Team:

Needs:

Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks are a young team on the rise, with promising prospects at almost every position. They begin the offseason with pick 8 in the draft and will look to add to their young core. Desmond Bane has been seen on the block, with GM Bulldog opening looking for a Zach Lavine type package. With Bane heading to a new destination in Orlando it’ll be interesting to see if his value rises, falls or remains the same in 2k.

Team Needs:

A STAR! It is a nice-looking roster that lacks a little identity. If Bulldog wanted to go for it, he has the assets to join the party. Keep Bane, find a running mate with some of the young guns.

Boston Celtics

The Celtics find themselves at the crossroads as they look set to go most or all the upcoming season without their superstar Jayson Tatum, who suffered an Achilles injury in the post-season. A crushing injury that could slow the incoming Celtics avalanche. GM Toby might have bigger problems to solve which is remarkable, as their upcoming off-season could see the Celtics hit the dreaded 2^nd Apron.

Team Needs:

A viable option with Kuminga’s contract, a “Star Return” for some of their young talent that will get paid and some financial advice. Even without Tatum this team can be special and the position they find themselves in is because their GM is so good at finding talent. They just need to be wise with their next trade and be aware of the 2^nd Apron trade rules.

Brooklyn Nets

The disclaimer at the start of the article mentioned not the author is not an NSL insider, therefore some knowledge of this roster is unknown, but I can say that the Nets will almost certainly look different once the flip occurs. Ingram will be gone, and the roster will look a little more dynamic. Breece has done a terrific job shaping the roster around Lavine and another dynamic scoring point guard who may or may not be coming to town. Being able to cover defensive deficiencies will have to be a focus.

Team Needs:

Size on the wings and backup guards who can defend multiple positions. Defence, defence, defence will be what the Nets seek.

Charlotte Hornets

The Hornets are never a dull team to follow in the off-season and GM Craig will be up to his old tricks to bounce back from a disappointing end to last season. There are rumours that they’re involved in a wing deal that gives Charlotte a little depth and flexibility, though their stars will be much the same (to my knowledge),

Team Needs:

Depth. The downfall of the Hornets was not the talent, with Ja Morant, Demar DeRozan, OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns, Craig had the best 4 in the Conference. The bench was dry a collection of a few capable support cast members and glitch hopefuls. Running this back with another free agency gives this franchise a chance to add depth and potentially make the jump to the pinnacle of the competition. Two or three smart acquisitions will make a huge difference; he will be active in the veteran minimum market.

Chicago Bulls

The Bulls are a team that has put lines out to go either way, all-in or push the window back a year or two. LaMelo, Claxton and Pascal Siakam both found themselves on the block after a disappointing season marred by injury. The Bulls are relevant if they choose to stay the course and will only be better with another off-season.

Team Needs:

Shave off about $10 million to get under the second apron. Bulls GM Jonathon would be nervous looking at the salary projections for next season, something must give as Suggs adds nearly $20mil to his annual salary. If they can shave some salary, the front office will avoid headaches down the line with all the 2^nd apron restrictions.

Adding vet minimum contributors will also be a key focus.

Cleveland Cavaliers

GM Shams finds himself at an interesting situation, after a superb season, one ending at the hands of a team with better top end talent, he has found himself wondering if depth or a superstar is key. The roster is deep, made deeper with the news of Drummond opting back in, but is there enough internal growth in Cleveland to push them over the hump? It’s hard to tell exactly where their financials will be as the Scottie Barnes extension isn’t on the page, but it looks like the Cavs will be near or above the second apron, a scary place to be as touched on in previous teams.

Team Needs:
Retain Julius Randle (signing bonus), pay Scottie Barnes (a foregone conclusion), figure out who you have money to pay next, Horford or NAW, both or neither and who you can replace with cheap free agents. 

Dallas Mavericks

Good ol LJ is up to LJ things, he’s on the block, he’s got deals lined up, he’s made no changes, he’s thinking of making changes. LJ will always be a possible all-in guy and his roster continues to grow with young talent. He has pick 6 in this upcoming draft (to my knowledge) and has posted other picks on the block. I’d expect him to stay the course and continue to build but I have zero read or intel with the Mavs.

Team Needs:

Continue to add to this exciting young core and try to find a young starting point guard for the future. Is there one in this draft in the early lottery? I have no idea.

Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets have a super exciting roster but will be disappointed from a short post-season after a successful regular season. They have both aging stars and young superstars and MIP candidates- it’s a roster with a heap of potential. It feels like the Nuggets need to make a choice soon, all-in or go with the young guys. A clear goal could bring out the best in this franchise, especially with the 2^nd apron looming.

Team Needs:  

Nothing. From a personnel point of view this roster has everything you could want, stars at almost every position and glitch players at the others. Great depth.

Financial nouse will be crucial as GM Digger will be right up against the 2^nd apron by the time they shave CP3 and Hyland. If they can find cheap replacements and operate above the first and below the second, they’ll be fine to run it back with a little less depth.

Detroit Pistons

There’s a bit of smoke around GM Sheed this off-season, I’m pretty sure big moves are coming. He acquired Young to pair with Zubac and sophomore stud Brandon Miller though the results still didn’t change significantly. Word on the grapevine is some of the aforementioned players might be in trade negotiations as we speak. It could be a reboot for the Pistons, though Sheed is a tricky one to read.

Team Needs:

Find another quality player with the full MLE at disposal. Chase up some of your club’s future first round picks should the Pistons decide to reboot.

Golden State Warriors

Dazza has been dazzling as he always Daz… I mean does. He’s been rumoured to have shipped off a big man with plenty of Hart in a move that will diversify his wings and defensive prowess. This man knows how to build a contender, especially through the tears of his fellow GMs in Free Agency. With some cap space and multiple positions cemented, it’ll be interesting to see who the Warriors target over the offseason. Their record could potentially get in the way of stealing some big-name targets, but Daz will do his intel and zero in.

Team Needs:

A star. This team desperately needs a star to build around, maybe they can find one with pick 20, 23 or 25 or maybe they can convince one to come over to Golden State during Free Agency. The Warriors probably need one more big man as well.

Houston Rockets

With pick 16 in the draft, the Houston Rockets look to add another stud to one of the most talented rosters in the NSL (at the top). Though Haliburton will likely miss next season, the Rockets have the talent to be a threat once again come playoff time. It will be fun to watch Maxey in full swing with Jokic in a potentially more 2-man based offence in 2025-26. With one or two acquisitions, there’s a world where the Rockets could still improve.

Team Needs:

Find a quality player with the MLE. There are quite a few interesting names out there that will be gettable, Houston needs to find the one that will fit with Maxey and Jokic.
Find a quality prospect in the draft to keep the team building while their 4 stars are in their primes.

Indiana Pacers

Yeet will tell you the league is his from about 25mins after free agency and for once he might be onto something. But Wemby is gone! The man who will take the league forward from next year is not going to be on the pacers… Yeet is ecstatic about his return and his team is taking shape around Mikal Bridges and his young core. They will be a team to look out for, no doubt, though it will be hard to assess their needs as many parts aren’t on the roster yet.

Team Needs:

Probably synergy type players which can be found in the free agency quite readily. Without knowing Yeet’s exact roster, it sounds like the squad will have Cade, Bridges, Chet and all the depth from before, as well as that big white guy from Utah. Having the right number of guys to accentuate the stars should be the target for Yeet if he chooses to not have a nap through Free Agency. 

LA Clippers

Andrew has come out of hibernation with a trade to announce… Sort of. One of his absolute favourites, Tari Eason, will be gone along with the salary of Tobias Harris. Incoming is a true big man with Hart to match. With two young stars- Jalen Williams and Paolo Banchero, and pick 4 in the upcoming draft, is it time (finally) for Andrew to go for it?

Team Needs:

Hit on pick 4 with the best player available.

Try to acquire a star with your salary cap space.

This is the most exciting roster this off-season.

LA Lakers

WEEEEEEEMMMMMMMMMMMMMMBBBBBBBBBBBBYYYYYYYY! Well, GM Justin has done it, he’s found the deal we all wish we had the assets to make. Wembanyama. Amazing. Justin will begin the offseason with Wemby, Leonard, Amen Thompson, Zion and plenty of useful role players. Rumour has it a small deal was struck to acquire Donte DiVencenzo, which pretty much fills the last need they had- finding a defensive, high IQ guard. I’m sure the Lakers have done more that this writer doesn’t know about but at this point they enter the off-season once again as a title favourite.

Team Needs:

Stay under the second apron. If you want to be able to keep this squad together for the long term, savvy financial moves will be key.

Acquire smart contracts.

A fridge full of Champaign.

Memphis Grizzlies

With pick 9 in the draft and a concrete roster, GM Rootsy will probably play the smart acquisition game this off-season. He’s fresh out of the second apron, navigating his way out almost effortlessly, but will probably tell you it isn’t the most fun he’s had in NSL. It’s expected he will add a good rookie with his terrific scouting ability and find a veteran here or there. This roster is good and should bounce back in 2025-26.

Team Needs:

Financially savvy moves.

Look for a future scoring guard in the draft?

Add to the core without breaking the bank.

Miami Heat

Cruising through Vietnam, avoiding the pressures of running the greatest league on Earth, GM Pistol is keeping one eye on the league, the other on a freshly poured Pina Colada at the bar. Once again, he is in the lottery this time with both pick 10 and 14. Pistol will likely add to his young core while looking at ways to find another star to lead his franchise forward. Derrick White has an underrated amazing contract, and his young stars should continue to get better and better.

Team Needs:

Find out what to do with Lauri, keep or trade?

Is it time to package some talent and picks for a superstar?

Win a 6MOTY award- write a few more posts about how good CJ McCollum is to draw the attention of the league.

Milwaukee Bucks

GM Ethan is one of the league’s best and once again delivered a commendable season. He will tell you it was not a success, but his team got younger and continued to win which is no easy feat. The Bucks will be knocking on the door of the apron and will find themselves with some tough decisions to make, can they run it back or is it time to cut the fat? Who is the fat?

Team Needs:

Navigate the second apron build a team with a support cast of vets while choosing the right guys to keep.

Find salary cutting deals for guys not needed while keeping value.

Stay the course.

Minnesota T'wolves

The Wolves may have dodged a 7-foot bullet with Jonas Valanciunas being implored to return to the Nuggets for next season. Had Jonas left the NBA, the NSL Wolves could’ve been on the edge of collapse. Two aging, injury prone stars and Russell leaving in free agency is manageable but another key starter who contributes massively to winning would’ve been salt in the wound. GM Shay can breathe for now, but some magic might need to happen this offseason.

Team Needs:

Retain Russell

Find a ready-now prospect at pick 22, preferably a wing or C to replace Val at season’s end.

Find some veterans to fill the second unit.

New Orleans Pelicans

It’s no secret the Pels have been fielding offers for some of their biggest names, most notably Rudy Gobert. With a roster that has a blend of youth and experience, GM Leeroy really could go either way. The sit near the second apron prior to renouncing etc, so there’s a definite pathway to keeping this squad together around Luka, though it’s likely Russell Westbrook, Boucher and Dinwiddie would be hard to keep. Perhaps Leeroy pushes the window back a year or two, but I’ve heard nothing.

Team Needs:

Choose your destiny- go for it with Luka or give him a little time.

Draft a capable replacement backup guard with pick 19.

Work out what to do with Rudy Gobert and the $110mil he’s owed over the next 3 years.

New York Knicks

Where there’s smoke, there’s Smokey. I’m pretty sure that hasn’t been used before and I have no idea why it hasn’t been. He’s always up to something and it looks like he has trades lined up. The site says he has pick 2 but most NSL pundits do not expect him to be making that pick. I genuinely don’t know what the Knicks have at this point so I apologise for a half-hearted section below.

Team Needs:

Tell the league how many first round picks he has and make them squabble for them.

Draft for best player available with his multiple firsts in the upcoming draft.

Re-sign Josh Giddey.

Do something crazy with your cap space.

This might be the most exciting roster this off-season, actually.

Oklahoma City Thunder

Though cut short, the Thunder had an awesome run last season. They pushed the chips in acquiring Curry at the deadline to pair with Anthony Edwards, one of the most exciting NSL stars. There’s plenty to work with in this dynamic duo, though the finances will be tight with Curry earning nearly $60 million next season. Woah. Ayton gave the Thunder a week or two of panic, but he’s found a place in the NBA, GM James will be hoping he maintains a role in the rotation in LA so his ratings stay strong through their next year’s title run.

Team Needs:

Financially savvy contracts

One or two wings who can cover minutes and hold their own defensively

Orlando Magic

The Magic will be busy in free agency with two of the biggest free agents on their roster. Kyrie Irving (re-sign bonue) and Naz Reid will both be receiving interest as will GM Mailo’s Gm point balance. The Magic look in a good position to run it back but will need to pay mind to the aprons moving forward. They will have a number of expiring contracts so in Mailo’s case it might be a quiet year then reassess next year.

Team Needs:

Find a ready-now guard to cover Irving while he’s out in the draft with pick 15.

Retain, retain, retain.

Philadelphia 76ers

GM of the Year Nenjamin approaches off-season with several options. He could go for it now and move some young pieces including Jalen Green or Dejounte Murray along with many, many seconds, or he could push the window back and move off some still useful veteran studs such as Paul George (huge salary), Draymond Green and Steven Adams. There is no one in this league, maybe even the world, who understands salary rules better than GM Ben so I’m assuming his position near the second apron will be fine by the time FA is over. His moves will be followed with intrigue by the league.

Team Needs:

Choose your destiny- add valuable veterans or go the youth path.

Package some of the second-round picks 37, 38, 48, 51, 58 to move up in either the second round or move 21 towards the lotter.

Add free agents in accordance with your direction

Phoenix Suns

The Suns are another team that has been busy since basically finishing their 2025 campaign. There have been so many highs and lows for GM Laddas this off-season and the NSL draft hasn’t even happened yet. Dame gets injured, Dame gets waived, Beal gets waived (likely). It’s really all happening for the Suns who will have a totally different roster in 2025-26. It’s rumoured draft picks are on the way as Sharpe is set to become the focal point of the franchise, who will the Suns add that can be the next generation with Sharpe?

Team Needs:

Wing defence to surround incoming studs

Bring back Yabusele

Find another future star to run with Sharpe

Portland Blazers

Here he is, the guy who monopolised the draft. Our Sam Presti. GM Jmac is loading this season, and it all begins with the draft in a couple of weeks’ time. The man has prepared his own sheet of which picks go where because he’s manipulated the draft more than the league can actually follow. It’s ludicrous. But hats off to the champ, he knows how to get value and to get to his goals and it looks like Portland will have the first two picks of the draft as well as a few young studs from other franchises coming to town. Dame too. Brace yourselves.

Team Needs:

Who am I to tell this man…

Two generational young stars with pick 1 and 2 in the draft.

Build around them with current stars as a way to exploit the salary rules.

Continue being you.

Sacramento Kings

The bluest balls in the NSL belong to the Sacramento Kings. There’s some serious Sac pain as GM Klemm continues to sit on the sidelines with negative GM points. Though it has been a terrific management move to save the Kings from their trigger-happy GM, soon it feels like Sacramento’s predicament could genuinely get in the way of them exploiting the market to add talent.

Team Needs:

GM points. Will do unspeakable things for 5+

Retain Fred Vanvleet’s new desirable contract

Find a good defender who can play wing positions and the 4

Continue to add to an exciting young core with an early second round pick

San Antonio Spurs

Coming off a surprised Finals run the Spurs are still on cloud 9, though a little disappointed after daring to dream of a 3^rd title. The squad is mostly contracted, though it’s rumoured that Donte DiVencenzo has been traded for a big man who will replace the recently waived Jock Landale. GM Nels is optimistic that Jamal Murray can continue to grow as his NBA situation looks even better next season. With Giannis and a stable of large wings (all under contract), the Spurs are hopeful for another deep playoff run next season.

Team Needs:

Re-sign Luke Kornet, Josh Minnot (RFA) and Ryan Rollins (RFA)

Add another bench scorer with the veteran minimum

Avoid going into the first apron if possible

Toronto Raptors

With the biggest name without a bonus in free agency on their roster, GM Dylan will be working the lines to ensure a big gm bid is ready to go. Myles Turner is a key part of the Raptors franchise and will reportedly be brought back at any cost.

With Durant, Brunson, Myles and the full MLE, the future looks bright in Toronto. Their off-season will be fun to watch and they will be a key player.

Team Needs:

Retain Myles Turner at all costs

Find useful role players to fit around their big 3 using full MLE

Find good backup shooters and wing defenders using minimum money

Utah Jazz

The Jazz are another team that find themselves at a crossroads. Embiid sat most of the tail end of last season and the post season didn’t go to play. GM Jase has a roster with experience and some high-end youth in Wagner, Reaves and Daniels. It almost feels like a passing of the torch is coming.

Team Needs:

Clear direction, a press release from Joel Embiid

A diamond in the rough with pick 27- best player available

Re-sign James Harden

Extend Wagner

Figure out what to do with expiring Porzingis

Find a surgical solution for Embiid’s legs

Washington Wizards

Save the best til last, THE CHAMPIONS!!!

Entering the off-season for the first time as NSL Champion, GM Josh is humble and focused on being the first GM to go back-to-back. Is it possible? He’s out to prove it is.

With an aging roster that is still 2k elite, Josh will look to retain core guys and cut the fat. They are in 2^nd apron territory with renouncing to go, with free agents including Capella (a key in the title run), Davion Mitchell who got paid in the NBA and some lesser names on veteran minimums. He will have some signing bonuses, though Capella will force him to pay the price.

Team Needs:

Retain, retain, retain

Stay under the 2^nd apron if possible

Convince Lebron to play one more year

Find some defensive role players for wing positions