Philadelphia 76ers: A
There’s no easier path to an “A” offseason grade than adding a superstar without giving anything up in return. The Philadelphia 76ers didn’t just do that when signing Paul George. If you trace the transaction back to its origin — the James Harden trade to the Clippers last season that officially cleared the space they’d need to sign George — they actually walked out of the George addition having improved their overall asset base. In that Harden trade, the 76ers got control over two future first-round picks from the Clippers in 2028 (unprotected) and 2029 (top-three protected, via swap rights). Those picks look pretty valuable right about now!
George’s fit in Philadelphia is about as clean as you’ll ever find within a star trio. There’s one guard (Tyrese Maxey), one forward (George) and one center (Joel Embiid). All three can shoot. Two are high-end defenders. They play at different speeds and can function in different styles depending on which of them are on the court at any given time. The 76ers may have the best trio in the NBA right now.
Daryl Morey did a stellar job of filling out the supporting cast. Caleb Martin’s four-year, $35 million deal is one of the best values of the offseason. Kelly Oubre Jr. was underpaid at the minimum last season, but he is still probably underpaid at the cap room mid-level exception this season. Andre Drummond has been a proven fit behind Embiid in the past and he’s one of the few backup centers available at his price point that can easily scale into a starting role when necessary. Kyle Lowry will be good value at the minimum, no matter how old he gets. Philadelphia cleverly used KJ Martin’s Bird Rights to create a free trade chip. No notes here. The 76ers did everything right.
The Brooklyn Nets prioritize the value of their own picks over better offers on the table in February. They aim to trade valuable veterans quickly to prioritize their long-term outlook. The offseason was a huge victory for the Nets, making their future substantially brighter than before.
The Boston Celtics received a B+ grade for their offseason moves. They secured key players with team-friendly contracts and have a clear financial outlook for the next few years. However, the impending sale of the team raises concerns about potential changes in ownership that could impact the team’s success in the future.
The New York Knicks also received a B+ grade for their offseason moves, particularly the acquisition of Bridges despite the high price. The trade made sense in the context of generating surplus value and maintaining a sustainable financial structure. The Knicks are close to championship contention but need to address their center situation to improve their chances further. Once Leon Rose has completed his tasks, he may earn an “A.” Until then, his grade remains a B+.
Cleveland Cavaliers: B-
The most crucial move for the Cavaliers this offseason was securing Donovan Mitchell’s extension, which they successfully did. However, their lack of aggressiveness in making significant roster changes raises concerns about their ability to become a conference finals contender. While the addition of Kenny Atkinson as head coach is promising, the team’s reluctance to explore trades for key players like Jarrett Allen and Darius Garland is holding them back. Without further roster improvements, it’s difficult to give Cleveland a higher grade for their offseason moves.
Milwaukee Bucks: B-
The Bucks made impressive signings of minimum-salary free agents, adding depth to their roster. Gary Trent Jr.’s acquisition stands out as a significant move that could enhance their offense alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo. However, the team’s lack of focus on improving their point-of-attack defense remains a concern. Despite their offensive prowess, the Bucks’ inability to address this weakness limits their offseason grade.
Orlando Magic: B-
The Magic made sensible moves with their cap space, retaining key players like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Jonathan Isaac. However, their failure to add a shot-creating guard or high-volume 3-point shooter hinders their potential for offensive improvement. While their patience in waiting for the right trade opportunities is commendable, it doesn’t elevate their offseason grade significantly. Additionally, the Franz Wagner extension may have been premature given his performance. If he continues to shoot 28% next season and struggles in the playoffs, this contract may become risky. The Magic could have tried negotiating Wagner’s max deal instead of giving it right away. The process leading to a slight overpay would have been more acceptable if handled patiently. The Pacers made a notable swap by acquiring Wiseman and re-signing Siakam to a shorter deal. Toppin’s contract looks promising, and Nembhard may also sign a reasonable deal. The Murray trade brought in valuable assets, and the Hawks are building around Young with young wings. The Risacher pick is still uncertain, while Sheppard’s performance raises questions. The Hawks should consider trading Capela to make room for Okongwu. The Wizards face a similar debate with Sarr, who needs a point guard to thrive. The Avdija trade was logical for assets but may have been premature. Valanciunas provides veteran leadership at a good value. Having a consistent player on the floor who can box out and set good screens is a valuable asset for any team. In the case of Saddiq Bey, his bargain signing was a smart move for the Wizards, even though he may miss the season with a torn ACL. This won’t impact their draft position this year, but he will be back at a low cost next season. Overall, the Wizards had a standard rebuilding summer.
The Toronto Raptors made some bold moves, such as signing Immanuel Quickley to a big contract. While it may seem like a lot of money, the structure of the contract actually makes it more affordable over time. Quickley’s performance in Toronto has been promising, and he could prove to be a solid investment for the team. Similarly, Scottie Barnes’ max rookie extension was a necessary move for the Raptors, given his importance to the franchise.
On the other hand, the Pistons’ offseason was a mixed bag. While they showed a willingness to spend, some of their signings, like Miles Bridges, may have been overpays. The team also struggled to address their shooting deficiencies, which could impact their young players’ development. The Bulls, on the other hand, made a necessary move by parting ways with DeMar DeRozan, setting the stage for a new era for the team. The decision to trade Alex Caruso, while he was still on a valuable and affordable contract, was a necessary move for the Bulls, who were not making progress in recent years. However, the way the trade was executed raises some questions. Despite Caruso being a sought-after role player in the market, the Bulls failed to secure even a single draft pick in the Josh Giddey trade. Giddey, who struggled in the playoffs for the Thunder, may have potential but also comes with limitations that may not align with the Bulls’ current needs.
The lack of draft picks from the Thunder in exchange for Caruso could have provided the Bulls with the necessary assets to potentially move on from Zach LaVine, who is now facing a challenging situation due to the team’s reluctance to go into the luxury tax. Additionally, the mishandling of the DeRozan deal, where the Bulls missed out on an unprotected 2031 first-round swap from the Kings, further highlights the front office’s questionable decision-making.
While the Bulls may benefit from being in the mix for lottery picks, the overall management of the team’s rebuild has been criticized. The lack of a clear plan and direction, especially in comparison to other teams like the Heat, raises concerns about the Bulls’ future prospects. The Heat, despite their recent playoff appearances, are also facing challenges with an aging roster centered around Jimmy Butler, whose trade may be necessary to acquire assets for future development.
In conclusion, both the Bulls and the Heat have had underwhelming offseasons, with questionable decisions and lack of clear strategies for future success. While the Heat’s track record and front office credibility may offer some hope for improvement, the current trajectories of both teams raise doubts about their competitiveness in the near future. We will need more information in order to rewrite the given sentence.