Day 1 of NBA free agency has come and gone, featuring a plethora of signings and one trade that may have shifted the hierarchy of the Western Conference.
As free agency continues on, let’s look back on the first day and determine who came out on top — and who had a less than desirable start to the negotiating period.
Winners and Losers From Day 1 of NBA Free Agency
Winner: Denver Nuggets
It can’t be overstated how well the Denver Nuggets performed on the first day of free agency while operating with both limited resources and capacity in terms of the luxury tax.
It began with a sizable trade in which they sent out sharpshooting forward Michael Porter Jr. for another sharpshooting forward in Cameron Johnson from the Brooklyn Nets. But while Porter’s lack of mobility limited him in terms of shot creation and defensively, Johnson demonstrated an ability to create for himself and others during his 2.5 seasons with the Nets, and was far from a liability on defense.
BREAKING: The Denver Nuggets are trading Michael Porter Jr. and an unprotected 2032 first-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets for Cam Johnson, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/o6rdWhu3Rl
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2025
All Denver gave up in the trade draft pick-wise was an unprotected first-rounder in 2032, a pick so far out that it shouldn’t be much of a thought for the Nuggets as they try to maximize Nikola Jokić’s prime.
In addition to trading for Johnson, Denver made a sly move to bring back arguably their most important bench player during their 2023 championship run: Bruce Brown. Signing him for the veteran’s minimum, the 6’4″ do-it-all guard/forward knows exactly how to play with the Nuggets’ core.
Two tremendous moves for the Nuggets that immediately open their championship window after it had appeared to suddenly be closing after two consecutive second-round defeats.
Loser: Boston Celtics
One of the most intriguing storylines heading into the offseason was how the Boston Celtics would shed money as they attempt to dip under the second apron. The answers came quickly and rather unexpectedly, as they traded guard Jrue Holiday and center Kristaps Porziņģis within 24 hours of each other. While that wasn’t a huge surprise, letting backup center Luke Kornet walk out the door after a breakout season was.
Kornet, who had a signature 10-point, nine-rebound, seven-block playoff performance against the New York Knicks in Game 5, appeared to be in the long-term plans of the Celtics. Apparently not, though, as he signed with the San Antonio Spurs for a four-year, $41 million deal.
Also with free agent reserve center Al Horford still unsigned, that leaves fourth-string center Neemias Queta as the last man standing at the position.
For a team that was certainly projected to take a step back, Boston took a leap backwards and now has to pivot and scrap the free agency market to add a starting-caliber center, potentially joining the competition for the previously bought-out Deandre Ayton.
Winner: Houston Rockets
Houston Rockets general manager Rafael Stone didn’t just rest on his laurels after acquiring future Hall of Fame forward Kevin Durant via trade last week for essentially no young talent outside of Jalen Green.
Buzz throughout the day had linked former Los Angeles Lakers 3-and-D wing Dorian Finney-Smith to the Rockets, and that’s exactly what happened as soon as the negotiating period began. Stone was able to woo him away from playing with Luka Dončić and LeBron James in Los Angeles in order to make a potential run at a title in Houston.
Finney-Smith’s four-year, $53 million deal is team-friendly considering all that he brings to the table as an above-average defender and floor spacer.
Stone kept on going, surprising the league by adding former Atlanta Hawks center Clint Capela to a very cheap three-year, $21.5 million contract. Seen as a potential solution to the Lakers’ center vacancy and having averaged nearly a double-double a season ago, Capela is signing on presumably to be Alperen Şengün’s overqualified backup and spot-starter when needed.
Considering the Rockets made all these deals without sacrificing any young talent, Stone is a prime candidate as the top-performing general manager of the past few weeks. Houston has to be considered a serious title contender.
Loser: Los Angeles Lakers
Following the trade that brought Dončić to Los Angeles and shipped out center Anthony Davis, the Lakers were routinely pummeled down low. Their season ended in Game 5 of the first round against the Minnesota Timberwolves after center Rudy Gobert, not known for his offense, scored 27 points and grabbed 24 rebounds — nine of which on the offensive glass.
This summer was going to be huge in terms of adding a starting-caliber center and depth at the position. Targets included Brook Lopez, who could also stretch the floor, and Capela, who would form a solid pick-and-roll duo with Dončić.
But after the first day of free agency, neither player is on the board. As mentioned, Capela signed with the Rockets while Lopez signed with the Lakers’ cross-town rival, the Los Angeles Clippers, on a two-year, $18 million deal. Both could’ve slotted in as the Lakers’ starter, but instead chose to play in reserve roles.
Though Ayton is still on the board and Los Angeles is a prime candidate to go after him, depth will remain an issue. If they aren’t able to sign Ayton, there will be problems within the franchise — none bigger than the possibility of James asking out via trade.
Winner: Atlanta Hawks
It was a known commodity that former Timberwolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker would end up elsewhere next season, as he was essentially squeezed out of signing back in Minnesota due to several larger contracts handed out.
It didn’t take long for him to find a suitor, as the Hawks made another aggressive, win-now move that could place them amongst the contenders in the Eastern Conference.
Free agent Nickeil Alexander-Walker has agreed to a four-year, $62 million deal with the Atlanta Hawks, plus a player option and trade kicker, sources tell ESPN. CAA Co-Heads of Basketball Aaron Mintz/Austin Brown and Steven Heumann reached the contract with the Hawks tonight. pic.twitter.com/G93cmxsHGo
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2025
Alexander-Walker was signed to a four-year, $62 million contract. He’ll immediately step in and form arguably the best wing defensive duo in the NBA, with him and Dyson Daniels amongst the top defenders at their positions. Playing alongside undersized point guard Trae Young, the two-faced defensive specialists will be a nightmare late in games and could cover for Young when needed.
Later in the evening, it was reported that the Hawks also signed former Memphis Grizzlies sharpshooter Luke Kennard, who averaged 8.9 points per game a season ago on 43.3% from long range.
Within the span of a week or so, the Hawks have now pieced together one of the best top-eight rotations in the East and will present themselves as a threat to win the conference altogether.
