After going through the bottom-10 teams in the first part of my annual recap of every NBA team’s offseason, we arrive at the 10 in the middle. The top 10 will be revealed Thursday.
Again, for the uninitiated: These aren’t power rankings. They’re just an opinion of how well each team did, or didn’t, improve during the offseason. Most importantly:
• If your team is ranked in the top 10, it doesn’t mean I love your team.
• If your team is ranked in the bottom 10, it doesn’t mean I hate your team.
The one big question: Is the team better now than at the end of last season? The ranking reflects the belief on whether, and how much, that is so.
In the meantime, we continue with teams 20-11. Most of these teams made significant changes to their roster, both through the draft and trades, and they either fit the direction in which the team was already going or were a welcome corrective to a philosophy that wasn’t working.
David Aldridge’s 2025 offseason rankings: Nos. 30-21
20. Minnesota Timberwolves
2024-25 record: 49-33; lost in Western Conference finals to the Oklahoma City Thunder, 4-1
Added: C Joan Beringer (first round, 17th pick); C Rocco Zikarsky (draft rights acquired from Lakers via Bulls, two-way); F Enrique Freeman (two-way); Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore approved as co-owners
Lost: F Nickeil Alexander-Walker (signed with Hawks); C Luka Garza (signed with Celtics); F/C Rasheer Fleming (draft rights traded to Suns); C Jesse Edwards (waived)
Retained: F Julius Randle (three years, $100M); F/C Naz Reid (five years, $125M); F Joe Ingles (one year, $3.6M)
Extended: None
Returning from injury: None
The skinny: Another team whose success forced it to make tough second apron calls. In Minnesota’s case, it couldn’t bring back all of Reid, Randle and Alexander-Walker in free agency, so the Wolves are betting that second-year man Terrence Shannon Jr. can take up some of the slack from NAW’s departure. Interesting that the Wolves drafted and traded for multiple bigs in the draft. Rudy Gobert is still pretty good most nights — ask the Lakers about Game 5 of their series with Minny — but he’s starting to slow some at 33, and he’s expensive, and …well, they got multiple bigs out of the draft. Do what you will with that information.
19. Portland Trail Blazers
2024-25 record: 36-46; did not make playoffs
Added: G Damian Lillard (three years, $42M); Jrue Holiday (acquired from Celtics); G Blake Wesley (one year, $2.3M); C Yang Hansen (draft rights acquired from Grizzlies); G Caleb Love (two-way); G Sean Pedulla (Exhibit 10); F Andrew Carr (Exhibit 10); investment group led by Tom Dundon in agreement to purchase Trail Blazers
Lost: G Anfernee Simons (traded to Celtics); C Deandre Ayton (waived after contract buyout via stretch provision)
Retained: None
Returning from injury: C Robert Williams III (arthroscopic surgery, left knee)
The skinny: Whether or not Lillard, who tore his Achilles in April, plays a second this season for the Blazers doesn’t matter; this is a win-win, with Lillard again being able to mentor Scoot Henderson while getting a year to rehab in familiar environs. Portland thinks Yang has a chance to be a star. But most everyone else had a second-round grade on him pre-draft. And, the Blazers had plenty of big-man depth already in Donovan Clingan, Robert Williams III and Duop Reath. Hey, go for Yang if you believe in him. But he had better pan out. Similarly, the Blazers need Holiday to help lift them to playoff level. It better work, considering they gave up the (nine years) younger Simons in the exchange.
18. Chicago Bulls
2024-25 record: 39-43; lost in Play-In round
Added: F Isaac Okoro (acquired from Cavaliers); F Noa Essengue (first round, 12th pick); C Lachlan Olbrich (two-way); F Emanuel Miller (two-way); G Yuki Kawamura (two-way); G Caleb Grill (Exhibit 10); G Wooga Poplar (Exhibit 10)
Lost: G Lonzo Ball (traded to Cavaliers); C Rocco Zikarsky (draft rights traded to Timberwolves); G Jahmir Young (waived)
Retained: G Tre Jones (three years, $24M)
Extended: Coach Billy Donovan
Returning from injury: G Ayo Dosunmu (left shoulder subluxation); Jones (left foot sprain)
The skinny: The Bulls aren’t getting any points for speed, but they continued their methodical buildup by drafting Essengue, who could team up nicely with last year’s first-round pick, Matas Buzelis, and form a promising young forward tandem. Coby White’s big jump the last two years made Ball expendable, so getting more length and defensive versatility in Okoro for him was a decent return. Getting Josh Giddey extended before camp is the next expected step. But at some point, Chicago is going to have to be more intentional in making bigger moves that can get it out of Play-In round hell. Unless it’s cool staying in Play-In round hell.
17. Sacramento Kings
2024-25 record: 40-42; lost in Play-In round
Added: G Dennis Schröder (three years, $45M); F Dario Šarić (acquired from Denver); F Doug McDermott (one year, $3.6M); F Drew Eubanks (one year, $3.1M); F Nique Clifford (draft rights acquired from Thunder); C Maxime Raynaud (second round, 42nd pick); G Daeqwon Plowden (two-way); G Isaiah Stephens (two-way); C Dylan Cardwell (two-way); F Pat McCaffery (Exhibit 10); G Isaac Nogueś Gonzalez (Exhibit 10); 2029 second-round pick (acquired from Pistons); 2029 second-round pick (acquired from Pistons)
Lost: C Jonas Valančiūnas (traded to Nuggets); F Jake LaRavia (signed with Lakers); 2027 first-round pick (traded to Thunder); 2026 second-round pick (traded to Pistons)
Retained: F Keon Ellis (team exercised $2.3M option for 2025-26); C Isaac Jones (team exercised $1.9 option for 2025-26)
Extended: None
Returning from injury: G Malik Monk (left calf strain)
The skinny: Don’t love the JV-Šarić swap. Yes, you save a little money (and maybe that’s how Sac could afford Schröder), but you’re still losing Valančiūnas’s value as one of the better backup centers in the league. Schröder has been solid in most of his non-Warriors stops over the years; his toughness should help. And Sacramento did well in the draft, considering its positioning; coming away with two solid rotational pieces in Clifford and Raynaud was quality work from new GM Scott Perry and his front office. If Sac manages to snag Jonathan Kuminga from the Warriors after this is published, I’ll revise the offseason … upward.
16. Philadelphia 76ers
2024-25 record: 24-58; did not make playoffs
Added: F Trendon Watford (two years, $5.3M); G V.J. Edgecombe (first round, third pick); F Johni Broome (second round, 35th pick); G Hunter Sallis (two-way); F Dominick Barlow (two-way); F Jabari Walker (two-way); F/C Igor Miličić Jr. (Exhibit 10); F Izan Almanza (Exhibit 10)
Lost: F Guerschon Yabusele (signed with Knicks); G Ricky Council IV (waived); F Alex Reese (waived)
Retained: F Kelly Oubre (player option, $8.4M); G Eric Gordon (one year, $6.3M); C Andre Drummond (player option, $5M); G Kyle Lowry (one year, $3.6M); G Justin Edwards (three years, $7.1M)
Extended: None
Returning from injury: C Joel Embiid (arthroscopic surgery, left knee); F Paul George (left adductor, left knee injuries); G Tyrese Maxey (sprained right finger); G Jared McCain (torn meniscus, left knee)
The skinny: You can definitely see a post-Embiid skeleton coming into shape in Philly, with McCain, Maxey and Edgecombe becoming a potentially wildly fun trio in the coming years. For now, Philly still holds out hope that the 31-year-Embiid can finally recover after getting shut down the last seven weeks of the regular season to have his meniscus repaired. But that’s a hope that has fallen on deaf ears in the Philadelphia fan base, who’ve increasingly tuned the 76ers out. It’s hard to see Philly going past next season with the big man as its lodestar if he can’t show definitively that he can again handle the load of 60-plus games and get to the playoffs healthy.
15. New York Knicks
2024-25 record: 51-31; lost in Eastern Conference finals to the Indiana Pacers, 4-2
Added: F Guerschon Yabusele (two years, $11.2M); G Jordan Clarkson (one year, $3.6M); F Mohamed Diawara (draft rights acquired from Clippers); F/C Luka Mitrović (draft rights acquired from Clippers); F Dink Pate (Exhibit 10); hired coach Mike Brown
Lost: G Kobe Sanders (draft rights traded to Clippers); F P.J. Tucker (team declined 2025-26 option); fired coach Tom Thibodeau
Retained: C Ariel Hukporti (team exercised $1.96M 2025-26 option)
Extended: F Mikal Bridges (four years, $150M)
Returning from injury: None
The skinny: If the Knicks hadn’t fired Thibs after the franchise’s most successful season in a quarter-century, they’d be ranked higher. If the Knicks hadn’t brought in two quality vets in Yabusele and Clarkson to improve their middling bench, they’d be ranked lower. Brown isn’t materially different from Thibodeau defensively; the hope is he can make New York a little more diverse offensively — in a different voice. He is a two-time Coach of the Year with more than 450 wins on his ledger, so it’s not a bad bet on management’s part. But the expectations after making the conference finals — yet still letting Thibodeau go — are ginormous.
14. Milwaukee Bucks
2024-25 record: 48-34; lost in Eastern Conference first round to the Indiana Pacers, 4-1
Added: C Myles Turner (four years, $108M); G Cole Anthony (two years, $5.6M); G Gary Harris (two years, $7.5M); F Bogoljub Marković (second round, 47th pick); F Amir Coffey (one year); G Mark Sears (two-way)
Lost: C Brook Lopez (signed with Clippers); G Damian Lillard (buyout via stretch provision); G Pat Connaughton (traded to Hornets); G Vasilije Micić (waived following buyout)
Retained: F Bobby Portis (three years, $44M); G Gary Trent, Jr. (two years, $7.4M); F Taurean Prince (two years, $7.1M); G Kevin Porter, Jr. (two years, $10.5M); C Jericho Sims (two years, $5.2M); G Ryan Rollins (three years, $12M); F Chris Livingston (one year, $2.3M)
Extended: None
Returning from injury: None
The skinny: You can’t say the Bucks don’t turn over every stone to keep Giannis Antetokounmpo happy. They’ve burned through much of their future draft stock; they’ve cycled through coaches; they’ve traded impact players — and now, they’re setting $113 million on fire by waving Lillard and stretching his contract to be able to sign Turner. Turner’s a great fit, and he’s eight years younger than Lopez. And it was easier cutting Lillard knowing he’s likely to miss the season. And Anthony will pick up some of the slack. But, still. No one’s ever eaten this much money before. Milwaukee’s financial flexibility will be compromised through the rest of the Greek Freak’s prime.
13. Cleveland Cavaliers
2024-25 record: 64-18; lost in Eastern Conference semifinals to the Indiana Pacers, 4-1
Added: G Lonzo Ball (acquired from Chicago); F Larry Nance Jr. (one year, $3.6M); G Tyrese Proctor (second round, 49th pick); F Saliou Niang (second round, 58th pick); G Luke Travers (two-way); F Chaney Johnson (Exhibit 10); F Norchad Omier (Exhibit 10)
Lost: F Isaac Okoro (traded to Chicago); G Ty Jerome (signed with Grizzlies); F Chuma Okeke (team declined 2025-26 option)
Retained: G Sam Merrill (four years, $38M)
Extended: GM Koby Altman
Returning from injury: G Darius Garland (left toe surgery)
The skinny: The Cavs enter a key year of their contending window with their current core. Ball should be both a schematic and rotational fit, finally giving Cleveland a defensive-oriented guard with size to play alongside Garland and/or Donovan Mitchell. But Cleveland still feels a shooter short after losing Jerome and his .437 firepower from deep over the past two seasons. A full year of De’Andre Hunter will help some in that regard, but the Cavs got worked by Indiana in the second round, and 3-point shooting was a key culprit. Cleveland went 57 of 194 from deep against Indiana: .294. Yikes.
12. Washington Wizards
2024-25 record: 18-64; did not make playoffs
Added: G CJ McCollum (acquired from Pelicans); F Cam Whitmore (acquired from Rockets); G Malaki Branham (acquired from Spurs); G Dillon Jones (acquired from Thunder); C Marvin Bagley III (one year, $2.2M); G Tre Johnson (first round, sixth pick); F Will Riley (draft rights acquired from Jazz); F Jamir Watkins (second round, 43rd pick); G Kadary Richmond (Exhibit 10); G Keshon Gilbert (Exhibit 10); 2026 second-round pick (acquired from Spurs); 2027 second-round pick (acquired from Hornets); 2029 second-round pick (acquired from Thunder); 2031 second-round pick (acquired from Jazz); 2032 second-round pick (acquired from Jazz)
Lost: G Jordan Poole (traded to Pelicans); F Saddiq Bey (traded to Pelicans); F/C Kelly Olynyk (traded to Spurs); F Colby Jones (traded to Thunder); G Marcus Smart (waived following buyout); C Richaun Holmes (waived); G Blake Wesley (waived after buyout); F Jaylen Martin (waived); G Walter Clayton, Jr. (draft rights traded to Jazz); F Micah Peavy (draft rights traded to Pelicans); 2026 second-round pick (traded to Rockets); 2029 second-round pick (traded to Rockets)
Retained: C Tristan Vukčević (two-way); F Anthony Gill (one year, $2.67M)
Extended: None
Returning from injury: F Bilal Coulibaly (right hamstring); F Corey Kispert (left thumb surgery)
The skinny: Washington crapped out in the lottery, but did well by getting the sharpshooting Johnson at No. 6, then acquiring the 21-year-old Whitmore from Houston. Both should immediately leap to the top of the Wizards’ offensive chart. Washington thinks Riley has real playmaking potential. McCollum is this year’s rinse-and-repeat veteran who’ll be in town for a while before moving on. The bump up in offensive talent and improvement from the returning core should mean a few more wins next season, but not enough of them to jeopardize the Wizards’ chief goal — holding onto their 2026 first-rounder by being a bottom-eight team.
11. Utah Jazz
2024-25 record: 17-65, did not make playoffs
Added: F Kevin Love (acquired from Heat); F Kyle Anderson (acquired from Heat); C Jusuf Nurkić (acquired from Hornets); F Georges Niang (acquired from Celtics); F Ace Bailey (first round, fifth pick); G Walter Clayton, Jr. (draft rights acquired from Wizards); G John Tonje (second round, 53rd pick); F Oscar Tshiebwe (two-way); C Steven Crowl (Exhibit 10); G Matthew Murrell (Exhibit 10); 2027 second-round pick (acquired from Clippers); 2027 second-round pick (acquired from Celtics); 2031 second-round pick (acquired from Celtics); hired president of basketball operations Austin Ainge
Lost: G Collin Sexton (traded to Hornets); F/C John Collins (traded to Clippers); F RJ Luis Jr. (traded to Celtics); G Jordan Clarkson (waived after contract buyout; signed with Knicks); G Johnny Juzang (waived); G Jaden Springer (waived); F Will Riley (draft rights traded to Wizards); 2025 second-round pick (traded to Wizards); 2030 second-round pick (traded to Hornets) 2031 second-round pick (traded to Wizards); 2032 second-round pick (traded to Wizards)
Retained: None
Extended: None
Returning from injury: F Cody Williams (mononucleosis); F Taylor Hendricks (fractured right fibula/dislocated right ankle)
The skinny: It’s all about Ace. If he’s actually cool now with playing in the Wasatch, the Jazz had a great draft. He’s a huge talent, and his ceiling is worth taking the big swing. But if this blows up in Utah’s face in two or three years … oy. Ainges pere et fils don’t blink, though, and they’ll do everything needed to surround Bailey with the personal and team support needed for him to get off to a good start. Clayton is just the kind of high-character, winning player the Jazz needed more of in their building. Another lottery season awaits, but there’s a Rockets-like path back to relevance through the draft to which Utah appears to be committed.
(Illustration: Demetrius Robinson / The Athletic; Photos: Ryan Stetz / NBAE, Amanda Loman, Michael Reaves /Getty Images)