After announcing that they’ll part ways with NBA star LeBron James, the Lakers have begun retooling their roster in the past few weeks to build around their stars, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. They particularly loaded up on the wings and frontcourt, using the money James left on the table when he didn’t exercise his huge player option this offseason.
The Lakers didn’t exactly make any blockbuster moves, unlike the Heat and Sixers. However, they did just enough to improve their NBA 2026 odds for next season, although they’re still miles away from competing against the Spurs and Thunder in the Western Conference.
Speaking of the Thunder, they recently offloaded three of their key players to avoid the second apron, leaving more responsibility for their other rotation players. Elsewhere, the Eastern Conference’s top seed, the Pistons, are having trouble involving one of their stars.
Learn more about the latest NBA 2026 updates, courtesy of SBOTOP.
Lakers bolstered their depth after James’ departure
After LeBron James announced his departure, the Lakers were suddenly armed with $52 million in salary cap space, which they used to make some shrewd transactions. First, they signed Collin Sexton, Sandro Mamukelashvili, and Quentin Grimes to separate deals in six hours. A few days later, they acquired Walker Kessler in a sign-and-trade with the Jazz and gave him a mammoth four-year, $130 million contract.
When the Lakers lost to the Thunder in the second round this past season, Luka Doncic reportedly made it known he wanted a top-tier center, and Kessler fits the mould. The 24-year-old is considered an upgrade over Deandre Ayton because of his elite rim protection and high upside. However, Kessler’s durability is in question after he played only five regular-season games last term due to a serious shoulder injury, having averaged 14.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.8 blocks on 70.3-per cent shooting from the field.
Speaking of Ayton, they traded him to the Wizards for Jaden Hardy and two second-rounders. Then, most recently, the Lakers brought in Kevon Looney, Ziaire Williams, and Matisse Thybulle on one-year contracts. Looney is another big body, while Williams and Thybulle are 3-and-D specialists who can make up for Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves’ deficiencies on the defensive end.
Thunder trade another wing to the Hawks
The Thunder are determined to get out of the punitive second apron, and they did just that this summer. First, they traded Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe to the Hawks and Pistons, respectively, before letting go of Branden Carlson, who signed with the Blazers.
Oklahoma City exercised its team options on Lu Dort and Isaiah Hartenstein. Hartenstein signed a three-year extension, while the team brought back Kenrich Williams on a one-year deal. However, the Thunder dealt Dort to the Hawks in a three-team transaction that also included the Mavericks. In return, they received three second-rounders. Atlanta also got Ryan Nembhard, while Dallas got Zaccharie Risacher and a second-rounder.
By avoiding the second apron, the Thunder have more flexibility to make more moves. General manager Sam Presti alluded to this recently. After moving on from Joe, Dort, and Wiggins, Oklahoma City reduced their salary allocation from $261 million to $214 million, shrinking their luxury tax from $296 million to $20 million.
This also means that Cason Wallace and Ajay Mitchell will have bigger roles to play this upcoming season, alongside stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren – all of whom are tied under their lucrative contract extensions.
Duren’s negotiations with the Pistons have stalled
After falling short of their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance since 2008, the Pistons have been relatively busy this summer. Following the acquisition of Isaiah Joe, Detroit also acquired Taurean Prince, Gary Harris, and John Collins in separate trades while offering Javonte Green and Kevin Huerter new extensions. In return, they dealt Caris LeVert, Marcus Sasser, and Isaiah Stewart to the Bucks, Mavericks, and Grizzlies, respectively, and Tobias Harris left them to join the Spurs on a two-year, $31 million contract.
Losing Harris is a big blow to the Pistons, as he has been one of their most reliable veterans. With that said, they cannot lose another key player, Jalen Duren, this offseason.
Duren became a restricted free agent after his rookie contract was finished. According to reports, Duren and Detroit have yet to agree to a new deal. As such, there’s a possibility that Duren could force his way out and instead take a qualifying offer worth $9.6 million for the 2026-27 campaign, but it’ll make him an unrestricted free agent next offseason.
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