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Five NBA free agent acquisitions that could boost title hopes

Five NBA free agent acquisitions that could boost title hopes

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The message is clear: If an NBA team has at least a 50-win roster (or close to it) with multiple stars (or rising stars), now is the time to go for the title.

Since Golden State won back-to-back titles in 2017 and 2018, no team has repeated as champion and not a single team has returned to the Finals after a Finals appearance the previous season.

New champions and different teams in every final from 2019.

Teams that believe they are contenders see championship windows opening quickly — and closing quickly.

The five most intriguing and title-changing free agent acquisitions to watch in the 2024-25 NBA season:

Klay Thompson, Dallas Mavericks

In Boston’s win in the Finals against Dallas, it was clear that the Mavericks needed more and better 3-point shots: 9.6 made 3s on 31.6% shooting isn’t enough to win a title. Enter Klay Thompson, whose 11-year career with Golden State ended after last season. Thompson needed a new team and found it with Dallas on a three-year, $50 million contract. This isn’t an All-Star Klay, but he still shot 38.7% on 3s, made 3.5 3s per game and was No. 4 in total 3s made last season. With Dallas playing the Luka Doncic-Kyrie Irving pairing, Thompson doesn’t have to be the No. 2 scorer and in some games he doesn’t even have to be the No. 3 scorer. But for Dallas to return to the Western Conference Finals and beyond, it will need Thompson’s 3-point shooting and competent defense.

Paul George, Philadelphia 76ers

The 76ers want a title with former MVP Joel Embiid at the center. With Embiid and young All-Star Tyrese Maxey, the addition of George should give the Sixers their best chance to win the East since Allen Iverson led them to the Finals in 2001. Philadelphia hasn’t won a title since Julius Erving and Moses Malone did so in 1983. Now the 76ers’ postseason success in April and perhaps May and June also depends on Embiid’s health. But George was an All-Star for the ninth time last season, averaging 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.5 steals and shooting 47.1% from the field, 41.3% on 3s and 90.7% from the field. That’s a deciding factor in a four-year, $211.5 million contract that the Los Angeles Clippers didn’t want to spend to keep George.

DeMar DeRozan, Sacramento Kings

The Kings are trying to secure a spot in the West – no easy task given the competition. They lost in the first round in 2023 and were unable to escape the play-in game format from ninth place last season. Enter DeMar DeRozan, entering his 16th season and trying to help a team that won 48 games in 2022-23 and 46 games in 2023-24 win a playoff series for the first time since 2004. DeRozan posted All-Star stats for Chicago last season, averaging 24.0 points, 5.3 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.1 steals while shooting 48% from the field. The Kings sought DeRozan, who signed a three-year, $73.8 million contract to help Domantas Sabonis and De’Aaron Fox take the team to the next level.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Orlando Magic

Denver’s loss is Orlando’s gain. The young and promising Magic won 47 games last season but lost to Cleveland in a seven-game series in the first round. Like Dallas, the Magic need 3-point shooting (30.9% in the playoffs, 35.2% in the regular season) and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope can deliver there, shooting at least 40% from 3 in three of the last four seasons Scores points. He also defends an already strong defensive team and his championship experience (titles with the Los Angeles Lakers and Nuggets) will help Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero. Pope joined the Magic on a three-year, $66 million contract.

Isaiah Hartenstein, Oklahoma City Thunder

While the New York Knicks struggled with injuries in the 2024 playoffs, Isaiah Hartenstein took on an important role offensively and defensively. Oklahoma City swooped in and signed the center to a three-year, $87 million contract, giving the Thunder, who were the top seed in the West last season with a 57-25 record, alongside a roster that also included Shai Gilgeous -Alexander added more depth to Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams. Hartenstein averaged 8.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists and nearly a block while shooting 59.2% from the field in 13 playoff games last season. At 7 feet tall and weighing 250 pounds, he also gives the Thunder a physical presence.

Follow NBA reporter Jeff Zillgitt on social media @JeffZillgitt