Rating the NBA Off-Season

Reuters

In an off-season dominated by LeBron, many people have overlooked numerous other moves made by teams around the league.  While some teams have completely changed personalities, other look relatively the same, but all of these moves must be viewed in the grand scheme of things.

I’ve rated the teams based on four factors:

1) Amount of money to spend

2) Ability to lure free agents within their price range

3) Fit of signees within current system and roster

4) Draft outcomes

For example, the Clippers can’t be downgraded for not being able to lure LeBron when they really had a 0% chance from the outset.  That being said, here are my grades thus far:

Atlanta Hawks – The story of the Hawks begins and ends with the signing of Joe Johnson, and while they are getting killed in the media for the size of the contract (largest given out this season), I tend to have a different opinion.  If the Hawks didn’t sign Johnson, what exactly would they have done? Who would they have been able to sign? I understand that Hawk fans are now stuck with Johnson for the next six seasons, and with a team who seems poised for numerous playoff runs, but never a championship run, but without Johnson they aren’t a playoff team.  While they definitely overpaid and didn’t get significantly better, people have to understand that the best case scenario this offseason was to maintain the status quo without getting any worse, and with that: mission accomplished.  As far as the draft goes, I like the Jordan Crawford signing, because his high scoring off the bench will fit right into their up-tempo style.  Overall Grade: B

Boston Celtics – For me, this team may be one of the most difficult offseasons to grade.  While they did well to resign Ray Allen and Paul Pierce while bringing back coach Doc Rivers, I have to wonder whether or not this was their best option.  The Celtics spent most of the 2009-2010 regular season underachieving due to the accumulative age of their players, and yet the core of that team remains almost entirely in tact.  Celtics fans will also be quick to point out that this was also the same team that was just minutes away from being the NBA champions last season, so that has to mean something.  Overall I look at this the same way I look at the Hawks.  While they didn’t get any better, this was still best-case scenario for them.  While I don’t think the big three will win another championship together, I think this team gives them the best chance.  In other news, the Celtics resigned Nate Robinson, and let Tony Allen walk.  I think the Robinson signing was perfect, and gives them scoring and a spark off the bench, while I think Tony Allen will be missed, but letting him go was probably the team’s best option. Overall Grade:  B+

Charlotte Bobcats – The Bobcats biggest loss this offseason was starting point guard Raymond Felton, while the Bobcats failed to make any splash signings.  In minor news, the Bobcats added Larry Hughes and traded Tyson Chandler for Erick Dampier, Eduardo Najera, and Matt Carroll.  Overall, this appears to be a disappointing offseason for the Bobcats, who did nothing to improve their roster from last season, especially given their lack of draft picks this season. Overall Grade: D-

Chicago Bulls – One of the teams in the LeSweepstakes who came out empty handed, it is difficult to justify a high grade for the Bulls this offseason.  Their biggest move was the addition of Carlos Boozer, who will fit perfectly alongside Joakim Noah on the front line.  Other notable moves include the signing of Kyle Korver and Ronnie Brewer as well as the trading of Kirk Hinrich.  The Korver and Brewer signings provide nice complimentary pieces to the roster they have assembled, however the Hinrich trade is especially devastating given their failure to sign LeBron.  They traded Hinrich solely to create room for a massive signing, and got nothing in return.  Overall the Bulls will be a team to watch in the east next season, but the loss of Hinrich was a blemish on an otherwise somewhat productive offseason.  Like the Bobcats, the Bulls had no draft picks this season. Overall Grade: C+

Cleveland Cavaliers – Unfortunately there is absolutely nothing positive that came out of this offseason.  While it was clear the former hometown hero had no intention of ever signing with his former team, he hung them out to dry by not allowing them to pursue other options in the meantime.  As a result, the Cavs ended up with zero draft picks and zero major signings.  In the meantime they also lost Big Z and will probably lose Shaquille O’neal this summer, leaving them with just one player under contract over 6’9″ (Varejao).  One potential move proposed by ESPN’s Bill Simmons is exploring a trade for Gilbert Arenas, however that trade looks extremely unlikely.  Overall Grade: F

Dallas Mavericks – The Mavericks grade begins and ends with their ability to resign Dirk Nowitzki.  When the Mavericks’ best player opted out of his contract, the team’s only goal became to resign their best player, which they were able to do – even at a discount.  The Mavericks convinced their best player to sign for just $80 million over four years, in hopes that they could be active elsewhere in free agency.  The remainder of their time was spent re-signing Brendan Haywood and a trading for Tyson Chandler.  Both will add solid big men to play in the front court alongside Dirk, and with the continued emergence of Rodrique Beaubois, the Mavericks have prepared themselves for another successful campaign.  Overall Grade: B+

Denver Nuggets – One of my favorite moves of the entire offseason belongs to the Denver Nuggets in their signing of Al Harrington to a contract last week.  While Harrington may be somewhat of a liability on the defensive end, he provides them with another high-powered scorer off the bench to add to a team who won’t have any problems scoring this season.  Elsewhere, the biggest priority here is to sign Carmelo Anthony to a long-term deal before next offseason, however thus far they have failed to do so.  With very little money to spend, and very few needs, I think the Nuggets did a great job finding a player that will fit in their system and compliments their existing roster well.  Overall Grade: B+

Detroit Pistons – After an atrocious offseason last year, the Pistons were remarkably quiet this offseason, doing almost nothing outside of the draft.  In the draft, however, they picked up talented big man Greg Monroe, who fit their needs, and could make an impact this season.  Overall, the Pistons had little to work with and accomplished nothing, so enjoy another losing season for DETROIT BASKETBALLLLLLL.  Overall Grade: D

Golden State Warriors – If you asked Warrior fans what the biggest move this offseason was, I can tell you it has nothing to do with David Lee.  The best thing to happen to Bay Area basketball this summer was a change in ownership.  The fans can finally look forward to an owner who may be committed to spending some money and winning, and luckily for him, that era will begin with David Lee in the fold.  In one of the busiest offseasons in the league, the Warriors have parted ways with Anthony Morrow, Kelenna Azubuike, Anthony Randolph, Ronny Turiaf, and Corey Maggette via trade and free agency.  To compensate for their losses, they have added an all-star quality big man in David Lee and a versatile small forward in Dorrell Wright.  In the draft they added Ekpe Udoh, a raw big man who specializes in shot blocking more than shot making, but could be a long-term solution on the front line. Overall Grade: B+

Houston Rockets – With a GM as creative as Daryl Morey, you expect nothing less than a productive offseason, and this summer was no different.  After a late season trade that brought Kevin Martin into the mix and the impending return of Yao Ming, Morey knew that his team didn’t need much to continue their ascent in the western conference.  All he did was add a solid veteran center in Brad Miller at an affordable price as an insurance policy for Yao Ming, as well as rookie Patrick Patterson to boost depth along the front line.  Combine this with their ability to retain Luis Scola and Kyle Lowry, and the Rockets did everything they needed to this summer.  Overall Grade: B+

Indiana Pacers – For as bad as a season as the Pacers had last year, you would think they would be one of the more active teams in the league.  Unfortunately for the folks in Indianapolis the team they got used to see lose last year isn’t getting any better.  While the Pacers had a solid draft pick going into the draft, they spent it on a player full of raw, undeveloped talent in Paul George who seems a little ways off from being a contributor in the NBA.  Overall Grade: F

LA Clippers - The Clippers are an odd case to examine, because they had the money to target whoever they wanted, and yet, the reality of them landing a star player was near zero from the beginning.  Free agents departing from the squad include Rasual Butler and Craig Smith, two players who aren’t guaranteed not to be wearing a Clipper uniform next season, but have yet to be signed by anyone.  Outside of that, the Clippers added Randy Foye and Ryan Gomes, in addition to draft picks Al-Farouq Aminu and Eric Bledsoe, both of whom figure to see some minutes this season.  Overall the team didn’t add a ton, but given their lack of desirability, they had an average summer.  I compare them to a below average student who just isn’t that smart regardless of how much they study.  That being said, the Clippers studied a lot this summer, and still landed at the class average.  Overall Grade: B-

LA Lakers - When a team wins an NBA championship and returns all of their best players, one can’t expect much during the off-season, but all things considered, the Lakers have done well for themselves.  Going with the student analogy that I mentioned above, the Lakers are the star athlete who just needed to pass their classes to stay on the team, but instead, they happen to ace the test anyways.  The signings of Steve Blake and Derek Fisher weren’t sexy by any means, and yet, they’re exactly what the Lakers needed.  The loss of Jordan Farmar, Josh Powell, DJ Mbenga, and possibly Shannon Brown will hurt the team, but they will be better at point guard given the system they run with Steve Blake.  Also, their draft cannot be overlooked in the slightest.  For a team with no cap room, they need to sign players to minimum contracts, and their ability to draft two players who are dominating the summer league and who could contribute this season late in the second round was definitely clutch. Overall Grade – B+

Memphis Grizzlies - It cannot be easy to be a Memphis Grizzlies fan, but hey, at least your best player (Rudy Gay) on an awful team got a huge contract to return this season right?  The addition of Tony Allen will definitely help  add depth to a team that needs it, but in no way is he a solution.  The drafting of Xavier Henry will also help, but again, he isn’t going to be the difference between a bad team and the playoffs.  Overall Grade – C+

Miami Heat - It would be easy for me to spend my time gushing about how great the Heat will be with the new big 3, but in reality, it was their action other than those three signings that will make the biggest difference.  Their ability to retain Udonis Haslem and James Jones while signing Mike Miller and Big Z was the difference between a team with no depth, and a team everyone in the league should be terrified of.  If there was ever an A+ offseason, this was it.  Overall Grade – A+

Milwaukee Bucks – While last season ended with so much pain and anguish following the injury to Andrew Bogut just before playoff time, the offseason did little to relieve any doubts fans may have.  The biggest moves have been the resigning of John Salmons and the addition of Drew Gooden and Chris Douglas Roberts, however none of those are season-changing moves.  Their draft was okay, but again, nothing overly special.  The Bucks are relying on improvement across the board from their younger players, and hoping they can simply ride the momentum they developed at the end of last season.  Overall Grade – C

Minnesota Timberwolves - Any time you can trade your best player for Kosta Kuofos, you have to do it, right?  Apparently that is how things work in the mind of the infamous David Kahn, who did just that in trading away Al Jefferson.  If their offseason ended there, it would be an awful one, but unfortunately for Timberwolves fans, things only got worse.  They also traded two second round picks for Michael Beasley and his awful contract, in addition to their resigning of Darko Milicic for an absurd 4 years and $20 million.  Darko Milicic.  Yes, that Darko.  The same Darko who has a career average of 5.6 points per game.  Thats one point for every million dollars he will be making for the next four years.  The Wolves did get better in the draft, with the addition of Wesley Johnson, who won’t be a star, but should be a solid contributor for a few years, and the acquisition of Martell Webster through a trade. Overall Grade – F-

New Jersey Nets - Entering the offseason, people hinted at the possibility of the Nets being a major player this summer, with a new owner and lots of money to throw around, but unfortunately, that never came to fruition.  Their best move of the offseason was the drafting of Derek Favors, who when teamed with Brook Lopez, could develop into one of the best front lines in the league.  The Nets also added point guard Jordan Farmar from the Lakers, who will provide some scoring off the bench in relief of Devin Harris, in addition to the signings of Anthony Morrow, Travis Outlaw, and Johan Petro.  All of these are solid signings, and give the team some depth throughout their lineup, but it remains to be seen whether this will be enough to put them into the playoffs.  Overall Grade – B+

New Orleans Hornets - I guess the good news is that Chris Paul is still on the Hornets?  That is literally all that happened this offseason.  They had an unspectacular draft, and didn’t add any free agents, so there really isn’t much else to say.  Overall Grade – C-

New York Knicks - While the Knicks can claim membership in the group of teams screwed by LeBron James, at least they can’t claim membership in the group of teams who did nothing this offseason.  While the signing of Amare Stoudemire seems like a bit of a buzzkill given the potential for moves this offseason, he will definitely make the team significantly better from last year.  That being said, the loss of David Lee is a tough one to swallow, given that he was their best player for the past few seasons.  Overall the Knicks added Kelenna Azubuike, Anthony Randolph, Ronny Turiaf, and Raymond Felton.  Felton should see time as the starting point guard this season, and Azubuike and Randolph will also both see significant minutes, so while they only made one splash signing, they, like the Nets, were able to add numerous solid players to a roster that needed a lot of help.  Overall Grade – B+

Oklahoma City Thunder - Objective number one was to lock Kevin Durant into a long-term deal.  Check.  Objective number two was to obtain a big man that can grow alongside the youth already on the roster, and GM Sam Presti is hoping that big man is Cole Aldrich, whom they added in the draft.  While the team didn’t get significantly better this offseason, they were one of the few teams who could afford to do so, given their projected growth and improvement over the next few seasons.  Overall Grade – B-

Orlando Magic - Another team with a slow offseason, the Magic had very little to work with, and ended up simply maintaining their roster from last season.  Their biggest move was the resigning of coveted guard JJ Redick, who has emerged from anonymity over the past two seasons to become a solid contributor.  They also signed Chris Duhon and Quentin Richardson, while adding Daniel Orton and Stanley Robinson in the draft.  Overall not an exciting offseason for Orlando.  Overall Grade – C+

Philadelphia 76ers - For a team with so little talent on its roster, I would have expected a busier offseason, however the 76ers were surprisingly quiet all summer.  The offseason began with the trade of Samuel Dalembert to Sacramento for Spencer Hawes and Andres Nocioni, and then the drafting of Evan Turner.  I actually like both of these moves, because I think Hawes and Nocioni will both fit nicely in Philadelphia, and I am a big fan of Evan Turner.  I think the 76ers will be better next season, but they haven’t done nearly enough to put themselves in contention for the playoffs.  Overall Grade – C-

Phoenix Suns - With the loss of Amare Stoudemire, the Suns needed to make some moves in order to stay competitive, and I think they did the best they could.  The addition of Hedo Turkgolu is the biggest wildcard because you never know which Hedo you are getting, but I think this was their only chance of remaining amidst the top of the conference.  They also added Hakim Warrick and Josh Childress to account for the loss of Leandro Barbosa, while also resigning Channing Frye.  Overall this was a tough offseason to swallow for Suns fans, because in watching their series against the Lakers, Amare was the only thing keeping them alive, and I just don’t see Hakim Warrick, Hedo, and Josh Childress making up for that gap in performance.  Overall Grade – C

Portland Trailblazers - In what has been a strange offseason for the Blazers, their activity has been tough to predict.  I would never have expected the amount of turnover from the start of last season to the beginning of this season, but the Blazers have lost Steve Blake, Martell Webster, and Travis Outlaw while adding Marcus Camby, Wes Matthews, and Luke Babbit.  I like the addition of Babbit, however I don’t see how they expect him to be much of an upgrade over Martell Webster, at least in the short term, which is where they should be focusing their attention given the make-up of their roster.  Matthews is the biggest question mark.  How does a one-year player who averaged 13 points a game in college merit a 5 year $34 million deal?  Sure he will be a nice player, and provide solid minutes, but where?  He obviously isn’t starting over Brandon Roy or Nicholas Batum, and is a bench player worth that kind of money?  The same can be said for Babbit, who will quickly find himself lost in a list of shooting guards and small forwards including Jerryd Bayless, Rudy Fernandez, and the aforementioned Matthews, Roy, and Batum.  Overall this was a very strange offseason in Portland, and I just don’t see how they got any better.  Overall Grade – C

Sacramento Kings - The first major move made by the Kings was the addition of Samuel Dalembert in the trade mentioned above for Spencer Hawes and Andres Nocioni.  Dalembert should be a better fit in the Kings’ system, and if given quality minutes, could become an above-average NBA big man.  Outside of that trade, the Kings have been quiet, only aquiring other new players through the draft.  They did add Demarcus Cousins, who has the potential to be one of best rookies in the league this season, and will definitely start and contribute immediately.  Overall Grade – B

San Antonio Spurs - When the resigning of Matt Bonner is the highlight of your offseason, you know things have been dull.  Spurs didn’t do much in free agency or the draft, but rumors of the resigning of Richard Jefferson could be good news for a team that needs all the help it can get.  Overall Grade – D

Toronto Raptors - When the opportunity to take a mulligan on the signing of Hedo Turkgolu presented itself, the Raptors’ front office jumped all over it.  While Leandro Barbosa won’t be a season-changer, he will be a nice piece to add to a team that doesn’t have many other nice pieces.  Obviously the loss of Chris Bosh was devastating, however, I don’t think anyone was surprised.  The addition of Ed Davis in the draft was a solid pick, and he could see lots of court time this season given their lack of talent and depth. Overall Grade – D-

Utah Jazz - While everyone expected Carlos Boozer to leave town, I don’t think many people forecasted the loss of Kyle Korver and Wes Matthews as well.  What was expected to be a slow summer in Utah, quickly turned into a devastating one very quickly.  And then David Kahn came calling.  In a trade that was about as one-sided as the Pau Gasol deal, the Jazz literally stole Al Jefferson from the Timberwolves to make up for the loss of Boozer.  Jefferson could very easily become a monster this upcoming season playing alongside Deron Williams, as long as his health can be maintained.  The Jazz also signed Raja Bell and added Gordon Hayward in the draft, both of whom will receive lots of playing time this upcoming season.  For a team on the verge of losing so much to recoup just about all of it, while maybe even improving, the Jazz must be given credit for putting together what could possibly be the most creative offseason in the league. Overall Grade – A

Washington Wizards - The good news is that the Washington Wizards added John Wall in the draft.  The bad news is that Gilbert Arenas is still under contract.  The best move of the offseason came with the acquisition of point guard Kirk Hinrich, however it appears that three of their best players all seem to play the same position now, in point guard (Arenas, Wall, Hinrich).  The Wiz also added Yi Jianlian to add some depth to a roster that seems surprisingly talented.  If the Wizards can make the Arenas situation work, or can deal him for something useful, it will change the entire complexion of the team, however, as of now that seems unlikely.  Overall Grade – B

So there it is.  Every team, every move, graded.  In summary, the best offseason obviously goes to the Miami Heat, however there were a few teams who didn’t have to spend a ton of money in order to earn high grades.  I really liked what Utah did this offseason, because they had so much to lose with Carlos Boozer, and yet managed to remain near the upper echelon of the Western Conference.  I also really liked what the New Jersey Nets and New York Knicks did, in adding numerous quality players to rosters that desperately needed depth.  I thought the Lakers, Celtics, and Mavericks all did a good job maintaining their positions near the top, with the Lakers’ stellar draft, while the Celtics and Mavs were able to keep their best players around.  I thought Golden State, Houston, and Denver all improved themselves this offseason without having to splurge on the free agent market.  It has been a busy summer around the NBA, and while things may not have been as crazy as predicted, it was definitely one of the most memorable offseasons in NBA history.

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