Yahoo Sports grades NBA franchises after turbulent 2026 offseason

Yahoo Sports has published an "offseason report card" grading all 30 NBA teams following the 2026 offseason, which featured significant roster changes, trades, and free agency activity. The Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers received the highest marks of A+, while the Memphis Grizzlies and New Orleans Pelicans received the lowest grades of D. Notable moves included the Minnesota Timberwolves acquiring LaMelo Ball, the Miami Heat trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo, and the Portland Trail Blazers trading for Ja Morant.

The analysis highlights a period of significant roster restructuring across the league, with every franchise altering its roster or front office in some capacity. While the offseason has been described as hectic, with multiple superstars switching teams via trade or free agency, the final grades reflect a sharp divergence in strategic outcomes. The Lakers and 76ers were commended for their aggressive moves, with Philadelphia trading for Jaylen Brown to catapult themselves into Eastern Conference favourites, and Los Angeles flipping their roster to improve at nearly every position.

Conversely, the lowest marks were reserved for teams that failed to make substantive changes or moved in directions that critics viewed as detrimental. The Memphis Grizzlies, having moved on from Ja Morant, were seen as rebuilding again with players on different timelines, while the New Orleans Pelicans received criticism for a lack of action despite needing it urgently. Both franchises were assigned a grade of D, marking the bottom of the performance spectrum.

Mid-tier evaluations revealed a complex landscape of rebuilding and retooling. The Minnesota Timberwolves secured an A grade for acquiring LaMelo Ball and re-signing Ayo Dosunmu, creating what the report described as one of the best starting lineups in the league. In contrast, the Miami Heat’s blockbuster acquisition of Giannis Antetokounmpo was graded as a C, with the analysis noting that the move came at a high cost in picks and young talent, leaving the team’s long-term viability dependent on external factors such as LeBron James’ free agency decisions.

Other notable assessments included the Dallas Mavericks receiving an A for bringing in Masai Ujiri as president of basketball operations and Dusty May as head coach, alongside low-cost additions like Zacharie Risacher. The Washington Wizards, who re-signed Trae Young and added Deandre Ayton, were graded a B, with the report suggesting they might make a playoff appearance. The full breakdown covers all 30 franchises, reflecting a season where roster finalisation has largely occurred, leaving the league to assess the strategic efficacy of these high-profile transactions.