2019 NBA Free Agency Review
2storm Today I will be reviewing every team's Free Agency. I will be going by division and I will give them a realistic expectation for next season. Draft is not included.Atlantic Division
Philadelphia 76ers
Grade - B+
Expectation - Top 3 Seed in East
The Sixers had a great off-season. They were able to re-sign Tobias Harris and extend Ben Simmons. They got very good role players in Al Horford and Josh Richardson as well. The Sixers are stacked and I believe that next year will be their year. Expect a big season and I am picking them to win the East.
Boston Celtics
Grade - B-
Expectation - 2-5 Seed in East
The Celtics obviously got hit hard by Kyrie and Al Horford, but they did get Kemba and I think he fits better than Kyrie did. Kyrie is better though which will definitely hurt. Departing with Terry Rozier was very good and getting Enes Kanter on a cheap deal was huge.
Brooklyn Nets
Grade - A+
Expectation - 2-6 Seed in East
So the Nets won big. They won't be amazing this year, unless Kyrie goes off or KD comes back early, but they will be really good. In 2-3 years though they will be amazing with Kyrie and KD. The Nets also got DeAndre Jordan which I think is a great move. The Nets should be top dawgs in a few years.
New York Knicks
Grade - D
Expectation - Basement in East
Surprised I didn't give the Knicks an F. Well it's not a total disaster. They didn't get KD and Kyrie, but they did get some decent signings. They got Elfrid Payton and Julius Randle. They did decently to surround R.J. Barrett with talent. They could've done better, but they did decent. They will still be the basement of the league though. Their is this guy names R.J. Hampton in the 2020 Draft to combine with R.J. Barrett next though. Wink wink New York.
Toronto Raptors
Grade - D+
Expectation - 6-10 Seed in East
The Raptors obviously lost Kawhi and Danny Green, but probably the worst thing about this off-season for them was when they had an opportunity to trade for Paul George, Russell Westbrook, and re-sign Kawhi all for the price of Pascal Siakam a few 1st and Fred VanVleet I think. The Raptors should still be ok though and they should be fighting for a Playoff spot.
Winner of Division - Brooklyn Nets
Southeast Division
Atlanta Hawks
Grade - C
Expectation - 8-Basement in East
Nothing real big here. They added Damien Jones and Jabari Parker. Just small moves. I think the Hawks could definitely challenge for the 8t h seed if they get enough progression from their young guys like Trae Young, Kevin Huerter, DeAndre Hunter, John Collins, and Cam Reddish.
Charlotte Hornets
Grade - F-
Expectation - Basement in East
I am being completely honest this was the worst off-season I have ever seen in my life. Of course I'm only 16, so it's not that long of a life, but still you get where I'm coming from. I said and others said TRADE KEMBA, BUT NO THE FREAKING HORNETS DON'T TRADE KEMBA and look where they are now. I don't give a crap about this pathetic franchise anymore. I wouldn't mind at all if they relocated. The signing of Terry Rozier cost way too much money. I like Miles Bridges, Malik, Monk, and Devonte Graham, but that is not enough to get them anywhere.
Miami Heat
Grade - A
Expectation - 4-8 Seed in East
Getting Jimmy Butler was huge. He will fit perfectly on this team. The Heat are all about working hard and progression. Something Jimmy Butler treasures. With this current roster I can see them competing for that 4 Seed.
Orlando Magic
Grade - D
Expectation - 8-12 Seed in East.
The Magic have a decent squad. I like their young core of Fultz, Isaac, and Bamba. I don't really like the re-signing of Vucevic and that is why they get this seed. I think they will be another team competing for that 8th Seed.
Washington Wizards
Grade - B-
Expectation - 8-Basement in East
The Wizards have a very tough few seasons coming up. They got to decide will they break this team up or will they try and redeem this team. I am leaning towards the former. Their off-season was very boring besides the acquisition of Isaiah Thomas, who will fill in till John Wall comes back. I think they will probably try to start the tank job and trade Bradley Beal and attempt to move John Wall, but I think they have the potential to get to that 8th seed.
Winner of Division - Miami Heat
Central Division
Chicago Bulls
Grade - C+
Expectation - 10-Basement in East
All the Bulls really did was add some veteran depth in Tomas Satoransky and Thad Young. It will be interesting to see what they do with the Point Guard Position. They have a multitude of good Points in; Kris Dunn, Coby White, Tomas Satoransky, and Ryan Arcidiacono.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Grade - D+
Expectation - 8-Basement in East
The Cavs didn't really do anything which is not good. The Cavs need to start getting rid of some of these veterans like Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson before lose even more value. Expect the Cavs to be in the same situation as last year.
Detroit Pistons
Grade - B
Expectation - 6-10 Seed in East
I actually really like the Derrick Rose signing. He will fit very well with this Pistons team. I also think it is time to give up on Andre Drummond. He is just not worth the money. I would perfer Blake Griffin at the 5 anyway, so they can play Sekou Doumbouya at the 4.
Indiana Pacers
Grade - D+
Expectation - 4-10 Seed in East
I think the loss of Bojan Bogdanovich, Darren Collision, and Thad Young are gonna hurt them really bad. I like the acquisition of Malcolm Brogdon a lot though. I want to see if they can contend for the Playoffs this year without these guys they lost.
Milwaukee Bucks
Grade - B+
Expectation - Top 3 Seed in East
Coming off being the best team in the NBA the Bucks had an important off-season in terms of keeping all their role players and on the most part they did well. They re-signed Khris Middleton, George Hill, and Brook Lopez which is huge. They lost Brogdon and Nikola Mirotic which is not good, but adding Wesley Matthews was an ok move. I still see them being a top 3 team in the East.
Winner of Division - Milwaukee Bucks
Southwest Division
Dallas Mavericks
Grade - C+
Expectation - 6-10 Seed in West
The Mavericks main move was re-signing Kristaps Porzingis. They missed out on both Kemba Walker and Danny Green, but they got a decent player in Delon Wright later. The Mavericks should definitely compete for a Playoff Seed.
Houston Rockets
Grade - C+
Expectation - Top 3 Seed in West
The Rockets got Russell Westbrook in a very surprising move. I think the Rockets have a strong team and if they can get Andre Iguodala that would make this team amazing. I expect them to still contend for the Championship regardless. Wow.
Memphis Grizzlies
Grade - B
Expectation - Basement in West
The Memphis Grizzlies had a great off-season all around. They got tons of picks from taking on large contracts like Andre Iguodala and Dwight Howard and I think they should pursue John Wall's huge contract and try to get even more picks. They also got a nice pull of Tyus Jones. They will be bad this year though.
New Orleans Pelicans
Grade - B+
Expectation - 8-10 Seed in West
Pretty good Free Agency. They got J.J. Redick which will be huge for spacing. They obviously pulled in Lonzo, Hart, Ingram, and picks galore. This team should contend for a Playoff spot and maybe make some noise.
San Antonio Spurs
Grade - C
Expectation - ?
Every time I make a guess about the Spurs I get it wrong, so I am not going to say a thing.
Winner of Division - New Orleans Pelicans
Northwest Division
Denver Nuggets
Grade - C
Expectation - 4-8 Seed in West
I love the addition of Jerami Grant. Paul Millsap also excepted his option. I'm not so sure about that move because Millsap is getting a lot of money next year and he is getting older pretty much the same team otherwise. Should be contending for a high speed again.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Grade - D-
Expectation 8-Basement in West
Well first off the missed out on D'Lo. That was not good. They lost both Derrick Rose and Tyus Jones. They are not good at Point Guard at all. Their only hope is to try and get D'Lo. They could contend for that 8th seed, but otherwise they will probably end up in the basement.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Grade - A-
Expectation - 6-Basement in West
While I really liked their core I can understand why they traded it. The question mark will be on whether or not they trade Steven Adams and Chris Paul. They could trade them and go full rebuild or they could try to contend. All I know is they got a lot of draft picks.
Portland Trailblazers
Grade - B
Expectation - 4-Basement in West
The Trailblazers adding Hassan Whiteside was pretty good. He can definitely be a great backup to Jusuf Nurkic. The Trailblazers should be competing again, but I think their might be a chance the Blazers rebuild and start over.
Utah Jazz
Grade - A
Expectation - 4-6 Seed in West
Of course getting Mike Conley and Bojan Bogdanovich will help their scoring a lot. Parting with Derrick Favors and Ricky Rubio were good moves. This Jazz team should be ready to elevate.
Winner of Division - Utah Jazz
Pacific Division
Golden State Warriors
Grade - D-
Expectation - 4-10 Seed in West
Of course the Warriors lost Durant and Boogie which is bad. They traded Andre Iguodala for some reason just to clear space for D'Angelo Russell. They are just going to trade Russell later, so why did they trade for him in the first place? I still expect them to make the Playoffs, but who knows the West is getting stronger every day.
Los Angeles Clippers
Grade - A+
Expectation - Top 3 Seed in West
If you don't know they have Kawhi and Paul George then I don't know where you have been. They re-signed Patrick Beverley. They unfortunately lost Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Dalino Gallanari, but I mean overall this a A+. They should be one of the best teams next year.
Los Angeles Lakers
Grade - A+
Expectation - Top 3 Seed in West
The Lakers won big this off-season. They got Danny Green and DeMarcus Cousins after losing out on Kawhi. They got Avery Bradley as well. They re-signed Rajon Rondo and JaVale McGee. And to top it off they got Anthony Davis. Expect them to be a top team as well.
Sacramento Kings
Grade - D+
Expectation - 4-10 Seed in West
The Kings didn't have a good off-season at all. I mean they overpaid Harrison Barnes and they overpaid for someone else as well, but the Kings are still really good. They could make a huge jump this year and they could make the Playoffs.
Phoenix Suns
Grade - C
Expectation - 6-Basement in West
The Suns got Ricky Rubio, so. They got a decent Point Guard because they overpaid. This team has a lot of potential, but most likely they will suck again and again.
Winner of Division - Los Angeles Clippers
Winner Overall - Brooklyn Nets
Comments
If things actually do connect well The Nets could be right there in the eastern conference by 2021. Man the western conference is gonna be something oh man it is loaded. - visitor