The draft is done. Free agency is around the corner. Some teams are all-in on contending. Others are caught between timelines, uncertain about whether to push forward or pull back.
A few franchises have already made major moves. Others might still be waiting for the right opportunity, the right trade offer, or the right player to become available. With rosters unsettled and betting markets starting to move, these five teams stand out. Each of them faces key decisions that could shape not only their season, but the league around them.
Here is a closer look at five teams to keep an eye on this summer.
Toronto Raptors: Is it really time for a big move?
The Raptors have parted ways with Masai Ujiri, ending one of the most successful front office tenures in franchise history. Ujiri led the organization to a championship and helped define its identity over the past decade. While general manager Bobby Webster and the rest of the front office are expected to remain in place, the shift is monumental.
What comes next is unclear. The Raptors took calls on draft night before selecting South Carolina forward Collin Murray-Boyles, a defensive standout and skilled passer whose lack of shooting makes him an awkward fit on a roster already thin on spacing. Toronto is right up against the luxury tax despite winning just 30 games last season and continuing to rebuild around Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram.
RJ Barrett could be the next piece to move. He has made progress since arriving from New York, but his contract and overlapping role raise questions about his long-term fit.
Bodog has the Raptors at +7,000 to win the East, 11th in the conference. That number reflects the uncertainty. With Ujiri gone and decisions looming, the Raptors are entering a new chapter. What kind of team they want to be is now back on the table.
Houston Rockets: Durant… Now What?
The Rockets have already made their move. They traded for Kevin Durant. They extended Fred VanVleet. Last season, they climbed all the way to the two-seed in the West and pushed Golden State to seven games in the first round. Now the expectations are real.
Bodog has Houston at +700 to win the championship, a massive jump that places them firmly among the league’s contenders. Durant gives them a closer. VanVleet provides structure and leadership. Alperen Sengun continues to develop into one of the league’s most skilled bigs. Amen Thompson looks like a future star. The foundation is strong, and the upside is even higher.
This could be it for the offseason. But it doesn’t have to be. Houston still owns a deep stockpile of first-round picks and has young players ready to take another step. If the right opportunity comes up, they have the tools to make another splash.
Whether they do or not, the message is clear. The window is open, and Houston is going for it.
New Orleans Pelicans: What Are They Building Toward?
The Pelicans seem to be betting on a turnaround. They moved CJ McCollum for Jordan Poole and sent out their unprotected 2026 first-round pick to draft Derik Queen. That is a bold approach for a team coming off a 21–61 season.
Everything still hinges on Zion Williamson. When healthy, he is a game-changer. But injuries and off-court issues make him hard to rely on. A new front office appears ready to give this group another shot, though that may not be the final word.
Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones have drawn trade interest. If New Orleans wants to keep pushing, they could be part of the next move.
Bodog has the Pelicans at +12,500 to win the West, 11th in the conference. The direction is unclear. The risk is not.
Los Angeles Lakers: Can They Fill the Biggest Hole?
The Lakers swung big last season, trading for Luka Doncic and reshaping the future of the franchise. It gave them a superstar to build around for the next decade. But with LeBron James still on the roster, the focus remains on the present. As he heads toward 41, he is not here to wait for a long-term plan.
The team’s biggest issue is clear. Trading Anthony Davis in the Doncic deal left them without a reliable presence in the frontcourt. They tried to patch that by acquiring Mark Williams, but the deal fell apart after a failed physical. For now, they do not have a starting-caliber center.
That leaves the front office with limited options. Financial flexibility is tight. Trade assets are thin. The Lakers need to get creative if they want to round out this roster and make a real push.
Bodog has them at +1,400 to win the championship, which reflects the belief in Doncic and James. But unless they find help up front, that number may prove optimistic.
Milwaukee Bucks: So what’s the plan here?
Giannis Antetokounmpo seems to be staying in Milwaukee. That much looks certain for now. But with Damian Lillard tabbed to miss the season, the Bucks are facing an uncomfortable question: what exactly is the plan?
Milwaukee pushed all in two years ago to pair Antetokounmpo with Lillard. It cost them depth, defense, and long-term flexibility. They lost in the first round. Now they are older, thinner, and stuck near the top of the payroll with few trade chips and financial flexibility.
Bodog has the Bucks at +8,000 to win the championship, far from the group of serious contenders. The question is how much of a step back Antetokounmpo is willing to accept. Is this just a bridge year while the team waits for Lillard to return? Or will the front office try to get creative and piece together something more competitive?
If Antetokounmpo is not going anywhere, they need to find a path forward. Right now, it is hard to see what that looks like.