The NBA offseason delivered several genuine blockbusters, with MVPs, champions and some of the league’s biggest names changing teams.
For a summer packed with movement, these are the five deals that mattered most.
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo to Miami Heat
The biggest move of the offseason saw Giannis Antetokounmpo leave the Milwaukee Bucks for the Miami Heat.
Miami acquired the two-time MVP and Bobby Portis, while Milwaukee received Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakučionis and a major package of draft picks.
Giannis leaves Milwaukee after delivering the franchise its 2021 championship and becoming its all-time leading scorer.
For Miami, the message is obvious: they are back in the championship race.
2. LeBron James to Philadelphia 76ers
LeBron James leaving the Los Angeles Lakers for Philadelphia was always going to be one of the stories of the summer.
The NBA’s all-time leading scorer signed with the 76ers ahead of what will be his record-breaking 24th season.
At 41, James is no longer expected to carry a team alone, but Philadelphia does not need him to.
He joins Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and another major summer arrival, Jaylen Brown, as the Sixers chase their first NBA title since 1983.
3. Jaylen Brown to Philadelphia 76ers
Before LeBron arrived, Philadelphia had already produced one of the offseason’s biggest trades.
The Sixers acquired Jaylen Brown from the Boston Celtics in exchange for Paul George, two first-round picks and two second-round picks.
Brown, the 2024 NBA Finals MVP, arrives after averaging a career-high 28.7 points last season.
The move transformed Philadelphia’s summer before LeBron took it another level.
4. LaMelo Ball to Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota added serious star power by trading for LaMelo Ball from Charlotte.
The Timberwolves sent Naz Reid and significant draft capital to the Hornets, with the wider four-team deal also moving Julius Randle to Brooklyn.
Ball averaged 20.1 points and 7.1 assists last season and now forms one of the league’s most exciting backcourts alongside Anthony Edwards.
5. Kawhi Leonard’s proposed Toronto return
Few moves carried more nostalgia than Kawhi Leonard’s proposed return to the Toronto Raptors.
Toronto agreed a deal with the Clippers involving Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick and multiple draft picks.
However, unlike the four moves above, this one remains unresolved. The trade was placed on hold while the NBA investigates the Clippers over potential salary-cap circumvention.
If it eventually goes through, Leonard would return to the franchise he led to the 2019 NBA championship.
