Grading Every NBA Teams Offseason

The 2019 NBA offseason will long be remembered as one of the craziest times in Basketball history. A reported 40% of players were free agents and that would include names such as Kawhi Leonard and Kevin Durant.

Each team had the same goal over this period: improve the roster. Some teams managed to accomplish this, some teams seemingly failed, and some did minimal business at all. Below I have graded every teams offseason starting from the worst record in 2019 to the best.

30. New York Knicks (2019 Record: 17-65)

Grade: D+

The New York Knicks had an actual decent offseason if not for one thing: expectations. Less than a couple months ago, everyone was convinced the Knicks would land two of Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, Jimmy Butler or Kawhi Leonard. After three of those four came off the board the Knicks went into full plan B. After drafting RJ Barrett hey went on to sign notable players such as Elfrid Payton, Bobby Portis, and Julius Randle. The Knicks kept themselves flexible by signing all free agents to 1+1 deals with a team option, however without drastic improvement, they risk striking out on free agents for many seasons to come.

Projected 2019 Lineup: Smith Jr., Barrett, Knox, Randle, Robinson

29. Phoenix Suns (2019 Record: 19-63)

Grade: F

They’ve done it again. The Phoenix Suns have once again failed the offseason. They made two major moves that had any rational NBA fan shaking their heads. Their ‘blockbuster’ move was trading their sixth overall pick for the eleventh and Dario Saric. This would be a good move if they hadn’t reached and selected Cameron Johnson out of UNC with their pick. In mock drafts he was projected to go anywhere from early twenties to mid thirties. They left players such as Tyler Herro, Summer League MVP Brandon Clarke and Sekou Doumboya on the board as well. Their other big move was to ship TJ Warren and their 32nd overall pick to Indiana for… nothing. The Phoenix Suns have been notorious for missing on draft picks in recent years and the front office is showing their lack of ability to manage a team. Signing Ricky Rubio for 3-Years $51 Million is exactly what they needed, but they heavily overpaid for the veteran.

Projected 2019 Lineup: Rubio, Booker, Oubre Jr., Saric, Ayton

28. Cleveland Cavaliers (2019 Record: 19-63)

Grade: C-

The 2018 NBA Finalists have done a whole lot of nothing this offseason. They drafted Darius Garland with their fifth overall pick and created the smallest NBA backcourt with him and Sexton projected to start together. Despite many rumors, as of July 19th, 2019 Kevin Love is still on the roster and doesn’t seem happy about it. Their grade remains a C because they picked up one of the major steals in the draft in my opinion in Kevin Porter Jr. with the 30th overall pick. This is a team that needs to be ready for a very long rebuild and didn’t do much to help themselves this offseason.

Projected 2019 Lineup: Garland, Sexton, Osman, Love, Thompson

27. Chicago Bulls (2019 Record: 22-60)

Grade: B-

Another team that didn’t do much this offseason, but didn’t seem to need to. They drafted Coby White with their 7th overall selection and they now have one of the best young cores in the league as a starting lineup. Notable free agent signings include Thaddeus Young and Tomas Satoransky which will add some veteran leadership to this cast of up and coming young players.

Projected 2019 Lineup: White, Lavine, Porter, Markkanen, Carter Jr.

26. Atlanta Hawks (2019 Record: 29-53)

Grade: B+

The hawks made a lot of moves this offseason that can simply be described as shrewd. A short recap is taking on Allen Crabbe for the 17th pick from Brooklyn, trading their 8th pick and that 17th pick for the 4th and taking on Solomon Hill, and then dumping Hill and Miles Plumlee for Parsons contract. All this culminated in what is seen as a great draft; picking up Virginia’s Deandre Hunter and Duke’s Cameron Reddish at 4 and 10 respectively. They added to their already solid young core and signed Jabari Parker for veteran presence and maybe a quick injection of skill for a playoff push.

25. Washington Wizards (2019 Record: 32-50)

Grade: C-

Depending on how you look at Bradley Beal, the Wizards offseason can seem very different to two seperate people. On one hand hes an all star under contract that you should try to retain, on another he’s alone on a team not geared to compete, even for a playoff spot in this upcoming season and has trade value. Personally I view him as a trade asset and a way to get off John Wall’s ridiculous contract and kick start a rebuild, but the wizards decided (as of now) to retain him. Losing Satoransky, Parker and Portis isn’t a good look for them either as the only form of notable business they seem to have done is bringing in Isaiah Thomas to hopefully revitalize his career after spells in Cleveland, LA and Denver. The Wizards also drafted Rui Hachimura who seems to be a decent pickup and is honestly the only reason the wizards dont drop to a D+

Projected 2019 Lineup: Thomas, Beal, Brown Jr., Hachimura, Bryant

24. Dallas Mavericks (2019 Record: 33-49)

Grade: C

Another team that hasn’t done much this offseason, signed a load of role players, kept their stars, and moved on. Their most notable singing they made was Seth Curry to improve the shooting on the roster. The team has been involved in a lot of rumors involving players such as Al Horford, Kemba Walker, and Goran Dragic but as it stands hold none of those players. They still have plenty of time this summer to maybe trade for a third piece to play along side Luka and Kristaps but as of now the Mavericks have had a mediocre summer without any first round picks.

Projected 2019 Lineup: Brunson, Hardaway Jr., Doncic, Porzingis, Mejri

23: New Orleans Pelicans (2019 Record: 33-49)

Grade: A-

Losing a super star should always be synonymous with having a terrible summer right? Not the case for the New Orleans Pelicans who lost Anthony Davis to the Lakers but received a haul in return. Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart and multiple first round picks, including the 4th overall in the 2019 draft. Using that fourth overall they shed Solomon Hill’s contract and recieved the 8th and 17th overall picks. Using those picks they drafted Jaxson Hayes and Nickell-Alexander Walker who both seem to be good pickups. They didn’t stop there though, signing JJ Redick to improve the shooting of the squad and trading two Golden State Warriors picks for Derrick Favors. Arguably doing the best business of the off-season regarding trades. All of this was without mentioning their number one overall draft pick Zion Williamson. This is a team who were riddled with drama and had an average squad around a star; now transformed into a young core of multiple future all-stars.

Projected 2019 Lineup: Ball, Holiday, Ingram, Williamson, Favors

22. Memphis Grizzlies (2019 Record: 33-49)

Grade: B-

The Grizzlies did exactly what they needed to do this offseason. After trading away Marc Gasol at the trade deadline last year it was clear they needed to begin a full rebuild. They sent Mike Conley to Utah for picks and Grayson Allen as the young piece. While they could’ve maybe got more they got off his contract and replaced him well in the draft with Ja Morant. Speaking of their draft they traded up using Utah’s pick and selected the Summer League MVP Brandon Clarke. The Grizzlies did everything they needed to for the long rebuild they’re in for.

Projected 2019 Lineup: Morant, Brooks, Anderson, Jackson Jr., Valanciunas

21. Minnesota Timberwolves (2019 Record: 36-46)

Grade: C

One of the most unspectacular offseasons in the league, an offseason with aspirations of D’Angelo Russell turned into Jordan Bell and Shabazz Napier and a lot of dissapointment. The Wolves traded up in this years draft sending away Saric and the 11th for the 6th and took Jarrett Culver who will be a force for them. With Andrew Wiggins still on the books you never know what might occur in Minnesota but as of now its a very average offseason for KAT and company.

Projectected 2019 Lineup: Teague, Culver, Wiggins, Covington, Towns

20. Los Angeles Lakers (2019 Record: 37-45)

Grade: A-

Kawhi Leonard was the top target for the Lakers post AD trade, so much that to clear cap they traded away all but THREE players on their roster. After Kawhi broke the news that he would be signing with the Clippers the Lakers went into a full plan B which was very successful. Notable additions include Danny Green, Demarcus Cousins (on a minimum!), Rajon Rondo, Avery Bradley and Javale McGee. This is a Lakers squad who went from being 37-45 to being contenders and widely being considered as a top three title favorite in the league. The Lakers had a plan and executed it to perfection once they learned of Kawhi’s decision and improved their roster massively.

Projected 2019 Lineup: James, Green, Kuzma, Davis, Cousins

19. Miami Heat (2019 Record: 39-43)

Grade: B+

A team that had no business making any type of moves this offseason did just that. Despite being completely capped out they managed to make a move for one of the top free agents in Jimmy Butler while also shedding the large contract of Hassan Whiteside to the Trailblazers. In the draft they selected Tyler Herro with their 14th overall pick and he absolutely showed out in the Summer League and will be a great piece for the Heat in the coming years. A team that was gonna fight for the eighth seed now looks like a lock for the playoffs in a top heavy eastern conference.

Projected 2019 Lineup: Dragic, Waiters, Butler, Johnson, Adebayo

18. Sacramento Kings (2019 Record: 39-43)

Grade: C

Another team without a first round draft pick was still able to make moves this offseason. Signing Dwayne Dedmon, Trevor Ariza and Richaun Holmes are good moves for a young team needing leadership. Resigning Harrison Barnes to a 4-year 85 Million might be a decision they regret, but they made good business otherwise. Without a draft pick they were unable to get younger but their core of Fox, Hield and Bagley could be a problem for years to come.

Projected 2019 Lineup: Fox, Hield, Barnes, Bagley, Dedmon

17. Charlotte Hornets (2019 Record: 39-43)

Grade: F

The only other team on this list to record a terrible offseason, the hornets lowballed the one player willing to stay with their team. Kemba Walker came out and said he would accept less than the supermax to stay with Charlotte and the hornets reportedly offered him 60 million less. Needless to say, Kemba left for Boston and he was replaced with Terry Rozier on a ridiculous 3-year, 58 Million dollar contract. In the draft they took PJ Washington with their 12th pick which was an average pick and no more. This is a team that went from a playoff contender to arguably the worst team in the league at this point.

Projected 2019 Lineup: Rozier, Monk, Batum, Bridges, Zeller

16. Detroit Pistons (2019 Record: 41-41)

Grade: B-

Another minimalistic offseason, they picked up Derrick Rose and Markieff Morris to improve and lost minimal players. Drafting Sekou Doumbouya could be a project for them but could potentially be their future. The pistons seem capped out for years to come but they could be a player in this east with an improved point guard and the continued excellence of that star backcourt.

Projected 2019 Lineup: Rose, Kennard, Brown, Griffin, Drummond

15. Brooklyn Nets (2019 Record: 42-40)

Grade: A

Not much to say about this Brooklyn Nets offseason. They made the moves to get off Allen Crabbe’s contract and open up two max slots, signing Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. Signing two superstars will always be an A offseason but also shedding Shabazz Napier and Treveon Graham while recieving a future first makes this offseason even better for the team. They had no first round pick, sending the 17th to the Hawks in the Allen Crabbe trade, but this team had no need for it. A borderline playoff team led by D’Angelo Russell has now become a future contender pending the return of KD in 2020-2021.

Projected 2019 Lineup: Irving, Levert, Prince, Kurucs, Jordan

14. Orlando Magic (2019 Record: 42-40)

Grade: B+

Another team with not a lot to do managed to do exactly what they needed to. They resigned Nicola Vucevic somehow to keep their team in playoff discussions and added Al-Farouq Aminu to improve their bench. With the 16th pick they selected Chuma Okeke who wont see much playing time this season while they try to push themselves back into the playoffs.

Projected 2019 Lineup: Augustin, Fournier, Isaac, Gordon, Vucevic

13. Los Angeles Clippers (2019 Record: 48-34)

Grade: A+

It was two in the morning EST. I along with many NBA fans got the notification from Shams, Kawhi Leonard is signing with the Clippers. Boom. Two minutes later, Paul George has been traded to the Clippers. Boom. A playoff team of last year added the Finals MVP and an MVP Finalist in one fell swoop. Resigning Patrick Beverley as well has them as the sole owner of the best odds to win the NBA title in this 2019-2020 season. Losing Gallinari and Gilgeous-Alexander in the trade was disheartening but I don’t think they will care when the playoffs come around. This is a team expected to go all the way this season and they’ve had the best improvement of any team this offseason.

Projected 2019 Lineup: Beverley, Shamet, George, Leonard, Zubac

12. San Antonio Spurs (2019 Record: 48-34)

Grade: C+

With Gregg Popovich seemingly coming to the end of his career, the Spurs look to keep his team competitive. The duo of Lamarcus Aldridge has survived and there weren’t any big offseason moves. They had a decent draft picking up Keldon Johnson and Luca Samanic who could be decent players in the future, but didnt make many moves to improve their current roster. After having Marcus Morris stolen by the Knicks their big signing was… Trey Lyles. The Spurs should still be expected to make the playoffs with their current roster, but their offseason was average at best.

Projected 2019 Lineup: Murray, Forbes, Derozan, Gay, Aldridge

11. Indiana Pacers (2019 Record: 48-34)

Grade: B

Losing Bogdanovic was a big hit, seeing as he was their leader after Oladipo went down for the year in 2018. They refused to let that rattle them however, adding TJ Warren for cash considerations and signing Malcolm Brogdon to replace the suddenly retired Darren Collison. A team that was already a very good playoff contender in the east managed to improve and with Oladipo predicted to come back some time in December its a team that could build on their 48 win season in the year prior.

Projected 2019 Lineup: Brogdon, Oladipo, Warren, Sabonis, Turner

10. Oklahoma City Thunder (2019 Record: 49-33)

Grade: B

The Thunder had a different offseason than most teams in the league. They were the ones to hit the reset button on their franchise. Trading Westbrook and George for Chris Paul, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari, six future first round picks and 5 future pick swaps. An unprecedented haul for two MVP caliber players leaving one team. Despite the huge haul, I can’t give a grade better than B because of the seemingly non-existant market for Chris Paul and the fact that in the wide open west, they sold their shot away for a better future. A team that was comfortably in the playoffs last year will now be a lottery team, and just how they wanted it.

Projected 2019 Lineup: Gilgeous-Alexander, Diallo, Gallinari, Patterson, Adams

9. Boston Celtics (2019 Record: 49-33)

Grade: C+

Losing Kyrie seemed inevitable all season, but losing Al Horford was a punch in the gut to the organization. Seemingly unwilling to match his contract demands he walked and the Celtics lost their two best players. They did their best to regroup and sign Kemba Walker and Enes Kanter but it just isn’t the same. Drafting Romeo Langford was seemingly a good pickup for them, along with Carsen Edwards in the second round. Adding Tacko Fall undrafted was also good for them, and their youth intake keeps them above a below average offseason.

Projected 2019 Lineup: Walker, Smart, Tatum, Hayward, Kanter

8. Utah Jazz (2019 Record: 50-32)

Grade: B+

One of the most underrated offseasons, the Jazz put in a lot of work to improve. First making a big trade to pickup Mike Conley, then picking up Bojan Bogdanovic from the pacers, creating one of the best starting lineups in the league. No big splashes in the draft but their free agency was exactly what they needed to make them one of the big players in the loaded western conference.

Projected 2019 Lineup: Conley, Mitchell, Ingles, Bogdanovic, Gobert

7. Philadelphia 76ers (2019 Record: 51-31)

Grade: B+

Losing Jimmy Butler was always going to be a blow, but recouping Josh Richardson from the Heat was better than letting him walk for nothing. JJ Redick walking in Free Agency was also another big hit but they managed to pry Al Horford away from Boston to in my opinion heavily improve their team. Retaining Tobias Harris was also another big move for them, despite the hefty price tag. The Sixers are seen as many as the best team in the east, despite previously being seen as a 3rd-4th best team last year.

Projected 2019 Lineup: Simmons, Richardson, Harris, Horford, Embiid

6. Portland Trail Blazers (2019 Record: 53-29)

Grade: C+

A hard offseason to grade, the 2019 Western Conference Finalists have made a few changes. Losing Meyers Leonard, Al Farouq-Aminu and Maurice Harkless will be really tough for them, but replacing Jusuf Nurkic (Broken Leg) with Hassan Whiteside will be a very good place holder. I think they got a steal in the draft at 25 with Nasir Little, and adding Mario Hezonja could be a good bolster to depth. The dynamic duo of Dame and CJ will keep this team competitive but it was an unspectacular offseason for Portland.

Projected 2019 Lineup: Lillard, McCollum, Bazemore, Collins, Whiteside

5. Houston Rockets (2019 Record: 53-29)

Grade: B

Nearly an extremely quiet offseason for Houston, they made one big move that changed everything for them. Dumping CP3, and a couple firsts for Russell Westbrook to form one of the most talented backcourts in the league was huge for them. We’re all waiting to see how the two superstars mesh together on the court (Combined 69.7% Usage Rate), but the acquisition of a superstar for a relatively low price make this a good offseason for the Houston Rockets.

Projected 2019 Lineup: Westbrook, Harden, Gordon, Tucker, Capela

4. Denver Nuggets (2019 Record: 54-28)

Grade: C

They didn’t do much of anything this offseason. Resigning Jamal Murray to a 5-year max was maybe a little hasty but he can prove himself in these coming years. Their biggest move was trading in the draft for Bol Bol at the 44th spot which despite his injury will always be a steal.

Projected 2019 Lineup: Murray, Harris, Craig, Millsap, Jokic

3. Golden State Warriors (2019 Record: 57-24)

Grade: A-

Just when we thought it was over. Losing Kevin Durant seemed like a given for this team so you can’t fault them for that, but using KD to sign and trade for D’Angelo Russell? That’s a huge win for this Warriors team. It is unknown how Curry and Russell will mesh in a backcourt together but even as a trade asset they took a major win in that trade. Resigning Kevon Looney for a very cheap deal and Willie-Cauley Stein as well were good pickups for them and they will stay competitive despite Klay’s injury.

Projected 2019 Lineup: Curry, Russell, McKinnie, Green, Cauley-Stein

2. Toronto Raptors (2019 Record: 58-24)

Grade: C

They just won a championship, it’s now time for them to defend their title right? Wrong. Losing Kawhi Leonard takes this team to a second tier Eastern Conference team but they can’t be faulted for that. Minimal replacements such as Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Stanley Johnson are virtually irrelevant for the purposes of competing. Having no draft picks this offseason makes the teams future uncertain and a very unspectacular offseason.

Projected 2019 Lineup: Lowry, Vanvleet, Anunoby, Siakam, Gasol

I. Milwaukee Bucks (2019 Record: 60-22)

Grade: C

A team that I will fault for losing talent, is the Milwaukee Bucks. Losing Malcolm Brogdon is a huge loss for them and hes gone because the Bucks chose to resign Lopez and Middleton to huge contracts instead of resigning the former Rookie of the Year. Trading their pick to Cleveland for minimal assets wasn’t worth much to them, and signing Wesley Matthews is a consolation for Malcolm. A very, very, very average offseason for the best record in the NBA in 2019.

Projected 2019 Lineup: Bledsoe, Matthews, Middleton, Antetokounmpo, Lopez