As the dust settles on one of the most chaotic free agency periods in recent memory, the NBA saw several final-day moves that flew under the radar but might shift rotations and open up career-altering opportunities for role players and breakout hopefuls alike. From Sacramento adding depth and scoring, to Toronto extending their core, let’s break down the last wave of signings and trades that capped off a stacked day in free agency.
🔥 Sacramento Kings: Schroder Leads Veteran Haul
The Kings didn’t sit still—after trading Jonas Valanciunas to the Denver Nuggets for Dario Šarić, Sacramento locked in Dennis Schröder on a 3-year, $45 million deal. Schröder’s strong finish with the Pistons after the Jimmy Butler mega-trade set him up for this payday. He’ll bring slashing, pick-and-roll threat, and playoff experience.
The Kings also plan to sign Drew Eubanks once he clears waivers after being let go by the Clippers, providing reliable frontcourt minutes behind Domantas Sabonis. The rotation gets even deeper with Jonas out, Saric in, and Eubanks likely to fill the backup big role.
Grade: A-
This Kings team is finally embracing depth and flexibility.
🏀 Detroit Pistons & Miami Heat: Fontecchio & Duncan Robinson Swap
A surprise late-night deal saw Detroit trade Simone Fontecchio to Miami to acquire sharpshooter Duncan Robinson in a sign-and-trade. Robinson agreed to a 3-year, $48 million deal, bringing veteran shooting to Detroit’s rising offense. The Heat, meanwhile, gain a younger, more versatile wing in Fontecchio who’s shown flashes of two-way impact.
Grade: Pistons B+, Heat B
Detroit adds proven shooting around Cade Cunningham. Miami reloads on the wing.
🎯 Denver Nuggets Add Tim Hardaway Jr.
The Nuggets agreed to a one-year deal with Tim Hardaway Jr., fresh off a bounce-back campaign with the Pistons. He averaged 14.6 PPG on 37% from deep in 2024–25 and will be a useful scoring punch off the bench, especially with Bruce Brown returning and Cam Johnson joining the starting group.
Grade: B
Sneaky bench signing for a contender.
🦖 Toronto Raptors Lock Up Frontcourt
The Raptors are doubling down on their size and promise. First, they extended center Jakob Poeltl through 2029–30 with a four-year, $104 million deal, picking up his player option and tacking on three new years. Poeltl remains a critical piece in Toronto’s inside-out identity.
Joining him is Sandro Mamukelashvili, who signs a two-year, $5.5 million deal with a player option. The versatile forward is still young and once dropped 34 points with the Spurs—Toronto hopes he can finally break through their developmental mold.
Grade: Poeltl B+, Sandro B
Toronto’s identity is clear: size, skill, and patience.
🍀 Knicks, Celtics & Hornets Make Final Moves
The New York Knicks added some international flair, signing Guerschon Yabusele on a two-year, $12 million deal. The French forward, once drafted in 2016, is back from Europe after building his stock in the EuroLeague with Real Madrid. He brings strength and floor spacing to the frontcourt.
Boston quietly signed Josh Minott on a two-year, $5 million deal. The young forward had flashes in Minnesota and could fit well in Boston’s high-energy, switching schemes.
Meanwhile, the Charlotte Hornets added Tre Mann on a three-year, $24 million deal. After inconsistent minutes in OKC and a stint with the Bulls, Mann gets a fresh start with real opportunity to lead a second unit.
Grades: Yabusele B-, Minott B, Mann B+
Each of these are upside plays—but Mann could be the sleeper hit.
🏁 Final Takeaway:
Day after day, the NBA’s free agency is proving one thing: no signing is too small, and every move matters. As the big names fade off the board, savvy front offices are closing in on value, fit, and upside. From Sacramento’s reboot, to Toronto’s size bet, and Denver’s scoring upgrade—this final flurry just might shape the 2025–26 playoff picture.
