Some of the biggest names in the game have changed uniforms during this action-packed offseason. Some teams have made bold moves to become contenders or to improve their chances of making the Finals. Others have gone into full rebuild mode.
The Warriors clearly “won” the offseason last summer by signing superstar Kevin Durant, which led to their second championship in three seasons.
There are at least a handful of teams that can lay claim to that title, now that most of the big-name free agents are off the board. Here are some of the teams that obviously upgraded:
- Rockets – The stunning trade by the Clippers that sent Chris Paul gave the Rockets a legitimate All-Star to pair up with James Harden. The also added a defensive-minded veteran forward in P.J. Tucker and re-signed Nene.
- Celtics – Gordon Hayward hemmed and hawed but ultimately decided to ditch the Jazz in favor of the Celtics. The combination of Isaiah Thomas, Al Horford and Hayward gives them a more serious chance to unseat the Cavaliers in the East, even if they had to trade Avery Bradley to make it happen. They also picked up another future lottery pick by moving down from the top spot in the draft and the player they selected, Jayson Tatum, has impressed in summer-league action.
- Timberwolves – The long-awaited Jimmy Butler trade came to fruition, giving Minnesota another star to join the duo of Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins. They also signed Jeff Teague to replace Ricky Rubio, who was traded, and added veteran big man Taj Gibson.
- Thunder – Russell Westbrook will no longer have to carry the entire load, thanks to the addition of Paul George. The Pacers traded away the disgruntled forward, providing Oklahoma City with an All-Star to share the scoring burden with Westbrook. They also fortified their frontcourt with the addition of Patrick Patterson.
- Sixers – They moved up in the draft to snag the player they coveted, point guard Markelle Fultz. They also signed free agents J.J. Redick and Amir Johnson to provide a veteran presence to the locker room without sacrificing cap room for next summer, when they’re expected to pursue high-level free agents.
This leads us to our question of the day: Which team do you feel has improved the most during this offseason and why?
Please take to the comments section and provide your thoughts on this subject. We look forward to what you have to say.
Dare I say the sixers ?
Sorry if i just jinxed them, but with the roster Improvement I would say that’s my pick.
I agree with you.
You know what…, what about the Kings !!!?
They’re loading up on quality veterans, or most of those guys over the hill no pun intended?
I would say the T-wolves. That team is easily capable of winning at least 45 games with the new additions. KAT is already the best center league and this team will just grow together. I’m excited for this new season to come
Personally, I think the Clippers got deeper, and while the loss of CP3 obviously hurts them, they got very interesting with Danilo, Beverley and my personal favorite Teodosic joining the fray. I think they will be better than some people are giving them credit for.
There is no way the Clippers win more games than they won last year making them a terrible choice for the team that got better this offseason.
Their biggest issue was no bench, and I think Teodosic will be at least a league average PG. Adding Beverly, Williams, Gallinari, and the other guys from the Rockets makes them a deeper team. Not the biggest improvement, but they’ll be better than people think.
Not for becoming a contender… but Kings made huge strides in the makeup of the roster and advancing the rebuild.
Also the Wolves
The thunder win because their team was trash without Westbrook. they added a superstar who can shoot and a role player who can shoot after having the worst 3 point percentage.
The Timberwolves are the most improved, because they have the furthest to climb. Boston won 53 games last season and Houston won 55. Philly will also be significantly better as a result of their busy offseason.
Wolves. Easily.
I gotta give it to the Timberwolves for most improved. Sixers did some nice things but their additions are very unproven. I can’t count any draft pick until they actually play real games.
No other team is even in the conversation.
Wrong about being in the top 4 in the east. They actually have to win more games than lose. Every year the twolves are the most improved at this point. Then the season begins and they still suck.
Sorry. I meant this comment for the dude below who thinks they’d be in the top 4 in the east.
Kings or twolves
Can someone explain to me how it is NOT the Timberwolves? I understand they are still facing an uphill battle, but on paper it seems they have dramatically increased their win-share. If they were in the Eastern conference (as I believe they should be and will be with the next expansion) then they would be in the top 3-4 seeds.
I’m clearly the only person in the world who thinks it is the Nets.
Sean Marks very underrated
How is getting Russell mozgov and Carroll whilst losing Lopez better than getting butler and Teague for Rubio Dunn and Lavine
From Dana’s list: TWolves. How can Kings not be on the list? Not raw number of wins, but percentage improvement over last year…Kings could do it. They have brought in some ballets.
Ballers…not ballets. :)
I’m going with the Wolves, but think the Nuggets deserve some consideration. The Millsap signing is going to be huge for them defensively and the continued development of Jokic, Harris, and Murray could have them as a top 6 seed in the loaded West
From the list, give me the Timberwolves or Thunder. But the Kings and Nets have both had incredible offseasons, and neither of them will be playoff teams, but they deserve a mention. They’re both making really good moves.
Any respect for Charlotte?
Got rid of Plumlee’s terrible contract and added a much needed rim protector in Dwight, got a steal in Monk, and added MCW. Steve Clifford and his staff have taken on reclamation projects in Batum and Lin and they’ve both worked so why not Dwight, MCW, or both?
I agree with you 1000% But Charlotte never gets any respect. Dwight will bring the rim rattling D that we have been missing for so long. Monk is gonna be a superstar. We got MCW to back up our All-Star Kemba and got rid of useless Plumlee and Sessions. With MKG working on his shot and his already stout D, I think we at least challenge for the playoffs. And I’m not talking just a 7 or 8 seed. I think we can push to 3 or 4.
I somewhat disagree with your belief that Dwight will bring “rim rattling” defense or that Monk is going to be a superstar, because both of those seem like hyperbole to me. That said, I do think another fresh start could be good for Dwight, and that Monk will make his draft position look like a steal. This is definitely a good team, and now that they’ve added a little bit of shooting that they really needed, I think somewhere around the 5th seed is possible. Other than Cleveland, Boston, Washington, and Toronto, I’m having a hard time thinking of a better team in the East on paper, with the possible exception of Miami. At the very least, they’re a team that I wouldn’t be lining up to play in the postseason.
Is Monk going to be a superstar? No. I think his ceiling is an All Star Reserve but he’ll most likely be a solid rotation player or starter. Dwight should be able to rebound from a bad(by his standards) last couple of seasons now that he’s reunited with someone he trusts and that understands him in Steve Clifford. He could possibly be an All Star due to the East being weak.
Cavs bc they finally dumped James Jones.