Five under-the-radar moves in NBA free agency

The start of the 2025 NBA offseason has been dominated by trade news. Kevin Durant's blockbuster move to the Houston Rockets set the tone for what has been a busy start to the summer.

However, in the middle of all the trade talks and rumors, some smart business has been made on the free-agency market. After all, sometimes it's the addition of a role player or two that can lead to a team taking the next step or even making a championship push.

Here are five under-the-radar free-agency moves to start the summer.

5. Bruce Brown | Denver Nuggets

Brown was a key part of the Denver Nuggets' championship-winning roster. Unfortunately, the forward was allowed to leave the franchise that same summer and signed with the Indiana Pacers. Since then, Brown has bounced between teams, representing four in two seasons. 

Mike Malone is no longer running things in Denver. Nevertheless, re-acquiring Brown is a strong move by the Nuggets. He will quickly slot into an important bench role for the franchise. A new coach shouldn't diminish the potential impact Brown will have, especially on the defensive end.

4. Ty Jerome | Memphis Grizzlies

Jerome finished third in Sixth Man of the Year voting this past season. The guard's play earned him a bigger salary on the free agency market. Due to the Cleveland Cavaliers' cap issues, they moved to acquire Lonzo Ball via trade.

That allowed Jerome to sign a three-year, $28M deal with the Memphis Grizzlies. Coach Tuomas Iisalo now has one of the best backup ball-handlers in the NBA. Jerome will provide floor spacing and playmaking off the bench. Furthermore, he's more than capable of stepping into the starting lineup when required.

3. Luke Kennard | Atlanta Hawks 

Kennard shot 43.4% from 3-point range last season on four attempts per game. The guard's ability to create his own shots, generate offense for others and space the floor as a catch-and-shoot threat ensures he's a valuable bench piece. 

After two seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies, Kennard has agreed to sign with the Atlanta Hawks this summer. Quin Snyder's team is slowly adding highly reliable shooters throughout the roster. Kennard will fit perfectly into what the Hawks are building.  

2. Luke Kornet | San Antonio Spurs

Ask any Boston Celtics fan: The noise about Kornet being one of the best backup centers in the NBA is real. He's an advanced analytics darling. And while he doesn't stuff the box score, he does all the little things you need to win.

Kornet has mastered being a non-shooting big who thrives on the perimeter. He's a high-level screener and a sneaky-good short-roll playmaker. The San Antonio Spurs see the value he brings, set to ink him to a four-year, $41M contract to steal him away from Boston. 

1. Jake LaRavia | Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers entered the offseason with a clear goal: get younger and more athletic. When general manager Rob Pelinka allowed Dorian Finney-Smith to walk away and sign with the Houston Rockets, it was fair if you raised an eyebrow. However, the addition of LaRavia quickly filled the gap and provided coach JJ Redick with a younger, more dynamic forward as his replacement.

LaRavia will provide defense, floor spacing and the occasional athletic burst. Most importantly, he fits the Luka Doncic timeline and comes at a reasonable price point, salary-wise.