#offseason-moves

#offseason-moves

After winning the national title, Todd Golden lost the best backcourt in America. Departures included the NCAA tournament's Most Outstanding Player in Walter Clayton Jr. and two more players who were selected in the 2025 NBA draft (Alijah Martin and Will Richard) -- but that's only part of the story. The return of Golden's frontcourt wasn't a guarantee as key players flirted with the NBA draft.

It was quite a moment: The favorite son and the face of the dynasty, back in the Bay to save the organization and that faded black-and-orange tradition he helped build. So, a year later, what have we actually seen change? Not much, if we're being honest. The Giants are still a thoroughly .500 outfit, staring up at the blinding lights of the Dodgers and the perpetually contending Padres.

The last two seasons have been two of the Timberwolves' most successful ... ever. However, coming off back-to-back Western Conference Finals appearances, they had a largely uneventful offseason in terms of external improvement. Their most notable move was drafting French big Joan Beringer No. 17 overall last June. He's raw, but he's very athletic and a very good shot-blocker. It will take time for him to learn and bulk up, but I think it was a worthy dart throw.

For our second annual offseason outlook series, Hot Hot Hoops senior writer Matt Hanifan will provide his take on the offseasons of all 30 teams for the next 30 days! We have already completed the Eastern Conference, so we will proceed in alphabetical order with the West before capping it all off with the Miami Heat. Today, we will be evaluating the Denver Nuggets' offseason. Past Previews: Evaluating the Denver Nuggets' 2025 offseason:

Magic president Jeff Weltman was adamant this summer about wanting to win now, and he struck early by acquiring Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane in the summer's first big blockbuster. Bane is a significantly improved ballhandler and decision-maker while also averaging 20.2 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.1 steals on 40.7 percent shooting from 3-point range over the last four seasons. In translation: He's very good at basketball.

The Indiana Pacers took yet another leap last season, putting together another phenomenal postseason run. They were one game away from winning the franchise's first-ever NBA championship - which few, if any, expected heading into the playoffs. But they weren't able to outlast the Oklahoma City Thunder, and star point guard Tyrese Haliburton suffered a season-ending torn Achilles in Game 7 of the NBA Finals.

The Bulls enter 2025-26 coming off their fourth-straight play-in appearance and second-straight 39-win season. Their biggest move of the offseason was flipping Lonzo Ball for Isaac Okoro, which was more poor asset management on the Bulls' part after what was reportedly available at the deadline. Ball does have notable health concerns. But they sold low on an expiring contract to take on more guaranteed money not only in 2025-26, but the following season as well.

The New York Islanders fell short of making the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs by nine points in the standings and had a reasonable chance at contending for a berth before ending the season on a 3-7-4 streak. The playoffs could potentially be within reach this upcoming season, but their chances hang in balance and depend on a new core finding chemistry together.

After trying to trade for Bradley Beal twice in the past, the LA Clippers finally have their shooting guard after he signed with the team following a contract buyout with the Phoenix Suns.

The Rangers were looking to move Trouba before the 2024 draft, asking for his 15-team no-trade list, marking the beginning of the troubles.

We felt like his reps were going to be decreased as we worked through the offseason. We're going to try to do what's best for the team.