Through savvy free-agent signings, trades, and player development, these four NBA teams (in no particular order) have done the best job of putting together competitive, win-now rosters that are also set up for prolonged success.

General manager Sean Marks quickly transformed a fringe playoff team into a championship favorite by acquiring Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in the 2019 offseason. James Harden arrived via trade during the 2020-21 campaign, which put Brooklyn even further over the top.

With the Nets' Big 3 in place, notable former All-Stars Blake Griffin, LaMarcus Aldridge, and, most recently, Paul Millsap signed on as role players. Brooklyn also features sharpshooter extraordinaire Joe Harris, young big man Nicolas Claxton, and former NBA champion Patty Mills, among others.

The Suns' turnaround from perennial lottery team to Western Conference contender under GM James Jones has been remarkable. Acquiring Chris Paul last summer emphatically expedited the development of young core pieces Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton, and Mikal Bridges.

• 2018-19: 19-63 (.232 WIN%)
• 2019-20: 34-39 (.466 WIN%) 
• 2020-21: 51-21 (.708 WIN%)   

No roster reflects an organization's identity more than Pat Riley's hard-nosed Heat. After acquiring Jimmy Butler in the 2019 offseason and re-signing Bam Adebayo and later Duncan Robinson, Miami went all-in this summer to acquire gritty, highly competitive players in Kyle Lowry and P.J. Tucker.

The Nuggets' good fortunes can be traced to a stellar track record in the draft dating back to 2014. After striking gold on a number of picks - most notably, reigning MVP Nikola Jokic - team president Tim Connelly rounded out the roster with solid complementary pieces, including Aaron Gordon and Will Barton.

• Michael Porter Jr. - No. 14 (2018)
• Monte Morris - No. 51 (2017) 
• Jamal Murray - No. 7 (2016)
• Malik Beasley - No. 19 (2016)
• Nikola Jokic - No. 41 (2014)

* Denver also drafted All-Stars Donovan Mitchell (No. 13 pick) and Rudy Gobert (No. 27) in 2017 and 2013, respectively. Both were traded to the Jazz in draft-night deals.