The 2025 NBA offseason has already delivered fireworks.The headline-grabber?
Kevin Durant shaking up the league once again this time landing in Houston in the NBA’s first-ever seven-team trade. Throw in Desmond Bane heading to Orlando and Cam Johnson suiting up for Denver, and you’ve got a blockbuster summer. But beyond the splashy headlines, there are always a few low-key signings and trades that quietly set the stage for future impact. These are the kinds of moves that don’t dominate the news cycle but might just shape the playoff picture down the road. Here are five underrated offseason moves that deserve a closer look:
1. Tyus Jones to the Orlando Magic (Free Agency)While the Magic were busy locking in Paolo Banchero long-term and adding scoring power with Desmond Bane, they also made a smart, under-the-radar addition by signing Tyus Jones one of the league’s most efficient and steady point guards.Jones, a 10-year vet, brings exactly what Orlando has been missing: ball control, smart playmaking, and unselfishness. Last season with Phoenix, he averaged 10.2 points, 5.3 assists, and just 1.1 turnovers while shooting a scorching 41.4% from deep. His assist-to-turnover ratio? Second-best in the league, only behind Tyrese Haliburton.For a team that finished 28th in points per game and dead last in assists, Jones is the kind of floor general who can unlock easier shots for Banchero, Bane, Franz Wagner, and the rest of Orlando’s young core.
2. Jake LaRavia to the Lakers (Free Agency) The Lakers lost a key piece when Dorian Finney-Smith signed with Houston. But in a quietly savvy move, they picked up Jake LaRavia, a younger and potentially more versatile replacement.Coming off a breakout year with Sacramento, LaRavia boosted his 3-point percentage to 42.3% a massive leap from his first two seasons. Even more impressive: he hit 45.5% on wide-open threes, meaning he’ll be dangerous playing off of LeBron James and Luka Dončić, who draw tons of defensive attention. Defensively, LaRavia brings size, agility, and the versatility to guard both forwards a must-have in today’s switch-heavy game. He’s a low-risk, high-upside pickup that could pay big dividends in L.A.
3. Jay Huff to the Pacers (Trade with Grizzlies)With Myles Turner gone to Milwaukee, the Pacers had a big hole in the middle. Enter Jay Huff, acquired from Memphis for just a pair of future second-rounders a bargain for a player on the rise.Huff might not be a household name (yet), but his numbers speak volumes: 6.9 points, 1.3 threes, 0.9 blocks in just 11.7 minutes per game. He shot 40.5% from beyond the arc and nearly cracked the league leaderboard for 3-point percentage.On defense, Huff held opponents to just 54.5% shooting inside six feet, placing him among the top rim protectors in the league. As a stretch 5, he gives the Pacers a new look and if developed properly, could be a cornerstone of their next playoff run.
4. Luke Kornet to the Spurs (Free Agency)The Spurs didn’t waste time in free agency, signing Luke Kornet to a four-year deal that adds depth, size, and experience behind (and alongside) Victor Wembanyama. Kornet may have played a bench role in Boston, but his skill set fits perfectly in San Antonio. He’s a traditional big with soft touch around the rim, shooting 66.8% from the field with 183 of his 187 makes coming in the paint. Defensively, he’s no slouch either, ranking 5th in the league in FG% allowed inside six feet (just ahead of Wemby himself).Expect Coach Popovich to experiment with “Twin Towers” lineups, using Kornet as a screen-setting, paint-patrolling complement to Wembanyama’s unicorn-like versatility.
5. Lonzo Ball to the Cavaliers (Trade with Bulls)After two brutal years of rehab and uncertainty, Lonzo Ball made his long-awaited return to the hardwood last season and now he’s getting a fresh start with the Cleveland Cavaliers.Cleveland needed depth after losing Ty Jerome, and Ball could be a huge steal if he stays healthy. In 35 games with Chicago last year, Ball averaged 7.6 points, 3.3 assists, 1.9 threes, and 1.3 steals in just over 22 minutes per game. He didn’t look quite like his old self, but the flashes were there.More importantly, Ball’s comeback after over 1,000 days away from the game was one of the most inspiring stories of the year. Now with a new opportunity on a contender, he’ll be hungry to prove he still belongs and the Cavs might just be the perfect place for his resurgence.Final ThoughtsNot every big impact comes from a blockbuster deal. Sometimes, it’s the smart, strategic additions the glue guys, the comeback stories, the overlooked talents that end up swinging a playoff series or turning a good team into a great one.
So while everyone’s buzzing about Durant, Bane, and the mega-trade madness, keep an eye on these five names.
