Five Underrated NBA Offseason Moves That Could Matter

The summer headlines belonged to Kevin Durant’s arrival in Houston and the first seven-team trade in NBA history. But not every move that matters makes front-page news.

Here are five under-the-radar additions from the 2025 offseason that could make a real impact this season, via NBA.com.

1. Lonzo Ball to the Cavaliers (Trade with Bulls)
Ball returned last season after missing two full years with a knee injury. The Cavaliers took a flier, sending Isaac Okoro to Chicago in exchange for the former No. 2 overall pick.

Ball appeared in 35 games and posted averages of 7.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.3 steals in 22.2 minutes. He also hit nearly two threes per game. The former UCLA star missed the final stretch with a wrist injury but showed signs of life and gives Cleveland a versatile option off the bench.

His return after more than 1,000 days away was a win by itself. Now the Cavs hope he can take another step forward on a team with championship expectations.

2. Jay Huff to the Pacers (Trade with Grizzlies)
After losing Myles Turner to Milwaukee, Indiana tried to fill the void with Huff in a trade that cost just two second-round picks. The 7-footer offers stretch ability and rim protection in limited minutes and is coming off his most productive NBA season.

Huff averaged 6.9 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.3 threes in just 11.7 minutes per game with Memphis. He also shot 40.5 percent from behind the arc and held opponents to 54.5 percent on shots inside six feet. That ranked 23rd among 209 qualified defenders.

3. Tyus Jones to the Magic (Free Agency)
Orlando made a lot of noise by extending Paolo Banchero and trading for Desmond Bane. But landing Jones could prove just as valuable. The veteran point guard brings a steady hand to a Magic offense that ranked near the bottom of the league in both points and assists last season.

Jones averaged 10.2 points and 5.3 assists for Phoenix while committing just 1.1 turnovers. His 4.71 assist-to-turnover ratio ranked second in the NBA behind only Tyrese Haliburton. He also knocked down 41.4 percent from deep. The 10-year vet figures to be a calming presence next to Banchero, Bane, Franz Wagner and the rest of the rising Magic core.

4. Jake LaRavia to the Lakers (Free Agency)
Dorian Finney-Smith left for Houston, but the Lakers found a younger, cheaper replacement in LaRavia. The third-year forward broke through as a shooter last season, hitting 42.3 percent of his threes with Sacramento. That included a 45.5 percent mark on wide-open attempts.

LaRavia brings the versatility to guard multiple positions and now joins a star-studded lineup featuring Luka Doncic and LeBron James. That should mean even more open looks as he continues to develop.

5. Luke Kornet to the Spurs (Free Agency)
The Spurs wasted no time adding size, inking Kornet to a four-year deal shortly after free agency opened. He gives San Antonio a traditional center option behind Victor Wembanyama and could even play alongside him in a super-sized frontcourt.

Kornet made 183 of his 187 field goals from inside the paint and shot 66.8 percent overall. He also averaged 2.3 screen assists in under 19 minutes per game and held opponents to 50.5 percent shooting at the rim. That ranked fifth leaguewide. Wemby came in just behind him at 50.8 percent.

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