NBA Offseason Upends 6 Stars as LeBron James Leaves Lakers
Updated
Updated · ESPN · Jul 2
NBA Offseason Upends 6 Stars as LeBron James Leaves Lakers
3 articles · Updated · ESPN · Jul 2
Summary
Giannis Antetokounmpo to Miami, Kawhi Leonard to Toronto, Jaylen Brown to Philadelphia, Paul George to Boston, LaMelo Ball to Minnesota and Ja Morant to Portland headlined a sweeping early free-agency shakeup.
The biggest immediate winners were the Heat, who paid Tyler Herro and three first-round picks for Antetokounmpo, and the Jazz, who turned Walker Kessler into two unprotected Lakers firsts, two swaps and a four-year, $130 million sign-and-trade.
Los Angeles emerged as an early loser after LeBron James told the Lakers he would leave in free agency, then Rob Pelinka spent heavily for Kessler while the roster also lost Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard and Jaxson Hayes.
Boston also took a hit after failing to land Antetokounmpo and settling for 36-year-old George plus picks for Brown, while New York weakened its frontcourt by losing Mitchell Robinson to the Celtics.
The churn reshaped both conferences at once, with Toronto betting Leonard can lift a rising core, Charlotte cashing out on Ball for long-term draft control and Portland gambling on Morant despite fit and durability concerns.
Are this offseason's biggest 'losers' actually making the smartest long-term moves for their franchises?
Why would the Hornets trade a star like LaMelo Ball for draft picks nearly a decade away?
With Giannis in Miami and Kawhi back in Toronto, has the East become the NBA's undisputed powerhouse?
NBA 2026 Offseason: LeBron’s Departure, Six Major Trades, and the Financial Revolution Changing the League
Overview
The 2026 NBA offseason began on July 2 with a dramatic wave of player movement that reshaped the league. The most significant event was LeBron James officially leaving the Los Angeles Lakers, ending a storied tenure that included a championship. While negotiations started earlier in the week and players could sign with new teams from Monday, LeBron had not yet chosen his next destination. His departure marked a turning point for the Lakers and set the stage for a series of blockbuster trades and strategic roster changes across the NBA, signaling the start of a new era for many teams.