NBA season 2026-27 preview: Which players who changed teams will have the biggest impact?

Continuity is boring. At least to many NBA fans it is — player movement is the lifeblood of the sport for many, especially on social media. The more, the better. It's what drives ratings and draws eyeballs. This offseason saw a host of name players switch teams, but which of those moves will matter? Who are the players who changed teams and will have the biggest impact? Here are seven names to watch.

While these were separate moves — with the 76ers trade for Brown influencing LeBron's decision to sign there as a free agent — we're grouping them here, and their combined impact has them at the top of this ranking.

Landing Jaylen Brown was a coup for new head of basketball operations Mike Gansey. This is the 2024 Finals MVP coming off his best season as a pro — 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game — and he steps right into the rotation next to Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe and Joel Embiid. Brown brings more shot creation, defense and leadership — Brown has won a ring. He has been where the 76ers want to go.