Grading Every Eastern Conference Team's Offseason
Let's grade every 2023 Eastern Conference team's offseason!
As promised, today, we are grading each Eastern Conference team’s offseason. Three major trades were Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks, and the Boston Celtics acquiring Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday Let’s talk about it.
Atlanta Hawks
Sarah Stier via Getty Images
Key Additions:
Wesley Matthews (minimum)
Patty Mills (traded from Thunder)
Kobe Bufkin (15th overall pick)
Mouhamed Gueye (39th overall pick)
Seth Lundy (46th overall pick)
Key Subtractions:
Aaron Holiday (signed with Rockets)
John Collins (traded to Jazz)
Extended:
Dejounte Murray (4/$114M)
The Atlanta Hawks had been looking to trade John Collins for a while and finally pulled the trigger. Though they did not get the return they wanted, the trade will give more minutes to young wings such as DeAndre Hunter, AJ Griffin, Saddiq Bey, and Jalen Johnson. They also traded for Patty Mills, who can be a mentor for rookie Kobe Bufkin. If Mills is struggling, Bufkin can be the backup point guard as he can contribute right away. Lastly, they extended Dejounte Murray, who is in the prime of his career, on a great contract. With a salary cap that is expected to rise every year, his contract will be one of the best in the NBA.
Grade: B
Boston Celtics
David Zalubowski via Associated Press
Key Additions:
Oshae Brissett (minimum)
Kristaps Porzingis (traded from Wizards)
Jrue Holiday (traded from Trail Blazers)
Jordan Walsh (38th overall pick)
Key Subtractions:
Grant Williams (signed with Mavericks)
Marcus Smart (traded to Grizzlies)
Danilo Gallinari (traded to Wizards)
Mike Muscala (traded to Wizards)
Malcolm Brogdon (traded to Trail Blazers)
Robert Williams (traded to Trail Blazers)
Extended:
Jaylen Brown (5/$288M)
Payton Pritchard (4/$30M)
Kristaps Porzingis (2/$60M)
After losing to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Boston Celtics made major changes. They lost rotational players in Grant Williams, Marcus Smart, Malcolm Brogdon, and Robert Williams to trade for Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday. After these trades, they have one of the best starting lineups in the league with Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Kristaps Porzingis. On the flip side, they now have one of the worst benches in the league which may be concerning. Trading for Holiday does not make the loss of Smart too bad as they will likely play similar roles. Finally, they extended Brown, Porzingis, and Payton Pritchard. Many fans thought Brown’s contract was an overpay, but it was better to do that than lose him for nothing. Porzingis was recently acquired in a three team trade that included the Memphis Grizzlies and Washington Wizards, but his extension proves they have no regrets making that trade. Pritchard’s contract proves Boston believes in him as a solid backup point guard.
Grade: B+
Brooklyn Nets
Amanda Loman via Getty Images
Re-signed:
Cam Johnson (4/$94M)
Key Additions:
Dennis Smith Jr. (minimum)
Lonnie Walker IV (minimum)
Noah Clowney (21st overall pick)
Dariq Whitehead (22nd overall pick)
Jalen Wilson (51st overall pick)
Key Subtractions:
Seth Curry (signed with Mavericks)
Yuta Watanabe (signed with Suns)
Joe Harris (traded to Pistons)
Patty Mills (traded to Rockets)
The Brooklyn Nets had one of the more mediocre offseasons in the NBA. They lost three of the best shooters in the league in Seth Curry, Joe Harris, and Yuta Watanabe yet signed Lonnie Walker IV and Dennis Smith Jr. After the Los Angeles Lakers traded for D’Angelo Russell, Walker did not get much opportunity until the playoffs. The Nets did a good job taking advantage of that and signed him on a minimum contract. This came after he had the best year of his career when Laker coach Darvin Ham gave him the opportunity. Dennis Smith Jr. can be a solid backup point guard coming off the best season of his career with the Charlotte Hornets. They also re-signed Cam Johnson on a pricey deal. His contract may have been a slight overpay, but they could have done a lot worse.
Grade: C+
Charlotte Hornets
Darren Yamashita via USA TODAY Sports
Re-signed:
PJ Washington (3/$46M)
Key Additions:
Brandon Miller (2nd overall pick)
Nick Smith Jr. (27th overall pick)
Amari Bailey (41st overall pick)
Key Subtractions:
Kai Jones (waived)
Kelly Oubre Jr. (signed with 76ers)
Dennis Smith Jr. (signed with Nets)
Extended:
LaMelo Ball (5/$205M)
The Charlotte Hornets had an offseason filled with drama. Miles Bridges was going to return from suspension, but he got arrested again. Kai Jones requested a trade via social media so the Hornets waived him. They also lost Kelly Oubre Jr. and Dennis Smith Jr. via free agency. However, we cannot ignore the draft they had especially with their draft pick of Nick Smith Jr. at the 27. Many fans had him going in the lottery. They took a chance on Amari Bailey, one of the most hyped prospects when in high school. However, they did not make the right pick by drafting Brandon Miller over Scoot Henderson. Many people did not think Henderson could work in the back court with LaMelo Ball, including GM Mitch Kupchak. On the other hand, they re-signed PJ Washington as well as extending Ball. Washington’s deal was a tiny overpay, but what mattered most was extending Ball.
Grade: C
Chicago Bulls
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Re-signed:
Ayo Dosunmu (3/$21M)
Coby White (3/$36M)
Nikola Vucevic (3/$60M)
Key Additions:
Jevon Carter (3/$19M)
Torrey Craig (minimum)
Key Subtractions:
Derrick Jones Jr. (signed with Mavericks)
Patrick Beverley (signed with 76ers)
The Chicago Bulls have had the big three of Zach Lavine, DeMar Derozan, and Nikola Vucevic since 2021 when they signed Derozan. They have not had much success as they lost in the first round of the 2022 Playoffs and failed to make the 2023 Playoffs. Many people thought the Bulls would be sellers by letting Vucevic walk and trading Lavine and Derozan. They did the complete opposite by re-signing Vucevic, Coby White, and Ayo Dosunmu as well as bringing in Jevon Carter and Torrey Craig. They should have blown it up as this team’s ceiling is not too high.
Grade: C-
Cleveland Cavaliers
Megan Briggs via Getty Images
Re-signed:
Caris Levert (2/$32M)
Key Additions:
Ty Jerome (2/$5M)
Georges Niang (3/$25M)
Max Strus (4/$62M)
Damian Jones (traded from Jazz)
Emoji Bates (49th overall pick)
Key Subtractions:
Robin Lopez (signed with Bucks)
Cedi Osman (traded to Spurs)
Lamar Stevens (traded to Spurs)
The Cleveland Cavaliers had one of the more underrated offseasons out of any team. Their biggest problem of the 2022-23 season was their wing depth. They solved that problem by signing Georges Niang and Max Strus as well as re-signing Caris Levert. Strus may not start at small forward as they still have Isaac Okoro, but he can play an important role off the bench. Niang is a great shooter as he shot 40.1% from 3. Though Levert got a bit overpaid, he can be a solid bench piece. Lastly, Ty Jerome can be a solid backup point guard to Darius Garland.
Grade: A-
Detroit Pistons
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Key Additions:
Joe Harris (traded from Nets)
Monte Morris (traded from Wizards)
Ausar Thompson (5th overall pick)
Marcus Sasser (25th overall pick)
Key Subtractions:
Cory Joseph (signed with Warriors)
Extended:
Isaiah Stewart (4/$60M)
Like last year, the Detroit Pistons got draft capital for taking on bad salaries like Monte Morris and Joe Harris. Morris can be a solid mentor for Cade Cunningham and Harris can be a mentor for Ausar Thompson. Thompson lacks a jump shot, but Harris is one of the best shooters in the league and can help Thompson with his jump shot. They did not have a franchise small forward before drafting Thompson, making this an excellent pick. They also extended Isaiah Stewart on a solid deal. Last season was not his best season, but he can still be a gritty player in the future. With these moves, they have potential to be a play-in tournament team.
Grade: B+
Indiana Pacers
Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
Key Additions:
Bruce Brown (2/$45M)
Obi Toppin (traded from Knicks)
Jarace Walker (8th overall pick)
Ben Sheppard (26th overall pick)
Isaiah Wong (55th overall pick)
Key Subtractions:
Oshae Brissett (signed with Celtics)
Chris Duarte (traded to Kings)
Extended:
Tyrese Haliburton (5/$205M)
The Indiana Pacers had one of my favorite offseasons of any team. They signed Bruce Brown. You would think Indiana overpaid him, but we need to remember that the second year of the deal is a team option. They want to win now and signing Brown helps ensure that. They also bought low on Obi Toppin. He can be a candidate for the Most Improved Player award now with Myles Turner spacing the floor instead of Mitchell Robinson. With the 8th overall pick, they drafted Jarace Walker, who is ready to contribute. He can be a part of the Pacers core which includes Tyrese Haliburton and Benedict Mathurin. Finally, Indiana extended Haliburton on the rookie scale max contract extension.
Grade: A
Miami Heat
Nick Wass via AP Photos
Re-signed:
Kevin Love (2/$7M)
Key Additions:
Thomas Bryant (minimum)
Josh Richardson (minimum)
Jaime Jaquez Jr. (18th overall pick)
Key Subtractions:
Udonis Haslem (retired)
Gabe Vincent (signed with Lakers)
Max Strus (signed with Cavaliers)
Cody Zeller (signed with Pelicans)
Victor Oladipo (traded to Thunder)
The Miami Heat let Gabe Vincent and Max Strus walk to clear room for a Damian Lillard trade. However, Lillard got traded to the Milwaukee Bucks, making the Heat regret letting Vincent and Strus walk. They failed to get Lillard as well as other stars such as Bradley Beal and Jrue Holiday. In addition, they replaced Strus with Josh Richardson, a clear downgrade, as well as Cody Zeller with Thomas Bryant. To make matters worse, Udonis Haslem, the definition of a player coach, retired. The only reason their grade is not an F isPat Riley’s ability to find undrafted guys and turn them into rotational players.
Grade: D-
Milwaukee Bucks
Mark J. Terrill via AP Photos
Re-signed:
Khris Middleton (3/$93M)
Brook Lopez (2/$48M)
Jae Crowder (minimum)
AJ Green (3/$6M)
Key Additions:
Malik Beasley (minimum)
Robin Lopez (minimum)
Cameron Payne (minimum)
Damian Lillard (traded from Trail Blazers)
Chris Livingston (58th overall pick)
Key Subtractions:
Jevon Carter (signed with Bulls)
Joe Ingles (signed with Magic)
Wesley Matthews (signed with Hawks)
Jrue Holiday (traded to Trail Blazers)
Grayson Allen (traded to Suns)
The Milwaukee Bucks made the biggest move by trading for Damian Lillard. Many people thought this move put them over the top. Lillard works perfectly with Giannis Antetokounmpo as a pick and roll partner. If you want to hear more about the Bucks side of the trade, read the whole trade breakdown. Milwaukee also re-signed Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez, and Jae Crowder on pay cuts. They took advantage of Middleton’s injury riddled 2022-23 season and gave him just $31M a year. If he was able to stay healthy, he could have gotten at least $40M a year. Lopez just had one of the best seasons of his career, if not the best. It was smart to give him a two year deal due to his age. Crowder is a gritty role player that Milwaukee somehow got back on a minimum contract. Plus, he will be reunited with Cameron Payne, his teammate when the Phoenix Suns made the 2021 NBA Finals. Lastly, they signed another shooter in Malik Beasley. Though he is not a great defender and also a streaky shooter, he will have some games where he is on fire and reminds everyone why he is one of the better shooters in the world.
Grade: A+
New York Knicks
Sarah Stier via Getty Images
Key Additions:
Donte DiVincenzo (4/$46M)
Key Subtractions:
Derrick Rose (signed with Grizzlies)
Obi Toppin (traded to Pacers)
Extended:
Josh Hart (4/$80M)
The New York Knicks made one noticeable addition and that was bringing in Donte DiVincenzo, re-uniting him with his former Villanova teammates in Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart. DiVincenzo was one of the most valuable role players in free agency and the Knicks are the perfect fit for him as a 3&D wing. He makes up for the losses of Derrick Rose and Obi Toppin. Rose was never able to stay healthy in New York and Toppin was not able to find his place in New York. However, they did extend Josh Hart, one of the best rebounders in the league though he is just 6’4 as he averaged 7.8 a game, 30th best in the 2022-23 season. He is not only one of the best rebounders, but he is one of the most underrated guys in the league as well.
Grade: A-
Orlando Magic
Aaron Gash via AP Photos
Re-signed:
Mo Wagner (2/$16M)
Key Additions:
Joe Ingles (2/$22M)
Anthony Black (6th overall pick)
Jett Howard (11th overall pick)
Key Subtractions:
Bol Bol (signed with Suns)
The Orlando Magic were not expected to do much, but they definitely improved with the addition of Joe Ingles. He is 36 years old, but he still has a ton left in the tank. He will compete for the starting shooting guard spot. They did not make a good pick by selecting Jett Howard over guys like Cam Whitmore, Gradey Dick, Jordan Hawkins, and others, but drafting Anthony Black makes up for it. Black is one of the best perimeter defenders in the draft, if not the best. They now have options at point guard with him, Markelle Fultz, Jalen Suggs, Cole Anthony, and more. Lastly, they re-signed Mo Wagner to be the backup center behind Wendell Carter Jr. If they manage to stay healthy, they can be a play-in tournament team.
Grade: B
Philadelphia 76ers
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Re-signed:
Montrezl Harrell (minimum)
Paul Reed (3/$23M)
Key Additions:
Mo Bamba (minimum)
Patrick Beverley (minimum)
Kelly Oubre Jr. (minimum)
Key Subtractions:
Jalen McDaniels (signed with Raptors)
Shake Milton (signed with Timberwolves)
Georges Niang (signed with Cavaliers)
The Philadelphia 76ers clearly got worse on paper after losing Jalen McDaniels, Shake Milton, and Georges Niang. They replaced them with Mo Bamba, Kelly Oubre Jr., and Patrick Beverley. However, the major loss of the offseason was James Harden demanding a trade. He made the situation extremely uncomfortable for Daryl Morey and the front office by demanding to get traded to the Los Angeles Clippers. In an interview, Harden stated, “This is in life. When you lose trust in someone, it’s like a marriage. ... I wanted to retire as a Sixer. And the front office didn’t have that in their future plans.” In fact, they are demanding the Clippers to give up Terance Mann in return for Harden, but the Clippers are making Mann untouchable in trade talks.
Grade: F
Toronto Raptors
Alonzo Adams via USA TODAY Sports
Re-signed:
Jakob Poeltl (4/$78M)
Key Additions:
Dennis Schroder (2/$25M)
Jalen McDaniels (2/$9M)
Garrett Temple (minimum)
Gradey Dick (13th overall pick)
Key Subtractions:
Fred VanVleet (signed with Rockets)
Like the Chicago Bulls, the Toronto Raptors are starting to enter NBA purgatory. They are too good to have a top pick but too bad to make a championship run, especially after losing Fred VanVleet, who was a gritty point guard in his seven years as a Raptor. They also gave Jakob Poeltl a contract worth nearly $20M a year, a clear overpay and drafted Gradey Dick, a win now player. The pickups of Dennis Schroder and Jalen McDaniels are more moves that show the Raptors still believe they can compete around Pascal Siakam.
Grade: D+
Washington Wizards
Godofredo A. Vásquez via AP Photos
Re-signed:
Taj Gibson (minimum)
Kyle Kuzma (4/$90M)
Key Additions:
Jordan Poole (traded from Warriors)
Patrick Baldwin Jr. (traded from Warriors)
Ryan Rollins (traded from Warriors)
Landry Shamet (traded from Suns)
Tyus Jones (traded from Grizzlies)
Danilo Gallinari (traded from Celtics)
Mike Muscala (traded from Celtics)
Bilal Coulibaly (7th overall pick)
Key Subtractions:
Bradley Beal (traded to Suns)
Jordan Goodwin (traded to Suns)
Monte Morris (traded to Pistons)
Kristaps Porzingis (traded to Celtics)
Isaiah Todd (traded to Suns)
The Washington Wizards finally traded Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis. With Beal having a no trade clause, he had all of the leverage and limited the offer that the Wizards received. They made the most of it as they got one of the greatest point guards of all time in Chris Paul, who was later moved for Jordan Poole, Patrick Baldwin Jr., and Ryan Rollins. Many people expect Poole to average over 25 PPG. They also drafted Bilal Coulibaly with the 7th overall pick, which was a good pick as the Wizards can be patient to develop him. In addition, Washington acquired Tyus Jones in a three team deal that sent Kristaps Porzingis to the Boston Celtics. Lastly, the Wizards re-signed Kyle Kuzma to a very solid deal.
Grade: B
And that caps it off. I cannot wait to see which teams' offseasons I doubted but end up being good and vice versa. What do you guys think?