While the 2026 NBA Finals are still ongoing, the offseason is officially here. And this year’s version could be one of the most fun and volatile in recent memory.
6 NBA Teams That Need to Make Moves to Reach Offseason Goal
“The 2026 NBA offseason has the opportunity to provide plenty of fireworks,” ESPN’s Bobby Marks and Tim Bontemps said. “There’s the possibility that Giannis Antetokounmpo could finally be traded. Plus, there are the ripple effects of the San Antonio Spurs storming through the Western Conference.
“Similarly, the Eastern Conference is looking up at the New York Knicks, who should have their entire core group back…” the duo continued. “And then there’s LeBron James, whose free agency status could allow him to change teams for the first time since 2018.”
The offseason fun and wildness could start in the next week or so. The 2026 NBA draft — considered one of the best in a decade due to the depth and quality of the guards — is on June 23-24. So, there is likely going to be lots of trades leading up to or on draft day. Plus, the Bucks have set a deadline to have a decision on Antetokounmpo by the draft.
Following the draft, several players and teams have decisions to make whether to exercise their respective options. Trae Young, Zach LaVine, Austin Reaves, Draymond Green and Andrew Wiggins are some of the bigger names with player options. Meanwhile, Isaiah Hartenstein, Jonathan Kuminga, Lu Dort, and Bogdan Bogdanovic have team options.
There are not many teams with cap space. In fact, nine teams led by Brooklyn, Detroit, Los Angeles Lakers, Charlotte, and Utah have at least a decent amount of cap space. Conversely, eight teams will begin the offseason over the tax line. In the same token, six teams have set financial goals that may dictate how they approach the offseason, according to Yossi Goslan of the Third Apron.
“There are a handful of teams, like the Thunder, Nuggets, Magic, Suns, Kings, and Sixers, who need to reduce payroll to fulfill offseason goals,” Goslan wrote.
