The 5 Most Unknown Activities in the Offseason in 2025

former second-place pick Lonzo Ball joined the Cavaliers through a trade with the Bulls in the offseason.

The 2025 NBA offseason is full of major transfers, the most eye-catching of which is Kevin Durant's joining the Houston Rockets, the first seven-team deal in NBA history, in addition to Desmond Bain joining the Orlando Magic and Cam Johnson joining the Denver Nuggets. But besides these sensational transactions, there are always some less noticeable transfers that ultimately have far-reaching impacts.

Let's take a look at five offseason moves you may have missed.

1. Tyame Jones joins the Magic (via free agent market)

In addition to renewing the team star Paul Banchero and getting Bain, the Magic also introduced experienced pass-first point guard Jones to help the Magic organize their offense better. Last season, the Magic ranked 28th and 30th in the league in scoring (105.4 points) and assists (23.0 points) respectively. Jones is a 10-year veteran who joins his fifth team. Last season, Jones averaged 10.2 points, 5.3 assists and 1.1 turnovers per game for the Phoenix Suns, with a three-point shooting percentage of up to 41.4%. His assist-to-turnover ratio is 4.71, second only to Indiana Pacers' Tyreth Halliburton among 278 players with a total of more than 2,000 rounds. Jones's steady performance at point guard position will help create easy scoring opportunities for Benchero, Bain, Franz Wagner and other teammates.

2. Jack Laravia joins the Lakers (via free agent market)

Although Lakers 3D wing Dorian Finney-Smith left as a free agent and signed with the Houston Rockets, Laravia's joining gives them the opportunity to make up most of the vacancies with younger players at a lower cost. Laravia is a versatile defensive player with the power to defend four-pointers and the speed of marking three-pointers, and has made breakthrough progress in three-pointers. Laravia shot 33.8% and 34.0% from three-pointers in the first two seasons in the NBA, and last year with the Kings, he shot 42.3% from 3-pointers (60 of 142 shots). Playing with Luca Doncic and LeBron James now should provide Laravia with plenty of open shots (his open three-point shooting percentage last season, or 46 of 101 shots).

3. Jay Huff joins the Pacers (via trade with the Grizzlies)

After the 2025 Finals, the Pacers lost Miles Turner in free agent market, and he went to the opponent Bucks. To fill that vacancy, Indiana took Haff from the Memphis Grizzlies with two future second-round picks. For a young player who demonstrates the potential of a space-type No. 5, that’s nothing. Haff just played his NBA best season, averaging 11.7 minutes per game, scoring 6.9 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.3 3-pointers and 0.9 blocks. His 3-point shooting percentage was 81 from 200 (40.5%), just one point away from meeting the minimum requirement of the league leader (if it was, he would tie for No. 34). Defensively, he is a reliable rim protector with a shooting percentage of 54.5% within 6 feet (23rd out of 209 players who defended at least 200 3-pointers).

4. Luke Connett joins the Spurs (via free agent market)

The Spurs soon signed Connett, signing a four-year contract with the former Celtics substitute center a few hours after becoming a free agent. The deal found a substitute center for Victor Victor Vibaniama and also gave the Spurs a chance to form a two-tower lineup: the 7-foot-1 Cornet and the 7-foot-3 Vibaniamama. Vimbaniama is characterized by versatility, while Cornet is more like a traditional center. Offensively, only four of his 187 goals last season came from outside the three-second zone, shooting 66.8% from the field. Cornett is also a strong screener – averaging 2.3 screen assists per game in 18.6 minutes – which should help the Spurs’ backcourt combinations De Aaron Fox and Stephen Castle. Defensively, Cornett shot 50.5% from six feet, ranking fifth. The temperature ratio is followed closely by 50.8%.

5. Lonzo Ball joins the Cavaliers (via trade with the Bulls)

As Cleveland loses Ty Jerome in free agency, the Cavaliers’ back-court substitute has been vacant, and they trade Ball from Chicago in exchange for Isaac Okoro. Ball returned to the field last season after missing two seasons with a left knee injury and undergoing multiple surgeries. In 35 games, Ball showed his talent in organizing, shooting and defense, averaging 22.2 minutes per game, scoring 7.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.9 3-pointers and 1.3 steals before missing the final two months of the season with a sprained wrist. Ball’s return to the field after being out for more than 1,000 days was a victory in itself. Now, he has the opportunity to continue working hard among the championship contenders and regain his full potential.