The first week of NBA free agency has changed the immediate future of the Atlanta Hawks. Minnesota Timberwolves and New York Knicks were the potential bombshell trades that they have been waiting for. With the likes of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and (possibly) Deandre Ayton, the league for the next few seasons is not expected to see a change. The under-the-radar transactions have helped bolster teams with championship aspirations as they have all the ambitions to improve. Here’s a breakdown of the moves that are taken by the NBA teams.
Leveling up
In the NBA Finals appearance, the Boston Celtics have found two significant bench upgrades and they have taken them for a relatively little cost. One is Danilo Gallinari, and they are planning to sign with Boston. The mid-level exception will be waived by the Spurs. Daniel Theis, Nik Stauskas, Juwan Morgan, and Malik Fitts will be doing their best and will be the first-round pick in 2023.
Gallinari will remain as the high-level threat as he had hit 38 percent from three last season. He is also one of the NBA’s best free-throw shooters, who could play an important role in the team. He can handle or screen in pick and rolls and will flash the ability to punish smaller defenders. Brogdon is also playing off the ball and will rediscover his outside shooting stroke. The turnover-averse Brogdon will also calm down the Celtics’ halfcourt and it will be a bit of an offense.
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets have signaled confidence as they are relying on the injured stars Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. Their offseason moves, will have a lot of versatility on the wing. They sent Will Barton and Monte Morris and played an important part with the Washington Wizards.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Ish Smith, have converted two-way signee Davon Reed and will be signing the standard NBA contract. The shooters like Murray, Porter, Caldwell-Pope, Bones Hyland, and Jeff Green alongside Aaron Gordon, will be giving the team much more defensive flexibility.
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers will have the deepest rotation in the NBA. It will no longer be weighed down by a massive contract, and it could also be a bit of a bargain at the mid-level exception. Zubac and re-signing Nic Batum will be building a roster and will be remaining competitive even when Kawhi Leonard and/or Paul George will be taking a rest.
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers will be getting Daryl Morey’s band back together. Morey, who used to be the Houston Rockets’ general manager will now be the president of basketball operations in Philly. The Houston star James Harden and Danuel House will play as the mid-level and will have the bi-annual exceptions, respectively.
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The moves were not just for the old times’ sake. Joel Embiid shouted out to Tucker as he is the tough player that the Sixers have needed. Matisse Thybulle has an offensive liability and will be in court in certain situations. Among the 375 players, he has played almost 500 minutes last season.
Bargain hunting
The Milwaukee Bucks have used their mid-level exception on Joe Ingles and will have come off on torn ACL as they suffered in February. He’s highly unlikely to begin at the start of the season. The player might not return until after the All-Star break and will cross the typical timeline of ACL rehab. He will make plays as a closeout-beater and will be on the weak side.
Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors have added to their stable of like-sized forwards and will be inking Otto Porter Jr. to a two-year deal. Porter has stayed healthy and has reemerged as a valuable cog for the NBA champion Golden State Warriors. The players signed away and played an important role for the defending champs. The Blazers have two multi-position defenders and it will be a big change from what Damian Lillard has used so far. Portland also re-signed both Anfernee Simons and Jusuf Nurkić and will be helping Dame to carry the offensive load.
Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings, are the team that let DiVincenzo walk. They got two sharpshooters to supplement their De’Aaron Fox-Domantas Sabonis combination. One of the players is Malik Monk, who has always used a strong contract run with the Lakers and has secured securely himself a two-year deal. He reunited with Fox, who is his former college teammate at Kentucky. The other player is former Hawk Kevin Huerter, who has figured out to slide into the starting lineup. He will be playing a similar role to the one game that he had in Atlanta.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers have brought in a new cadre of Klutch Sports clients, and they will be signing Lonnie Walker IV, Juan Toscano-Anderson, and Troy Brown Jr. after the players have signed one-year deals. Toscano-Anderson will be helping the team’s defense as he will be getting on the floor. Jones flashed some nice signs and will be playing for the Kings last season. None of these moves have changed L.A.’s fortunes, as he will be getting younger and more athletic.
