While acquiring Deandre Ayton is a sure-fire win, the Lakers need to make a few more moves to truly position themselves as contenders.

From big man depth to the New Orleans Pelicans, here are the early winners and losers of early NBA free agency.

While Lillard's recovery timetable is a lengthy one—the average recovery period for NBA players with Achilles tears is roughly 10 months, putting Lillard's return date around February 2026—there's still optimism he could return toward the tail end of next season and be ready to make an impact in the playoffs.