Grading Notable NBA Offseason Moves So Far

By Liam Willerup

    The 2021 Free Agency class was not very star powered with players that could turn a franchise around. The main two players, Chris Paul and Kawhi Leonard decided to return to their teams this offseason. However, there were still plenty of moves that have created delusional fan bases who now think they can win the Finals (totally not hinting at the Bulls...). In order to get a grasp on these moves, I'll go over all the notable signings and trades to this point.

 

Chicago Lands DeMar DeRozan and Lonzo Ball in Sign and Trades

Grade: B+

    Bulls fans are currently peeing their pants as they acquired some dude who's offensive play style resembles that of Bulls legend Michael Jordan, and a guard in Lonzo Ball who will bring his now fixed jumper and outspoken father with him to Chicago. However, I wouldn't grade this trade in the A's though. DeMar finds himself locked into a 3 year/$85 million contract which will pay him about $28 million a year into his 34 year old season. A player who can't stretch the floor and relies on his athleticism to finish, DeMar's contract is destined to be a negative asset into the future. I do however like the Lonzo Ball signing much more. He provides playmaking, shooting, and defense on the wing for a team that was in need of it. I'm positive Lavar will come out and say his son is the best player in Bulls history at sometime this season no doubt. On a real note, Lonzo serves as an ideal pairing alongside dunk god Zach LaVine as he can guard the opposing teams best guard/wing. With Chicago more than likely losing Lauri Markkanen likely on his way out, Chicago will be thin on depth with only Coby White being notable off their bench. I'd give Chicago a ceiling as a 5th seed, and a floor as a 9th seed. Playoff basketball should be returning to the Windy City.

Miami Locks in Shooter Duncan Robinson to a 5 year/$90 million Contract

Grade: D+

    To me this is the equivalent of giving this contract to a JJ Redick when he was on the Clippers. I understand shooting is valuable in today's NBA, but a player like Duncan is as one dimensional as it gets. Robinson provides really only shooting as a positive to his game. He's coming off a worse season than the previous year, and he's locked in for at least 4 years. You can relate his role on his team similar to someone like Joe Harris, but Harris is a far better shooter and has a longer resume to back up getting paid. Especially with someone like Tyler Herro on the roster who is young and can play a similar role to Duncan while providing more offensively, I believe the Heat will be looking to move on from this contract in 2 years when they are short on cap to capture a marquee free agent. Despite Tyler Herro being the center of trolling for failing to live up to high expectations last season after a stunning playoff run and a Jack Harlow song in his name, Herro has a far higher ceiling than Robinson going forward. At the end of the day, Pat Riley knows far more about basketball than me, but this deal just seems like quite an overpay for a one-dimensional player.

Wizards Acquire Nets Star Spencer Dinwiddie on a 3 year/$62 million Deal

Grade: A-

        There are a couple of reasons I like this signing. First of all, I think Dinwiddie could become a huge trade piece if Washington really blows it up. Washington hasn't had much of a future since Paul Pierce called game (not bank) and John Wall was doing the dougie on everyone. After shipping out Russell Westbrook for LITERALLY my least favorite player in Kyle Kuzma, Washington will more than likely finish at the bottom of the East. However I do see Dinwiddie being a good player for this team. He can help coach up the young guys, and show them that you can always turn around your career just like he did when he went from bum to a 20 PPG scorer. If Beal stays, he'll serve as a reliable secondary ball handler to Beal and allow Beal to play off ball and shoot the lights out. If Dinwiddie's presence can help players like Rui Hachimura and Deni Avdija progress into solid NBA guys, Washington might avoid becoming a dumpster fire. But if everything does go to hell, Dinwiddie will be a desirable player for teams looking for a bucket and a playmaker. Win win situation for the Wizards.

Knicks Improve Perimeter Scoring, Acquire Evan Fournier and Kemba Walker

Grade: A

    After finally making the playoffs last season, the Knicks were shut down as King of New York Julius Randle was rendered useless. The main factor for that was nobody was able to create for themselves on the wing besides Derrick Rose, so New York went out and got some guys to do that. Evan "Don't Google His Last Name" Fournier serves as a much better version of Reggie Bullock, as Fournier serves as a solid three-level scorer who can average 16+ PPG with ease. Kemba, despite his defensive issues and consistency problems, is a player like Derrick Rose who can create his own shot and is a very crafty playmaker. Nonetheless, Kemba came into his own as Cardiac Kemba with his infamous game winning step-back jumper in the Garden, and should embrace the energy there. With a starting lineup of Walker, Fournier, Barrett, Randle, and Robinson they should contend again for a top Eastern Conference position. 

The Spurs Bring in Some Forwards, Signing Doug McDermott and Zach Collins to 3 Year Deals

Grade: C-

    I really don't understand these moves much at all. McDermott is a solid bench player, who can get a bucket for your team at an efficient rate. Zach Collins on the other hand, is still a project like he was when he was drafted. Especially with some young developing forwards in Keldon Johnson and Devin Vassell, these moves just help San Antonio be slightly more talented at the bottom of the conference. I feel it would've made more sense to save the money, to be comfortable paying your young players down the line. Popovich, as great as he is, might be headed into his last year as San Antonio's top dog. He's been in control of some great rosters in his career, but this is by far the worst he's ever coached. McDermott will only take minutes away from Vassell and Johnson, and Collins seems as injury-plagued as can be. Solid role players that would've been good signings if San Antonio was in position to make the playoffs.

Wizards and Lakers Agree to a Blockbuster Deal Which Sends 2017 MVP Westbrook to LA

Lakers Grade: B

Wizards Grade: C+

    Just because the Lakers acquired a former MVP that will surely raise the floor of this team, the move still raises some questions for the Lakers going forward. With a lot of age on the roster, and injury plagued players, the Lakers will need to rely on players like Westbrook to carry the load when the squad is diminished. Also, there is just so much money tied amongst the big three, well over $110 million annually in contracts for at least the next two years. The other big question is the shooting and spacing aspect. Westbrick isn't much of a floor spacer, and LeMickey is a fine shooter but shouldn't be taking seven attempts a game when his efficiency is just around 35%. Unlike the other big three in Brooklyn, where all the players can score at every level, this Laker team will look towards their role players to make plenty of big shots for them. I think the Lakers will be a great regular season team, but a smart coach should be able to make things difficult for them in the playoffs with lack of spacing. Do though, be excited for this big three when all are on the court at once from an entertainment aspect.

    For the Wizards end, the players and pieces they walked away with would warrant a D grade. Kyle Kuzma was the biggest name in this trade, and he's known more for being trash than he is for being a good basketball player. KCP and Montrezl Harrell were also in the deal, but I don't see either of these two staying in Washington for long. The reason I do like this trade is it opens up salary space, and helps Washington work towards the rebuild they drastically need. Beal should be out of DC no later than next offseason, and Washington will have Hachimura, Avdija, Gafford, Kispert and Todd to build around. They'll also be able to get some better draft picks, so they can finally start winning in D.C.