The playoffs aren’t over, but questions are already swirling about what this summer could bring. Aaron Rose breaks it down for Bodog.
Between looming cap constraints, superstar uncertainty, and aging cores, several teams are approaching critical decisions that could reshape the league. Whether it is a blockbuster trade, a reset around an injured star, or a franchise finally reaching its breaking point, these five teams are in position to define the offseason before it even begins.
Milwaukee Bucks
Giannis Antetokounmpo has long made it clear that his loyalty to the Milwaukee Bucks is tied to the franchise’s ability to compete for championships. He has said publicly that if the Bucks can no longer put him in position to win a second title, he would have to consider other options. That moment may have finally arrived. With Damian Lillard sidelined for next season following an Achilles tear, there is no credible path to contention in 2026. The roster is aging, the Bucks lack trade assets, and meaningful upgrades are unlikely. Hoping a 34-year-old Lillard can return from a major injury and help lead a championship run feels unrealistic in 2027. Milwaukee has pushed all its chips in twice to keep Antetokounmpo happy, but there may not be a third time. As painful as it would be, moving on now might be the only way to do right by a generational player and begin planning for the future.
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns went 36-46 with the most expensive team in NBA history, missing the Play-In Tournament entirely. Built around Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal, the roster never found cohesion or consistency and lacked the toughness and defensive presence needed to compete. The team has no cap flexibility, limited draft assets, and sits above the second apron, severely restricting its ability to improve through trades or signings. Durant was quietly made available at the trade deadline and is now widely expected to be moved. The question is how far the front office is willing to go. Trading Durant would represent a major shift, but it may not be enough to fix the foundation. For now, Booker is not expected to be dealt. But if Phoenix remains stuck in this expensive purgatory with no clear path forward, it is hard to imagine a true reset that does not eventually involve moving him as well.
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics were built to repeat as champions this year. Instead, their season ended in the second round and their franchise cornerstone Jayson Tatum suffered a torn Achilles that will sideline him for all of next season. With the league’s most expensive roster and second apron restrictions looming, the team faces a harsh reality. Al Horford and Jrue Holiday are aging. Kristaps Porziņģis never looked right in the playoffs while battling a mysterious health issue. Next year now shapes up as a reset, but it comes with major questions. When Tatum returns in 2026, will the roster around him look anything like it does now? It probably shouldn’t. The Celtics will need to evaluate whether to keep the core intact or make difficult decisions, including potentially moving Derrick White or Jaylen Brown. A team that was positioned for sustained dominance is now being forced to reconsider its path forward.
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets enter the offseason as one of the few teams with the flexibility, assets, and ambition to change the league’s landscape. Their playoff exit exposed real issues in shooting and shot creation, but it also reaffirmed their foundation. With a deep young core, multiple tradeable contracts, and a stockpile of first-round picks, the Rockets are in position to pursue a blockbuster. Will they go after Kevin Durant if Phoenix decides to make a move? Could they push for Giannis Antetokounmpo if Milwaukee finally chooses a new direction? They have the firepower to be serious players for either. At the same time, there is value in waiting for the market to shift and letting another opportunity emerge. The front office has been patient to this point, but the conditions are now in place to act. Whether they go big this summer or wait for the next opportunity, Houston is ready to shape what comes next.
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers are coming off a 64-win season, but another early playoff exit and a growing financial crunch have brought their long-term outlook into question. With Evan Mobley’s cap number increasing due to his Defensive Player of the Year award and multiple role players due for raises, the roster is becoming harder to manage under second apron restrictions. The Cavaliers cannot aggregate salaries in trades, have little flexibility to add meaningful pieces, and face the possibility of a massive tax bill if they try to keep the core intact. That leaves one unavoidable question: do they have to make a move with their core four of Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen? The front office has expressed a desire to stay the course, but the pressure is mounting. If the Cavaliers want to take a step forward, standing still may no longer be a viable option.