Former Texas Longhorns haven’t owned the NBA offseason, but they sure have highlighted it.

LaMarcus Aldridge unquestionably was the NBA’s biggest free agency prize, setting the market and changing the fortunes of several teams – many for the worst. A number of Texas players, while not franchise-changers, have still altered the outlook of the teams they landed with.

It’s been an interesting summer, so let’s examine how these former Longhorns have altered the direction of the NBA next season.

LaMarcus Aldridge: After meeting with seven teams in a whirlwind week, Aldridge opted to return home to Texas and sign with the San Antonio Spurs. The news changed the way people look at the Spurs for not only next season, but for the next decade. Aldridge is a plug-in heir for Tim Duncan in San Antonio. While the former Longhorn will never match what Duncan has done in his career, the tandem of Aldridge and Kawhi Leonard will keep the Spurs as title contenders for at least the next half-decade.

But Aldridge going elsewhere was more than that. It crippled the Blazers for next season and the future, leaving a team once thought of as an up-and-comer in the West as almost assured of missing the playoffs next season. Aldridge’s spurning of the Lakers and Knicks – who he did not even meet with – also furthered the perception that both flagship franchises are in reconstruction, not reloading, mode.

Aldridge is not the best player in the NBA nor is he a true superstar. But his decision process to kickoff free agency set the tone for the 2015-16 season. No longer is the NBA a two-team race for the title between the Warriors and Cavaliers; the Spurs have once again entered the fray.

Tristan Thompson: In a year LeBron James is on the market the Cleveland Cavaliers biggest free agent priority is…. Yup, you guessed it – Tristian Thompson.

Seriously, the former Longhorn power forward is the only reason the Cavs have yet to ink James to a deal, and it’s not going to happen until Thompson has a new contract of his own. Both James and Thompson, longtime friends, share the same agent, Rich Paul, and until Thompson gets a long-term deal, James is not resigning with Cleveland.

So, in essence, a 6-foot-9 power forward that averaged 8.5 points per game last season is placing the Cavs’ offseason plans at a standstill. Thompson wants near max money and deserved or not, he’s going to get it, because the Cavs need to keep James happy.

Cory Joseph Alright, so Joseph isn’t the summer’s biggest prize nor is he a max-level player, but he will have an impact on a couple of teams. The Spurs, burdened with max deals for Aldridge and Leonard, couldn’t afford to keep Joseph, costing the team an integral role player from their title run two years ago. Joseph’s move to the Raptors won’t change the foundation of the East, but the Canadian will help the Raptors replace Lou Williams, a key piece for one of the conference’s better teams.

Kevin Durant: Yes, Durant was not a free agent this offseason, but he was the Thunder’s move on the open market. After missing most of the 2014-15 season with a broken foot, the former MVP is expected to be back at full strength next season. The Thunder missed the playoffs without him last year, and his return to the lineup will be the infusion of talent Oklahoma City needs to return to contention. The Thunder will need to be contenders, too, because Durant will be a free agent next year, and will make the summer of Aldridge look like a warmup act.