Here’s a rewritten version of the content with an added fan take at the end:
The 2025 NBA offseason has mostly settled into a quiet phase, though there are still a few moves left, such as whether the Warriors will sign Jonathan Kuminga and Alford. Reflecting on the offseason, Sam Quinn analyzed team performances from both the Western and Eastern conferences, pointing out the winners and losers in free agency. Now, let’s dive deeper into some of the less successful transactions by highlighting five of the worst deals made this summer.
1. Bucks Replace Holiday with Turner and Make a Risky Financial Move
John Horst’s bold decisions have put Milwaukee in a tough spot, especially amid whispers of Giannis Antetokounmpo possibly leaving. The 2020 trade for Jrue Holiday had cost three first-round picks plus swaps, which led to a championship—a trade that paid off. Then in 2023, Milwaukee signed Damian Lillard, sacrificing a first-round pick in 2029, Holiday, and two more first-round swaps to shift from defense to offensive firepower. However, Lillard and Giannis never quite gelled as expected, and injuries hampered their playoff impact.
This offseason’s shocking move was acquiring Miles Turner by offloading Lillard but agreeing to pay Lillard $113 million over the next five years when he won’t even play for the Bucks. They stretched his contract payments, transforming the remaining two years into $22.5 million annual payments for the next decade to free salary cap space. Turner is a decent fit next to Giannis but far from a game-changing star, making this a risky and puzzling financial gamble. Horst admits the move involves risk but aims to maximize Giannis’ prime. Still, with several teams stronger in the East, Milwaukee is unlikely to contend seriously soon, making this financial gamble potentially costly.
2. Suns Offload Beal, But for What?
While the Bucks’s Lillard situation is costly but productive, the Suns are paying Bradley Beal nearly $100 million over five years to play for the Clippers without receiving any meaningful return. This deal is largely a financial strategy to drop salary and avoid hefty luxury taxes, saving the Suns around $200 million this season alone. Despite the savings, shedding Beal’s contract highlights Phoenix’s struggles. They’ve mortgaged many future draft picks and traded away star power, leaving Devin Booker as a highly paid centerpiece. The Suns are clearly stuck between rebuilding and contending, and Beal’s departure underscores their current turmoil and uncertain future.
3. Pelicans Gamble Big by Drafting Derrick Queen
New Orleans made a risky move by trading up from pick No. 23 to No. 13 to select Derrick Queen, a skilled big man who fell outside the lottery. What complicates this decision is that the Pelicans sent an unprotected 2026 first-round pick to Atlanta to make the move. With New Orleans coming off a poor season and Milwaukee close to lottery territory, giving up the pick without protections seems reckless. Queen could become a star, but the gamble is steep given the unknown future and fit alongside Zion Williamson.
4. Pelicans’ Questionable Trade for Jordan Pool
Before the draft, New Orleans traded CJ McCollum and Kelly Olynyk for Jordan Pool, Sadiq Bey, and a second-round pick. While Pool is younger and somewhat similar to McCollum, McCollum and Olynyk’s contracts expire after this season, providing roster flexibility that the Pelicans now lose. Pool performed decently but doesn’t have McCollum’s game impact. This move clutters the Pelicans’ salary cap with limited upside and seems like a step backward for a team not built for championship contention.
5. Blazers Pay Big for Jrue Holiday’s Leadership
Portland’s acquisition of Jrue Holiday is intriguing but expensive, with the 35-year-old set to earn over $100 million in the next three seasons. Holiday’s veteran presence and mentorship for young talents like Scoot Henderson and Sheldon Sharpe are valuable, but the hefty price raises questions. Combined with Damian Lillard and Jerami Grant’s contracts, Portland may be overpaying for leadership in a highly competitive Western Conference. To justify this investment, the Blazers need to secure a playoff spot—otherwise, these big salaries could become burdensome.
Fan Take: These offseason decisions matter greatly as they reflect teams’ willingness to take bold financial risks for short-term gains or rebuilding. For basketball fans, watching how these gambles play out could reshape the balance of power, especially in the evolving Eastern Conference and a tough West, making the upcoming seasons highly compelling.
