NBA free-agency grades: Lakers and 76ers earn top marks, Celtics slip
Analyst grades for NBA teams' early-season moves show the Lakers and 76ers at A-level, while the Celtics fall to a D after trading star Jaylen Brown.
The latest assessment of NBA free-agency activity gives the Los Angeles Lakers an A grade after a major roster overhaul that included trading for center Walker Kessler, re-signing Austin Reaves and adding several free agents such as Quentin Grimes and Collin Sexton. The Philadelphia 76ers received an A+ for acquiring All-NBA forward Jaylen Brown in a trade that sent Paul George to Boston, while also signing Dean Wade and Anfernee Simons.
Boston’s move to trade Brown for George and draft picks earned the Celtics a D, with analysts questioning the logic of weakening a team that already has Jayson Tatum in his prime. The Miami Heat earned a B+ after trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo, though the deal required giving up depth.
Other notable grades include an A- for the Memphis Grizzlies, who pivoted away from the Ja Morant era with strong draft picks and the acquisition of Isaiah Stewart, and an A- for the Toronto Raptors after trading for Kawhi Leonard. The Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Clippers and Chicago Bulls each received B- grades, while the New York Knicks and Washington Wizards were rated B.
Teams with lower marks include the New Orleans Pelicans (D) and the Detroit Pistons (C-), reflecting limited impact from their offseason moves. Overall, the grades reflect a volatile offseason marked by high-profile trades and a mix of strategic successes and questionable decisions.