Lillard's waiver allows him to become an unrestricted free agent, presenting future opportunities despite the immediate setback.

The Milwaukee Bucks initially faced criticism for their moves but turned things around by waiving Damian Lillard and signing Myles Turner, creating a strong frontcourt.

The Denver Nuggets emerged as the biggest winners by trading Michael Porter Jr. for Cameron Johnson and re-signing Bruce Brown, significantly enhancing their roster flexibility.

The Memphis Grizzlies also celebrated success by securing Jaren Jackson Jr. on a five-year, $240 million max deal and signing Ty Jerome for three years at $28 million.

The Houston Rockets capitalized on their pre-free agency success by adding Dorian Finney-Smith and Clint Capela, significantly enhancing their roster depth.

The Atlanta Hawks strengthened their team by signing Nickeil Alexander-Walker to a four-year, $62 million deal and adding Luke Kennard, bolstering their defensive and offensive versatility.

In a significant move, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder signed a record four-year, $285 million supermax extension, solidifying the team's promising future following their championship win.

Conversely, the Los Angeles Lakers were viewed as losers for not making big-name signings, missing out on key players like Brook Lopez and Dorian Finney-Smith, leading to uncertainty among fans.

The Indiana Pacers, coming off a successful season, now face challenges in the upcoming 2025-26 season without key players Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner, making their future uncertain.

D'Angelo Russell's signing by the Dallas Mavericks is seen as a loss in context, as it contrasts their stated focus on defense, despite his offensive capabilities.

The 2025 NBA Free Agency has generated significant activity, with teams making impactful changes despite a less notable free-agent class.