The disparity between the NBA`s top-tier and struggling front offices is increasingly apparent. June marked a significant moment, as Sam Presti, widely regarded as the league`s premier general manager, finally secured his much-anticipated first championship. He has positioned the Oklahoma City Thunder for sustained success, benefiting from a growing number of less capably managed teams across the league that could serve as advantageous trade partners.
It`s only been about six months since the Dallas Mavericks controversially traded Luka Dončić. Since then, the Chicago Bulls have made another questionable trade reminiscent of last year`s Alex Caruso deal, the Phoenix Suns are poised to pay Bradley Beal to not play, the Sacramento Kings have undergone a significant overhaul less than two years after their best season in two decades, and the New Orleans Pelicans hired an executive with a track record even less successful than the Kings` over the past two decades. These recent months have sharply highlighted the vast difference between efficiently run franchises and their mismanaged counterparts.
With the majority of offseason activities concluded, it`s an ideal time for a comprehensive assessment of these front offices. We previously ranked all 30 NBA front offices following February`s trade deadline and are now revising those evaluations based on subsequent events.
In February, we detailed our ranking criteria, which include: track record, overall vision, creativity, current success, financial commitment, stakeholder alignment, drafting, trading, contract value, coaching hires, ambition, self-awareness, luck, and decision-making clarity. For this July update, we`re adding another crucial element: malleability. While many front offices succeed by adhering to a single strategy—consistently targeting similar player types or repeating specific moves—the most intelligent teams demonstrate the ability to adapt and pivot as necessary, avoiding rigid adherence to one approach in a constantly evolving league. This adaptability is highly valued in our assessment. Ultimately, these rankings aim to answer a fundamental question: which front office would you entrust to manage your favorite team?
Before diving into the rankings, it`s important to note that competent teams outnumber poorly managed ones. Consequently, some generally well-run teams may find themselves ranked lower than their fan bases might expect. This reflects the current NBA landscape, particularly in the middle tiers. Teams ranked between 16th and 21st are, by definition, below average. However, this doesn`t necessarily mean they are poorly managed; often, these teams simply have shorter track records compared to those ranked higher. The bottom five teams constitute a distinct category of their own, while all others operate with at least some justifiable rationale.
Finally, as our primary focus is on changes between February and July, some team descriptions will be considerably longer than others. Thunder fans, apologies in advance—there are only so many ways to praise Sam Presti`s genius. While some teams will receive less detailed coverage here, if you seek more information on your favorite team`s front office not extensively covered in this edition, our February rankings likely provide that depth. With these considerations in mind, let the rankings commence.
- 1. Oklahoma City Thunder
- 2. Boston Celtics
- 3. San Antonio Spurs
- 4. Houston Rockets
- 5. Cleveland Cavaliers
- 6. New York Knicks
- 7. Indiana Pacers
- 8. Utah Jazz
- 9. Philadelphia 76ers
- 10. Memphis Grizzlies
- 11. Minnesota Timberwolves
- 12. Los Angeles Clippers
- 13. Miami Heat
- 14. Golden State Warriors
- 15. Orlando Magic
- 16. Atlanta Hawks
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
February Ranking: 1
Much has been said about Oklahoma City`s impeccable rebuilding strategy. However, I want to highlight an often-overlooked aspect: the execution of their brilliant plan. They didn`t merely accumulate an abundance of draft picks; they maximized the value of each selection more effectively than any other team. For instance, consider the No. 12 pick of Jalen Williams, who earned an All-NBA Team selection in only his third season. The last non-top-10 pick to achieve this feat within their first three seasons was Kobe Bryant. While some fortunate circumstances provided them with an MVP-caliber player and they strategically tanked for their defensive cornerstone, their quieter, less heralded moves have been just as impactful as their high-profile ones. The Thunder exemplify excellence in every facet of roster construction, setting a gold standard. They are remarkably positioned to not only mitigate the adverse effects of the second salary apron but actually leverage them to their advantage. Any lingering skeptics should now be convinced by their championship victory. Sam Presti stands as the NBA`s top executive, destined for the Hall of Fame.
2. Boston Celtics
February Ranking: 2
If there was any credible criticism of Brad Stevens as a general manager, it was that he never had to build a team from scratch. He began his tenure with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown already in place, merely needing to supplement them. He executed this flawlessly, but from that perspective, Tatum`s injury now offers him a chance to prove his foundational team-building capabilities. He no longer operates with every conceivable advantage. His best player`s long-term health is uncertain, and his second-best player holds a supermax contract. He has also expended some of his draft capital. Stevens has already begun the process of shrewdly reconfiguring his roster to circumvent the second salary apron without sacrificing valuable assets, but the true rebuild will unfold over the next one to two years. Rumors surrounding Jaylen Brown and Derrick White this offseason suggest that Stevens is open to nearly any move as he endeavors to construct a younger, potentially more affordable contender around Tatum upon his eventual return. He will undertake this challenge without key deputy Austin Ainge, who now leads the Jazz, and amidst an ownership transition as Wyc Grousbeck gradually transfers control to Bill Chisholm. This represents the most significant challenge of Stevens` front-office career, yet his outstanding track record indicates he is more than prepared.
3. San Antonio Spurs
February Ranking: 3
We must acknowledge the obvious: no team in recent NBA history has benefited more from lottery luck than the Spurs. They have now moved up in three consecutive lotteries, climbing from No. 3 to No. 1 for Victor Wembanyama, No. 5 to No. 4 for Stephon Castle, and most recently, No. 8 to No. 2 for Dylan Harper. This amounts to nine total draft slots gained over three years. Historically, only the 76ers, Hornets, and Lakers have accumulated nine or more net draft slots in the entire NBA Draft Lottery era. If San Antonio achieves the long-term success we anticipate, lottery luck will undoubtedly be the most significant contributing factor. However, the idea that the Spurs` success was or will be solely built on lottery fortune is a misconception. They deftly manage the aspects they control:
- They demonstrated the self-awareness in 2022 to realize they were going nowhere, initiating a rebuild by trading Dejounte Murray at the peak of his value.
- They have accumulated draft assets around their own lottery picks as effectively as any team in the NBA. The Jakob Poeltl trade in 2023 yielded an unprotected Minnesota pick and a top-1 protected swap. Their willingness to absorb the Harrison Barnes contract in 2024 secured them an unprotected Kings swap that appears quite valuable. Such moves partially financed their De`Aaron Fox acquisition without depleting their resources for future transactions.
- They manage contracts exceptionally well. Both Devin Vassell and Keldon Johnson signed deals with no annual salary increases. Luke Kornet received only two guaranteed years. Their salary books remain relatively clean heading into 2026, Wembanyama`s last cheap season. A Fox extension would alter this, but they might leverage Harper`s presence to negotiate more favorable terms.
- They exhibited sufficient patience by not forcing a Kevin Durant trade. They understand they possess the assets to acquire a younger star and are comfortable with a slow-play build, unlike less astute front offices.
- Though not in the same operational roles, it`s notable that the three architects of their dynasty—Gregg Popovich, RC Buford, and Peter Holt—are still with the organization. The Spurs rightfully receive credit for nearly everything they`ve accomplished over the past three decades.
Thus, while the Spurs have undeniably been fortunate in the lottery, they have also maximized every opportunity presented to them. It is possible to be both lucky and intelligent, and the Spurs exemplify this combination.
4. Houston Rockets
February Ranking: 9
Rafael Stone stands out as the NBA`s premier negotiator. He not only convinced Alperen Sengun to re-sign for less than the maximum salary but also to accept less than the permissible 8% annual raises. Dorian Finney-Smith, the second-best 3-and-D wing in free agency, was persuaded by Stone to sign for only two guaranteed seasons. Steven Adams is on a descending-salary contract. Jabari Smith`s extension includes an immediate salary decrease, meaning his pay won`t actually increase until the fourth year of the deal. Clint Capela bypassed starting opportunities to become Houston`s third center for just slightly above taxpayer mid-level money. To convince Fred VanVleet to forgo $20 million this season, Stone merely needed to offer a player option for next season. This is truly contract wizardry.
However, Stone is more than just a brilliant accountant; he has assembled an almost impossibly deep and versatile team. The Rockets barely utilized their No. 3 overall pick, Reed Sheppard, last year. They reinforced their two-big lineups by adding Capela to Sengun and Adams, yet with Smith and Durant, they can effortlessly shift to five-out, no-big lineups when matchups demand it. Regarding Durant, they acquired a top-20 player in NBA history who addresses their most pressing need without sacrificing significant long-term assets. Durant effectively replaces Jalen Green, and Finney-Smith steps in for Dillon Brooks. Although they lost the No. 10 pick, as Sheppard demonstrated, they lacked minutes for that selection anyway. Crucially, they retained their more valuable draft assets: Phoenix`s pick in 2027, Phoenix and Dallas` picks in 2029, and swap rights with Brooklyn in 2027.
While they may not yet possess their own Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and might never develop a homegrown MVP candidate, they have otherwise emulated Oklahoma City`s strategy more effectively than any other NBA team, and are now poised to challenge the Thunder for years to come.
5. Cleveland Cavaliers
February Ranking: 7
The Cavaliers` player acquisition record speaks for itself. They demonstrated boldness by trading for Donovan Mitchell without assurances of his re-signing, betting on their ability to convince him to stay—a bet that paid off. They shrewdly acquired Jarrett Allen during the James Harden trade. Evan Mobley and Darius Garland were exceptional draft picks. More recently, they`ve uncovered valuable hidden gems like Ty Jerome and Sam Merrill. This astute talent acquisition places Cleveland among the top teams on this list.
Furthermore, Dan Gilbert`s historical willingness to spend should not be overlooked. Few owners in small markets are prepared to commit the financial resources he does to keep their teams intact. Cleveland currently exceeds the second salary apron by $20 million, facing a payroll that could approach $400 million for a team that only reached the second round of the playoffs. Gilbert displayed similar financial commitment during LeBron James`s second tenure. Later in these rankings, we will discuss a small-market team with comparable success in talent acquisition but without Gilbert`s track record of spending to retain that talent. This spending propensity serves as a legitimate tiebreaker at this high level on the list.
6. New York Knicks
February Ranking: 8
Dismissing Tom Thibodeau required courage. This front office concluded—likely correctly—that the Thibodeau-led iteration of the team had reached its peak. For most organizations, reaching Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals is a commendable achievement. The Knicks, however, are ambitious enough to aspire for more, which is admirable. They may indeed perform worse under Mike Brown, but they have accepted this risk in pursuit of greater rewards. There`s an obvious point to be made: Thibodeau`s reluctance to experiment with lineups and trust his bench ultimately undermined last year`s Knicks, yet the front office acted swiftly and decisively to prevent a similar outcome next season.
Moreover, Thibodeau`s dismissal served as the clearest signal yet that the Knicks are willing to look beyond their established network when necessary. No team operates more on relationships than the Knicks. Consider their major acquisitions under this front office: Jalen Brunson is the son of Leon Rose`s first client as an agent; Mikal Bridges was Brunson`s college teammate; Karl-Anthony Towns was also a Rose client; OG Anunoby is represented by Rose`s son, Sam Rose. The Knicks have largely succeeded by acquiring players either represented by CAA or who attended Villanova. While this strategy has worked, it`s likely unsustainable. Given the price paid for Bridges and his somewhat underwhelming individual season, it was fair to question this approach. Thibodeau, also a CAA client, was initially hired based on this principle, but was ultimately fired based on merit. The Knicks must be prepared to make tough decisions to achieve that final, critical breakthrough, and they have demonstrated that willingness thus far.
Nevertheless, the Bridges trade will be debated for years. Each time a superior player is moved for a comparable or lesser price, questions will resurface about the wisdom of the Knicks` acquisition of Bridges. This criticism will intensify whenever Giannis Antetokounmpo`s future is resolved, and to some extent, it`s warranted. For now, view the Bridges trade as the Eastern Conference equivalent of Minnesota`s Rudy Gobert gamble. Was it an overpay? Probably. Should they have held those assets for someone else? Potentially. But the Timberwolves have reached back-to-back Western Conference Finals; calling their trade a loss would be difficult. The Bridges trade brought the Knicks within six wins of the title. If they maintain a similar level of success over the next few years, even without winning a championship, the deal`s legacy will be more nuanced than the outright failure many might label it. It can be a suboptimal move without being a bad one. And if they do reach the Finals? At that point, their team`s success will have been sufficient to justify the trade, regardless of the price paid.
7. Indiana Pacers
February Ranking: 17
I was prepared to offer a full mea culpa regarding my February ranking of the Pacers when they were making a strong playoff run. That No. 17 ranking stemmed from my perception that they appeared content as a 50-win team, lacking the ambition to take the crucial next step towards genuine championship contention. It turns out, they were already on that path. Kevin Pritchard and Chad Buchanan are arguably the best talent evaluators in basketball today. They drafted Andrew Nembhard in the second round, transformed Aaron Nesmith and Obi Toppin from bench players on rival teams into core contributors, and wisely secured long-term deals for almost everyone as early as possible to avoid the financial hurdles most deep contenders encounter. They even had the foresight to reacquire control of their 2026 first-round pick just days before Tyrese Haliburton tore his Achilles, sacrificing only the No. 23 overall pick in the process. On the morning of Game 7 of the NBA Finals, the Pacers were ranked third in my preliminary assessment.
And then they allowed Myles Turner to depart for nothing. They didn`t execute a sign-and-trade for asset returns, nor did they make a calculated decision to prioritize youth with Haliburton sidelined for the year. The latter might have even been justifiable; with the 2026 pick back, one could argue that Indiana`s best move would have been to trade players in their 30s before any potential decline (Pascal Siakam, T.J. McConnell), commit to a year of tanking, and then re-enter contention with a healthy Haliburton still in his mid-20s. But that`s not what happened. There was no basketball rationale for this outcome; they simply lost a very good player without compensation.
The Pacers claim they were ready to pay him what it took to retain him, implying he accepted Milwaukee`s offer without giving them a chance to counter. Frankly, such claims lose credibility when a team hasn`t paid the luxury tax in 20 years. Perhaps they would have done so with a healthy Haliburton, but notably, they never paid the tax with Paul George, who led them to the Eastern Conference Finals twice. It certainly seems they became hesitant and unwilling to incur the tax without a healthy Haliburton. The Pacers have been one of the NBA`s most frugal teams for decades. As long as Herb Simon controls this team, justifying a higher ranking would be incredibly difficult, as winning at the highest levels in the modern NBA often necessitates exorbitant spending.
It`s a shame, too, because this front office, much like the Larry Bird- and Donnie Walsh-led iterations before it, consistently exceeds expectations despite the constraints imposed by ownership. They made the best of the situation with a very smart (and, not coincidentally, inexpensive) acquisition of Jay Huff, who will likely be central to their `replacement by committee` plan alongside Isaiah Jackson, Tony Bradley, and Siakam-Toppin lineups. They will continue to adapt in Haliburton`s absence and will likely contend again in the foreseeable future. The basketball personnel here know what they`re doing; they simply have fewer resources at their disposal than the teams ranked ahead of them. If Simon spent like Dan Gilbert, the Pacers would undoubtedly have a top-five front office.
8. Utah Jazz
February Ranking: 5
Will Hardy has won less than 35% of his games as an NBA head coach, yet the Jazz just extended his contract through 2031. Why? Because if Hardy became available, he would secure another job within seconds. He isn`t losing due to poor coaching; he`s losing because the Jazz have made a deliberate effort to lose, and will continue to do so for as long as it takes to build not just a good team, but a great one. This is the primary reason the Jazz rank so highly. There`s no panic within the organization, no suggestion that after three down years, it`s time to alter course. This team has a plan, and they are sticking to it. Given Danny Ainge`s track record, it`s a plan we should trust him to see through.
In some ways, the arrival of his son, Austin, has further emboldened the Jazz in this regard. One of Danny`s weaknesses as an executive is his frequent tendency to let perfect be the enemy of good, refusing to make trades unless he wins them convincingly. This was most evident with Lauri Markkanen; he could have traded him for a substantial return last offseason when his cap figure was relatively low and affordable for any team. He held onto him, and now Markkanen is on a max deal that has generated significantly less league-wide interest. He also held onto veterans like John Collins, Jordan Clarkson, and Collin Sexton for too long, causing their trade value to dissipate entirely. Austin, however, jettisoned them, recognizing that obtaining fair value wasn`t the sole objective. They simply needed to clear space to create more minutes for Utah`s deep pool of young players. He understood that sometimes, a good, straightforward move is preferable to holding out for a great one.
If there`s a point of criticism, it`s their drafting. After three years, they haven`t yet drafted anyone who has proven to be a long-term cornerstone. Cody Williams appears to be a miss at No. 10. Taylor Hendricks is recovering from a devastating injury, but he hadn`t impressed significantly before his setback. While players like Isaiah Collier, Keyonte George, and Kyle Filipowski have shown promise, after three losing seasons, one would hope for at least one or two prospects who project as long-term starters. This is an area to monitor in the coming years, especially given reports that the Jazz fired two of their lead scouts this offseason. Accumulating picks is meaningless if they aren`t utilized effectively.
9. Philadelphia 76ers
February Ranking: 10
Daryl Morey isn`t typically considered a great drafter due to the veteran-heavy nature of his past Houston rosters. However, consider his picks in Philadelphia: Tyrese Maxey at No. 21, Jared McCain at No. 16, Isaiah Joe, Paul Reed, and Adem Bona in the second round, and Justin Edwards as an undrafted free agent. How many teams have drafted better outside the lottery in the last five years? Morey, who had never finished below .500 as a GM before last season, just made his highest ever pick at No. 3 in June, and VJ Edgecombe appears to be a promising talent so far.
This success in the draft largely sustains Philadelphia currently. Morey`s defining characteristic as a general manager is his relentless pursuit of stars. He might be the NBA`s most aggressive executive when it comes to acquiring and retaining big names, but at least recently, this has proven problematic. Morey gave Paul George a maximum four-year deal last offseason, followed by a max extension for Joel Embiid. Currently, these appear to be two of the league`s least favorable contracts. While entirely defensible at the time, this highlights the concept of malleability we discussed earlier. Morey can suffer from “superstar tunnel vision.” He did what was necessary to assemble three stars on his roster, and he`s now experiencing the long-term repercussions.
This team-building approach can create other roster issues. Philadelphia`s focus on generating maximum cap space in 2024 partly led to the breakdown in its relationship with James Harden in 2023, as the 76ers simply didn`t offer him a competitive contract. Was this the correct decision? Probably. They received good value for Harden in the trade, and that team had likely peaked. However, communication and chemistry have not always come easily on Morey`s teams. Danny Ainge`s teams have faced similar problems, where players sometimes feel they are treated too much like assets. Ainge gains a slight advantage here based on his record of building a champion.
Still, a front office`s most crucial responsibility is acquiring talent, and Morey excels at this as much as almost any general manager in basketball. We haven`t even mentioned the midseason Quentin Grimes acquisition. While Morey may have created long-term problems with the George and Embiid contracts, the surplus value generated through his astute drafting and the accompanying inexpensive rookie deals also provides Philadelphia with a viable path to resolving those issues.
10. Memphis Grizzlies
February Ranking: 6
How far can an unblemished draft record carry a front office? Memphis is beyond reproach in this regard. Of the 14 players on last year`s roster who played more than 400 minutes, 13 were either drafted by Memphis, signed as an undrafted free agent by Memphis, or developed through two-way deals by the team. Desmond Bane and Santi Aldama were both selected at No. 30 overall, and Jaylen Wells nearly won Rookie of the Year as the No. 39 pick. The Grizzlies possess an exceptional ability to identify and nurture young talent.
Where they have struggled, however, is with veterans. The Justise Winslow and Marcus Smart trades were bold gambles that failed decisively. Zach Kleiman`s most successful veteran addition was Steven Adams, who was ironically acquired more as a necessary part of a trade-up with New Orleans in 2021 than as a deliberate target. Otherwise, their most impactful external addition under Kleiman was likely Kyle Anderson on a mid-level contract. Some of this is circumstantial, as not many players are eager to move to Memphis. Yet, the Grizzlies have faltered somewhat in their crucial step from a promising young regular-season team to a high-level playoff contender.
The drama at the end of last season was disappointing and partly self-inflicted. Last offseason, the front office reportedly made a unilateral decision to fire five members of Taylor Jenkins` coaching staff. Two of the new hires for that staff, Tuomas Iisalo and Noah LaRoche, spearheaded the redesign of the Memphis offense. While it largely worked, some players, reportedly including Ja Morant, disliked it. When this became a point of contention, Jenkins and LaRoche were ultimately dismissed, and Iisalo was elevated to interim head coach before eventually securing the full-time position. If the front office was dissatisfied with Jenkins` playing style, why not fire him before last season? The unhappy dynamic between him, his new assistants, and his players seemingly satisfied no one and ultimately led to a mid-season collapse. At the very least, the alignment and communication between coach and front office appeared strained. Hopefully, this will stabilize with Iisalo at the helm.
The Bane trade presents a fascinating case study. In terms of value acquired, the deal was an undeniable victory: four first-round picks and a swap for a non-All-Star on a maximum contract? Of course, you make that trade if you don`t view yourself as a championship contender. The Grizzlies—correctly—possessed the self-awareness to know they weren`t one. But now they are in an ambiguous middle ground: not good enough to contend, not bad enough to tank. They have replenished their asset cupboard and balanced their books. In terms of salary, at least, they are moving forward with two stars rather than three. In essence, they have reset, but not in the traditional sense. They can move in any direction—seek improvement, or lean towards tanking, accumulate assets, or spend them. The path they choose and their success in following it over the next year or two will reveal much about this front office. Are they simply excellent drafters, or are they capable of planning and executing a comprehensive team-building strategy?
11. Minnesota Timberwolves
February Ranking: 18
Minnesota`s relatively low February ranking was largely influenced by questions surrounding its ownership dispute. That dispute has now been resolved; Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez own the team, and despite reports suggesting they might take drastic measures to save money, they actually spent as much as could reasonably be expected. Tim Connelly did not utilize the opt-out clause in his contract to leave, signifying newfound stability within the organization.
Does this imply an absence of questions? No. It will take years to fully comprehend the ramifications of the Karl-Anthony Towns trade, and Rudy Gobert`s decline, particularly on offense, seemingly began last season. Connelly constructed a two-time Western Conference finalist in Minnesota, but in a way, that was the easier part. He is now devoid of draft picks, faces a payroll that has crept up to the second salary apron, and possesses significantly less maneuverability than when he assumed this role. If the Oklahoma City series is any indication, he has a long journey ahead before he can truly consider this team championship-caliber. However, given that he built Denver`s championship core and led Minnesota further than any previous executive, he has earned the benefit of the doubt. He has already proven highly creative in pursuing blockbuster deals, and if Kevin Durant had wanted to play in Minnesota, he would likely be there now. If a path exists to propel this Minnesota team over the hump with its limited remaining flexibility, Connelly can be trusted to find it.
12. Los Angeles Clippers
February Ranking: 11
The Clippers` drop from their February slot should not be overinterpreted. This was beyond their control, necessitated by renewed clarity in Minnesota and Indiana`s significant ascent. While Tim Connelly built a champion and the Pacers came within one game of doing so, the Clippers, consequently, had to be ranked slightly below them. Nevertheless, they have continued to execute their post-Paul George strategy as effectively as one could reasonably hope. They can achieve maximum cap space as early as next offseason, yet they`ve assembled a roster that, if healthy, is reasonably equipped to win right now. They pushed the Nuggets to seven games in the first round and have improved more than Denver this offseason, all without committing to any long-term deals or surrendering any first-round picks. This is one of the NBA`s deepest teams, yet simultaneously one of the most flexible, given the multitude of short-term contracts they`ve accumulated. The moment they let George go, their plan became to win as much as possible while remaining adaptable. This is a very challenging balance to strike, but they are currently succeeding.
The flaw here lies in drafting and development. The Clippers had 1,706 minutes of available playing time in the postseason, and players they drafted accounted for only 41 of those minutes, all during garbage time. They did not draft anyone currently projected for their rotation next season, and many of the players they have signed or traded for were accessible to them partly due to their market advantage in Los Angeles. While they developed Ivica Zubac from a relatively young age, he technically began his career with the Lakers. The best truly homegrown Clipper since this front office took over in 2016 is… Terance Mann? Or undrafted Amir Coffey? Still, it`s worth noting that the Clippers have consistently operated with limited draft resources for most of that period, and their highest draft pick in that window worked out quite well: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He just happened to work out for a different team.
13. Miami Heat
February Ranking: 4
Miami`s top-four ranking in February was based on its historical track record. In hindsight, that was likely too high. While Miami has consistently been among the NBA`s most astute teams for three decades, the last few years have raised serious questions. Pat Riley publicly mishandled the Jimmy Butler situation, challenging him through the media rather than extending or trading him decisively. Predictably, this led to a chaotic season and an underwhelming trade return that could likely have been avoided with more decisive action last summer. Their recent draft picks have been a mixed bag, though Kel`El Ware shows promise. The Terry Rozier trade has been an outright disaster, fundamentally misinterpreting the Heat`s team dynamics. They have now been a play-in team for three consecutive years. They were not merely a below-average starting point guard away from winning anything, and that forfeited first-round pick has complicated their ability to chart a clear path forward.
What`s most concerning is that their overall vision feels outdated. The Heat appear overly comfortable with mediocrity; they would likely prefer the term `patient.` In the late 2000s, they were content to punt two seasons to create cap space for LeBron James. Between the 2016-17 and 2018-19 seasons, they finished just two games above .500, seemingly in a holding pattern awaiting the next star to force his way to Miami. Butler then fortuitously joined them. Now, they seem to be operating similarly. This is roughly a .500 team with limited long-term upside, seemingly just waiting for another star to choose them.
However, the NBA no longer functions in that manner. Stars do not move through free agency as they once did, and the Heat have not traded for a star under contract since acquiring Shaquille O`Neal in 2004. The market`s influence is at an all-time low. For example, De`Aaron Fox, Bam Adebayo`s college teammate, recently forced his way to San Antonio, understanding that Victor Wembanyama offered his best chance at championship contention. Nowadays, teams must either draft their stars or accumulate enough assets to trade for them. The Heat hinder themselves from the former by lingering around .500 instead of accepting defeat in this era and strategically tanking. They also impede the latter by squandering assets on players like Rozier.
Presently, they are somewhat stuck. There appears to be little long-term strategy beyond passively waiting for someone to pick them. We just discussed the Clippers, who are operating somewhat similarly but doing a far superior job. Despite having less draft control than Miami, they have built a much better team with even greater cap flexibility. The next star to change teams via free agency is more likely to choose the Clippers than the Heat, but even if that never happens, the Clippers have done a far better job of building a competitive team regardless. The era of Pat Riley merely dropping his rings on the table and acquiring anyone he desires seems to be over. The league is evolving, and it`s unclear if the Heat are evolving with it.
14. Golden State Warriors
February Ranking: 14
It still feels relatively early to fully assess the post-Bob Myers Warriors. The current leadership, Mike Dunleavy Jr. and the Lacobs, were present during the dynasty. However, many key figures like Myers, Jerry West, and Travis Schlenk are no longer with the team. The Warriors are known for having a highly collaborative front office, and the moves made since Myers` departure have been so subtle that it`s difficult to truly gauge the impact of this “brain drain.” The Jimmy Butler trade was a victory for them. It was also largely facilitated by the difficulties Butler created for the Heat and because the Warriors failed to finalize blockbuster deals for Paul George and Lauri Markkanen, which would look questionable right now. As of this writing, they haven`t even added a single veteran in the 2025 offseason, though Al Horford is widely expected to join eventually. Therefore, for the time being, we`ll label them “To Be Determined.” They still benefit from Lacob`s financial commitment, and the team remains reasonably competitive. However, the sample size for a front office that inherited a dynastic yet aging roster is so small that a middle-tier ranking seems appropriate until they attempt something more drastic.
15. Orlando Magic
February Ranking: 16
The Magic finally secured their desired guard! Among available guards, Desmond Bane aligns perfectly with this front office`s vision of a long, defense-first roster. While not primarily a stopper, he contributes defensively in ways that few other plausible offensive game-changers they might have pursued would. He is not, for instance, Trae Young; this team can maintain its defense-first identity with Bane, and he won`t monopolize an offense that can still flow through Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. Executing a blockbuster trade without compromising one`s overall vision is challenging, but the Magic appear to have done so successfully.
Their current ranking is similar to Indiana`s in February. They possess a consistent vision and have constructed a very good team. Now, the key is to observe if that team can achieve greatness and if ownership is willing to commit the necessary funds to keep the core together. The Magic are projected to be a second-apron team for the 2026-27 season as of now. They will exceed that threshold significantly if Paolo Banchero earns an All-NBA Team selection, thereby qualifying for Rose Rule eligibility. Orlando could easily climb these rankings in future assessments if this core demonstrates deep playoff potential and ownership proves its commitment to retaining the team. For now, however, this current range is fitting.
16. Atlanta Hawks
February Ranking: 26
No team has improved its prospects more significantly since the start of the 2024 offseason than the Hawks. This transformation admittedly began with the Landry Fields front office. The second Dejounte Murray trade initiated this turnaround, and Fields was in the GM seat when it occurred. Of course, as we discussed in February, there was considerable uncertainty regarding decision-making during his tenure, and perhaps that remains true. However, the new front office triumvirate of Onsi Saleh, Bryson Graham, and Peter Dinwiddie just executed a nearly perfect initial transaction cycle at the helm.
The Fields front office was dedicated to surrounding Trae Young with large, athletic wings to bolster the defense. While successful in that regard, it created spacing issues. No problem. They acquired Kristaps Porziņģis at a low price and signed Luke Kennard to a one-year deal to enhance shooting. Too many large wings, not enough point-of-attack defenders? Again, the issue was quickly resolved with Nickeil Alexander-Walker. The Hawks avoided issuing any unwieldy long-term deals, only surrendered one late first-round pick, and completely revamped their team. At the very least, they have positioned themselves to be a top-six playoff team this year.
Naturally, these rankings do not place excessive weight on merely making the playoffs; we seek pathways to championship contention. This is where Atlanta`s draft night trade with New Orleans became crucial. By moving down from No. 13 to No. 23, Atlanta acquired one of the most valuable future first-round picks ever traded: an unprotected 2026 pick from the Pelicans, who just had
