The biggest winners and losers of a wild NBA offseason
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Loading...Following an exciting, but somewhat disappointing NBA Finals rematch, the league did not slow down, as it launched into one of the wildest offseasons in recent memory.
This offseason saw big names like Paul George, Chris Paul, Kyrie Irving, Jimmy Butler, Gordon Hayward, Isaiah Thomas, and Paul Millsap change teams while other marquee players like Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade are expected to be on the move soon.
Following such a wild offseason, here's our breakdown of who won and who lost the summer.:
Winner: Boston Celtics:
Biggest additions: Gordon Hayward, Kyrie Irving, Jayson Tatum
Biggest losses: Isaiah Thomas, Avery Bradley, Jae Crowder, 2018 Nets draft pickk
One thing to know: After finishing first in the East and making the Eastern Conference Finals, the Celtics made moves this offseason. That included signing Gordon Hayward, one of the best two-way wings in the NBA, then trading for Kyrie Irving. Losing Bradley and Crowder will hurt the Celtics' defense, but they added star power that should help them truly challenge the Cavaliers for the best team in the East.
Winner: Oklahoma City
Biggest additions: Paul George, Patrick Patterson, Raymond Felton
Biggest losses: Victor Oladipo, Domantas Sabonis
One thing to know: The Thunder robbed the Pacers for Paul George to give Russell Westbrook a co-star just one year after losing Kevin Durant to the Warriors. There's risk, of course, that George leaves next summer and that Westbrook doesn't sign a long-term extension, but in the meantime, the Thunder should challenge for a top seed in the West once again.
Loser: Indiana Pacer
Biggest additions: Victor Oladipo, Domantas Sabonis
Biggest losses: Paul George
One thing to know: The exact offers the Pacers turned down for Paul George are unknown, but many suspect they could have gotten a better deal for the All-Star forward. Oladipo is a 25-year-old combo guard on a bloated deal, Sabonis has potential as a future stretch four, but shot just 32% from three last year, and they didn't get a draft pick back. The return for George ranks low among what other teams have received for star players.
Winner:Huston Rockets
Biggest additions: Chris Paul, P.J. Tucker, Luc Mbah a Moute
Biggest losses: Patrick Beverley, Sam Dekker, Montrezl Harrell, Lou Williams
One thing to know: The Rockets shocked the NBA world when they brought in Chris Paul to join James Harden and form perhaps the most dynamic back-court in the NBA. They continued to do solid work by adding big, versatile defenders in Tucker and Mbah a Moute to create an offensive juggernaut that should defend well, too. If there's a team to challenge the Golden State Warriors, it's these guys.
Winner: James Harden
One thing to know: Harden signed the NBA's biggest deal yet, a six-year, $228 million extension that will pay him $47 million in the final season.
Loser: Cleveland Cavaliers
Biggest additions: Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Derrick Rose, Jeff Green, Cedi Osman
Biggest losses: Kyrie Irving
One thing to know: It's hard to deem any team with LeBron James a "loser," but what, exactly, went right for the Cavaliers this offseason? They lost GM David Griffin, missed out on top replacement candidate Chauncey Billups after they low-balled him, underwhelmed in free agency, and lost Kyrie Irving, who seemed determined to escape Cleveland before LeBron has the chance to do so himself next summer. The return package for Irving is solid, but will be considerably weaker if Thomas is out for a long stretch with a hip injury.
Winner: Stephen Curry
One thing to know: Harden may have signed the biggest extension in NBA history, but for a short time, Curry owned the NBA's biggest contract, a five-year, $201 million deal. After being perhaps the most underpaid player in the league for years, Curry finally reaped the rewards of his hard work
Winner: Sacramento Kings
Biggest additions: George Hill, Zach Randolph, Vince Carter, De'Aaron Fox, Justin Jackson, Harry Giles
Biggest losses: Darren Collinson, Ty Lawson
One thing to know: The Kings, long the NBA's most distraught franchise, not only landed three draft picks in the NBA's deepest, most talented class in years, they then added respected veterans to help steer the ship. Much like the Nets, the Kings won't be good, but they have direction and promise and that's a start.
Winners: Golden State Warriors
Biggest additions: Nick Young, Omri Cassipi
Biggest losses: Ian Clark
One thing to know: The 2016 defending champions not only brought back the entire cast from last year, they added a dynamic shooter and floor-spacer in Young and a do-it-all, versatile forward in Cassipi for extra depth. Lest anyone thought the Warriors weren't good enough last year, they'll be even better this year.
ESPN
Trader Velizar Mitov
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