It almost seems unfair that a team with a 67-15 record in the regular season and a 16-1 postseason mark could subsequently have one of the NBA’s offseasons too, but Golden State may have achieved that feat.
Heading into the summer, the Warriors knew Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant would be back, but none of the team’s other free agents were a lock to return. When the dust settled, the Dubs had re-signed virtually all their notable FAs, including Andre Iguodala, Shaun Livingston, Zaza Pachulia, David West, and JaVale McGee. The team even fortified its bench by adding Nick Young and Omri Casspi in free agency, and Jordan Bell in the draft.
While Golden State’s summer moves were impressive, some of their division rivals had very strong summers too. The Lakers, led by a new-look front office, drafted a potential franchise point guard in Lonzo Ball, dumped Timofey Mozgov‘s mega-contract, and improbably landed Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in free agency.
Meanwhile, the Kings – like the Lakers – certainly won’t challenge Golden State for Pacific supremacy right away, but Sacramento’s offseason’s moves featured an impressive mix of roster additions. Not only did the Kings sign a few veterans – George Hill, Zach Randolph, and Vince Carter – but the team also added several youngsters with big upside, including De’Aaron Fox, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Justin Jackson, Harry Giles, and Frank Mason.
The Clippers suffered the biggest single-player loss of any Pacific team as Chris Paul headed to Houston, but L.A. recovered nicely to retool its roster. Patrick Beverley, Lou Williams, and multiple young big men arrived in the CP3 trade, and the Clips managed to add potential starters like Danilo Gallinari and Euroleague star Milos Teodosic in free agency. The team also re-signed Blake Griffin when many NBA observers expected him to explore other options.
One of those teams that may have been eyeing Griffin was the Suns, but Phoenix ultimately opted to lay low and be patient with its rebuild rather than pursuing a top free agent. That made for a quiet summer, but it’s probably the right long-term move, and it’s not as if the Suns were totally inactive. The club landed one of the top players on its draft board in Josh Jackson and re-signed free agent big man Alan Williams to a team-friendly three-year deal.
What do you think? Which Pacific team has had the best offseason so far? Weigh in below with your vote and then jump into the comment section to share your thoughts.
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Previously:
Warriors somehow got better so them
Suns. JJ was the steal of the draft at #4.
I think the Lakers had a great draft but there off-season as a whole was even better. They got rid the Mozgov contract so they shed money for next season and they didn’t commit to anyone pass this season so they have a lot of money to spend next year and like I said their draft was really good. I think the Minnesota had a good offseason and so did the Warriors. Hard to say just one team who ha s the best because there are a few teams that had really good off seasons.
All the teams did well. Best off season for a division as a whole
All 5 teams improved
Being a Lakers fan. Have to say the Warriors they kept the team intact!
Unfortunately!
The Suns 4% could go a lot higher if they get Kyrie Irving. I think that trade is dead though.
Suns can win the championship in two or three years when McD. Make a good job in next years
Warriors had the best offseason. They kept all their key FAs and added nice bench pieces in Casspi and Swaggy P. They have arguably a better roster than last years.
Really like the Lakers offseason. With a great draft, unloading the Mozgov contract, and obtaining two quality starters in KCP and Lopez, the Lakers may shockingly compete for one of the last playoff spots in the West.
Warriors pretty much by default since they kept all of their role players and added Swaggy P. However, I LOVE what the Clippers did. They lose Chris Paul and somehow got better.
Voted Lakers; they get bonus points for setting themselves up well for next summer. Beyond what was mentioned, Pope has the same agent as LBJames, so the LAL FO can keep the chatter up legally; and later in the first round they got a good player to ride shotgun with Ball (Kuzma).
This isn’t fair. Anyone who didn’t pick the Warriors is delusional or just being a contrarian
Or they don’t think adding a head case like Swaggy P is a positive.