2026 оны NBA-ийн улирлын бус үеийн чансаа: Майами Хит, Филадельфия 76эрс, Оклахома Сити Тандер тэргүүлэгчдэд багтлаа

We’ve gotten to what Kid Twist called “the quill” in the great film “The Sting”: the best of the best. The teams that had the NBA’s 10 best offseasons this spring and summer.

It doesn’t mean each of the 10 will compete for a title next season. It means they all took major strides in improving their teams in significant ways, whether through the draft, trades, free agency or a combination of those. I think we can all agree, for example, that the Philadelphia 76ers look a little different and have a higher ceiling now than they did walking off their home court at Xfinity Mobile Arena on May 10 after getting poleaxed by the New York Knicks by 30 in the final game of a four-game, second-round sweep.

But the top 10 doesn’t just feature contending teams; it also showcases teams that have set themselves up to make bigger moves in the next year or two by clearing their books of problematic players and/or contracts.

To reiterate: This is a ranking of every team’s offseason. It is not a power ranking, as you have come to know that term. Power rankings place every team in order, based on how they’re playing in a given week of the season. This isn’t that. These rankings ask, and try to answer, one question: Is the team better now than it was at the end of its season? If you want to read more about the philosophy and thought process behind what’s below, you can go here.

So, three sets of rankings: Nos. 30 to 21, Nos. 20 to 11 and Nos. 10 to 1. Here we go.

Salary numbers, with a couple of exceptions, come from Spotrac, which stays on top of this stuff as well as anyone. The website rookiescale.com produced an exhaustive list of 2026 two-way and Exhibit 10 post-draft signings this year, from which I have borrowed copiously. Future draft pick details are from both Spotrac and RealGM. Transactions through Aug. 6.

10. Oklahoma City Thunder

2025-26 record: 64-18; lost Western Conference finals to San Antonio, 4-3

Added: C Aday Mara (first round, 12th pick); G Bennett Stirtz (draft rights acquired from Memphis); G Otega Oweh (draft rights acquired from Miami); G Josh Dix (two-way); G Nate Johnson (Exhibit 10); G Lamar Wilkerson (Exhibit 10); C Christoph Tilly (Exhibit 10); 2027 second-round pick (acquired from Dallas); 2030, 2031 second-round picks (acquired from Detroit); 2030, 2032 second-round picks (acquired from Atlanta); 2031, 2032 second-round picks (acquired from Atlanta)

Lost: F/G Luguentz Dort (traded to Atlanta); G Isaiah Joe (traded to Detroit); F Aaron Wiggins (traded to Atlanta); G Ebuka Okorie (draft rights traded to Memphis); G Ryan Conwell (draft rights traded to Miami); F Payton Sandfort (waived)

Retained: F Kenrich Williams (one year, $5M); G Brooks Barnhizer (two-way)

Extended: C Isaiah Hartenstein (three years, $75M)

Returning from injury: F Jalen Williams (hamstring)

The skinny: OKC went best player available in the draft and added the 7-foot-3 Mara, then maneuvered to get Stirtz’s shooting. They’ll join the Thunder development factory. And the Thunder were also able to keep Hartenstein via extension on a wildly good AAV that’s less than what the Los Angeles Lakers will pay Walker Kessler. Moving Dort, Joe and Wiggins saved the Thunder more than $300 million in luxury-tax payments. The moves ate into OKC’s depth, to be sure, but with a greatly reduced tax bill, OKC can run most of it back next season — with, hopefully, a healthy Jalen Williams and a soon-to-be extended Cason Wallace. The Thunder’s saga with the Spurs is just beginning.

9. Toronto Raptors

2025-26 record: 46-36; lost in Eastern Conference first round to Cleveland, 4-3

Added: F Kawhi Leonard (acquired from Clippers); F Kyle Anderson (one year, $3.88M); F Allen Graves (first round, 19th pick); G Jaden Bradley (second round, 50th pick); C Trey Jemison III (two-way); C Nate Bittle (Exhibit 10); F Nimari Burnett (Exhibit 10)

Lost: F Brandon Ingram (traded to Clippers); G Gradey Dick (traded to Clippers); F Sandro Mamukelashvili (signed with Lakers); C Jonathan Mogbo (team declined 2026-27 option); 2031, 2033 first-round picks (traded to Clippers); 2027 first-round pick swap (traded to Clippers); 2030, 2033 second-round picks (traded to Clippers)

Retained: G Alijah Martin (two years, $4.76M); G Jamal Shead (team picked up 2026-27 option); F Trayce Jackson-Davis (team picked up 2026-27 option); G Chucky Hepburn (two-way)

Extended: None

Returning from injury: G Immanuel Quickley (strained right hamstring)

The skinny: We always respect those who shoot their shots, figuratively and literally. So, kudos to the Raptors for going all in to bring back Leonard (assuming the league’s Aspiration investigation doesn’t lead to sanctions against him that would negate the deal with the LA Clippers). Toronto’s returning group certainly was good enough to make the playoffs again. But the Raptors went big and will see if Leonard can replicate his outstanding 2025-26 season alongside Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, Quickley and Jakob Poeltl. If so, Toronto would be a dark horse to make real noise in the East, with Leonard and first-round pick Graves fitting right into the Raptors’ defense-first core.

8. Washington Wizards

2025-26 record: 17-65; did not make playoffs

Added: F AJ Dybantsa (first round, first pick); C Deandre Ayton (acquired from Lakers); F Khris Middleton (acquired from Dallas via sign-and-trade: three years, $17.6M); C Felix Okpara (draft rights acquired from Orlando); 2033 second-round pick (acquired from Dallas); G Seth Trimble (Exhibit 10); F KeShawn Murphy (Exhibit 10)

Lost: F Jaden Hardy (traded to Lakers); G D’Angelo Russell (traded to Memphis); F Malique Lewis (draft rights traded to Milwaukee); C Izaiyah Nelson (draft rights traded to Orlando); F Leaky Black (waived); 2031 and 2032 second-round picks (traded to Lakers); 2029, 2033 second-round picks (traded to Memphis), 2032 second-round pick swap (traded to Memphis)

Retained: G Trae Young (four years, $212M); F Jamir Watkins (two-way)

Extended: None

Returning from injury: C Alexandre Sarr (fractured right foot); F Anthony Davis (left hand ligament damage, groin strain); Young (right knee MCL sprain, quad contusion)

The skinny: Washington did most of its work before last season’s trade deadline, acquiring Davis and Young in separate deals. But the Wizards’ three-year tank was the biggest needle-mover, as Washington cashed in just before the league changed its lottery rules by getting the first pick and taking BYU’s Dybantsa, a monster offensive prospect who’ll become the face of the franchise. The Wizards expect to be more competitive next season, but given their abysmal 50-196 record the previous three years, that’s a low bar. I get the Young overpay short term to raise the floor, but he’d better still be productive in 2029 for the deal to be worth it.

7. Atlanta Hawks

2025-26 record: 46-36; lost in Eastern Conference first round to New York, 4-2

Added: F/G Lu Dort (acquired from Oklahoma City); G Aaron Wiggins (acquired from Oklahoma City); G Devin Carter (acquired from Sacramento); G Ryan Nembhard (acquired from Dallas); G Kingston Flemings (first round, eighth pick); F/C Zuby Ejiofor (first round, 23rd pick); C Henri Veesaar (draft rights acquired from Clippers); F Jalen Wilson (two-way)

Lost: F Zaccharie Risacher (traded to Dallas); Alpha Kaba (traded to Sacramento); C Narcisse Ngoy (draft rights traded to Clippers), 2030, 2032 second-round picks (traded to Thunder for Wiggins); 2030, 2031 second-round picks (traded to Thunder for Dort)

Retained: C Jock Landale (one year, $14.1M); F Mouhamed Gueye (team picked up 2026-27 option)

Extended: G CJ McCollum (one year, $21M)

Returning from injury: Gueye (fractured left foot)

The skinny: The Hawks were thorough in addressing their hole at point guard after trading Trae Young. They went high in the draft to take Flemings, got the defensive demon Carter from the Kings and added Nembhard from the Mavs, giving Atlanta multiple floor generals under 24 with different strengths. That should help keep McCollum from burning out, as he did after being on the ball down the stretch last season. Dort is still a man-to-man pain in the butt and will add to Atlanta’s collection of suffocating wings. Ejiofor could be a great under-the-radar addition. Terrific offseason from Onsi Saleh and the Hawks’ front office.

6. LA Clippers

2025-26 record: 42-40; lost in Play-In round to Golden State

Added: F Rui Hachimura (two years, $28M); F Brandon Ingram (acquired from Toronto); G Gradey Dick (acquired from Toronto); C/F Johni Broome (acquired from Philadelphia); G Keaton Wagler (first round, fifth pick); F Baba Miller (second round, 36th pick); G/F Nick Martinelli (draft rights acquired from Houston); C Narcisse Ngoy (draft rights acquired from Atlanta); G Jalen Pickett (two-way); 2031 and 2033 first-round picks (acquired from Toronto); 2027 first-round pick swap (acquired from Toronto); 2027 second-round pick (acquired from Philadelphia); 2030 and 2033 second-round picks (acquired from Toronto)

Lost: F Kawhi Leonard (traded to Toronto); F John Collins (traded to Detroit); F Nicolas Batum (team declined 2026-27 option); G Bradley Beal (team declined 2026-27 option); G Bogdan Bogdanović (team declined 2026-27 option); C Henri Veesaar (draft rights traded to Atlanta)

Retained: C Brook Lopez (team picked up 2026-27 option); G Kris Dunn (team guaranteed 2026-27 contract); Jordan Miller (three years, $15.3M); G Kobe Sanders (four years, $11.28M)

Extended: None

Returning from injury: C Yanic Konan Niederhäuser (Lisfranc surgery, right foot)

The skinny: With the caveat that the Aspiration case involving Leonard is still unresolved as of this writing, the Clips did a great job of remaking themselves on the fly, with a realistic path toward becoming competitive again quickly. Wagler will ultimately team with Darius Garland in a potent offensive backcourt. Ingram will get all the shots he wants. By moving Leonard and James Harden, LA can be a major player as soon as next summer, with nine future first-round picks between 2027 and 2033. And Ingram’s and Hachimura’s expiring contracts in 2027-28 are available for use in potential trades — giving the Clips the option to become a cap-space team.

5. Memphis Grizzlies

2025-26 record: 25-57; did not make playoffs

Added: C Isaiah Stewart (acquired from Detroit); F Jerami Grant (acquired from Portland); F Kris Murray (acquired from Portland); G AJ Johnson (acquired from Dallas); G D’Angelo Russell (acquired from Washington); F/C Cameron Boozer (first round, third pick); F Karim López (draft rights acquired from Detroit); G Richie Saunders (second round, 32nd pick); C Carson Cooper (two-way); 2030 first-round pick (acquired from Dallas); 2029 second-round pick (acquired from Dallas); 2033, 2034 second-round picks (acquired from Oklahoma City); 2029, 2032, 2033 second-round picks (acquired from Washington)

Lost: G Ja Morant (traded to Portland); F Santi Aldama (traded to Dallas); F Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (agreed to buyout); G Bennett Stirtz (draft rights traded to Oklahoma City); G Ebuka Okorie (draft rights traded to Detroit); G Tarik Biberović (draft rights traded to Dallas); 2029, 2031, 2032 second-round picks (traded to Detroit)

Retained: F GG Jackson II (team picked up 2026-27 option); F Olivier-Maxence Prosper (team picked up 2026-27 option)

Extended: None

Returning from injury: G Scotty Pippen Jr. (right toe surgery)

The skinny: Moving on from Morant after seven seasons, and the modest return Memphis received for its two-time All-Star, provided most of the offseason headlines. But the Grizz cooked on and around draft night, engineering multiple deals that netted them Stewart and López, in addition to the big lottery prize: Boozer, who will immediately become the hub of the team’s next iteration with his rebounding, passing and basketball IQ. Grant, Boozer and Zach Edey are one hella big frontcourt. With Cedric Coward, López, Stewart, Pippen and Jaylen Wells — and don’t sleep on Saunders — also in the rotation, the Grizzlies have an intriguing new core emerging.

4. Utah Jazz

2025-26 record: 22-60; did not make playoffs

Added: G Darryn Peterson (first round, second pick); G Josh Okogie (two years, $12M); C Jaxson Hayes (two years, $12M); G Trey Alexander (two-way); G Tamar Bates (two-way); F Harrison Ingram (Exhibit 10); 2031 and 2033 first-round picks (acquired from Lakers); 2028 and 2030 first-round swaps (acquired from Lakers)

Lost: C Walker Kessler (traded to Lakers via sign-and-trade); G Bez Mbeng (team declined 2026-27 option); G Hayden Gray (team declined 2026-27 option)

Retained: C Jusuf Nurkić (two years, $22M); C Mo Bamba (two years, $7.2M)

Extended: None

Returning from injury: F/C Jaren Jackson Jr. (left knee surgery)

The skinny: The Ainges, père et fils, continued stacking future picks with precocious high-upside talent. Finally moving up in the lottery, Utah got a near-perfect rotational fit in Peterson, who will bring enormous three-level scoring potential alongside Keyonte George, giving the Jazz one of the toughest young backcourts to guard in the league. Utah kept Kessler, clearly not in its long-term plans once it got Jackson from Memphis in February, just long enough to make a deal with the Lakers, getting control of four firsts between 2028 and 2033 from L.A. That is a masterclass in asset maximization. Utah’s ready to roll, and to leap forward in the West next season.

Darryn Peterson, the second pick in the draft, should form an exciting young backcourt alongside Keyonte George. (Chris Gardner / Getty Images)

3. Charlotte Hornets

2025-26 record: 44-38; lost in Play-In round to Orlando

Added: F Naz Reid (acquired from Minnesota); G Grayson Allen (acquired from Phoenix); F Royce O’Neale (acquired from Phoenix); F Dorian Finney-Smith (acquired from Houston); F/C Hannes Steinbach (first round, 14th pick); G Christian Anderson Jr. (first round, 18th pick); G Kylan Boswell (two-way); F Michael Ajay (two-way); 2033 first-round pick (acquired from Minnesota); 2028, 2029, 2030 first-round pick swaps (acquired from Minnesota); 2033 first-round pick (acquired from Phoenix); 2027, 2028, 2033 second-round picks (acquired from Houston); 2029, 2032, 2033 second-round picks (acquired from Minnesota)

Lost: G LaMelo Ball (traded to Minnesota); G Josh Green (traded to Minnesota); F Miles Bridges (traded to Phoenix); 2029 first-round pick (traded to Phoenix); 2027 second-round pick (traded to Phoenix); G Tosan Evbuomwan (waived); F Mouhamadou Gueye (waived)

Retained: G Coby White (three years, $74M); Pat Connaughton (team picked up 2026-27 option)

Extended: None

Returning from injury: F Brandon Miller (left shoulder subluxation)

The skinny: Ball is a human Rorschach Test — everyone has a different interpretation of his skills. I see: “Crazy talent but can’t be your lead dog.” Charlotte apparently felt similarly, moving Ball and Green for Reid and a haul of future picks. The Hornets got another first, with Allen and O’Neale, for Bridges, then got three seconds attached to Finney-Smith to take DFS from Houston. It was a mature understanding by general manager Jeff Peterson and Charlotte’s front office that the sugar high of a 25-win improvement last season didn’t mean they’d arrived. They’ll lean into Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel next season — with, now, a war chest of firsts between 2027 and 2031.

2. Miami Heat

2025-26 record: 43-39; lost in Play-In round to Charlotte

Added: F Giannis Antetokounmpo (acquired from Milwaukee); F Bobby Portis (acquired from Milwaukee); G Tim Hardaway Jr. (one year, $6.1M); G Ryan Conwell (draft rights acquired from Oklahoma City); G Tre Donaldson (two-way); C Vladislav Goldin (two-way)

Lost: G Tyler Herro (traded to Milwaukee); G Jaime Jaquez Jr. (traded to Milwaukee); C/F Kel’el Ware (traded to Milwaukee); G Kasparas Jakučionis (traded to Milwaukee); F Nate Ament (draft rights traded to Milwaukee); G Otega Oweh (draft rights traded to Oklahoma City); G Jahmir Young (team declined 2026-27 option); 2031 and 2033 first-round picks (traded to Milwaukee); 2030 first-round pick swap (traded to Milwaukee); 2033 second-round pick (traded to Milwaukee)

Retained: F Simone Fontecchio (one year, $2.6M); G Dru Smith (team guaranteed 2026-27 contract); G Pelle Larsson (team picked up 2026-27 option)

Extended: F Andrew Wiggins (two years, $33.83M)

Returning from injury: Antetokounmpo (calf strain)

The skinny: Pat Riley never flinches. He hunts stars. And Miami’s chief recruiter, ably assisted by his longtime consigliere Andy Elisburg, again kept at it until Miami bagged the Greek Freak to reset the Heat as legit contenders. Miami gave up a lot for the 31-year-old Antetokounmpo, who’s had all manner of injuries the last couple of years. But respect for taking the swing. Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo will be a terror defensively. The spacing on offense will certainly challenge Erik Spoelstra — yes, Adebayo can shoot it, but a steady diet of his jumpers isn’t optimal. Spo, though, always figures out the best way to use whatever he’s got every season. He’ll do so again.

1. Philadelphia 76ers

2025-26 record: 45-37; lost in Eastern Conference semifinals to New York, 4-0

Added: F LeBron James (two years, $8M); F Jaylen Brown (acquired from Boston); F Dean Wade (four years, $39M); G Anfernee Simons (two years, $12.3M); C Ariel Hukporti (one year, $3.4M); G/F Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (one year, $3.9M); G Rayan Rupert (two-way); G Labaron Philon (first round, 22nd pick); G Caleb Love (two-way); G Duke Miles (Exhibit 10); hired president of basketball operations Mike Gansey; promoted Jameer Nelson to executive vice president of basketball operations

Lost: F Paul George (traded to Boston); C/F Johni Broome (traded to Clippers); F Kelly Oubre (signed with Indiana); G/F Quentin Grimes (signed with Lakers); F Dalen Terry (waived); F Trendon Watford (team declined 2026-27 option); 2028 and 2031 first-round picks (traded to Boston); 2028 and 2030 second-round picks (traded to Boston); fired former president of basketball operations Daryl Morey

Retained: F Dominick Barlow (team picked up 2026-27 option)

Extended: None

Returning from injury: C Joel Embiid (ankle, hip)

The skinny: I think the Executive of the Year race is a wrap. Just two months into his Philly tenure, Gansey bagged both James and Brown, fundamentally transforming the franchise. Bringing in Brown’s massive two-way energy for a couple of years before deciding if he’s worth another $140 million on an extension is worth the risk. James’ résumé speaks for itself. Wade provides frontcourt defense and shooting, though he’s struggled in the playoffs. Simons at $6 million a year as a third guard is great value. With James, Brown, Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe and Wade flanking Embiid, and Simons and Philon firing off the bench, Philly’s set for both the regular-season grind and an extended postseason run.