Think of the trade for Alex Caruso and what that did for the Thunder.
Caruso, a defensive stopper, assimilated instantly into Oklahoma City’s scheme and drew massive assignments — such as guarding Nuggets center Nikola Jokić — during the team’s NBA Finals run.
Think of the Bucks adding backup center Bobby Portis in free agency the offseason before they beat the Suns in six games to win their first NBA Finals in 50 seasons.
Often, it’s the overlooked moves that carry massive implications for a team’s playoff hopes, and this offseason was no different.
Here are five under-the-radar moves that may have gone unnoticed but may prove to be key to championship contention in 2025-26:
Bruce Brown rejoins Nuggets
Trading for Cameron Johnson boosts Denver’s offense in a serious way. Signing veteran guard Bruce Brown — who was a member of the Nuggets’ 2023 championship squad but had since moved on to the Pacers, Raptors and Pelicans — is all about leadership and defense.
In his lone season in Denver, 2022-23, Brown averaged career-bests in points (11.5), assists (3.4) and minutes (28.5). Brown is an asset because he can switch on pick-and-rolls and helps facilitate on offense. He understands the culture and what’s needed to win it all.
Dorian Finney-Smith signs with Rockets
This move was overshadowed by the trade to land Kevin Durant, but signing Dorian Finney-Smith feels like a move that was done in response to the rise of the Thunder. The Rockets, with Finney-Smith, suddenly have elite length and defensive athleticism at the wing, which should align with clamping Oklahoma City players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams. Finney-Smith can also hit 3s — he shot a career-best 41.1% from beyond the arc last season — so he also helps spread the floor for Houston.
Another move worthy of consideration here is re-signing center Steven Adams, who allows the Rockets to play a two-big lineup, matching up with the Thunder duo of Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein.
Jordan Clarkson signs with Knicks
They already had a set starting lineup with continuity and a pair of All-Stars who can ignite. What the Knicks didn’t have was a reliable scoring option off the bench (and a coach who isn’t afraid to call on reserves). Mike Brown, who isn’t shy about extending the rotation, fixes the latter issue, but signing proven scorer Jordan Clarkson to a veteran minimum deal shores up the offense off the bench.
Clarkson, 33, agreed to a buyout with the Jazz, making him available. The 2020-21 Sixth Man of the Year, Clarkson has scored 8,045 points off the bench, which ranks 11th all-time and leads all active players.
Jaylin Williams re-signs with Thunder
They already won a championship with Jaylin Williams, or Jay Will — not to be confused with All-Star Jalen Williams (J-Dub). But in re-signing Jaylin Williams, OKC gets added flexibility with the 23-year-old backup forward.
Williams averaged 5.9 points and 5.6 boards per game, though he played just 16.7 minutes per contest. But he recorded three triple-doubles in nine starts last season, averaging 14.7 points, 10.7 assists and 13 rebounds across those three games. Put a different way: when the Thunder need him to step up, he is more than capable. He may go on to be a key piece if the Thunder become the first repeat champs since 2018, or if they’re hit by the injury bug.
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Sam Merrill re-signs with Cavaliers
He re-signed on a four-year deal that basically went overlooked, but this move is all about replacing Ty Jerome, the Sixth Man of the Year finalist who signed with the Grizzlies.
Merrill appeared in 71 regular-season games — a career high — and started three playoff games. He averaged just 7.2 points per game, but his 137 made 3-pointers ranked 12th among NBA reserves. He also posted a plus-minus of +330 off the bench, third best in the league. With more minutes at his disposal, Merrill, a member of the 2021 Bucks team that won the NBA Finals, should see a big jump in production.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA offseason moves that may help determine winner of 2026 NBA Finals
