Agree with the Clippers. By losing DJ, they just lost their spot in the West and have absolutely no tools whatsoever to get back to the level they were at last year... (Barring a miracle trade.)
It's the Kings. They can't even overpay players at this point. They are the embarrassment of the league to the point that people won't even take their money unless it's some reject like Rondo.
Not sure you can leave the Mavs out of there, before DJ committed to them, they are a sure fire lottery team and will go on full tank mode. DJ aint Lebron, people are,over reacting to one signing, just like people over reacting to the Rockets last year after we lost Bosh and Parsons. The Clippers has a much better chance to make the playoff than the Mavs thus coming season.
Lakers did draft DeAngelo Russell. Missing out on free agents but whatever they did land a cornerstone piece. By the way, not trying to compete may be even better for Russell's long-term growth. There will be less pressure and maybe Clarkson-Russell-Randle trio can develop some chemistry that will take them forward. Not to mention opens up more chances for younger Laker players, which is what they need. Ultimately the Lakers are in better long-term shape by taking another year to develop young talent, those young players are nowhere near ready to be trying to get into the playoffs.
Mavs : Better D, worst O.= remain the Same 7th to 10 th team in the West Portland: out of playoff Lakers. : worst team Clipper : they seemed they 'v lost but..things could turn into their favour .
The Lakers did draft Deangelo Russell who may end up being an all star. Who knows. May have been a great offseason for them then. It's too early to tell.
Clippers still have CP3 and Blake Griffin. Like I've been saying, they were really good on paper last year, but who knows. Maybe Deandre was a terrible locker room guy and that's why they were so up and down from game to game. Maybe Deandre was just their bad luck charm or something. Throw in Paul Pierce and Lance Stephenson, and you never know how the events in the offseason will play out when the season starts.
How is not easily the Blazers? They went from one piece away from contenders to a lottery team this off season. Knicks have made some solid signings, got Affalo on a good deal, Robin Lopez, nabbed Jerian Grant. Lakers didn't get anyone in free agency, but they moved up two spots from where they were projected in the draft to getting 2nd pick. People are criticizing the Knicks and Lakers for not getting big name players, but that was to be expected. They were really bad last year and there are better options for free agents to go to. Their location and branding alone got them consideration. Clippers will still be fine with CP3 and Blake Griffin. Probably still a 2nd round team just like they were.
Well, first, LMA could morph into sign-and-trade. We have to see circa July 9th. Next, I don't count them as worst because, once you accept that they're losing LMA, everything they've done has been as smart as possible. They've made some nice moves and snagged some good young talent. Maybe no playoffs next year but they'll be rising. But yeah, they could have the biggest one year drop. I just don't consider their summer "worst" because it has some hope and a plan in it. The Lakers and Clippers... I don't see the plan working out.
Exactly. Portland has accepted their fate and aren't trying to recapture the magic with whatevers available , a surefire way to land on the mediocrity treadmill (Cuban)
The demise of the Clippers is premature. The still have what most consider two of the top 10 players in the league with Chris Paul and Blake Griffin. I remember everyone counting the Rockets out last season after losing Chandler Parsons and look what happened with that.
The thing about the Kings is they got Rondo on a one-year deal in a situation where he REALLY needs to prove something. If he plays his tail off all season then the Kings might be pretty decent. That's a really BIG IF, though. Regardless, they have a shot to be better, which makes it hard to say they've had a bad offseason. The Clippers gained a big hole in the middle. The Blazers lost EVERYONE (assuming Aldridge leaves). If Aldridge leaves, then it's definitely the Blazers. With that said, it is absolutely hilarious to me that the Lakers can't find a single big FA that wants to go there.
Kings. People take less money to play somewhere else. And they traded away their 2014 lottery pick for nothing. This place is a mess and it'll be hard for them to sign anyone relevant in future off-seasons.
The Knicks had an excellent offseason. Sure they missed on stars and Monroe but they were wise and made small smart moves. They got a BARGAIN of signing Afflalo and locking up Rolo at a long good deal. They also had a very smart draft. I am honestly impressed. They could be even 8th seed next year, no kidding. They resisted the urge to sell off all their assets to build a "contender" around Melo and instead are rebuilding while still competing. Good job. The Lakers were arrogant and fell on their butts. But they still got russel. They also haven't signed anyone yet. The option of going all in on tanking is still open. The Blazers and Clippers lost valuable pieces and won't be as good this season. However the Blazers were proactive and managed to reload in young talent. The Clippers may still explore the s+t option and trade crawford. They will have huge capspace next season so that's good. The Kings on the other hand are a JOKE. they have been humiliated by ROLE players. That just never happened before. A small market team usually is having to sign the left overs of the free agency but if it overpays they get them. Now we have role players turning down more money to sign elsewhere. Plus they sold off their last year lottery pick and morgaged their future for NOTHING. It's sad. The Hawks also didn't have a good offseason imo. They lost Caroll and are very thin at the wing. Also Splitter is frequently injured and their draft was horrendous. They got Hardway jr. who is a black hole chucker who doesn't defend instead of a good young cheap player. I don't see how he will fit in their system at all. The Spurs and Suns have potential to also having catastrophic offseasons. At least in the case of the Suns they are excused because they saw an opening and they tried to make the most of it. However if LMA doesn't sign there they will have overpaid a very old center too much money for too long and sold off their bench. Also Markieff who is a great bargain can't stay in the team for long now that they traded his bro. The Celtics also had a very very dissapointing offseason so far. Really underwhelming. This amir deal and the draft were a letdown. They not only missed on Love but also on Harris.
If it was pre injury Wes Matthews they were getting I would agree with you, but it is not. A lot of players don't come back the same from that type of injury.
