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NBA's 10 Best and Worst Deals Since 2025 Offseason Ranked

ESPN NBA •
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ESPN's Zach Kram ranks the 10 best and 10 worst NBA transactions since the 2025 offseason, evaluating moves based on results with hindsight. The analysis covers trades, free agent signings, and extensions that have shaped the 2025-26 season. From blockbuster All-Star swaps to under-the-radar role player additions, these deals have significantly impacted team trajectories heading into the playoffs.

Among the standout moves, the Phoenix Suns' acquisition of Dillon Brooks stands out for both on-court production and cultural impact. Brooks has averaged a career-high 20.9 points per game while transforming Phoenix from lottery team to playoff contender. Meanwhile, the Brooklyn Nets' trade for Michael Porter Jr. has proven brilliant, with Porter outplaying Cameron Johnson and providing the Nets a future unprotected first-round pick. Other notable successes include the Golden State Warriors' signing of De'Anthony Melton for $3.1 million and the Denver Nuggets' one-year, $3.6 million deal for Tim Hardaway Jr.

The worst moves reveal how quickly NBA fortunes can change. Some teams made logical decisions that backfired, while others reached for stars who never materialized. The rankings consider both immediate results and potential playoff implications, with advanced stats through March 21 games providing context. As the regular season winds down, these transactions will be remembered as pivotal moments that defined the 2025-26 NBA landscape.