Nuggets, Rockets Make Aggressive Moves to Challenge Thunder

The Thunder have been champions for just over a week, but two of their stiffest competitors in the Western Conference opened the offseason with moves that could bridge the gap.

Within the first few hours of the start of NBA free agency Monday, the Rockets signed forward Dorian Finney-Smith (four years, $53 million) and center Clint Capela (three years, $21 million). Houston, which also extended Jabari Smith Jr. to a five-year, $122 million deal, finished with the No. 2 seed last season, behind only Oklahoma City in the West. 

The three deals fall on top of their trade for Kevin Durant, which was reported hours before Game 7 of the NBA Finals (though the deal will be finalized next week).

Meanwhile, the Nuggets acquired Cam Johnson from the Nets in exchange for Michael Porter Jr. and a 2032 unprotected first-round pick. Denver was able to cut about $35 million from its payroll over the next two seasons, as Johnson has two years, $44.1 million remaining on his deal while Porter has two years, $79.1 million.

Denver, which took the Thunder to seven games in the conference semifinals in May, also signed Bruce Brown Jr., a key piece of its 2023 title team, to a one-year deal for the veteran minimum.

The moves are the first for the team’s new front office, led by VP of basketball operations Ben Tenzer and VP of player personnel John Wallace. The Nuggets fired GM Calvin Booth and head coach Michael Malone in April with three games remaining in the season. 

Special Extension

The largest contract handed out on Monday night went to Grizzlies All-Star Jaren Jackson Jr. Memphis signed Jackson to a five-year, $240 million contract that had a special wrinkle.

Jackson still had one more year on his deal, and instead of adding four years on top, the Grizzlies renegotiated his deal to give him additional salary next season while adding four more years to the deal. Jackson would not have re-signed without the immediate raise, as extensions are capped to a 20% increase on a player’s current salary.

The 25-year-old’s salary for next season jumps from $23.4 million to $33 million in the deal, while the remaining four years will total nearly $207 million. The contract runs until the 2029–30 season.

Taking A Swing

While the Western Conference is expected to be a gauntlet next season, the East has thinned out, with three of the conference’s best players potentially missing all of next season with Achilles tears (Damian Lillard, Tyrese Haliburton, and Jayson Tatum).

This leaves the door open for mid-tier teams to take a swing—and the Hawks are one of the clear aggressors. Atlanta agreed to a sign-and-trade to acquire guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (four years, $62 million) from the Timberwolves in exchange for a 2027 second-round pick and cash.

Atlanta also signed guard Luke Kennard to a one-year, $11 million deal. Last week, the Hawks acquired Kristaps Porzingis from the Celtics in what was essentially a salary dump by Boston. 

The Hawks finished 40–42 last season and were knocked out in the Play-in Tournament, but are poised to be one of the deepest teams in a shallow conference.

The Magic, who finished a game ahead of Atlanta, also took a swing by trading for Desmond Bane—the first blockbuster deal of the 2025 offseason.