Mon Jun 30 23:20:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the key points from the ESPN article about how each NBA team can “ace” their offseason, along with a very brief mention of the Masai Ujiri situation:

**NBA Teams Gear Up for Free Agency: Experts Weigh in on Key Offseason Moves**

**[CITY, STATE] –** As NBA free agency officially tips off on Monday at 6 p.m. ET, teams are strategizing to improve their rosters and set themselves up for future success. With Masai Ujiri’s departure as Raptors vice chairman and president sending ripples through the league, all eyes are on teams like the Lakers, Nets, and Pacers as they look to address their biggest needs. ESPN’s NBA insiders, including Chris Herring, Zach Kram, Bobby Marks, and Kevin Pelton, have analyzed each team’s situation and proposed key moves for a successful offseason.

* **Oklahoma City Thunder:** Focus on extending their core of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams, even if it means persuading them to take slightly less than the max to maintain flexibility.
* **Minnesota Timberwolves:** Prioritize re-signing Naz Reid and Julius Randle, while relying on rising sophomores to fill in for Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
* **Denver Nuggets:** Improve their bench depth, specifically by targeting a backup center like Luke Kornet using the tax mid-level exception.
* **Cleveland Cavaliers:** With a hefty luxury tax bill looming, expect them to trade at least one key rotation player like Jarrett Allen or Max Strus.
* **Houston Rockets:** After trading for Kevin Durant, signing Dorian Finney-Smith (if he opts out of his contract with the Lakers) and sign Durant, Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason to extensions.
* **Indiana Pacers:** Re-sign center Myles Turner to a three-year, $80 million deal to secure their frontcourt.
* **New York Knicks:** Add a deeper bench, potentially with a sharpshooter or wing using the $5.7 million exception and decide what to do with Bridges.
* **Golden State Warriors:** Re-sign veterans Kevon Looney and Gary Payton II for one year at the veterans minimum to maintain valuable experience.
* **Los Angeles Lakers:** Trade for the Trail Blazers Robert Williams III and then sign Brook Lopez to the tax midlevel exception.
* **Los Angeles Clippers:** Reunite James Harden with Chris Paul to bolster the team’s backcourt depth.
* **Detroit Pistons:** Sign restricted free agent Santi Aldama away from the Grizzlies.
* **Boston Celtics:** With Porzingis and Jrue Holiday traded for Georges Niang and Anfernee Simons, reroute Niang and trade Sam Hauser to re-sign Horford and Kornet, keeping Boston’s roster framework in place for Jayson Tatum’s return in a year.
* **Orlando Magic:** Sign Tyus Jones to a two-year, $14 million contract with a player option in the final season.
* **Dallas Mavericks:** Swap Daniel Gafford and forward depth for a guard who can run the show while Irving is sidelined and then slide to the wing when Irving returns.
* **Memphis Grizzlies:** An extension and possible renegotiation for Jackson, the former Defensive Player of the Year who would otherwise be set to hit unrestricted free agency next summer.
* **Milwaukee Bucks:** Trade for Cavaliers forward Dean Wade, who would fit into Milwaukee’s $7.2 million trade exception.
* **San Antonio Spurs:** Pair Victor Wembanyama with his frontcourt partner on the French national team, Guerschon Yabusele.
* **Miami Heat:** Find a way to acquire restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga.
* **Atlanta Hawks:** Try to sign and trade Nickeil Alexander-Walker to Atlanta.
* **Sacramento Kings:** A deal built around sending DeRozan to Dallas for P.J. Washington and draft picks.
* **Philadelphia 76ers:** Beyond re-signing Grimes and Yabusele, the 76ers could take a bigger swing by building a trade around Paul George for Michael Porter Jr.
* **Portland Trail Blazers:** Get Camara extended for as long as possible.
* **Chicago Bulls:** Extend restricted free agent guard Josh Giddey.
* **Phoenix Suns:** Sign Chris Paul to a one-year, $3.6 million contract.
* **New Orleans Pelicans:** Make a run at Sacramento forward Jake LaRavia.
* **Toronto Raptors:** Trade Barrett for future assets and a couple of smaller contracts.
* **Brooklyn Nets:** Dealing veteran forward Cameron Johnson.
* **Charlotte Hornets:** Announce Moussa Diabate as the starting center.
* **Utah Jazz:** Sign Walker Kessler to a five-year, $130 million extension.
* **Washington Wizards:** Call the Nuggets about swapping Middleton for Michael Porter Jr. and Dario Saric.

These potential moves highlight the diverse strategies teams are employing as they navigate the complexities of the NBA offseason. With free agency set to begin, expect a flurry of activity as franchises compete to build championship-caliber teams.

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