Tim Hardaway Jr.’s shooting should complement Miami’s marquee offseason acquisition of Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The major NBA offseason moves are obvious.
Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat. Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers. Paul George to the Boston Celtics. Ja Morant to the Portland Trail Blazers. LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Norman Powell to the Chicago Bulls. LeBron James … to be determined.
Those weren’t the only free-agent signings and trades that have shaped the 2026-27 NBA season. Teams made savvy moves with the idea that it would positively change their trajectory. Last season, examples included Nickeil Alexander-Walker to the Atlanta Hawks, Jordan Clarkson to the New York Knicks and Tim Hardaway Jr. to the Denver Nuggets.
Length and amount of contract, last season’s performance and projected production helped determine this list. Here are 10 under-the-radar offseason moves that will also impact the landscape in the Eastern and Western conferences in 2026 27:
John Collins, Detroit Pistons
How was he acquired?: Added in free agency
Collins is a solid veteran who flirted with All-Star status while with the Atlanta Hawks and Utah Jazz. Even though his scoring average dipped to 13.6 with the LA Clippers last season, Collins shot 55.2% overall and 40.6% on 3-pointers. He gives the Pistons an efficient scorer, finisher in the paint, solid rebounder and capable defender.
De’Anthony Melton, Golden State Warriors
How was he acquired?: Re-signed
In 49 games last season, Melton averaged a career-high 12.3 points and matched a career high in steals per game (1.6). He struggled with his shot last season as he returned from an injury that limited him to six games in 2024-25. But before last season, he shot at least 37.1% on 3-pointers in five consecutive seasons. Now that Melton is fully healthy, the Warriors believe he will return to that percentage.
Kelly Oubre Jr., Indiana Pacers
How was he acquired?: Added in free agency
The Pacers reached the 2025 NBA Finals, but Tyrese Haliburton missed all of 2025-26 with an Achilles injury sustained in Game 7 of those Finals. He returns this season, and the Pacers added Oubre to the mix alongside Haliburton, Pascal Siakam, Ivica Zubac and depth. Oubre averaged 14.1 points, 5 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game while shooting 46.7% overall and 36% on 3-pointers for Philadelphia last season. He goes to the Pacers on a reported two-year, $16.5 million contract.
Tim Hardaway Jr., Miami Heat
How was he acquired?: Added in free agency
When he’s a reserve, Hardaway is often a candidate for Kia NBA Sixth Man of the Year. He finished fifth in 2020-21, ninth in 2023-24 and third last season when he averaged 13.5 ppg on 44.7% shooting and 40.7% on 3-pointers. Knowing what the Heat gave up to acquire Antetokounmpo, they needed another scorer and got one in Hardaway.
Landry Shamet, New York Knicks
How was he acquired?: Re-signed
Shamet stayed put as the Knicks needed to retain key rotation players from their 2025-26 championship team. And Shamet was one of those players. The Knicks reserve guard averaged 9.3 ppg and shot 39.2% on 3-pointers during the regular season. In the playoffs, he shot 47.5% on 3-pointers, including 23-for-34 during an eight-game stretch in the conference semifinals, Eastern Conference Finals and NBA Finals.
Anfernee Simons and Dean Wade, Philadelphia 76ers
How were they acquired?: Added in free agency
Yes, getting Brown from the Celtics in a stunning trade was the 76ers’ big offseason move. But signing forward-center Dean Wade and guard Anfernee Simons in free agency adds depth to one of the league’s best starting lineups. Simons, a two-time 20-ppg scorer, averaged 14.3 ppg and shot 44% overall, 38.5% on 3-pointers and 89.6% on free throws last season. The 6-foot-9 Wade can stretch the floor, rebound, move the basketball and provide versatile defense.
Luke Kennard and Collin Gillespie, Phoenix Suns
Phoenix brought back Collin Gillespie (right) and added Luke Kennard to its backcourt mix for 2026-27.
How were they acquired?: Kennard — Added in free agency | Gillespie — Re-signed
Undrafted, Gillespie had a breakout third NBA season. In 80 games for the Suns in 2025-26, Gillespie posted career highs in scoring (12.7 ppg), assists (4.6), rebounds (4.1), steals (1.2) and minutes (28.5). He shot 41.8% overall and 40.1% on 3-pointers. The Suns brought him back on a four-year deal and added more 3-point shooting with Kennard (47.8% on 3s last season) on a two-year contract.
Julian Champagnie, San Antonio Spurs
How was he acquired?: Re-signed
Also undrafted, Champagnie was signed and then waived. But he has found a spot in the NBA and proved that last season when he became a valuable starter for San Antonio. He averaged 11.1 ppg and 5.8 rpg in the regular season and 11.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg and 1.3 spg while shooting 39.6% on 3s in the playoffs. In 23 playoff games, San Antonio scored 112.7 points and allowed 104 points per 100 possessions with Champagnie on the court. The Spurs saw Champagnie’s potential, and he fulfilled it.
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Jeff Zillgitt has covered the NBA since 2008. You can email him at jzillgitt@nba.com, find his archive here and follow him on X.
