NBA free agency 2026: Grades, head-scratchers and analysis through Day 1

Key Points:

• NBA free agency's biggest moves are increasingly happening through trades rather than traditional signings, with stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kawhi Leonard involved in major trades before free agency officially began.
• LeBron James announced he will leave the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2026-27 season, opening the door for the Lakers to build around Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, who recently re-signed for a significant contract.
• Trae Young re-signed with the Washington Wizards on a four-year, $212 million deal, surprising some analysts given his recent trade value and market expectations.
• Several key players have re-signed with their teams, including Isaiah Hartenstein with the Thunder, CJ McCollum with the Hawks, and Kristaps Porziņģis with the Warriors, while some deals remain under debate due to contract length or player health concerns.
• Notable trades include Kawhi Leonard returning to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Brandon Ingram and multiple draft picks, and Ja Morant moving to the Portland Trail Blazers in a deal involving Jerami Grant and Kris Murray, with mixed reactions from analysts.