NBA Offseason Preview 2025: Draft, Free Agency, and Trade Targets for All Teams

With the 2024-25 NBA season concluding on Sunday, we are now focusing on how each eliminated team should approach the upcoming offseason, considering the draft, free agency, and potential trades.

Which franchises in the lottery will land the coveted No. 1 overall pick and the chance to select Cooper Flagg? How quickly can teams like the Washington Wizards, Utah Jazz, and Charlotte Hornets advance their rebuilding efforts?

We are analyzing potential moves for every franchise, examining roster status, financial situations, front office priorities, extension candidates, team needs, and future draft capital.

Key: ETO = Early Termination Option | P = Player Option | R = Restricted | T = Team Option

Utah Jazz

• 2024-25 record: 17-64

• Draft picks in June: No. 1/2 (own), No. 22 (via Minnesota), No. 44 (via Dallas) and No. 52 (via LA Clippers). Note: Draft ties will be resolved after the regular season.

• Odds for the No. 1 pick: 14%

• Free agents: John Collins (P), Micah Potter (R) and Oscar Tshiebwe (R)

State of the roster:

Trading your entire starting lineup typically leads to being at the bottom. However, since trading Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert in 2022, the Jazz initially exceeded expectations in the first half of the 2022-23 season. Nearly three years later, the Jazz have now intentionally reached the bottom.

`The difference this year is we are developing a solid depth foundation. They happen to be very young,` stated Jazz GM Justin Zanik before the season. `Our progress will come from nurturing our talent pool, allowing us to win more games both now and in the future. This is not an overnight process.`

The Jazz concluded the season with the youngest roster, tied with Oklahoma City, featuring nine players aged 23 or younger. Unlike the Western Conference-leading Thunder, wins were scarce for the Jazz this season.

The Jazz experienced their first 60-loss season in franchise history and have not achieved a three-game winning streak since January 2024. Yet, there are positive aspects.

Rookie Isaiah Collier averaged 6.3 assists this season, leading all rookies and setting a Jazz rookie franchise record. Walker Kessler ranked second in total blocks this season, only behind Victor Wembanyama. The 2025 draft presents another chance for Utah to strengthen its roster. The Jazz have a 14% chance at the first overall pick and possess three additional picks, including a first-rounder from Minnesota. Despite having all 15 players under contract for the next season, Utah has financial flexibility for trades, with $60 million in expiring contracts and no player besides Lauri Markkanen earning more than $27 million.

Offseason finances:

With two first-round picks in June and 15 contracted players, expect Utah to operate as an over-the-cap team this summer. Factoring in both first-round picks and $15 million in non-guaranteed contracts, Utah is close to the salary cap. The contracts for Svi Mykhailiuk ($3.7 million) and Johnny Juzang ($2.8 million) become guaranteed if they remain on the roster after June 30. John Collins has until June 27 to decide on his $26.6 million player option. Utah will have access to the non-taxpayer mid-level exception ($14.1 million), bi-annual exception ($5.1 million), second-round exception, and veteran minimum exception. They also hold a $3.5 million trade exception.

Top front office priority:

The draft is the starting point. Among the 15 contracted players, five (Cody Williams, Isaiah Collier, Keyonte George, Taylor Hendricks, and Brice Sensabaugh) were first-round picks acquired by Utah in the past two years.

While individual development is evident, none are currently considered franchise-defining players. This draft could alter that. After drafting outside the top eight in recent years, Utah is guaranteed to have at least the No. 6 pick.

Decisions are also needed regarding Markkanen, Collins, Jordan Clarkson, and Collin Sexton. Markkanen is contracted for four more seasons, but Collins, Clarkson, and Sexton are in the final year of their contracts. Markkanen, after a renegotiation and extension last August, is now trade-eligible. The former All-Star played a career-low 47 games this season, attempting a career-high 8.5 three-pointers per game but shooting 35% from beyond the arc, his second-lowest season mark.

Extension candidate to watch:

Utah could have over $70 million in cap space in 2026, and despite Walker Kessler`s low $14.6 million free agent hold, they can be aggressive. Kessler is the first player since Tim Duncan (1997-2000) to average at least two blocks per game in his first three NBA seasons. He also set career highs in points (11.1), rebounds (12.2), and assists (1.7) and led the NBA in field goal percentage (66.3%).

Other extension-eligible players: Collins and Sexton

Team needs:

Internal improvement on both offense and defense. Utah ranked last in turnover percentage and allowed the most transition possessions per game according to Second Spectrum, the most since tracking started in 2013-14. The Jazz were 29th in defense, last in points off turnovers, and last in fast break points allowed.

Future draft assets:

The Jazz possess 11 first-round picks, including five unprotected ones (two in 2027 and 2029) from Cleveland and Minnesota (Minnesota also owes a top-five protected first in 2029). Phoenix owes Utah an unprotected 2031 first. The Jazz have a top-five protected 2027 first from the Lakers and can swap firsts with Minnesota or Cleveland in 2026 (if in the top eight) and with Cleveland in 2028. Utah owes Oklahoma City a top-10 protected first in 2024 (top-10 protected in 2025, top-eight in 2026). Utah also has nine second-round picks available for trades.

Washington Wizards

• 2024-25 record: 17-64

• Draft picks in June: No. 1/2 (own), No. 18/19 (via Memphis), No. 40 (via Phoenix). Note: Draft order ties will be resolved after the regular season. The Memphis pick is top-14 protected; if not conveyed, Washington gets 2026 and 2027 second-round picks.

• Odds for the No. 1 pick: 14%

• Free agents: Malcolm Brogdon, Khris Middleton (P), Tristan Vukcevic (R) and JT Thor (R)

State of the roster:

The Wizards are clear about their direction. `There`s a foundation-laying phase, then building back up, and then fortifying,` said Wizards GM Will Dawkins pre-season. `We are still focused on deconstructing and laying that foundation. It`s important to remind everyone we are still early in the process.`

This season highlighted the growing pains of foundation-laying for Wizards fans. The youngest team in the NBA by playing time (seven players 23 or younger) endured two 16-game losing streaks.

There were positives. Second-year forward Bilal Coulibaly and rookie big man Alex Sarr emerged as building blocks. Before a season-ending hamstring injury in March, Coulibaly was top-15 in field goal percentage allowed as the closest defender among 100+ players defending 600+ shots, per Second Spectrum. Sarr, the second overall pick last year, averaged 16.8 points and shot 38% from three post-All-Star break. Team performance improved after acquiring veterans Khris Middleton and Marcus Smart at the trade deadline. (Wizards were 5-4 with both on court). The Wizards should benefit from Saddiq Bey`s return after a March 2024 ACL tear. Bey averaged 13.7 points for Atlanta in 2023-24 pre-injury.

For a second year, Washington will add a high lottery pick. They have a 14% chance at No. 1 and own a first from Memphis and three additional second-round picks.

Offseason finances:

The Wizards leveraged potential cap space this offseason for draft picks by acquiring Middleton and Smart. These trades netted Washington the 2025 Memphis pick, a 2028 first-round swap right (with Milwaukee), and former first-rounder AJ Johnson. Washington is $14 million below the tax and has flexibility with $20 million in non-guaranteed contracts (Richaun Holmes, Justin Champagnie, Anthony Gill, Colby Jones). Gill’s $2.2 million contract guarantees July 1, while Middleton has until June 29 to opt into his $33.3 million salary. Washington has the non-taxpayer mid-level exception ($14.1 million), bi-annual exception ($5.1 million), second-round exception, and veteran minimum exception, plus three trade exceptions ($9.9 million, $5.3 million, $2.5 million).

Top front office priority:

The draft and managing their five picks. For a second straight year, Washington projects a top-4 first-round pick and a pick in the mid-20s. Last year, they sent the 51st pick to New York to move up two spots and draft Kyshawn George, who started 36 games, averaging 8.6 points. The Wizards have 16 future second-round picks, including two this year, potentially using a similar approach.

Beyond the draft, they must evaluate the veterans` value on and off the court. Washington has nearly $70 million in expiring contracts for Middleton, Smart, and Holmes. Will they continue taking on salary into future seasons for more draft capital? They project to have $80 million in cap space in 2026-27.

Jordan Poole`s future is also a question. Once considered an albatross contract, Poole averaged career highs in points, assists, steals, and 3-point percentage this season. With two years left ($31.8M and $34M), he’s extension-eligible for up to three years, $154 million starting Oct. 1.

`The ceiling is high [in Washington],` Poole told Andscape’s Marc Spears. `We have a lot of guys who care, talented guys, guys who love to hoop and love the game.`

Extension candidate to watch:

The Wizards have five players (Bub Carrington, Coulibaly, George, Johnson, Sarr) on first-round scale contracts, none extension-eligible yet.

Other extension-eligible players: Malcolm Brogdon, Khris Middleton, Marcus Smart, Jordan Poole (as of Oct. 1), and Colby Jones

Team needs:

Finishing last in offensive efficiency and 28th defensively indicates widespread needs. Perimeter play improvement is crucial; the Wizards ranked 29th in 3-point and true shooting percentages. Defensively, a rebounding and perimeter-defending big is a priority.

Future draft assets:

The Wizards have 26 draft picks through 2032, including 10 first-rounders, four acquired in the last two seasons. Including the Memphis pick in June, Washington has the least favorable 2026 first of Oklahoma City, Houston (if 5-30), and LA Clippers. They also have the second-most favorable 2029 first of Boston, Milwaukee, and Portland. Golden State owes a top-20 protected 2030 first. Washington can swap firsts with Phoenix in 2026, 2028, and 2030 and owes New York a top-8 protected 2026 first.

Charlotte Hornets

• 2024-25 record: 19-62

• Draft picks in June: No. 3 (own), No. 33 (own) and No. 34 (via New Orleans). Note: first-round draft position set by May 12 draft lottery.

• Odds for the No. 1 pick: 14%

• Free agents: Seth Curry, Taj Gibson, Tre Mann (R) and Wendell Moore Jr.

State of the roster:

Playoff contention wasn`t the 2024-25 goal for Charlotte. `I have zero interest in making the playoffs for a year and then being out for the next four or five and then in for two and out again after that,` said first-year GM Jeff Peterson in February. Instead, the focus for Peterson and coach Charles Lee was foundation building, avoiding shortcuts, and roster evaluation.

The Hornets continued a big-picture roster approach, adding six draft picks since October, including a first-rounder. Roster evaluation remains incomplete despite a third straight 50-loss season. Injuries significantly sidelined LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. Charlotte ranked second in missed games and used 36 lineups. The core of Ball, Miller, Miles Bridges, and Mark Williams shared the court for only 3% of possessions. Per Cleaning the Glass, this lineup was +2.1 per 100 possessions, averaging 121.5 offensive points, a promising small sample in the 90th percentile.

Positives exist. The Hornets could add a potential franchise player in the draft (52% chance at a top-4 pick) to join Miller, Ball, and last year’s first-rounder Tidjane Salaun. They also have two early second-rounders. Besides Ball, no Hornet earns over $30 million, providing trade flexibility using draft assets.

Offseason finances:

The Hornets acquired an extra first-rounder at the deadline from Phoenix for taking on Jusuf Nurkic’s $19.4 million salary. Nurkic’s salary, their own first, and Tre Mann’s free-agent hold put Charlotte slightly over the $154.6 million cap. Josh Okogie’s $7.7 million salary guarantees if he’s on the roster post-June 30, but waiving him still leaves them over the cap. Charlotte has the $14.1 million non-taxpayer mid-level, $5.1 million bi-annual, second-round, and veteran minimum exceptions available.

Top front office priority:

With three June draft picks, Charlotte has three roster priorities, the main one being Ball’s future. While no urgency exists due to his contract through 2028-29, durability is a concern. He’s played 60+ games once in five seasons and missed 25+ in the last three. The team went 2-24 without Ball this season, and despite his 25+ point average in three seasons, the team offense is bottom-3 in efficiency. `There are many elements he can add, especially with the ball,` coach Lee told the Charlotte Observer. `He’s improving off-ball, and we need him to compete, trust teammates, and build leadership.`

Second priority is Bridges, the longest-tenured Hornet. He’s averaged 20+ points for two straight seasons and is one of two Hornets with multiple 45-point games (Kemba Walker). Post-All-Star break, Bridges shot 43.0% from the field and 32.8% from three. He has a $25 million salary next season, dropping to $22.8 million in 2026-27.

Finally, determining Mann’s new contract price. After failing to extend pre-season, Mann averaged 14.1 points with 40% 3-point shooting. However, a back injury limited him to a career-low 13 games.

Extension candidate to watch:

Following the Lakers` rescinded trade for Williams, the third-year center averaged 28.6 minutes, 15.1 points, 10.7 rebounds, and a career-high 1.3 blocks. He played a career-high 44 games this season after 62 in his first two years. Defensive shortcomings raise contract commitment concerns. The Hornets allowed 120.0 points per 100 possessions with him on court, bottom 19th percentile. Opponents shot 65.6% within five feet when Williams was primary defender—fifth-worst among centers.

Other extension-eligible players: Jusuf Nurkic and Grant Williams (as of July 11)

Team needs:

Beyond health and lineup consistency, dependable minutes from Salaun are needed. Improved shooting is also essential, as the Hornets ranked last in effective field goal percentage this season.

Future draft assets:

The Hornets own all first-round picks through 2031 and two additional firsts from Miami and Dallas. If Miami makes playoffs this season, Charlotte gets a 2027 top-14 protected first (if Miami misses playoffs and keeps pick, Charlotte gets a 2028 unprotected first). Charlotte also gets a 2027 top-2 protected first from Dallas. They can trade up to eight first-round picks and have 13 future second-round picks.