by The first week of 2025 NBA free agency is almost over, so it’s time to take a look at essential signings that have flown under the radar.
Bucks Bring Back Gary Trent Jr.
In an offseason full of questionable decisions for the Milwaukee Bucks, bringing back Trent was one of the best moves they’ve made. He returned to Milwaukee on a 2-year, $7.5 million deal, the second year being a player option.
Trent was one of the few bright spots for the Bucks during the 2025 playoffs. He averaged 18.8 points and 2.6 steals with shooting splits of 51.6/50.0/80.0 in the five-game series against the Indiana Pacers.
With Damian Lillard no longer on the team, the Bucks’ future is bleak. However, due to injuries, the Eastern Conference is wide open, and Trent could be a key piece to a playoff team.
(Trent Game 3 highlights here)
Denver Gets Much-Needed Shooter With Tim Hardaway Jr.
The Denver Nuggets have made a flurry of moves this offseason, the main one being trading Michael Porter Jr. for Cam Johnson. But during this time of the Nuggets’ retooling their team, Hardaway is one of the most important signings. He signed a one-year deal with them.
The Nuggets ranked 28th in the league in three-pointers made last season (984), a ranking that largely contributed to their lack of effective shooting role players. In his 12 seasons in the NBA, Hardaway has made 200 or more three-pointers four times, including 168 last season.
With his shooting, along with that of their other newly acquired players, Denver has a strong argument for being the best team in the NBA.
(Hardaway Jr. 2025 highlights here)
Tre Mann Gets Another Shot With the Hornets
One of the most electrifying bench players in the league last season, Mann will return to the Charlotte Hornets on a 3-year, $24 million deal. Before his season-ending herniated disc injury, Mann averaged 14.1 points and 3.0 assists on 43.5/40.0/90.5 shooting splits.
(Clips via shotcreator.com)
Mann, still only 24 years old, has a lot of upside and will have his chance to shine on a rebuilding Hornets team. If he does end up being the leader of the bench, this will be one of the better contracts in the NBA.
Memphis Signs Ty Jerome for a Bargain
One of the most productive bench players in the NBA last season, Jerome is a home run signing for the Memphis Grizzlies. Jerome signed a 3-year, $28 million contract, already one of the best-value contracts in the league.
Jerome’s offensive efficiency was unmatched off the bench last season. He had the highest mid-range field goal percentage in the NBA (58%), as well as shooting 45% from three.
Ja Morant has never played 70 games or more in his career, and he has only played over 60 games in three of his six seasons to date. This means that it is imperative for Memphis to have a reliable floor general when he misses time and to take more pressure off of Ja when he does play.
This signing will be quintessential to the Grizzlies’ regular-season consistency.
