Merry off-season to all, and to all a good trade. Obviously after the playoffs the NBA offseason is every NBA junkie’s favorite time of year. There is no “Decision” this year from the NBA best this year; Lebron seems settled at home and KD-mania doesn’t start until next offseason. This year is for the purist of NBA fanatics. This NBA offseason is all about the “pieces” a team needs to build a contender for next year. As soon as the last piece of confetti was swept after the GSW Championship parade, all eyes were focused on the NBA Draft. Depending on who your favorite team is there were many winner/loser storylines in the draft this year. Here are my thoughts/predictions of the 2015 NBA Offseason:
So Who’s Available?
Top 10 Free Agents at the Start of the Offseason (CURRENT TEAM)
POS NAME AVG
PG Brandon Knight(PHX) 17ppg 4reb 5ast
PF Paul Millsap(ATL) 17ppg 8reb 3ast
PG Goran Dragic(MIA) 16ppg 3reb 4ast
PF Draymond Green(GSW) 12ppg 8reb 4ast
C DeAndre Jordan(LAC) 12ppg 15reb 2blks
SG Jimmy Butler(CHI) 20ppg 3reb 5ast
PF Kevin Love(CLE) 16ppg 10reb
SF Kawhi Leonard(SAS) 17ppg 7reb 3ast
C Marc Gasol(MEM) 17ppg 8reb 2blks
PF Lamarcus Aldridge(SAS) 23ppg 10reb
Honorable Mentions: Dwayne Wade(MIA), Monta Ellis(IND), Rajon Rondo(SAC), Paul Pierce(LAC), Tyson Chandler(PHX), Danny Granger(DET), Greg Monroe(MIL), Brook Lopez(BKN), Robin Lopez(NY), Loul Deng(MIA), Gerald Henderson(POR), Roy Hibbert(LAL), Wesley Matthews(DAL), Arron Afflalo(NY)
EASTERN CONFERENCE
ATLANTIC DIVISION
Boston Celtics: No Major Draft Pick, Sign or Trade. A Good Center or Swingman (SG/SF) Would Dramatically Improve This Team.
Brooklyn Nets: Brook Lopez, Thomas Robinson, Thaddeus Young and Shane Larkin are definitely the future for Brooklyn. It is yet to be seen if Joe Johnson will be resigned. PG Deron Williams was waived after 4yrs with the Nets.
New York Knicks: #4 2015 Draft Pick Kristaps Porzingis, Carmelo Anthony and …… that’s about it. For Now.
Philadelphia 76ers: Joel Embiid, Nerlens Noel, and Jahlil Okafor Means Somebody is Getting Traded. If Not Now, Then Definitely Before Joel Returns From Injury. Word Around the NBA is that Nerlens is Most Likely to Be Moved. The Combination of Joel and Jahlil Seems More Productive in the Long Run.
Toronto Raptors: The Raptors Look Leaner and Meaner with a Projected Starting Lineup of Kyle Lowry, Terrence Ross, DeMar DeRozan, Pattrick Patterson and Jonas Valanciunas. A Deep Playoff Run Should Be Expected From This Squad Alone.
CENTRAL DIVISION
Chicago Bulls: Nothing Official Yet on How the Bulls are Going to Settle the Rift Between D.Rose and (free agent) Jimmy Butler. Even Less Talk About the Starting Lineup Next Season. Despite Returning from Injury Will Taj Gibson Finally Take the Place of the Aging All Star Pau Gasol, in the Starting Lineup? Lets Not Forget a New Head Coach in Fred Hoiberg. The Remaining Moves Left in the Offseason Can Make or Break the Chicago Bulls 2016 season.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Only 2 Games Away from Bringing a Championship to Cleveland with 3 Starters Out of the Lineup isn’t a Bad Start for Lebron James & Co. Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love Tristan Thompson, and Anderson Varejao all Will be Prepared to Suit up Next Season. The Cavs Also Have a Handful of Rookies to find that Extra “Next Man Up” Come Time for the Playoffs. 2-5 For King James
Detroit Pistons: Greg Monroe is gone but Danny Granger, Reggie Bullock and Markieff Morris are here! After losing starting big man Greg Monroe the Pistons appeared as though the would be dropping off net season. Although the new lineup doesn’t scream “Championship!” the new look roster does facilitate a better working offense. Newly signed Reggie Jackson, Danny Granger and Andre Drummond is an excellent core for the Pistons.
Indiana Pacers: Indiana gained a high octane vet in Monta Ellis but traded away starting big man Roy Hibbert. With Paul George returning from injury the Pacers will definitely be better than last season but probably won’t be contenders in the Eastern Conference
Milwaukee Bucks: FEAR THE DEER NEXT YEAR! Michael Carter-Williams, Jabari Parker, Giannis Antetokounmpo AND Greg Monroe. The Milwaukee Bucks have been on a slight rise for the past 4-5 years but have finally assembled a team that can make some serious noise in the NBA.
SOUTHEAST DIVISION
Atlanta Hawks: No major additions or subtractions for the Number #1 team in the Eastern Conference. Hopefully with good health and play Atlanta can get another shot at the top spot in the EAST.
Charlotte Hornets: Nicholas Batum was the major trade and Jeremy Lin was the major sign but it doesn’t look like the Charlotte Hornets will be making any major moves this season.
Miami Heat: Dragic re-signed, Deng re-signed, Bosh is healthy AND Wade is Back! Last season probably made a lot of Heat fans nervous but this season will definitely be a step in the right direction for Miami. Adding Justise Winslow and Amare Stoudamire to the roster helps as well.
Orlando Magic: Same ol same ol in Orlando. the Magic signed rookie Mario Hezonja but more than likely Orlando will find themselves towards the outskirts of the postseason picture.
Washington Wizards: There are a lot of new faces in Washington, none of them are going to make a difference for the Wizards.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
SOUTHWEST DIVISION
Dallas Mavericks: Despite Mark Cuban being “one of the best [NBA] owners in the world” he couldn’t prevent big free agent Deandre Jordan’s “change of heart”. its not all bad for the Dallas Mavericks. Word around the NBA is that they may sign recently waived Texan Deron Williams.
Houston Rockets: Will the Houston Rockets re-sign Josh Smith? Thats really the only question one can ask right now since the Rockets really haven’t made any other major lineup change(draft/sign/trade)
Memphis Grizzlies: Brandan Wright is the only major pick up the Grizzlies decided to make after resigning Spanish big man Marc Gasol.
New Orleans Pelicans: A new coach and an extended contract for Anthony Davis is all the Pelican organization had on schedule this offseason.
San Antonio Spurs:NBA CHAMPS! Not only did the Spurs once again bring back their core trio, San Antonio also managed to sign all-star big man Lamarcus Aldridge. Former all-star David West was also acquired by San Antonio giving the Spurs one of the beefiest front courts in the NBA.
NORTHWEST DIVISION
Denver Nuggets: Same ol Same ol out in Denver [too]. No major signs/trades/draft picks
Minnesota Timberwolves: With the number one pick the Minnesota Timberwolves chose Karl-Anthony Towns; a legit 7-footer with good all around ball skills. Minnesota also resigned former MVP Kevin Garnett with a rotation of Zach Lavine, Ricky Rubio, Kevin Martin and (another #1 Draft Pick) Andrew Wiggins things are looking very good for the Timberwolves. This could be the year they finally return to the playoffs since losing in the conference finals in 2003.
Oklahoma City Thunder: No major drafts/signs/trades (yet) for OKC but they do have a new coach, and plenty of time to rest their two superstars (Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook).
Portland Trail Blazers: 4 of the 5 starters for Portland have left and signed with new teams. PG Damian Lillard signed an extension with Portland and vows to be in Portland “through thick and thin”. The Trail Blazers signed Al-Farouq Aminu and Ed Davis to help their frontcourt. Gerald Henderson and Alonzo Gee were also brought in. Its too early to say the Trail Blazers won’t be as good as they have been but there is definitely a new team in Portland
Utah Jazz: Not much going on in Utah besides Gordon Hayward….
PACIFIC DIVISION
Golden State Warriors: No major moves for the Warriors this offseason but rest, relaxation and getting ready to defend their title.
Los Angeles Clippers: Welcome back Deandre Jordan, welcome to the Clippers (from the Lakers) Wesley Johnson and a huge heaping welcome to LA native Paul Pierce. The Clippers have managed to make the moves this offseason to almost make one forget they lost 3 straight games in the NBA Playoffs.
Los Angeles Lakers: With the #2 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft the Lakers chose D’Angelo Russell. A “6,5” point guard that can stuff the stat sheet the Lakers definitely made the right choice but only time will confirm that statement. LA made a lot of good, safe, and productive moves this offseason. Roy Hibbert, Lou Williams, and Brandon Bass is all a Laker fan needs to hear to start to believe they could have a good season (at least better than last year).
Phoenix Suns: They weren’t able to snag Lamarcus but Tyson Chandler isnt a bad second place prize for the Suns. He fills in a few gaps they had defensively and is a high energy guy. All Phoenix needs now is a swingman to build an offense around (probably shouldn’t have given up Danny Granger).
Sacramento Kings: Head coach Karl Thomas and Demarcus Cousins appear to be getting along better and just in time too. The Kings drafted Willie Cauley-Stein, a 7 footer from Cousins’ alma mater (Kentucky).
All in all it’s going to be an exciting year in the NBA. My BreakOut team choice in undoubtedly the Milwaukee Bucks for the EAST and the Minnesota Timberwolves for the WEST. I believe if both teams can remain healthy, the OKC Thunder and CLE Cavaliers will be the top teams in their perspective conferences. The San Antonio Spurs will win the NBA title in 2016 though.