This NBA free agency put followers of the NBA through an emotional roller-coaster. The first major free agent domino to fall was Paul George stunning everyone and signing a four-year contract with the Thunder without even meeting with Lakers. Next decision was that of The King. Though many expected LeBron to sign with the Lakers only if they could provide an all-star level teammate, James announced he would be signing with a young Lakers team and agreed to a 4-year contract. Soon after LeBron set the NBA world buzzing with the news of him signing with LA, the Warriors brought everything to a screeching halt by signing injured All-Star center, Demarcus Cousins.
Boogie Cousins signing with Golden State seemed to put the league in a state of shock. Reportedly, some players reached out to Demarcus before he officially signed to see how made up his mind was. Fans of contenders had to watch the best team in the NBA, sign one of the best talents in the NBA, albeit one coming off a serious injury. The worry among fans is that the season will become a nine-month formality as the Warriors demolish everyone on their way to the Finals. While the Warriors very well may end up winning the Finals for a third straight year, the Boogie signing doesn't mean this team is going to run through the season without any challengers.
With the Rockets taking some major hits in free agency and the Lakers looking like they're one season away, the best hope for a challenger to the Warriors comes from the opposing conference. The talent gap between the two conferences may not be as wide as it seemed earlier this offseason. With the Raptors recent trade for Kawhi Leonard, the Philadelphia 76ers continued growth, and the Boston Celtics getting back two All-Star level players, the top teams in the Eastern conference are not so far behind the top teams in the West.
By trading DeMar DeRozan and Jakob Poeltl to the Spurs for Danny Green and a one-year rental of Kawhi Leonard, the Raptors have improved their roster from last season. The Raptors core had hit its ceiling in the playoffs and it was time for a shakeup. Along with new head coach Nick Nurse, replacing DeRozan with Kawhi, who is a better shooter and more efficient scorer, and a 3-and-D wing like Danny Green will allow the Raptors to modernize their offense, even more, this season. Trotting out a lineup of Kyle Lowry, Danny Green, Kawhi Leonard, OG Anunoby, and Serge Ibaka gives the Raptors at least a league average three-point shooter at every position.
On the defensive side, this lineup has the length to switch across four positions and the versatility on the bench to match up with a team that may play bigger. These players plus the league-best bench that the Raptors brought back should make them a very tough team this season. Of course, this all comes crashing down if Kawhi decides to sit out the season. Fingers crossed, Raptor Fans!
The 76ers have had an interesting offseason, to say the least, but didn't make the splash addition they may have been hoping for. They weren't able to land Lebron James or trade for Kawhi Leonard but they should see the progression from their two young stars, Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. The 76ers were able to keep the roster from last season mostly intact while also trading for forward, Wilson Chandler, who can provide average shooting and solid defense. Outside of a stunning trade, the 76ers biggest hope for improvement comes from Markelle Fultz. If the first overall pick from last year can overcome his case of the "yips" and return to his college form, his shooting and playmaking will help open the floor for Simmons and Embiid to attack the basket. Running the same roster back with only a small change may be frustrating, but Philadelphia is in a good position to compete now if all goes well while building for the future.
The Boston Celtics roster, if it remains healthy, should be viewed as a team that resides in the upper echelons of NBA. Boston lost their two best players - Gordon Hayward just minutes into the opener and Kyrie to knee surgery in mid-March – and dealt with injuries to various role players, but still managed to take Lebron James and the Cavaliers to seven games in the Eastern Conference Finals. Looking at the success they had in the regular season and the playoffs with a limited roster, a jump is expected as Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown mature. Boston chose to run back its roster from last season and seemingly with good reason. The return of two All-Star players along with the natural maturity and development of their promising young players leaves Boston looking like one of the few teams that could actually give the Warriors a run for their money.
