This year’s NBA Free Agency had blockbuster signings that could change the entire landscape of the league. Teams gained and lost vital pieces that may put them over the edge or drag them back down. During free agency, superstars and role-players move teams to chase the goal of the Larry O’Brien Trophy. This recap will go over six teams with the biggest changes from this year’s free agency and what that means for the league moving forward into the 2024-2025 NBA season.
The Dallas Mavericks are coming off a major finals loss to the Boston Celtics. The Mavericks decided to improve their roster to make it back to the finals and win the championship for themselves. Dallas made a sign-and-trade deal with the Warriors, Timberwolves, Nuggets, Hornets, and 76er’s to sign the 4x Champion G/F Klay Thompson to a contract worth $50 million over 3 years. The signing of Thompson, 34, improves their shooting and defense, which were major issues in their tragic series against Boston. The Mavericks hope this move will propel them to their first championship since 2011.
The Philadelphia 76ers have been very active in this year’s free agency, signing multiple players while making what could be the biggest move of this years’ free agency class. 9x All-Star G/F Paul George (Clippers) signed with the 76ers for $212 Million over the next four seasons. This move sent shockwaves over the league. George, 34, had been rumored to sign with the Golden State Warriors for quite some time, so this was an unexpected turn of events. Paul George is expected to be the 76ers second scoring option next to the 2023 MVP, C Joel Embiid. Philadelphia signed other key role-players to fill other team needs. These acquisitions include G Reggie Jackson (Nuggets), F Caleb Martin (Heat), F Eric Gordon (Suns), and C Andre Drummond (Bulls) that add shooting, rebounding, and championship experience to this team. The Sixers hope these pieces will help them overcome their past shortcomings in the playoffs and rectify their image as a serious playoff threat.
The Denver Nuggets have had an up-and-down free agency. The Nuggets lost versatile 3&D wing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to the Orlando Magic in this free agency. Caldwell-Pope was a long-time starter for the team and a member of the championship team from 2022-23. This signing follows the loss of key player F Bruce Brown (Pacers) in last year’s free agency, which started the Nuggets’ downward trend. Denver has attempted to remedy these losses by signing former 2017 MVP, G Russell Westbrook (Clippers) and versatile role player Dario Saric (Warriors). Westbrook will play off the bench and provide extra playmaking and rebounding for the team. These changes in the roster may be able to put the Nuggets back into the NBA Finals or hold them further back coming off a disappointing second round exit.
The Phoenix Suns may have gotten the steal of this year’s free agency class. The Suns are coming off a first round sweep from the Timberwolves and are hoping these new additions will put them back into serious championship contention. Phoenix signed G Monte Morris (Pistons), C Mason Plumlee (Clippers), and G Tyus Jones (Wizards). Both Morris and Plumlee are solid bench players that will provide a decent impact to the team’s success. Tyus Jones is one of the best players in this year’s free agency class excluding the superstars. Other high value options were signed very quickly into the off- season, whilst Jones remained unsigned for quite a while. The Suns were the team that managed to sign Jones out of the many teams interested in him. Tyus Jones provides excellent playmaking and shooting, which is a very sought-after skillset in the modern NBA. These signings bolster the teams offense and defense, which might let them overcome their past shortcomings in the playoffs.
The Los Angeles Clippers have had an interesting free agency. With the loss of Paul George (76ers) and Russell Westbrook (Nuggets), the team’s future seemed uncertain. The Clippers were forced to make quick moves to acquire solid pieces to recuperate from the losses of their star players. Whilst the team still has superstar’s in F Kawhi Leonard and G James Harden, the loss of Paul George to the 76ers and Russell Westbrook to the Nuggets has plummeted the team’s expectations coming into next season. Los Angeles wanted to fill these holes in their roster with many role players from this year’s free agency class. The Clippers signed C Mo Bamba (76ers), F Derrick Jones (Mavericks), F Nicolas Batum (76ers), and G Kevin Porter Jr (Overseas, last played on the Rockets) to contracts for the next few seasons. Both Batum and Jones add more playoff experience to the roster, especially with Derrick Jones coming off a finals appearance with the Dallas Mavericks. Mo Bamba is a much needed backup for Ivaca Zubac at the center position and adds extra rebounding for the team. Kevin Porter Jr., despite his past issues with the league, adds more scoring to the roster and is a solid bench piece for the Clippers. These additions add a new dynamic to this Clippers squad while also establishing them as a worthy threat in the Western Conference.
Heading into the start of the NBA 2024-25 Season there are still free agents yet to be signed, such as G/F Isacc Okoro and G Markelle Fultz, that could be signed by a contending team to be their final piece of a championship roster. Other players like F Doug McDermott, F Jae Crowder, and G Dennis Smith Jr. could play a bench role for a team if they are signed. These players can still sign during the season, but their potential role and salary will take a big hit. What this upcoming season holds for us is unknown, though these free agency signings will make a big impact on the league.
