The NBA offseason is now upon us, with teams actively working to build their rosters for the upcoming 2025-26 season. Following significant early moves, such as the Houston Rockets` major trade acquisition of Kevin Durant, the pace of new agreements is expected to accelerate as the draft and official free agency period draw near. As deals are finalized, we are providing analysis and grades for the key transactions, examining their potential impact on the teams involved for the upcoming season and beyond.
June 23: Mavericks Extend Daniel Gafford
The Dallas Mavericks reportedly agreed to a three-year contract extension with center Daniel Gafford.
Grade: Pass (Extensions for non-free agents are graded on a pass/fail basis)
The timing of this extension is particularly noteworthy. Conventional wisdom suggested Gafford might be a trade candidate this summer, given the Mavericks` crowded center position, where Dereck Lively II is seen as the future starter and starting power forward Anthony Davis can also play the 5 spot, arguably where he is most effective.
Gafford undoubtedly earned a raise after the best season of his NBA career. He excelled defensively playing alongside Lively as Dallas reached the 2024 NBA Finals. Gafford saw significant minutes when Lively was out with a stress fracture in January and when Gafford himself suffered a knee sprain in February.
During 11 games in that stretch, Gafford averaged 15.0 points on 67% shooting, 10.3 rebounds, and 3.6 blocks. His blocking average would have put him second in the NBA behind Victor Wembanyama (3.8 BPG). Primarily known as an offensive finisher, Gafford even expanded his game by creating in the post when the team was short-handed due to injuries. His 52 post-ups last season were a career high, though his efficiency in those situations was not particularly strong.
Beyond the limitations on Gafford`s role in Dallas, a trade now also makes sense because this could represent the peak of his performance. Gafford will turn 27 in October, and while his size will remain, his effectiveness as an above-the-rim threat might diminish as he approaches his 30s.
Considering these factors, it was crucial for Dallas to structure the extension with a maximum 20% raise in 2026-27 (a starting salary of $17.3 million) and 5% annual raises, adhering to regulations for extend-and-trade deals. By apparently staying within these limits, the Mavericks gain the flexibility to trade Gafford as soon as the extension is signed, or even before.
Having Gafford under contract for three additional seasons should not decrease his trade value. This extension pays him only slightly more than the projected 2026-27 non-taxpayer midlevel exception of $15.5 million, a value Gafford has easily surpassed. From his perspective, securing his deal a year early removes the risk of injury impacting future earnings. Therefore, this move appears to be a win-win.
The next question is which teams might be interested in acquiring Gafford. He seems a natural fit for the Los Angeles Lakers, having shown his ability to play pick-and-rolls with Luka Doncic, although this idea might be unwelcome among already frustrated Dallas fans. Gafford would also be a sensible target for the guard-heavy Phoenix Suns, though finding matching salary could be challenging unless the Suns manage to get under the second apron.
If the New Orleans Pelicans are not confident that Yves Missi is ready to be a starting center, Gafford would offer a significant offensive upgrade. A return to Gafford`s original team, the Chicago Bulls, and the San Antonio Spurs could also be considered as wild-card possibilities.
Of course, the Mavericks might ultimately decide to keep Gafford. They spent a significant portion of last season with none of their three starting-caliber centers consistently healthy, highlighting the value of depth at the position. Additionally, it would be difficult for another potential contender to offer the perimeter help Dallas is seeking, meaning a trade involving Gafford would likely require at least three teams.
June 14: Rockets Agree to Extension with Steven Adams
The Houston Rockets reportedly agreed to a three-year, $39 million contract extension with center Steven Adams.
Grade: B
The 2025 offseason is officially underway, even with games still being played in the NBA Finals. Teams are not permitted to negotiate new contracts with their own free agents until the day after the Finals conclude, but they are allowed to sign extensions with eligible players in the final year of their contracts at any point up to June 30.
Acquired by the Rockets at the 2024 trade deadline while still recovering from season-ending PCL surgery, Adams initially provided veteran leadership and served as a backup to All-Star center Alperen Sengun. His role expanded considerably in the playoffs, where lineups featuring both Adams and Sengun surprisingly became crucial as Houston pushed the Golden State Warriors to six games after falling behind 3-1 in the series.
Whether paired with Sengun or playing as the sole center, Adams performed at a level in the playoffs not seen since earlier in his career. He blocked 1.9 shots per 36 minutes, surpassing his best regular-season mark (1.7). His 60% shooting was also a notable improvement from his 55% during the 2024-25 regular season. Analytics rated Adams as the team`s fourth-most valuable player in the series, ahead of starters Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green.
Given that Adams` size and strength, which make him a dominant offensive rebounder, are not expected to diminish, the agility he demonstrated against the Warriors will make him a valuable asset for the Rockets as long as he remains healthy.
Before the PCL injury that caused him to miss the 2023 playoffs and the entire 2023-24 season, Adams had been remarkably durable, playing 76 of 82 games in 2021-22. Houston is likely to manage Adams` workload carefully. Although he was medically cleared to play both games of back-to-back sets midway through last season, the Rockets continued to rest him for one game due to his recovery time after playing the night before.
Bringing Adams back on a contract in the $13 million range — slightly less than the $14.1 million non-taxpayer midlevel exception that other teams could realistically offer — does push Houston into the luxury tax if the team exercises Fred VanVleet’s $44.9 million team option. Even if the Rockets waive two players with non-guaranteed deals (Jock Landale at $8 million and Nate Williams at the minimum), they would still slightly exceed the lower luxury tax apron in that scenario.
Alternatively, Houston could decline VanVleet`s option and attempt to re-sign him to a smaller starting salary on a longer-term deal, guaranteeing him more money at age 31. This decision could be influenced by other potential moves the Rockets are exploring. Their luxury tax situation makes it unlikely Houston will sign a free agent for more than the $5.7 million taxpayer midlevel, but they could make more significant roster changes through trades.
According to reports, Houston has until June 29 to decide on VanVleet’s player option. Barring a major trade, VanVleet is almost certain to return, meaning Adams` new contract gives the Rockets an opportunity to bring back the core group that secured the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference.
