The NBA offseason is drawing to a close. Teams around the league have retooled, upgraded or tweaked their rosters as they prepare for another grueling campaign.
With just a few weeks remaining until the start of the preseason, now is the perfect time to assign grades to each team’s offseason. Let’s look at the Southeast Division.
Orlando Magic | Grade: B
Players in: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (G), Cory Joseph (G) | Players out: Joe Ingles (F)
Caldwell-Pope was one of the biggest free-agent steals of the summer. He has won two championships in the last four years, elevating both the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets. His presence on the Magic’s young and developing roster should help take them to another level.
Nevertheless, Orlando’s most significant move this summer was re-signing five members of its core rotation to contract extensions. Most notably, the Magic secured the long-term futures of Jonathan Isaac and Franz Wagner.
By focusing on roster continuity and adding help from high-level veterans, Orlando is positioned to continue improving and potentially gate-crashing the top end of the Eastern Conference next season. They’ve navigated this summer with poise and restraint and should reap the benefits next season.
Miami Heat | Grade: D
Players In: Alex Burks (G) | Players Out: Caleb Martin (F), Orlando Robinson (C)
Pat Riley and the Heat front office have been unable to plug any of the major holes in their roster. Their addition of Terry Rozier at the Feb. 8 trade deadline remains their only major move in recent years. Miami’s roster is aging and needs more depth to compete in an ever-improving Eastern Conference.
Furthermore, Martin’s loss is yet another reliable contributor who has left the franchise in recent years. Gabe Vincent and Max Strus are other examples of talents the Heat have failed to retain. Unless Miami can add another star talent or improve their current depth, it’s hard to envision them contending for a championship next season, even with Erik Spoelstra patrolling the sidelines.
Atlanta Hawks | Grade: C+
Players In: Dyson Daniels (G), Larry Nance Jr. (F), David Roddy (F), Cody Zeller (C) | Players Out: Saddiq Bey (F), Bruno Fernando (F/C), AJ Griffin (F), EJ Liddell (F), Dejounte Murray (G)
Atlanta admitted defeat in their experiment to pair Murray and Trae Young together, sending Murray to the New Orleans Pelicans at the start of the summer. In return, Quin Snyder will now have Dyson Daniels to help anchor the perimeter defense and operate as the main point-of-attack defender. Nance Jr. is also a valuable addition to the front court and brings a significant amount of veteran savvy.
The Hawks have begun re-tooling their roster around Young’s playmaking and scoring. They’ve added a solid, young, defensive-minded guard and some depth across the front line. Zeller’s pickup is also underrated due to his reliability. It’s unlikely the Hawks are a contending team next season, but at least their vision is easy to understand. They’re a franchise moving in the right direction.
Charlotte Hornets | Grade C
Players In: Taj Gibson (F), Josh Green (G) | Players Out: Davis Bertans (F), Reggie Jackson (G), Bryce McGowens (G), Aleksej Pokusevski (F/C)
The Hornets are undergoing a litany of changes. They have a new ownership group, a new head coach and a new coaching staff; there’s a lot to be excited about. However, the franchise has remained conservative in the free agent market, adding Gibson and Green.
Nevertheless, Green’s athleticism, multi-level scoring and defensive upside make him a logical fit on the young and upcoming roster. Charles Lee has some serious talent at his disposal; it will just take time to get everyone on the same page and begin developing that talent as the Hornets look to challenge for a playoff spot.
Sometimes, new ownership groups like to come in and swing for the fences. The Hornets have avoided that trap and look well-positioned to make some incremental improvements in the coming months.
Washington Wizards | Grade: B-
Players In: Malcolm Brogdon (G), Saddiq Bey (F), Jonas Valanciunas (C) | Players Out: Deni Avdija (F), Tyus Jones (G), Landry Shamet (G)
Washington built on their strong showing in the NBA Draft by adding former a Sixth Man of the Year in Brogdon and a reliable presence at center in Valanciunas. Both will bring veteran experience to a young team and could help set the tone in the locker room and on the court. However, Brogdon’s injury issues will be a concern, and Valanciunas could be dangled in trade talks closer to February.
On the other hand, Bey is a low-risk addition with plenty of untapped potential and will help space the floor. His presence on the perimeter gives the Wizards multiple scoring options from deep and ensures their offense has some unpredictability.
The Wizards are still years away from being a genuine threat in the East. At least they’re making smart moves and building for the future intelligently and logically.
