We are currently deep into the NBA offseason. Some shocking moves have been made and some underwhelming ones as well. In the Southeast division, some of the most franchise changing decisions have been made. Some teams are in win-now mode, retooling, and building for the franchise. Either way, these teams have overwent some of the wildest changes that have happened in the offseason so far.
Miami Heat:
Pat Riley, the current president of the Miami Heat, has made it abundantly clear that they are now in the process of retooling the roster and are now trying to build around their core duo of Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo. After the loss of Jimmy Butler, Miami’s roster is no longer in a win-now situation. The Heat have made it a mission to improve from this loss. Let’s see what they have done to do so:
🗓️ Miami Heat 2025 Offseason Moves
| Category | Details |
| 🔁 Trades | – Acquired Norman Powell from Clippers in 3-team deal (sent Kevin Love & Kyle Anderson to Utah) |
| ✍️ Re-signings | – Davion Mitchell: 2-year, $24M extension |
| 🆕 Draft Picks | – Kasparas Jakučionis (G, Illinois): 1st round pick, signed rookie deal- Vladislav Goldin (C, Michigan): signed to two-way contract |
| 🚪 Departures | – Duncan Robinson (sign-and-trade to Pistons)- Alec Burks, Josh Christopher, Dru Smith (free agents) Haywood Highsmith (traded to Nets) |
| ➕ New Additions | – Simone Fontecchio (via Robinson trade; may be waived)- Myron Gardner (two-way contract) |
| 🔮 Rumors & Outlook | – Andrew Wiggins remains on roster despite trade speculation- Team expected to enter season with current roster |
From February 6 to now, the Miami Heat have had massive roster alterations. They have moved their franchise player, added a point guard for the future, and gotten rid of the most underrated 3&D guard/wing in the league. For this offseason, the Heat will receive a C+. Although they have added another scoring option in Norman Powell, adding Powell is not enough to compensate for the otherwise subpar moves made.
Washington Wizards:
The Washington Wizards. Since 2023, the Wizards have been compiling young talent. Finally embracing the fact that they are in no way of contending soon. This way of making new additions has allowed the Wizards to get top picks in the draft and has let them build for the future. Taking young players and transforming them into key pieces, stars, and maybe future superstars.
| 🔁 Trades | – Jordan Poole → Pelicans for CJ McCollum (expiring deal) – Cam Whitmore, Kelly Olynyk → Wizards from Houston in multi-team deal |
| ✍️ Re-signings | – Tristan Vukčević: renewed on two-way contract |
| 🆕 Draft Picks | – Tre Johnson (SG): Rookie scale deal – Will Riley (SF): Rookie scale deal – Jamir Watkins (SF): Two-way contract |
| 🚪 Departures | – Marcus Smart (bought out, signed with Lakers) – Blake Wesley, Jaylen Martin, Richaun Holmes (waived) |
| ➕ New Additions | – Marvin Bagley III (signed as free agent) – CJ McCollum, Cam Whitmore, Kelly Olynyk (via trade) |
| 🔮 Rumors & Outlook | – Khris Middleton remains on roster (player option exercised) – Team prioritizing cap flexibility and breakout potential for young scorers |
These moves don’t look great on paper. All they did was draft two players, trade for an old guard, and get off of Marcus Smart’s contract, right? Wrong. Poole’s contract was locked in until the offseason after the 2026-27 season. The past two seasons have shown us that Poole is not the fit that the Wizards thought he was. These two events are the reasons why he ended up being traded for CJ McCollum, whose contract ends next offseason.
The Wizards drafted Tre Johnson with the sixth overall pick. Tre Johnson has been given a ceiling of a Devin Booker and other player comps such as Cam Thomas and Malik Monk. Drafting such a player could mean a lot for their team.
With combining the fact that they got off of Poole’s contract and with drafting Tre Johnson and Will Riley, the Wizards will receive an offseason grade of A-. Although the acquisitions and departures were smaller, they were major.
Orlando Magic:
The Orlando Magic’s playoff run was short-lived. Although they survived the play-in, they got knocked out of the first round by the Boston Celtics in a series that went 4-1. The most serious problem for the Magic was spacing. In the 2024-25 regular season, the Magic’s three-point percentage was 31.8%. That’s the lowest three-point percentage in the association. Along with trading for Desmond Bane who is a 40% three-point shooter, this is a chart of the Magic’s offseason moves:
| Category | Details |
| 🔁 Trades | – Acquired Desmond Bane from Memphis in blockbuster deal <br> (sent Cole Anthony, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, 4 first-round picks + swap rights) |
| ✍️ Re-signings | – Moritz Wagner: 1-year, $5M |
| 🆕 Draft Picks | – Jase Richardson (G): No. 25 pick, signed rookie deal – Noah Penda (F): No. 32 pick, signed 4-year deal |
| 🚪 Departures | – Cole Anthony, KCP (traded) – Gary Harris (signed with Bucks) – Caleb Houstan, Cory Joseph, Mac McClung (unsigned) |
| ➕ New Additions | – Tyus Jones: 1-year, $7M (via free agency) – Jamal Cain, Orlando Robinson (two-way contracts) |
| 🔮 Rumors & Outlook | – Paolo Banchero signed 5-year rookie max extension (up to $287M with All-NBA) – Magic expected to push for first playoff series win since 2010 |
The two biggest events were the signing of Tyus Jones and the trade for Desmond Bane. That trade made Orlando give up KCP, Cole Anthony, four unprotected first round picks, and one pick swap. Orlando got what they needed in Bane, but they also gave up a lot to get him. The move was large but made their future weaker. This move plays a heavy role in the offseason grade they will be receiving which is a C+/B-.
Charlotte Hornets:
The Hornets had an interesting offseason to say the least. The Charlotte FO is embracing the youth movement they have going on. In attempt to build around LaMelo Ball, the Hornets will want to surround Ball with defense, shooting, and another lob threat/defensive anchor.
| Category | Details |
| 🔁 Trades | – Jusuf Nurkić → Jazz for Collin Sexton (expiring) – Took on Pat Connaughton‘s contract for 2 future 2nd-rounders |
| ✍️ Re-signings | – Tre Mann: 3-year, $24M deal (bet on upside post-injury) |
| 🆕 Draft Picks | – Kon Knueppel (No. 4): High-IQ wing with shooting touch – Liam McNeeley (No. 29): Value pick, versatile scorer – Sion James (No. 33): Defensive project – Ryan Kalkbrenner: Rim protector steal |
| 🚪 Departures | – Mark Williams, Jusuf Nurkić (traded) – Seth Curry, Taj Gibson, Wendell Moore Jr. (free agents) |
| ➕ New Additions | – Collin Sexton, Pat Connaughton (via trade) – Ryan Kalkbrenner, Sion James (second-round picks signed) |
| 🔮 Rumors & Outlook | – LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, and Kon Knueppel form new core – Summer League champs for first time ever – Roster at 18 players — cuts coming before camp |
When you look at who Charlotte gave up in comparison to what they’ve added, it is easy to see that they’ve had an amazing offseason so far. Drafting Kon Knueppel (High IQ wing), Liam McNeeley (elite shooter), Sion James (perimeter defender), and Ryan Kalkbrenner (defensive anchor) was major. These players fill holes for their roster, but they are still works in progress. Collin Sexton is the only proven player that they have acquired this offseason. The Hornets will get a B/B+ this offseason.
Atlanta Hawks:
Atlanta arguably had the best offseason so far. Building around their franchise cornerstone in Trae Young and future star Jalen Johnson. The Hawks are in the best position possible. They have all or at least most of the pieces you need to win a championship in a weak eastern conference.
| Category | Details |
| 🔁 Trades | – Kristaps Porziņģis acquired from Celtics in 3-team deal – Nickeil Alexander-Walker via sign-and-trade from Timberwolves – Asa Newell (No. 23 pick) + 2026 1st-rounder acquired from Pelicans for Derik Queen (No. 13 pick) |
| ✍️ Re-signings | – Nikola Đurišić (2024 2nd-rounder): 3-year deal using second-round exception |
| 🆕 Draft Picks | – Asa Newell (PF): No. 23 pick, signed rookie deal |
| 🚪 Departures | – Clint Capela (sign-and-trade to Rockets) – Caris LeVert (signed with Pistons) – Larry Nance Jr., Georges Niang, Terance Mann (traded) |
| ➕ New Additions | – Luke Kennard: 1-year, $11M deal via MLE – Nickeil Alexander-Walker: 4-year, $60.6M deal with trade kicker |
| 🔮 Rumors & Outlook | – Trae Young entering final year before player option — no extension yet |
The Hawks have one of the most balanced starting lineups in the league. With Trae Young, Dyson Daniels, Zaccharie Risacher, Jalen Johnson, and Kristaps Porzingis starting off the game, the East is in big trouble. The Hawks get an A for the offseason.