ROAR’s 4 Biggest Trades Of The 2025 NBA Offseason

The 2025/26 NBA season has finally arrived at our doorstep! Before the season opening game on 22 October where Champions OKC Thunder face off against the up-and-coming new look Rockets, these are some of ROAR’s off-season trades and agreements that we think you should keep a lookout for. 

This offseason saw the offloading of ageing superstars from long-standing contending teams in a bid to posture for the future in terms of flexibility, high potential assets and youth.  

Indeed, the 2025 offseason window is aptly represented by the indubitably defining trade of the window, in a deal that involved a record-breaking seven – yes, seven – teams to send superstar veteran, Kevin Durant to the young and fiery Houston Rockets. 

Trade of the offseason: Kevin Durant to the Rockets (seven-team megatrade) for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks and picks

Last season’s two-seed Houston Rocket is now home to 2x NBA champion, 4x Olympic Gold Medallist, 1x MVP and 15x All-star Kevin Durant. This move signals intent on the part of the Rockets as this immediately vaults them into solidified contender status, provided Durant remains available and healthy. Adding Durant now gives the Rockets two superstar level players (alongside Sengun) and a dominant two-way monster in Amen Thompson who is arguably on the cusp of attaining similar honours in his third season in the league. Besides this, despite having an arguably top 3 defence in the league, the Rocket’s offense last season had gaping holes which proved costly in the playoffs. Many attributed their lack of reliable offense and a star known to be a reliable scorer to their early exit from the playoffs. Durant easily fills this hole, which is why the addition of him to the Rockets this season makes them an incredibly scary matchup.

The Suns, on the other hand, acquired a highly touted athletic guard in Jalen Green, who averaged 21.0 pts, 4.6 rbs, 3.4 ast last season. While he is still a very much unpolished player, with question marks surrounding his inefficiency, consistency and performance in the clutch, he is still a player with great upside. It is no surprise that he often draws comparisons from more seasoned stars like Zach Lavine and Bradley Bill or even Devin Booker. An important part of this trade is Dillon Brooks as well, who played a key, albeit notorious, role in Houston’s dominant 2024/25 season. He not only brings grit and a never back down attitude on the court, but huge contributions in the locker room as well. In a locker room that has been described as ‘toxic’ and dysfunctional, Brook’s fiery spark could possibly be just what they needed, with ex-teammate Jock Landale describing him as ‘one of the best teammates I’ve ever had’ and an ‘enforcer’. 

From the looks of it, it seems like a win-win trade for both key players in this trade and aligns nicely with their aspirations and strategy. 

Rockets acquire: Kevin Durant, Clint Capela (Grade: A-)

Suns acquire: Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Draft rights to Khaman Maluach (No. 10 overall), 5 second round picks (Grade: A-)

Another blockbuster trade that happened this offseason was one that saw fifth-year two way shooting guard, Desmond Bane, move to the Orlando Magic in exchange for Cole Anthony and a boatload of picks.

Trade: Desmond Bane to the Magic for 5 first round picks

A key contributor to the Grizzlies’ recent relative successes, Bane quickly established himself as the bona fide second option to Ja Morant in the Grizzlies. Having developed a reputation as a knockdown shooter with career 41.0% three point and
56.6% effective field goal percentages, Bane brings his silky smooth jumper to an Orlando Magic team that struggled with shooting – and concomitantly spacing, ending the season with an abysmal league-worst 31.8% three point percentage.

However, despite Bane’s star status, he is by no means at superstar level yet. For a player of his calibre, five first round picks (including a pick swap) alongside a reliable role player in Kentavious Caldwell-Pope seems like an overpay. Perhaps this signals a sense of confidence in the Grizzlies in their long term future, betting on the fact that they will stay contenders and therefore render the picks less valuable. This trade could have also been a by-product of the Magic having extended superstar forward, Pablo Banchero’s contract, one that promised Banchero a five-year $287 million contact. This Magic record breaking contract extension signals a clear commitment to winning and contention at the very least in the near future as the 22 year old guard is already widely regarded as one of the best players in the Eastern Conference, something that they have clearly doubled down on with the acquisition of Bane.

As for the Grizzlies, even though they secured a tantalising haul of five first round picks, they have now lost their Robin to star player, Ja Morant. The loss of Bane without a clear replacement for him can be perceived as a prioritisation of the future over current success by the front office. This is worrying considering that Ja’s contract expires in 2027, given that Ja has repeatedly voiced ambitions of winning it all and may perceive this decision by the front office as a huge hurdle to such aspirations of his. We can only hope that the Grizzlies front office’s bet on their draft picks is one that will deliver huge payouts in the future.

Magic acquire: Desmond Bane (B+)

Grizzlies acquire: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, Four unprotected first-round picks, One first-round pick swap (B-)

Trade: Jordan Poole to the Pelicans for CJ McCollum

The Washington Wizards officially entered their post-Bradley Beal era rebuild mode during the summer of 2023 when they traded Bradley Beal to the Phoenix Suns. Their biggest rebuild-centered move since has come during the 2025 off-season. Pushing ahead full force despite facing devastating luck in the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes, the Wizards unloaded Jordan Poole and Saddiq Bey’s respective 4-year $128 million and 3-year $20 million contracts by trading them to the New Orleans Pelicans. In return, the Wizards added to their room of veterans on expiring contracts, who can help a rebuilding team by clearing cap space and providing value as reliable assets for future trades. CJ McCollum, who spent the majority of his career as Damian Lillard’s co-star in Portland, remains a skilled ball handler on pick-and-rolls and has the ability to create his own shots, though his efficiency is highest alongside other high-usage teammates. The Wizards also acquired Cam Whitmore from the Rockets as part of the trade. Cam Whitmore, drafted by the Houston Rockets in 2023, has shown flashes of scoring off his athleticism, but his development has been hindered by Houston’s crowded roster and his subsequent limited time on the court.

Jordan Poole was once renowned as the ‘heir to Steph Curry’ after his performance during the 2022 NBA playoffs. He is now joining his third team in just four years. Poole’s stint with the Wizards showed flashes reminiscent of his greatness in Golden State, but lacked consistency. Despite his scoring potential and playmaking abilities, his time at Washington was riddled with inefficient shooting and high turnover games.

With their initial playoff appearances in the Zion Williamson-Brandon Ingram era having fallen short, the Pelicans are building around their two stars, focusing on youth talent and draft assets. By acquiring Poole and Saddiq Bey, both 26 years old and set to make notably less combined than McCollum and Kelly Olynyk, New Orleans has acquired a younger and cheaper team. Jordan Poole could act as a piece for New Orleans to rely on until Dejounte Murray makes his return from a ruptured Achilles, but in terms of immediate talent, it is difficult to say the team has made an outright upgrade.

Wizards acquire: CJ McCollum, Cam Whitmore, Kelly Olynyk, 2027 second-round pick (A)

Pelicans acquire: Jordan Poole, Saddiq Bey, Micah Peavy (C+)

Trade: Heat / Clippers / Jazz 3-team swap: John Collins / Norman Powell / Love & Anderson

This trade came as a shock for both the Los Angeles Clippers and the Utah Jazz. Norman Powell was a key contributor to the Clippers winning 50 games, following a 2024 off-season during which Paul George left the team to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers. Powell averaged 21.8 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists and shot 48.4% from the field. John Collins provides a stretch big role to the team, combined with a lob threat ability, which should complement Ivica Zubac’s game, who is coming off a strong defensive campaign. Despite bringing balance to the team, Collins is an expensive addition for a team that is already struggling with the salary cap.

Trading away John Collins follows a series of questionable moves by the Utah Jazz. The off-season saw the Jazz trade Collin Sexton to the Hornets and then buyout Jordan Clarkson, getting minimal value in return for two players they could have offloaded to a contender at any point during their time in Utah. One possible explanation for the move is speculated to be talent dumping stemming from the push to tank harder, though this appears self-contradictory, considering Kyle Anderson is a seasoned rotation player whose game could counter tanking efforts. Meanwhile, Kevin Love is widely considered a strong buyout candidate at this stage of his career.

In Miami’s quest to be a contender again, Powell may not be a long-term piece given his age, but for the $20 million a year salary, his 20+ points per game (PPG) production is a steal. Further considering that the Heat traded two players who both averaged fewer than 20 minutes on the floor to acquire Norman Powell, the Heat have arguably improved. However, similar to Tyler Herro, Norman Powell faces defensive struggles, and the two could keep Bam Adebayo busy anchoring Miami’s defensive game.

Heat acquire: Norman Powell (A-)

Clippers acquire: John Collins (C+)

Jazz acquire: Kevin Love, Kyle Anderson, 2027 second-round pick (D-)

Other moves that may interest you …

1. Damian Lillard resigns a three-year deal with the Trailblazers after getting waived by the Bucks

2. Jrue Holliday to the Trailblazers for Anfernee Simons and two second-round picks

3. Kuminga finally resigns for the Warriors after contract saga

4. Celtics, Hawks and Nets three way trade, with the Kristaps Porzingis heading to the Hawks, the Celtics acquiring Georges Niang and the Nets receiving Terance Mann and 22nd overall pick, Drake Powell

5. Chris Paul signs a one-year contract with the Clippers

6. Jusuf Nurkic to the Jazz for Collin Sexton and a second-round pick