NBA 2026/27 preview: Biggest trades, free-agency moves and draft picks of the off-season so far

With the NBA season starting in a few weeks, teams have been making some blockbuster free-agency moves alongside intriguing draft deals.

As a result, this year’s championship looks like no other.

Here, Sports News Blitz writer Lorenzo Gagliotta breaks down all the movements ahead of the 2026-27 season. 

Free-agency feathers ruffled

Many of the league’s biggest stars headed into the free-agency season with contracts running out and looking for a move.

Players like LeBron James, Jonathan Kuminga, and Austin Reaves all had their names in the mix as they explored where they could take their talents next.

James made his intentions clear by leaving the Los Angeles Lakers ahead of the free-agency period, with many speculating where his next move would be.

Possibilities included a return to South Beach with the Miami Heat or heading back home to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Then, on July 24, the King announced that he’ll be playing with the star-studded Philadelphia 76ers, who had also made a trade for Boston Celtics superstar Jaylen Brown earlier in the off-season.

James will now join forces with the likes of Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and young starlet V.J. Edgecombe.

The move has made the Sixers look as competitive as ever in the Eastern Conference, with the franchise boasting a depth of talent that could snatch the crown from Mike Brown’s New York Knicks.

Elsewhere, Minnesota Timberwolves coach Chris Finch has looked to bolster his roster ahead of the new season, adding an exciting piece to the team in guard LaMelo Ball after a trade with the Charlotte Hornets for centre Naz Reid.

Ball is set to reunite with the exciting Anthony Edwards as the hottest dynamic duo heading into the new season.

The Timberwolves likewise acquired championship-calibre talent Kuminga from the Atlanta Hawks.

Kuminga will look to bring his elite athleticism and strength, not to mention the explosive threat that he offers on offence.

All-Star Reaves was also in the mix of names who could have potentially made a move in free agency, but the Lakers tied him to an impressive $180-million deal, with coach JJ Redick retaining the services of his breakout point guard.

With the departure of James, the Lakers are seeking to construct their future around the likes of Slovenian superstar Luka Dončić and Reaves at the helm of a young core.

In that, Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka has set high expectations ahead of the start of a new era for the purple and gold in Los Angeles.

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Off-season moves and trades

With teams heading back to the drawing board after their respective seasons, the off-season created the space for some blockbuster trades.

The Hawks got the ball rolling by making moves for Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort and Heat forward Andrew Wiggins, filling the void left by the departure of Kuminga.

Coach Nick Nurse and his 76ers then came out of the blue to acquire the multi-faceted talent of Brown from division rivals the Celtics.

The Sixers are adding a player who many argue has come off the back of the best season of his career, where he finished as the fourth leading scorer in the league, ahead of new team-mate Tyrese Maxey.

Remaining in the Eastern Conference, the Heat made waves by finally landing the player that has been at the forefront of a trade saga over the past few seasons.

They managed to bring in 2021 NBA champion and Finals MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, a move which saw his former team the Milwaukee Bucks start building for a new era.

The Heat, meanwhile, are aiming to contend for the title as soon as possible, pairing the ‘Greek Freak’ with centre Bam Adebayo as they look to bring back winning ways.

One trade that went under the radar was forward Peyton Watson joining the Cavaliers in a five-team trade, with the Cavaliers bringing in a player who offers sheer athleticism and scoring.

He racked up four 30-point games last season with the Denver Nuggets, something he had not been able to achieve in previous years.

Another saga which saw its fair share of delay was Kawhi Leonard’s move back to the Toronto Raptors.

That included a month-long delay due to the NBA’s investigation into the Los Angeles Clippers’ salary-cap management, which saw the initial move put on pause due to Leonard being in breach of salary-cap rules as a free agent.

It has thus been a bit of a tumultuous homecoming for the former Raptor champion, but he should fit right back into the dynamic of an exciting roster which could contend in the Eastern Conference under coach Darko Rajaković.

The Memphis Grizzlies managed to move on guard Ja Morant to the Portland Trail Blazers as the former All-Star looks to start pastures new in Portland.

However, an unfortunate injury history could stall progress for both player and team, with Morant not being able to play in consistent games due to fitness and knee issues.

Assessing NBA Draft potential

The NBA Draft left many fans wondering whether or not their team had made the right move going forward.

The top three picks could have easily been interchangeable, with each offering a different set of assets, but the Washington Wizards stuck with what was projected by drafting forward AJ Dybantsa from Brigham Young University.

A player that broke BYU’s freshman scoring record, Dybantsa has an incredibly high ceiling as he looks to add his talents to a Wizards team which could challenge in the East with their young squad.

The Utah Jazz drafted Kansas’ Darryn Peterson, whilst the Grizzlies opted for Duke’s Cameron Boozer, son of former Chicago Bull Carlos Boozer.

Thunder general manager Sam Presti sought to add more length to the Thunder roster, drafting NCAA champion from Michigan Adey Mara.

It’s a pick that’s sure to impress the league, with Mara having the potential to further build his physical game and utilise his traits as a big man.

Former Michigan coach Dusty May reunited with ex-player Morez Johnson Jr. at the Dallas Mavericks franchise as they aim to improve on a lacklustre season.

Finally, one pick which could prove a potential steal was the Hornets drafting Texas’ Christian Anderson Jr. – an exciting prospect who adds efficient shooting and vision on the offensive end.

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