The future of Kevin Durant and Donovan Mitchell remains unresolved, but the NBA’s summer activity has been completed. This has given the executives a much-needed chance to take a break after conducting three drafts.
We will be looking back at how well teams took advantage of their opportunities and how they upgraded their rosters for either the 2022-23 season. This season has given the opportunities for the teams to improve their rosters via the draft. Let’s take a look at the performance of the NBA teams this season.
Atlanta Hawks
Trae Young maximizes their value. Minnesota Timberwolves giving up four future first-round picks, and the swap for Rudy Gobert has given the team a chance to improve further. Only two of the three picks the Hawks traded are their own, and they will be able to recoup one of them by sending Kevin Huerter to the Sacramento Kings.
Boston Celtics
The team is armed with their taxpayer midlevel exception. With a 2023 first-round pick we can safely expect the team to fall in the first round. The Celtics have managed to add a pair of veteran contributors to the East champions. Danilo Gallinari has given Boston another shooter and scorer in the frontcourt.
Brooklyn Nets
Only time will tell whether the Nets have overplayed their hand or can convince him to extend his trade request ahead of free agency. Brooklyn’s handling of Kyrie Irving’s player option will leave the team with major questions about their best players.
Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets have been quiet this summer. Charlotte has not added a single NBA veteran to date and has left the midlevel exception untouched. The first-round pick Mark Williams will be adding a presence as a rim runner and rim protector. The Hornets will be hard-pressed and will be replacing the Bridges’ production in the event he’s unavailable at least part of the season.
Chicago Bulls
Chicago’s modest additions this offseason have left us wanting more. The Bulls used just $3.2 million of to sign Andre Drummond. He will be a backup player and will be filling in space for Nikola Vucevix. The team will be coming off strong and will give off a strong season split between the Philadelphia 76ers and Nets. The Bulls also re-signed forward Derrick Jones Jr. and drafted Dalen Terry and this will surely upgrade Chicago’s second unit.
Cleveland Cavaliers
The team has been active for the past 18 months adding Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley to their list of players. Cleveland’s big splash has brought back Ricky Rubio, who was a strong veteran presence.
Some business remains unfinished for the Cavaliers. Aside from Bridges, Collin Sexton will be the most notable remaining free agent. Cleveland will sign his one-year, $7.2 million and will be a qualifying offer as he will be taking his chances in unrestricted free agency next summer.
Detroit Pistons
The Pistons made the understandable decision and have used their cap space largely to take on salary from the New York Knicks. They have added the No. 13 pick of this year’s draft (Jalen Duren) and have paired second-rounders. Under GM Troy Weaver, Detroit has taken the former high lottery picks. The Pistons have done better in the draft, and they will be adding Duren and No. 5 pick, Jaden Ivey, to the team.
Indiana Pacers
This offseason has yielded more rumors than the Indiana transactions. There was talk about getting a lottery pick for Brogdon. Since the Pacers settled for a low-value first-rounder from the Celtics and have made a deal that made sense. Tyrese Haliburton is Indiana’s point guard and the injuries of some players might affect Brogdon’s trade value going forward.
Miami Heat: C+
The Heat had few options to replace their players. Miami was understandably reluctant and used the full midlevel and triggered a hard cap. This could have limited the team’s trade options. Instead of that the Heat used the smaller taxpayer midlevel exception and will be resigning the restricted free agent Caleb Martin.
Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks continue to show a willingness to become the large tax bills and have contended between Giannis Antetokounmpo’s prime. Milwaukee has paid up to re-sign center Bobby Portis and has made the largest four-year deal. The bucks will be signing Joe Ingles made the right move with the team’s taxpayer midlevel exception. Milwaukee is hoping to speed on defense quickly and will take advantage of his playmaking in the postseason.
New York Knicks
The Lowe Post back started off with free agency. With the Knicks’ long-term direction and the execution of their strategy will go forward. New York skillfully shed contracts and signed last summer to create enough cap space.
Orlando Magic
After surprising everybody by signing up Paolo Banchero as a No. 1 overall pick, Orlando played it status quo in the offseason. The Magic extended and they re-signed big man Mo Bamba with new deals. This made the team potentially attractive to other teams at the deadline.
Philadelphia 76ers
The team has added James Harden at the trade deadline. The Sixers had an opportunity to reset their roster and have signed some incumbent starters Joel Embiid, Tobias Harris, and Tyrese Maxey this offseason. Harden’s decision was to decline the $47.2 million player option and they signed players with some lower starting salaries. This has given Philadelphia the ability to use the non-taxpayer midlevel and given them a chance to add Tucker.
Toronto Raptors
With the core of last season’s playoff team returning, the Raptors will be working around the margins in free agency. Toronto’s significant addition will be Otto Porter Jr., and he will be fresh off helping the Golden State Warriors for winning the title. Porter’s size fits well in the Raptors.
