NBA Trades & Free Agency: 5 Offseason moves that should have happened but didn't

The NBA offseason has been an exciting time for NBA fans. This offseason has been action-packed and has changed the dynamic of the league. It all started with two huge signings.

On the first day of free agency, the Brooklyn Nets landed Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. The duo made their decision and helped the Nets improve significantly. The Nets also added center De'Andre Jordan. With a trio of Durant, Irving, and Jordan, expectations for the Nets are high. The Nets' signings shook up the league, but other signings occurred.

The Los Angeles Clippers signed Kawhi Leonard and acquired Paul George in a trade. Leonard was arguably the biggest signing of the summer, and his decision impacted the league. While other signings have occurred, Leonard's caught the attention of the league. So, it has been an interesting offseason.

Since the start of free agency, so many signings, re-signings, and trades happened. Some of the moves have come as a surprise, but others were expected. There are also moves that could have/should have happened didn't. Here are five offseason moves that should have happened but didn't.

#5 Bradley Beal to the Heat

The Wizards may trade Beal if he declines an extensi

Before the Miami Heat acquired another player on this list, Beal was the subject of trade rumors involving the Heat.

Beal is a skilled shooting guard that plays for the Washington Wizards. The Wizards drafted Beal in 2012, and he has been with them since then. Beal is a part of their backcourt duo alongside John Wall. The duo is a talented combo that has managed to make the playoffs off and on.

Last season, Beal averaged 25.6 points, 5.5 assists, five rebounds, and 1.5 steals in 36.9 minutes. He also played every game of the season. His averages in each of these categories are career-highs. Beal played well despite the Wizards being 11th in the Eastern Conference.

As the summer progresses, there are reports that the Wizards may not keep Beal. Beal is eligible for the supermax and could get an extension of nearly $111 million. The deal is also for three years. If Beal declines or the Wizards are reluctant to sign him, there is still a chance he'll be on the move. If this happens, the Miami Heat are still interested in acquiring him.

The trade rumors seemed to die down but depending on Beal's decision trade talks may resume.

Earlier this season, the Heat signed Jimmy Butler. The signing is a good move, but the Heat need more before calling themselves a contender. If the Heat can pair Butler with another (star) player, they instantly become one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference. If Beal is that player, the Heat gain a great player that can help them improve.

While there are several other deals (through trades or free agency) that should have happened, Beal's future may lead to another game-changing move. This move has not happened, but there is still a chance.

#4 The Charlotte Hornets re-signing Kemba Walker

The Charlotte Hornets failed to re-sign Walker

One of the first signings of the free agency period was Kemba Walker. Walker signed with the Boston Celtics as Kyrie Irving signed with the Nets. The two guards were a part of a sign and trade that sent them to their current teams. Now, both players have (much needed) fresh starts.

Walker signed with the Celtics after eight seasons with the Charlotte Hornets. In 2011, the Hornets (then Bobcats) drafted Walker with the ninth pick. Since then, Walker was the star of the Hornets and led the team as they struggled.

Through their ups and downs, Walker remained loyal to the Hornets. He remained with the Hornets up until this summer, when they did not offer him a supermax deal. Walker became eligible for a supermax contract after making the All-NBA Third Team last season. He did so after averaging 25.6 points, 5.9 assists, and 4.4 rebounds. His averages in points and rebounds were career-highs.

Since Walker had a productive season, he received recognition by making Third Team. This also led to his supermax eligibility. Walker had a stipulation in his Hornets deal that if he made any of the All-NBA teams, he'd receive more money. With the accomplishment, Walker could have increased his maximum contract of nearly $80 million if he stayed in Charlotte. But that did not happen.

Walker's deal with the Celtics was a great deal for both him and the Celtics. Signing with the Celtics gives Walker a better chance of winning and making the playoffs. He made the right decision and gained the opportunity to do great things in Boston. So, it works out for him.

The losers in this situation are the Hornets. They lost their star due to their reluctance in giving him a max deal. If they intend to rebuild, the decision works. Otherwise, they made a mistake.

In this scenario, this is a signing that should have happened but didn't. But it is mostly due to the team rather than the player. Walker was loyal to the Hornets but had to move on, especially after their decision. It was the best move for him.

#3 D'Angelo Russell signing with the Minnesota Timberwolves

D'Angelo Russell joined the Golden State Warriors this summer

The Golden State Warriors lost Kevin Durant but gained D'Angelo Russell. The Warriors acquired Russell through a sign and trade that sent Durant and a protected first-round draft pick to the Nets. The Warriors received Russell, Shabazz Napier and Treveon Graham in return.

The deal benefited both sides, but it is also an adjustment for both sides. For the Nets, Durant will miss this season. For the Warriors, they have to find a way to fit Russell into their system. In Brooklyn, Russell typically had the ball in his hands and made plays be it for himself or his teammates. Curry is the primary ball-handler for the Warriors and runs the offense. With this in mind, both Russell and the Warriors have to adjust.

For Russell, the Warriors deal is a good one, but there were other options. He received interest from teams such as the Phoenix Suns, the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Indiana Pacers. Another team that was tied to Russell was the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Timberwolves have a young, talented core in Andrew Wiggins and Karl Anthony-Towns. The duo shows promise but has not reached their potential. The Timberwolves went from a playoff-bound team to a lottery team within a season. Minnesota needed another option to pair with their two youthful players. Russell was a possibility.

Russell is a good friend of Towns, and the Minnesota big man welcomed the possibility of playing alongside his friend. However, it did not happen.

While Russell is currently with the Warriors, there is uncertainty in him being their long-term. According to NBA writer Brad Botkin, Russell could be traded. Botkin says that Golden State views him as reinforcement for losing Durant but also a potential trade asset. The Timberwolves are said to be keeping an eye on Russell and his role with the Warriors. So, there is a chance he lands with the Wolves.

Russell was so close to joining his friend in Minnesota. The Timberwolves lost two points guards (Derrick Rose and Tyus Jones) in free agency and could have used Russell at that position.

The Timberwolves needed a point guard and should have signed him before the Warriors did.

#2 Kawhi Leonard to the Lakers

Kawhi Leonard is headed to Los Angeles, just not with the Lakers.

Leonard shook up the league as he decided to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers. There is an old saying that states, "If you can't beat them, join them." Leonard disregarded this saying and chose to shake up the league. He signed with the Lakers' Staples Center rival and brought Paul George with him. His decision changes not only the Western Conference but the entire league. But the Lakers were still a possibility.

Since the start of last season, Leonard's free agency was a topic of conversation. The Spurs traded Leonard and Danny Green to the Raptors in exchange for DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Pöltl and a protected 2019 first-round draft pick. Leonard joined the Raptors and pulled off an incredible feat: he led the Raptors to their first championship in franchise history. Despite winning a championship, some fans and media personalities believed he was leaving. It was only a matter of where.

When the media discussed Leonard's free agency, three teams were mentioned. The Clippers, the Lakers, and the Raptors were the teams tied to Leonard. When he opted out of his deal with the Raptors, the rumors became more prevalent.

Leonard met with each team, and the Lakers seemed like the favorites. They brought in Anthony Davis through a trade with the Pelicans. The Lakers gave up most of their young players but received a star to pair with James. The deal for Davis was a good move, but the Lakers wanted more. The Lakers wanted to bring in another player to create their own "Big Three." This is where Leonard came into the picture.

By all means, Leonard's decision was the best decision. He had the chance to join Davis and James but chose to go elsewhere. His decision makes the league more competitive and makes the Clippers a legitimate threat. However, it would have been interesting to see him along with the new Lakers duo.

#1 Jimmy Butler to the Houston Rockets

Jimmy Butler is headed to South Beach as he signed with the Miami Heat this summer. Butler agreed to a deal with the Heat, and through a sign and trade involving four teams, the Heat landed him officially.

Butler played with the Sixers last season after the Sixers received him in a trade. The Sixers traded Jerryd Bayless, Robert Covington, Dario Šarić and a 2022 second-round draft pick in exchange for Butler. Butler played 55 games with the Sixers and averaged 18.2 points and 5.3 rebounds. Butler joined a young, promising team in the Sixers, and played alongside Philadelphia's core of Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. But his time with Philadelphia was short-lived.

Earlier in the summer, Butler opted out of his deal and became an unrestricted free agent. He used this as an opportunity to meet with other teams, which included the Houston Rockets and the Miami Heat.

When Butler opted out, reports said that the Rockets would likely be aggressive in trying to sign him. The signing would have benefited the Rockets as they were a team in need of a change. The Rockets needed a move that gave them a chance to compete with teams such as the Golden State Warriors or up and coming teams such as the Portland Trail Blazers. The Warriors, Nuggets, and Trail Blazers all had better records than the Rockets, and the Warriors knocked Houston out of the playoffs for the second straight season.

With the playoffs in mind, signing Butler would have given the Rockets the boost they needed. A trio of Butler, Chris Paul, and James Harden would have made the Rockets a legitimate threat.

Or, as reports of chemistry issues between Harden and Paul surfaced, Butler could have been the second option alongside Harden. Signing Butler would have helped the Rockets, but a deal did not happen.

Ultimately, Butler signed with the Heat and is their "go-to player" and will lead them in the future. A trio (or duo) in Houston sounds good, but Butler's decision works for both parties. The Rockets potentially avoid further damage to team chemistry, and Butler went where he wanted. Both the Heat and Rockets will be different this season, and Butler's decision plays a part in it.