Did the Lakers overreact? Are we sure the Warriors are back? NBA offseason grades for the Western Conference
It is time to hand out remaining grades on the 2021 offseason.
With coaching camp now two weeks away, we're taking one final probability to rehash all that went down in a blur of an offseason.
Defining success is all relative when making an attempt to gauge the success of any offseason, and it is necessary to bear in mind the shifting priorities and lifelike expectations weighed by every franchise. For some groups, sitting idly by and making minor tweaks is the easiest way to chart a course to competition. For others, sitting idly by and making minor tweaks is the surest option to the underside of a 6-foot gap.
No two circumstances are alike, nor does roster-building exist in a vacuum. Context issues!
MORE: The highest 50 storylines to observe in 2021-22
Might we sit again and hand out As and Bs to everybody? In fact! Taking the glass half-full strategy, there is a world by which the best-case situation performs out for each staff.
However we're not doing that. Nope, not right here. These grades function on a curve and for every convention, not more than 4 groups can obtain an A, no less than 4 groups should obtain a C, and no less than one staff should obtain a dreaded D or F. Even when a staff completed its main goal, that does not essentially translate to a excessive grade, particularly if there's work left to be finished.
We already handed out report playing cards to the Japanese Convention. Now it is time to sort out the West.
(Click on on any of the groups to skip down).
DAL | DEN | GSW | HOU | LAC | LAL | MEM | MIN | NOP | OKC | PHX | POR | SAC | SAS | UTAH
Dallas Mavericks
(Getty Photographs)
https://photos.daznservices.com/di/library/sporting_news/fc/21/luka-doncic-kristaps-porzingis-060721-getty-ftr_12i8j1055f1rv1uwpn0xoqptg3.jpg?t=-407220183&w=500&high quality=80
- Departures: Josh Richardson (Celtics), JJ Redick (unsigned), Nicolo Melli (unsigned)
- Additions: Jeff Inexperienced (free company), Nah’Shon Hyland (draft)
- Departures: JaVale McGee (Suns), Paul Millsap (Nets)
Largest offseason precedence: Load up for Jamal Murray’s mid-season return
The thin: The timing of Jamal Murray’s torn ACL couldn’t have been a lot worse. When Murray fell to the ground in Golden State final April, it not solely sunk Denver’s title probability for 2021 however likewise positioned 2022 doubtful. Simply don’t inform the Nuggets.
They're working below the guise that Murray will return someday within the spring to make a critical run at popping out of the West. They introduced again Will Barton, JaMychal Inexperienced and Austin Rivers whereas prying Jeff Inexperienced away from Brooklyn, which needs to be an improve over Paul Millsap (who paradoxically then signed with the Nets). Though they may have waited till subsequent summer season, Denver opted to increase Aaron Gordon, signing the versatile Swiss-army knife to a four-year, $92 million extension. It’s an enormous chunk of change, however Gordon means extra to Denver than he would anybody else and is an ideal match on each ends. With Michael Porter Jr. and Nikola Jokic in line for large pay days, Denver is pushing its chips all in with this group. If Murray comes again wholesome, this offseason places the Nuggets on observe to noticeably contend within the West.
Grade: A-
Golden State Warriors
- Additions: Nemanja Bjelica (free company), Otto Porter Jr (free company), Andre Iguodala (free company), Jonathan Kuminga (draft), Moses Moody (draft)
- Departures: Kelly Oubre (Hornets), Kent Bazemore (Lakers), Eric Paschall (Jazz)
Largest offseason precedence: Open a brand new championship window
The thin: With Klay Thompson coming back from a torn Achilles, Stephen Curry acting at an MVP degree and Draymond Inexperienced rekindling his DPOY potential, the Warriors totally count on to re-enter the title combine in 2022. Armed with a pair of lottery picks, 2020 No. 2 general decide James Wiseman plus some high-dollar wage (Andrew Wiggins is on the hook for $31.6M this season), the Warriors might have aggressively pursued one other star, maybe one which rhymes with the names Chadley Neal or Ren Timmons. As a substitute, the Warriors preserve that they've sufficient firepower as at the moment constructed and hope no less than one of many youngins pops. Maybe they’re proper to carry on to the long run belongings with the lengthy sport in thoughts. In the event that they fall brief, this might be seen as a wasted golden alternative in the course of the again finish of Curry’s prime.
There’s real pleasure about Golden State’s return to the higher echelon, and for good motive. Additionally looming is the potential for large disappointment. Thompson hasn’t performed in two years, Inexperienced is a zero offensively, and the Warriors have been throttled in non-Curry minutes. The Lakers primarily performed a box-and-1 in opposition to Curry within the play-in sport, concurrently an indication of limitless respect for Curry and utter disrespect for everybody else. Shopping for into the Warriors hype is the NBA equal of going all-in on crypto. In principle, the blockchain is aligned for an enormous windfall. However till that potential pays out, that’s all it's — potential. For now, Bob Myers will get the good thing about the doubt.
Grade: B-
MORE: Golden State playing with fire in latest balancing act
Houston Rockets
- Additions: Daniel Theis (trade), Jalen Green (draft), Alperun Sengun (draft), Usman Garuba (draft), Josh Christopher (draft)
- Departures: Sterling Brown (Mavericks), Kelly Olynyk (Pistons)
Biggest offseason priority: Restock the cupboard
The skinny: The Rockets did about as well as they could have. Jalen Green is a strong candidate to lead all rookies in scoring while Alperun Sengun, Turkish League MVP at just 19 years old, has a chance to be one of the draft’s ultimate steals. There is a desire to find a taker for John Wall’s deal but at such a hefty price tag ($91.7 million over the next two years), the Rockets will be hard-pressed to find a taker unless they attach a pick. As I’ve mentioned elsewhere, gauging the success of an offseason entirely off draft picks necessitates a wait-and-see approach, especially if Green doesn’t pan out or underperforms relative to rookies taken later. Overall, a solid offseason for the rebuilding Rockets.
Grade: B+
LA Clippers
(Getty Images)
https://images.daznservices.com/di/library/sporting_news/df/83/kawhi-leonard-061621-getty-ftr_1gskpmavrbpt01ioy2ziojlsc3.jpg?t=356092330&w=500&quality=80
- Departures: Patrick Beverley (Timberwolves), Rajon Rondo (Lakers), Daniel Oturu (Grizzlies)
Biggest offseason priority: Remain respectable sans Kawhi
The skinny: The Clippers are fascinating. On one hand, you might look at a team likely without Kawhi Leonard for the entire regular season as a lame duck squad simply waiting it out until 2022-23. On the other hand, you might look at them as a team with the opportunity to lay low pressure-free and simply bide their time in the shadows before emerging as a real threat if Leonard comes back. They brought back both Nic Batum and Reggie Jackson, that latter of whom erupted when given the opportunity to step up after Leonard’s injury. Out of necessity, Jackson averaged an efficient 21 points over his last eight playoff games, more than holding his own against both Donovan Mitchell and Chris Paul. Eric Bledsoe receives his fair share of criticism, but there is zero question that he stands to be a significant upgrade over Patrick Beverley, especially if asked to take on primary scoring responsibilities for the bench unit. Justise Winslow simply can’t stay healthy, but he’s an intriguing piece to slot into an amorphous team that stumbled into an identity once Leonard went down. The offseason set the Clippers up to compete even without their best player. And if he comes back? Watch out.
Grade: A-
Los Angeles Lakers
- Additions: Russell Westbrook (trade), Carmelo Anthony (free agency), Dwight Howard (free agency), Trevor Ariza (free agency), Rajon Rondo (free agency), DeAndre Jordan (free agency), Wayne Ellington (free agency), Kent Bazemore (free agency), Malik Monk (free agency), Kendrick Nunn (free agency)
- Departures: Kyle Kuzma (Wizards), Montrezl Harrell (Wizards), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (Wizards), Andre Drummond (76ers), Dennis Schroder (Celtics), Marc Gasol (TBD), Alex Caruso (Bulls), Markieff Morris (Heat)
Biggest offseason priority: Lots of botox.
The skinny: Whew. There’s a lot to unpack about the Lakers — too much for this space — but my overall perspective revolves around a one-word question: “Why?”
Why did the Lakers feel the need for such a drastic overhaul? The same team that won it all in the bubble looked ready to make another Finals run until Anthony Davis caught the injury bug at the wrong time. Revamping and retooling around LeBron and AD is one thing. But adding the highest-usage point guard in NBA history who also doubles as the worst high-volume shooter in NBA history feels unnecessary. There will be nights when Russell Westbrook takes over and looks amazing, but his addition feels like an 82-game decision more than a 16-game decision. Beyond Westbrook, the defense took a real hit and is a much larger concern than the low-hanging AARP fruit.
This team will be judged on what happens in May and June. If you’re a Lakers fan, do you really want your team’s fate resting on whether Westbrook can hit wide open 3s when left alone down the stretch of tight playoff games? The Lakers didn’t need a third star to win big. We know this because we literally just saw it. They needed shooting, defense and good health. They’re still the favorites to come out of the West and likely would have been regardless of what they did, so it’s not a full-blown “our heads are falling off” overreaction. But this offseason reeks of desperation for a team that didn’t need to act desperately.
Grade: C
MORE: How Westbrook can learn from Carmelo
Memphis Grizzlies
- Additions: Steven Adams (trade), Jarrett Culver (trade), Kris Dunn (trade), Carsen Edwards (trade), Ziaire Williams (draft), Santi Aldama (draft)
- Departures: Grayson Allen (Bucks), Eric Bledsoe (Clippers), Jonas Valanciunas (Pelicans), Justise Winslow (Clippers)
Biggest offseason priority: Fill in the gaps around Morant and JJJ
The skinny: I don’t understand how the Grizzlies got better. Steven Adams will fit in perfectly in Memphis, but he’s making $3M more than the departed Jonas Valanciunas this season ($17.1M compared with $14M) and has one extra year on his deal. While ridding themselves of Eric Bledsoe’s contract helps (he’s owed $18.1 million this season), the final year of his deal is only partially guaranteed for $3.9 million so they didn’t save that much. Jarrett Culver is a low-risk swing worth taking, but the No. 6 pick in the 2019 draft has thus far been a colossal bust. Offloading Grayson Allen opens up room for Desmond Bane and De’Anthony Melton but doesn’t come without risk. Allen is only 25, averaged more 3s than anyone else on the team and proved to be a valuable crunch-time contributor.
Maybe the line of thinking is that continued patience, a clean bill of health for Jaren Jackson Jr. and a cleaner cap sheet paves the road toward progress. But this feels underwhelming for a team on the upswing.
Grade: C
Minnesota Timberwolves
- Additions: Jarred Vanderbilt (free agency), Patrick Beverley (trade), Taurean Prince (trade)
- Departures: Ricky Rubio (Cavaliers), Jarrett Culver (Grizzlies), Juancho Hernangomez (Celtics)
Biggest offseason priority: Add toughness and intensity
The skinny: Minnesota’s dream is landing Ben Simmons, who would fit in perfectly alongside Karl-Anthony Towns. Of course, it’s a pipe dream if they continue insisting that Towns, D’Angelo Russell and Anthony Edwards are all off-limits. Beyond the blockbuster that didn’t (yet) happen, the Timberwolves brought some adults in the room who will bring much-needed toughness and shooting. Taurean Prince is a legitimate 3-and-D wing who drilled over 40 percent from beyond the arc last season. Beverley’s best days may be in the past, but he’s still a tenacious thorn in the side of opposing point guards whose no-nonsense approach should help light a fire under a team that ranked 28th in defensive efficiency last season. Time machines don’t exist and neither do mulligans. Minnesota can’t take back the Russell trade with Golden State, so it’s simply crossing fingers that Jonathan Kuminga’s high upside doesn’t translate into stardom elsewhere.
Grade: B-
New Orleans Pelicans
- Additions: Devonte’ Graham (trade), Jonas Valanciunas (trade), Tomas Satoransky (trade), Garrett Temple (trade), Trey Murphy (draft), Herbert Jones (draft)
- Departures: Lonzo Ball (Bulls), Steven Adams (Grizzlies), Eric Bledsoe (Clippers), Wes Iwundu (Hornets), James Johnson (Nets)
- Draft generational talent No. 1 overall.
- Underwhelm in surrounding said talent with help.
- Allow seeds of discontent to sprout.
If New Orleans isn’t careful, what happened with Anthony Davis could happen again with Zion Williamson. Siphoning off Eric Bledsoe and Steven Adams to clear up room to bring in a star makes sense. Deciding not to spend $20 million a year on Lonzo Ball and his questionable fit is defensible. Coordinating those moves to make a run at Kyle Lowry is admirable. But doing all that just to sign Devonte’ Graham WHILE ALSO GIVING UP A FIRST-ROUND PICK? Not great, Bob! Jonas Valanciunas is a good player and Trey Murphy is one of the best shooters in the rookie class. But by failing to surround Williamson with needle-moving pieces, the Pelicans are inching one step closer to history repeating itself.
Grade: D
Oklahoma City Thunder
- Additions: Derrick Favors (trade), Josh Giddey (draft), Tre Mann (draft), Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (draft), Aaron Wiggins (draft)
- Departures: Tony Bradley (Bulls), Svi Mykhailiuk (Raptors), Kemba Walker (waived)
Biggest offseason priority: Collect all the infinity sto-, ur, draft picks
The skinny: The loudest splash OKC made was inking Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to a five-year, $172 million extension. Beyond that, Sam Presti continues to acquire as many picks as humanly possible in a long, drawn-out rebuild that seemingly has no end in sight. The 6-8 Josh Giddey should slot in nicely next to SGA as a high-IQ prospect who might be the best passer in the draft. OKC traded Al Horford to Boston for Kemba Walker and the 16th overall pick but then flipped that pick to Houston for two future protected first-round picks that likely won’t convey for years as the Rockets are in a similar rebuild.
Team Alilapee
#conference #Grades #Lakers #NBA #offseason #overreact #Warriors #Western
https://bit.ly/3An37rJ
Post a Comment