Post-free agency NBA Power Rankings: All 30 teams’ biggest offseason questions

With the flurry of free agency behind us, teams are turning to the rest of the offseason to start preparing for the 2024-25 NBA season, which is just a few months away.

Some teams are settling in with their newly acquired superstars, such as the Philadelphia 76ers and Paul George, who will be joining Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey to form a trio of offensive power in the East.

Other big names are potentially on the move as the Utah Jazz and Lauri Markkanen remain ones to watch this offseason as they negotiate an extension.

Will the Spurs make a leap with Chris Paul and Victor Wembanyama? How will Klay Thompson fit in with the dynamic duo of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving? And will Russell Westbrook find a new home in Denver?

Our NBA insiders break down some of the biggest questions after an exciting few weeks of NBA free agency and what teams still need to address this offseason.

Note: Our panel (Kendra Andrews, Tim Bontemps, Jamal Collier, Andrew Lopez, Tim MacMahon, Dave McMenamin, Ohm Youngmisuk, Chris Herring, Kevin Pelton and Bobby Marks) is ranking all 30 teams from top to bottom following the NBA draft and free agency.

• Notable additions: Baylor Scheiermann (via draft)

• Notable departures: None

The defending champions got Jayson Tatum and Derrick White locked into extensions and should head into next season as the clear favorites to return to the NBA Finals. The question hovering over the franchise now, however, is who will own the team moving forward after Celtics governor Wyc Grousbeck announced the team would be sold within the next several months. That timeline is especially important given the team is facing a potential record-setting $500 million payroll and luxury tax number in 2025-26. — Tim Bontemps

• Notable additions: Alex Caruso (via trade), Isaiah Hartenstein (via free agency), Nikola Topic (via draft), Dillon Jones (via draft)

• Notable departures: Josh Giddey (via trade), Lindy Waters III (via trade), Mike Muscala (retired)

How will all the pieces fit after the youngest No. 1 seed in NBA history acquired two outstanding role players over the summer? Will center Isaiah Hartenstein start alongside fellow 7-footer Chet Holmgren? Will that fifth starter spot go to guard Alex Caruso to form the league’s toughest perimeter defensive duo with Lu Dort? Could the starting lineup be fluid based on matchups? These are nice questions to have for reigning Coach of the Year Mark Daigneault. — Tim MacMahon

• Notable additions: Rob Dillingham (via draft), Terrence Shannon Jr. (via draft), Joe Ingles (via free agency)

• Notable departures: Kyle Anderson (via free agency), Jordan McLaughlin (via free agency), Wendell Moore Jr. (via trade), Monte Morris (via free agency)

Coming off the franchise’s most successful season in 20 years, there’s a lot to like about the Wolves’ summer so far. They inked coach Chris Finch to a contract extension; drafted guards Rob Dillingham and Terrence Shannon Jr.; and saw Anthony Edwards and Nickeil Alexander-Walker commit to play for the U.S. and Canada, respectively, in the Olympics, which should only sharpen their games. — Dave McMenamin

• Notable additions: Mikal Bridges (via trade), Pacome Dadiet (via draft)

• Notable departures: Bojan Bogdanovic (via trade), Alec Burks (via free agency), Isaiah Hartenstein (via free agency), Shake Milton (via sign-and-trade)

It’s been a huge month for the Knicks, who re-signed OG Anunoby, traded for Mikal Bridges and signed Jalen Brunson. What has yet to be resolved is what New York will do at backup center after losing Isaiah Hartenstein to the Thunder in free agency. Coach Tom Thibodeau values rim protection, and now New York has a significant hole to fill behind Mitchell Robinson, and his extensive injury history, at the 5-spot. — Bontemps

• Notable additions: Klay Thompson (via sign and trade), Naji Marshall (via free agency)

• Notable departures: Josh Green (via trade), Tim Hardaway Jr. (via trade), Derrick Jones Jr. (via free agency)

There’s little doubt that Dallas will rank among the league’s elite offensive teams after recruiting all-time great shooter Klay Thompson to complement Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, the NBA’s highest-scoring duo last season. Will the Mavs be able to construct a good defense around that trio? That could determine if Dallas returns to the Finals. The Mavs morphed into a contender in the final 20 games of last season, during which their defense ranked No. 1 in the league. They’re banking on Naji Marshall to fill Derrick Jones Jr.’s shoes and big man Dereck Lively II to continue improving after an All-Rookie season and strong playoff run. — MacMahon

(via free agency), Caleb Martin (via free agency)

Are there moves left to make for Miami? The team reupped center Andre Drummond (via free agency)

After three years without making a trade involving a player, the Bulls decided to shake up their roster this summer, moving on from their best offensive player (DeMar DeRozan) and defensive player (Alex Caruso). It has set the Bulls up for a youth movement next season, centered around guard Josh Giddey and rookie forward Matas Buzelis alongside guard Paul Reed (via free agency)