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18 July 2010
There's a number of moves or transactions I could point to in order to demonstrate the craziness of the NBA this summer, but perhaps this one takes the cake: Darko Milicic will receive $20 million over the next four years from the Timberwolves. If you're not sick after reading that, then you haven't been paying attention.
In recent memory, we've never seen a summer like this one, with the huge free agency deals, multiple multi-player trades, and..shall we say...questionable personnel moves by nearly every team. There were so many rumors floating around this summer that it was nearly impossible to track who was going where and for how much. At one point, I believe there was a sign-and-trade involving David Lee, Hank Aaron, the late Ted Kennedy and three members of Phish, although it fell through because the band members refused to relinquish the rights to their hit song "Gin & Juice" (that's for you Smooth).
With that in mind, here's a look at each team's off-season, including trades, free agency signings and the draft. For these lists, I've only included new additions to the roster, not players who resigned (you'll also notice I took some liberties with the use of the word "significant"). As I write this, there's still some pieces yet to fall into place, but the majority of the player movement should be completed. Too bad we only have to wait another three months for the actual games.
First up - the Atlantic. Coming tomorrow, the Central.
Atlantic Division
Boston Celtics
Significant additions: Avery Bradley, Jermaine O'Neal
Significant losses: Tony Allen, Rasheed Wallace
Outlook: The Celtics' biggest moves were bringing back Paul Pierce and Ray Allen for one final run at a title. They'll likely lose 'Sheed to retirement, but O'Neal could be a capable replacement off the bench. Bradley has a world of ability, and could prove to be a solid defender who could fill Tony Allen's role. With Rajon Rondo blossoming into a star, and the Big 3 of Pierce, Allen and Kevin Garnett anxious for one final ring, this should be an inspired team, and barring injuries, they should be in contention all season.
New Jersey Nets
Significant additions: Derrick Favors, Damion James, Jordan Farmar, Travis Outlaw, Anthony Morrow
Significant losses: Yi Jianlian
Outlook: The Nets certainly can't get much worse than they were last year, when they won only 12 games and became a punchline throughout the league. The addition of the high-flying Favors will help, but he's probably too raw to contribute much this year. Outlaw, Morrow, James and Farmar could be nice rotation guys around Brook Lopez, Devin Harris and Terrence Williams, but overall this roster still lacks a lot of punch. They'll probably be better than last year, but not by much. Another last-place finish wouldn't be surprising.
New York Knicks
Significant additions: Amare Stoudemire, Raymond Felton, Kelenna Azubuike, Anthony Randolph, Ronny Turiaf
Significant losses: David Lee, Al Harrington, Chris Duhon
Outlook: The Knicks missed out on LeBron James, but all things considered, you have to think they got better this summer. Felton and Stoudemire aren't exactly Stockton and Malone, but both guys should put up good numbers in Mike D'Antoni's up-tempo system. Randolph is brimming with talent, and a change of venue may be just what he needs to flourish after his up-and-down tenure in Golden State. With Danilo Gallinari's versatility on the wing, and some solid depth in Azubuike, Turiaf, Toney Douglas and Bill Walker, this is a team that should be in the playoff mix. They're still a couple pieces away from being a real contender, but for the first time ina few years, things appear to be looking up.
Philadelphia 76ers
Significant additions: Evan Turner, Spencer Hawes, Andres Nocioni
Significant losses: Samuel Dalembert
Outlook: The Sixers are a hard team to figure out. They have some nice young pieces in Hawes, Mareese Speights, Jrue Holiday, Lou Williams and Thaddeous Young, and the addition of the versatile Turner on the wings gives them another playmaker. They also have a couple veterans in Elton Brand and Andre Iguodala who are both capable of big nights, although the team would love to unload one, or both, or their contracts. The problem is trying to figure out how this roster fits. They still lack a true point guard, and there's too many question marks surrounding the young guys to have any real confidence in them. Unless they make some moves during the year to shake up the roster, it could be another disappointing year in Philly.
Toronto Raptors
Significant additions: Ed Davis, Solomon Alabi, Leandro Barbosa, Linas Kleiza
Significant losses: Chris Bosh, Hedo Turkoglu
Outlook: Hmm...where to start? The Raptors lost Chris Bosh and inexplicably decided to give Amir Johnson a $34 million contract. They drafted two young college bigs with lots of upside in Davis and Alabi, but both will need time to develop. The addition of Barbosa should help the backcourt, but he's a career reserve who played in only 44 games last year. They have a solid forward in Andrea Bargnani and wings Sonny Weems and Demar DeRozan are highlight-reel athletes, but overall, there's just not a whole lot here. Even worse, who does this team market to sell tickets? This was a team that missed the playoffs with Bosh last year. How on Earth will they compete without him? It looks like another rough year for the Raptors.
Predicted finish: Boston, New York, Philadelphia, New Jersey, Toronto
