make the playoffs, losing trusted players won't help them. They made a great move to add Norman Powell, but we didn't like this trade at all.