Who had the best NBA offseason?
This NBA offseason has been the craziest since 2011. So many big name players have switched teams and have made the NBA a more balanced playing field. In this article, we take a look at the five teams with the best offseason in 2019.
5) Philadelphia 76ers- Notable Losses: Jimmy Butler, JJ Redick, Wilson Chandler
Notable Gains: Al Horford, Tobias Harris (Extended), Josh Richardson
The 76ers lost Jimmy butler and sharpshooter JJ Redick in FA. After their departures, they resigned Tobias Harris to a 5 year 180 million dollar deal. They then signed Al Horford and traded for Josh Richardson from the Miami Heat. Their projected starting five is Simmons, Richardson, Harris, Horford, and Embiid. That automatically is a top five lineup in the NBA. They have added nice veteran pieces to their bench including Kyle O'Quinn and Raul Neto. Much is being made of Horford and Embiid's ability to play together due to their size. Both are able to stretch the floor efficiently and both are elite defenders at their position. Al Horford's true position is at the PF. Now Brett Brown has the ability to stagger those two players and always have an All-Star big in the game. Also, Embiid is known to have durability issues. This gives the 76ers a huge insurance policy incase Embiid was to go down. The 76ers need more veteran depth at the wing positions, but do also have some nice young talent in Marial Shayok, James Ennis and Zhaire Smith.
4) Houston Rockets- Notable Losses: Chris Paul, Iman Shumpert
Notable Gains: Russell Westbrook, Tyson Chandler
This one was a no-brainer. Chris Paul is still a top ten point guard in the NBA, but it was evidently clear last year that he is in a steady decline. CP3 always had problems staying healthy; and last year on the court his shooting percentages dipped significantly. Russell Westbrook isn't as good as a perimeter shooter as CP3. At this point in his career, he's better at everything else. The ability to now have Westbrook, will take a huge burden off Harden and allow him to rest during the regular season as well as get a few extra minutes of rest during playoff games. The rockets transition game will now be much improved due to Westbrooks relentless style of play. Adding Tyson Chandler as the backup to Capela gave a great, cost-efficient veteran voice in the locker room. The GSW have disbanded their elite team, it is now or never for the Houston Rockets.
3) Los Angeles Lakers- Notable Losses: Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, Tyson Chandler, Moritz Wagner
Notable Gains: Anthony Davis, Dwight Howard, Avery Bradley, Danny Green, Rajon Rondo (Extended), Quinn Cook
The Lakers roster has gone through a complete overhaul from last season. They have lost their young core in exchange for a superstar at the highest level in Anthony Davis. Many veterans scrambled to sign for cheap, including Danny Green, Bradley and Rondo. This team has experience, talent and a defensive minded coach in Frank Vogel. I expect this team to be elite defensively and I expect Lebron James to dominate the league and be an MVP candidate. Chemistry will always be a question mark this season, that always comes when there are new faces. Anthony Davis health will be of utmost importance throughout the year as well. I like the idea of Rondo possibly running the second unit with a rejuvenated Dwight Howard. This season should be really fun in Los Angeles.
2) Brooklyn Nets- Notable Losses: D'angelo Russell, Demarre Carroll, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Allen Crabbe
Notable Gains: Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, Taurean Prince, Deandre Jordan, Wilson Chandler, Garrett Temple
In many off-seasons the Nets would be ranked number one on this list. They acquired two of the top 15 players in the NBA. They're adding that to a great head coach, great front office and great young roster that has just got some playoff experience. Everyone talks about Kyrie and KD, but the under the radar signings of Deandre Jordan and the trade for Taurean Prince really impressed me in the offseason. They will have a great year this year, and next year when KD is fully healthy they will be title contenders.
1) LA Clippers- Notable Losses: Danillo Gallinari, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Avery Bradley
Notable Gains: Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Maurice Harkless, Patrick Patterson
The Clippers were a very good basketball team last year. They pushed a full strength GSW team to six games and had everyone rooting for them. Now, they have essentially kept the same roster and added two perennial all-stars to their roster and a few more veteran pieces. They have two of the best two way players in the game. They arguably have the best defensive team in the league. The only thing that could tear this team down is injuries. With Doc Rivers coaching, Jerry West and Lawrence Frank in the front office and these players on the court.....nothing is out of their reach.
