Grading every NBA team’s offseason
Just when it seems the NBA is giving you a break … whew! This league truly never rests. It’s a 365-day-a-year entertainment factory, as evidenced by the news of last week’s stunning trade between the Cavaliers and Celtics, which was completed on Wednesday night.
The Cavaliers received Thomas, the 5-foot-9 warrior, in addition to Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, the Nets’ 2018 first-round pick, and a 2020 second-round pick via Miami. The Celtics received Irving, one of the most skilled and clutch players in the league. The trade will dramatically change the league.
So, are you ready for actual basketball games to be played again? It’s hard to believe — didn’t Golden State just win the title last week? — but the 2017-18 NBA season is only one month away. And though the level of preseason basketball is a far cry from the game-in-game-out intensity that’s on display in the playoffs, it’s still NBA basketball, and thank goodness it’s back, because I’m not sure fans’ hearts can handle many more transactions before seeing what their teams actually look like.
This offseason was hectic. Some of the league’s contenders bolstered their title chances during the summer months, while others appear to have taken a step back. Some teams went into full rebuild mode, while others went from fringe-playoff teams to conference semifinal contenders.
Below are our evaluations of each team’s transactions this offseason.
EAST
Atlantic
Boston Celtics: A+
The Celtics aced their offseason. In addition to inking the most coveted free agent in the league, Gordon Hayward, Danny Ainge and company shrewdly managed their cap space. They allowed Amir Johnson and Kelly Olynyk to walk and also flipped Avery Bradley for Marcus Morris. Bradley is a solid player and lock-down wing defender, but Morris adds inside toughness and rebounding, which the C’s sorely needed. Oh, and the Celtics managed to acquire one of the best guards in the league — a young guy who still hasn’t reached his potential. Boston is now my favorite in the East.
Brooklyn Nets: A
The Nets desperately needed a rebuild, and Sean Marks led the franchise well this summer. The team’s trade of Brook Lopez and a first-round pick to the Lakers for D’Angelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov’s contract was beneficial for both sides, and I foresee Russell coming into his own in Brooklyn. The Nets also got a big-time payday for being willing to absorb DeMarre Carroll’s contract from the Raptors; Brooklyn received Carroll, a first-rounder, and a second-rounder while only giving up Justin Hamilton.
New York Knicks: C-
You might expect the Knicks to receive an F — this franchise is failing at pretty much everything these days, right? — but they did make one key, positive move this offseason: they fired Phil Jackson as team president. The Zen Master is one of the greatest coaches in the history of sports, and I have endless respect for the man, but the Phil-as-GM experiment was a resounding failure. Tim Hardaway’s head-scratching, gargantuan contract will probably hurt the Knicks for years to come. They need to cut their losses with Melo, get something good in return, and mend the team’s relationship with Kristaps Porzingis — pronto.
Philadelphia 76ers: A
The 76ers had an excellent draft, trading up to grab Markelle Fultz, and later selecting three promising wings — Jonah Bolden, Latvia’s Anžejs Pasečņiks, and France’s Mathias Lessort. Philly also inked veteran sharpshooter J.J. Redick, whose shooting and leadership should prove fruitful for this young team.
Toronto Raptors: C
The Raptors were stuck in no man’s land heading into this offseason. Clearly their current collection of talent was not enough to overcome Cleveland or Boston, but with their future tied up in DeMar DeRozan, the Raps also weren’t in a great position to blow things up. They doubled down on the present by bringing back Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka. Both are solid players, but both got too much money. It seems the Raptors believe they have enough to contend in the East this year. It’s hard to envision Toronto making the Finals — surpassing Cleveland, Boston, and Washington — with this roster, but there’s no way they’re going into tank mode now.
Central
Chicago Bulls: F
Seriously, if anyone is going to receive a failing mark, it has to be the Bulls. Much has been made of the Jimmy Butler trade, but it bears repeating: the Bulls got ripped off. Their fan base is justified in calling for the firing of the front office. What do we even make of this team at this point? There’s Dwyane Wade (who might be bought out), Robin Lopez, and a bunch of unproven young guys. If the Bulls are among the worst teams in the East this year, you’ll have to wonder about Fred Hoiberg’s job security.
Cleveland Cavaliers: B+
The Cavs were placed in a tough position when Irving requested a trade. Previously, the widespread assumption was that if LeBron bolted in free agency next offseason, the Cavs would rebuild around Kyrie. Though you can’t quantify the magnitude of losing a once-in-a-generation player, at least Cleveland would still have one All-NBA guy on the roster. Then Kyrie forced Cleveland’s hand; regardless, I like what the Cavs are getting in return. The trade works for both sides. Cleveland made some questionable moves this offseason (signing Jose Calderon and Jeff Green), but it also made some moves I like, such as the Irving trade, signing an undervalued Derrick Rose, and naming rising star Koby Altman its new GM.
Detroit Pistons: B
The Pistons’ trade for Avery Bradley was a sage move. Bradley is one of the best backcourt defenders in the league, he’s capable of random offensive explosions, and he immediately makes Detroit better. Right now the Pistons just need assets, and they got a good one. Some of the team’s other moves, however — overpaying for backup guard Langston Galloway, allowing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to sign elsewhere — weren’t my favorite decisions.
Indiana Pacers: C-
The Pacers flipped a top-10-in-the-NBA guy for Victor Oladipo, whose jumper is unreliable and who is making way too much money, and Domantas Sabonis, who in his rookie year looked like a serviceable-but-not-great big man. They were going to lose George next year anyway, but you have to wonder what else they could have gotten in return. I like their decision to renounce the rights to LaVoy Allen and their second-round pick of Ike Anigbogu, a high-upside guy.
Milwaukee Bucks: B
The Bucks entered the offseason with no cap space in part because of their investments in bench players John Henson and Matthew Dellavedova. In reality, this team didn’t need to make money moves — they have a budding young core and the future looks bright. I like their pick of Michigan’s DJ Wilson in the draft, though he went earlier than expected, and their re-signing of guard Tony Snell to a reasonable deal.
Southeast
Atlanta Hawks: B+
The Hawks are in rebuild mode. They allowed Paul Millsap to leave and traded away Dwight Howard. Though these are two valuable assets, a rebuild makes a lot of sense for Atlanta. The Hawks wisely decided not to match the Knicks’ offer to Tim Hardaway. They also made a great, under-the-radar draft pick (John Collins, No. 19). Lastly, their addition of forward Dewayne Dedmon from San Antonio was one of the bargain pickups of the summer (two years, $14 million).
Charlotte Hornets: B+
Charlotte made two notable additions this summer: Malik Monk, the sharpshooting Kentucky guard whom the Hornets selected No. 11 in the draft; and Dwight Howard, whom the Hornets acquired in a trade with Atlanta. The price (Marco Belinelli, Miles Plumlee, and a second-rounder) was right for Dwight, who is in the twilight of his career but is still a valuable post man. Monk can really fill it up, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he made a Rookie of the Year charge. The Hornets should find themselves in the East’s second tier with Washington, Toronto, and Miami.
Miami Heat: C+
The Heat found a nice rhythm toward the end of last season, but they were hoping to make a leap by luring Hayward. Though Hayward has said he seriously considered Miami, the Heat fell short in their pitch. The Heat were also reportedly interested in Blake Griffin, but that didn’t work out either. Their big offseason move was adding Kelly Olynyk, who is a fine bench player but got overpaid (four years, $50 million). Miami swung for the fences and fell short this offseason, but at least the Heat brought back #WaitersIsland.
Orlando Magic: B
The Magic had a solid offseason. Jonathan Simmons was one of the more attractive young wings on the market, and his three-year, $20 million deal is perfectly reasonable. Orlando hadn’t had a marquee addition in years before Simmons signed. The Magic also locked down two reliable veteran guards — Shelvin Mack and Arron Afflalo, who agreed to a one-year deal on the minimum.
Washington Wizards: B-
The Wizards showed in the playoffs this year that they’re right there in the East. They’ll likely need to add a third star to get over the hump. In the meantime, they locked up their Alpha Dog, John Wall, and also brought back Otto Porter Jr., matching the max deal Brooklyn offered to him. Jodie Meeks could prove to be a useful addition in the playoffs. The Wizards elected to allow Bojan Bogdanovic and Brandon Jennings to leave.
