Welcome to the Eastern Conference, where you can lose more games than you win and make the playoffs. That’s right Milwaukee, even you have a chance! Some teams in the East used the offseason to better themselves, others just kind of floated by not even drafting anybody, and decided to take their chances with the historically bad conference. Which teams did the best? Which teams did the worst? Let’s dive in.
Atlantic Division
Boston Celtics: Year number two for head coach Brad Stevens isn’t necessarily looking much more glamorous than his first. The head-scratcher was re-signing Avery Bradley to a four year deal to pay him eight million a season. And then drafting another terrific combo guard in Marcus Smart. The trade that they were involved in with Cleveland and Brooklyn was brilliant, however. The C’s took on Tyler Zeller and Marcus Thorton and in return got a top-ten protected first rounder in 2016, 2017, and 2018. The latest move was signing veteran Evan Turner to a deal. While nothing is flashy about the Celtics, they could potentially be a contender for the eight seed. If Jarred Sullinger, Kelly Olynyk and Smart contribute, while Rajon Rondo plays like he knows he can, they could be in play for the final spot.
Grade: C-
Brooklyn Nets: The Nets 2014 offseason took a totally different road that the 2013 team did. Just a season ago they brought in stars Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett to rejuvenate the fanbase. A season later, Pierce is out the door, and they could only with Garnett was, too. Garnett is going into his 20th season, and his contract is far from team-friendly. On top of that, they seen key members like Shaun Livingston walk, and in return brought in Jarrett Jack. While the team didn’t make any picks in the draft themselves, they ended up trading for three second round players in Markel Brown, Xavier Thames and Cory Jefferson. Relatively quiet offseason for a team that had some holes to fill.
Grade: D+
New York Knicks: Two things the Knicks did that you have to like. Number one, they resigned Carmelo Anthony, one of the best pure scorers in the league. Number two, they got rid of that sorry excuse for a ball player Raymond Felton and shipped him off to Dallas. Along with Felton, they sent Tyson Chandler to free up cap space. In return, they got Jose Calderon and Samuel Dalembert along with second year pro Shane Larkin. In the draft, the team got small forward and former Wichita State Shocker Cleanthony Thomas and foreigner Thanasis Antetokounmpo. Derek Fisher comes in as coach, but do the Knicks have what it takes to beat out fellow bottom dwellers like Charlotte, Miami, and Atlanta?
Grade: C+ (only because they got rid of Ray Felton)
Philadelphia 76ers: You’re looking at the worst team of the 2014-2015 season ladies and gents. The sixers did pretty much nothing this offseason, and when I say “pretty much nothing,” I mean nothing at all. They used their two lottery picks on big man Joel Embiid and small forward Dario Saric. Other than that, they stink, and there’s not really much to report here.
Grade: F
Toronto Raptors: The Raptors did the most in the offseason, and all were great moves for the most part. Re-signing Kyle Lowry and Greivis Vasquez were top priorities, and they got done fairly quickly.They also made terrific signings to help with the roster in Patrick Patterson’s new contract, and getting some depth behind Terrance Ross in the form of James Johnson. In the draft, the team added 6’9” small forward Bruno Caboclo from Brazil. All in all, the Raptors are poised for another division title in 2014. They still need to do one more thing however...BRING BACK THE DINOSAUR JERSEYS!
Grade: A-
Central Division
Chicago Bulls: A good team just got a little better. The Bulls lost out on Melo, which could’ve made them an instant finals favorite, but they did the best they could. They brought back Kirk Hinrich who averaged nine points and nearly four assists per contest last season. They also added depth behind Derrick Rose in the form of Aaron Brooks. Brooks averaged identical numbers to Hinrich last season, in eight less minutes. They also signed Pau Gasol to a three year deal. Gasol will slide in right opposite of Joakim Noah, which will create a formidable duo. In the draft, the team added Doug McDermott, who was one of the most prolific scorers in the history of the NCAA. A lot of the team’s success will hinge on Rose’s knees, but right now they’re a favorite in the East.
Grade: B+
Cleveland Cavaliers: You know the story here. King James is coming home, and the world is more than pumped. His popularity numbers amongst Americans, is back to his pre-decision numbers. Clearly the Cavs become instantly better, but where do they rank in the East? With Kyrie Irving, Dion Waiters, and James’ old pal Anderson Varejao, this team could be very good. Even without the addition of Kevin Love, if that ever does happen, they’re a top-three favorite in the East. Andrew Wiggins could be the wild card here, if he can live up to the hype, they could make a run at a championship. Aside from King James, the team brought over Mike Miller and James Jones to fill out the roster and give the team some great depth. Great job, Cleveland.
Grade: A+
Detroit Pistons: New head coach Stan Van Gundy really took this roster on an overhaul and made it the way he wants to coach. Similar to a spread offense in football, with four or five receiver sets, Van Gundy runs his offense through shooting wing men and one big man. Because of his offense, the team signed Jodie Meeks, Cartier Martin, Caron Butler, and D.J. Augustin. The team still has Brandon Jennings and Andre Drummond, so this could be a vastly improved roster. The Pistons lost their ninth overall pick to the Hornets from a trade years ago, so they’re draft went relatively unnoticed. With the exception that Meeks contract may turn out badly, it was a solid offseason in the windy city.
Grade:C+
Indiana Pacers: The Pacers were an Eastern Conference favorite a season ago, but that is far from the case this season. So many teams improved, and the Pacers failed to do so. Lance Stephenson is gone, and they did next to nothing to replace him. They’re offense was just about as bad as a “contender’s” offense can be, and it got even worse. They traded their only draft pick to the Knicks on draft night. So, in essence, they’re taking a major step back.
Grade: D-
Milwaukee Bucks: Jabari Parker. That’s all I got for ya. The worst team in the league made no moves in the offseason except for trading for a new coach in Jason Kidd, and letting Ramon Sessions and Ekpe Udoh walk in free agency. The rich get richer, and the poor, well they stay poor.
Grade: F
Southeast Division
Atlanta Hawks: The biggest news in Atlanta’s offseason has nothing to do with the team, as Paul Millsap has been invited to the United States training camp. In regards to the team, they had plenty of cap space, but signed no one really flashy. They did however, sign Thabo Sefolosha to help with perimeter defense. They also signed a couple players to add to the depth of the rotation. In the draft, they selected 6’10” power forward Adrien Payne with the 15th overall pick. Payne was a two-time Big Ten Player of the Week, and could make a solid impact with his ability to shoot the three with Kyle Korver.
Grade: C
Charlotte Hornets: Let’s disregard the Stephenson signing for one second. Maybe the best thing the team did this offseason was change their culture. They moved on from the “Bobcats,” and returned to the Hornets. They got rid of their awful purple Bobcats jerseys, and moved onto some sweet new look with “Hornets” across the chest. A new look could change the outlook in the locker room. Back to the Stephenson signing and how great it was. The Hornets made the playoffs last season, and should make it again this season with Stephson and some depth signings. The team also got Noah Vonleh ninth overall from a trade with Detroit years ago. Vonleh could pay big dividends for Charlotte this season en route to another playoff run.
Grade: B
Miami Heat: Let’s just take a deep breath for a minute. Yes, the Heat lost the best player in the universe. No, they will not go back to the finals for a fifth straight. They will however, make the playoffs due to their remodeled roster. After losing King James, they secured Chris Bosh to a max contract, and brough back Udonis Haslem, Chris Anderson, Dwayne Wade, and Mario Chalmers. In addition, they also made great sigingins in Luol Deng, Josh McRoberts and Danny Granger.They also traded for Shabazz Napier who could challenge Chalmers and Norris Cole for minutes on the floor. All things considered, not to bad for South Beach.
Grade: B-
Orlando Magic: The Magic were the only team in their division to not make the playoffs last season, as the Heat was a top-two seed and the Bobcats and Hawks squeaked in. The Magic did make some nice moves to make a push at the eight seed, as it feels like everyone is in play except the Bucks and Sixers. They re-signed Channing Frye. They also signed Ben Gordon to a two year deal worth nine million dollars. Top off their free agent frenzy with back-up floor general Luke Ridnour, and they got a pretty good haul. Mix in their draft picks in the likes of Aaron Gordon and foreigner Dario Saric, and they have a nice little team down in Orlando.
Grade: B-