30. New York Knicks
Off-season Acquisitions: F Obi Toppin, G Immanuel Quickley, G Austin Rivers, G Alec Burks, C Nerlens Noel, G Elfrid Payton
What a time to be a New York sports fan. Without a single doubt, fans of the Knicks and Jets can say they root for the two clear-cut worst/most poorly-ran teams in both the NBA and the NFL. The Knicks are a train-wreck at every level. Management has no direction, new head coach Tom Thibodeau is antiquated and washed, and the roster talent doesn’t stack up with even the bottom-dwellers of the Eastern Conference. For what it’s worth, they had a nice draft night by selecting the athletic, rim-running Toppin (another power forward) and SEC Player of the Year Immanuel Quickley.
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29. Cleveland Cavaliers
Off-season Acquisitions: F Isaac Okoro, G Damyean Dotson, C JaVale McGee
We aren’t quite sure if Collin Sexton and Darius Garland are much of a match on the floor. However, we do have faith in both young guards. Sexton has been impressive from the get-go by discovering a consistent shooting stroke (39.2-percent from three, 84.3-percent from the line). Garland started 59 games for Cleveland as a rookie, and wasn’t very good. Auburn’s Okoro is a plug-and-play wing who can provide defense and outside shooting. He’s the perfect complement to Cleveland’s primary ball handlers. Cleveland is going to have to move Kevin Love at some point, but his value has basically disappeared with a contract that extends to 2023.
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28. Detroit Pistons
Offseason Acquisitions: G Killian Hayes, C Isaiah Stewart, F Saddiq Bey, F Jerami Grant, G Delon Wright, C Mason Plumlee, G Wayne Ellington
Draft night went about as well as it could have for the Pistons. They had their pick between the draft’s top point guards and selected Hayes who has flashed elite potential on the offensive end. Detroit finished the night with two quality front court pieces in Washington’s Stewart and Villanova’s Bey. The Pistons followed up the draft with one of the more peculiar free agent periods picking up presumably two future starters in Jerami Grant and Mason Plumlee. Detroit inked the pair of former Denver Nuggets to contracts totaling a combined $85 million. Grant signed for a three-year deal that will pay him $20 million annually, a considerable price-tag for a player who will be on his fourth team in five years.
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27. Sacramento Kings
Offseason Acquisitions: G Tyrese Haliburton, F Robert Woodard, G Jahmi’us Ramsey
The Kings couldn’t resist when Haliburton slipped to the No. 12 pick. Though he’s listed as a point guard, Sacramento feels Haliburton’s cerebral style will allow him to share the floor with the speed demon De’Aaron Fox. Marvin Bagley Jr. is still there too, and was playing pretty well before his 2020 season was cut short after 13 games. Bogdan Bogdanovic is gone, and one would figure Buddy Hield could also be snagged by a team in search of shooting. Their backcourt is set for now, but they have serious issues on the wing, and were absolutely awful in the Bubble. The Kings are not a serious threat for a Western Conference playoff spot at this current time.
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26. Oklahoma City Thunder
Offseason Acquisitions: F Aleksej Pokusevski, G Theo Maledon, C Al Horford, G Ty Jerome, F Trevor Ariza, G George Hill
The Thunder have officially entered rebuild-mode. Out went Chris Paul, Dennis Schroder, Steven Adams, and Danilo Gallinari. Now, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander takes over as the No. 1 option surrounded by a couple of seasoned vets and a pair of young draft picks. The 7-foot Pokusevski is unlikely to contribute much in Year 1 given his rail-thin frame. However, the pick was a high-risk, high-reward selection by GM Sam Presti. It’s all about the future now, as Presti has amassed a stockpile of picks for upcoming drafts.
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25. Chicago Bulls
Offseason Acquisitions: F Patrick Williams, G Garrett Temple
Among the bottom-feeding teams of the league, there’s a case the Bulls have the most talented roster. Chicago grabbed the versatile Florida State forward Williams — who joins a core featuring Zach Lavine, Lauri Makkanen, Coby White, Wendell Carter Jr., and Otto Porter Jr. Billy Donovan has his warts, but his accomplishments and qualifications far exceed previous head coach Jim Boylen. They will be a trendy pick to take a playoff spot, but their ultimate undoing could be the lack of a true playmaker in a point-guard-driven league.
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24. Charlotte Hornets
Offseason Acquisitions: G LaMelo Ball, F Gordon Hayward, C Vernon Carey Jr., C Nick Richards
The Hornets surpassed expectations last year by a being a scrappy club after many penciled them in to have the worst record in the NBA. Jumping up five slots in the lottery, Charlotte wound up as big winners by not installing a ‘losing’ culture. In the process, they still came away with the grand prize in LaMelo Ball. While the Hornets weren’t hungry for a guard, they were starving for a superstar. Ball has superstar-like qualities and could wind up being the best player in the draft. Charlotte further revealed its desire to be competitive in 2021, inking former Celtic Gordon Hayward to a max-deal worth $120 million. It came as a shock to many as Hayward has struggled with injuries and inconsistent play, but there is no doubt the Hornets have made a significant step towards relevancy this offseason.
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23. Orlando Magic
Offseason Acquisitions: G Cole Anthony, G Dwayne Bacon
If healthy, the Magic are a lock for a playoff spot. However, this team will enter the season already dinged up as Jonathan Isaac recovers from a torn ACL. We cannot understate Isaac’s impact on this team (on both ends of the floor). Though Nikola Vucevic is the team’s best player and lone All-Star, Isaac is the team’s most indispensable player. Anthony and Markelle Fultz should make for a fun backcourt combo, though the likely loss of Evan Fournier and the injury to Isaac limits Orlando’s early outlook.
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22. San Antonio Spurs
Offseason Acquisitions: F Devin Vassell, G Tre Jones
We are in unfamiliar territory for the Spurs. San Antonio is well on its way to being on the outside of the playoff picture for the second year in a row. The team’s best player, 4-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan, has been involved in trade rumors all summer long. The roster isn’t completely without talent. However, none of San Antonio’s young player seem to be on any sort of trajectory towards stardom. Maybe Florida State’s Vassell will change that. San Antonio gladly scooped him up with the No. 11 Overall pick.
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21. Minnesota Timberwolves
Offseason Acquisitions: G Anthony Edwards, G Ricky Rubio, F Leandro Bolmaro, F Jaden McDaniels, G Ashton Hagans, C Ed Davis
Minnesota’s trio is complete. No. 1 pick Anthony Edwards will bring his elite athleticism and slashing ability to a team that already features the dynamic guard-big duo of D’Angelo Russell and Karl-Anthony Towns. Edwards was the ideal pick for Minnesota. His tenacity and suddenness are traits lacking between the established T’Wolves pair. 2019 No. 6 pick Jarrett Culver is coming off a disappointing rookie season, and will likely be relegated to bench duties with the news of Rubio returning to Minnesota. They shouldn’t have much trouble scoring between Towns and Russell, and Edwards-plus-Rubio will certainly aid the defensive efforts. We’ll have to see it to believe it, but the T’Wolves have a chance to turn it around in 2021.
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20. Atlanta Hawks
Offseason Acquisitions: C Onyeka Okongwu, F Danilo Gallinari, G Rajon Rondo, G Bogdan Bogdanovic, G Kris Dunn, G Skylar Mays
Atlanta hopes their offseason swings will pay off in a big way in 2021. The Hawks kicked it off by selecting USC’s Okongwu with the No. 6 pick – a rim-running, paint-protecting big man who can play alongside either Clint Capela or John Collins. The Hawks followed the pick by being the league’s most active team in free agency, inking Gallinari, Rondo, and Bogdanovic to lucrative deals. The Hawks have shown a willingness to upgrade the roster around Trae Young – which will certainly be appreciated by the young star.
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19. Memphis Grizzlies
Offseason Acquisitions: G Desmond Bane, C Xavier Tillman Sr., F Mario Hezonja
There aren’t a whole lot of young cores more stacked than the one in Memphis. Led by the reigning Rookie of the Year Ja Morant, the Grizzlies are loaded with 20-somethings who can score, defend, and play with a collective chip on their shoulders. Draft picks Bane and Tillman both fit that bill as well. Bane might crack the starting lineup early due to his plug-and-play ability as a 3-and-D guy. The Grizzlies are the prototypical run-and-gun team that no team wants to play on the second night of a back-to-back.
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18. Washington Wizards
Offseason Acquisitions: G Russell Westbrook, F Deni Avdija, C Robin Lopez, G Cassius Winston, G Raul Neto
The trade rumblings were true. In the most shocking deal of the offseason, the Wizards and Rockets swapped point guards. Washington sent John Wall and a first-round pick to Houston in exchange for 2016 NBA MVP Russell Westbrook. Westbrook forms a high-octane backcourt alongside Bradley Beal who finished second in the league in scoring last season. It also means Westbrook will be reuniting with former Thunder head coach Scott Brooks. With two All-Star caliber players on its roster, Washington is now a favorite to lock down a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
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17. Golden State Warriors
Offseason Acquisitions: C James Wiseman, F Kelly Oubre Jr., G Nico Mannion, G Kent Bazemore
What should have been a joyous day of selecting No. 2 pick James Wiseman turned into pure devastation when the news of Klay Thompson’s injury broke. Thompson is reported to have suffered a torn Achilles (which he sustained during a workout just hours before the draft commenced). A heartbreaking blow to a Warriors team that has been plagued by injuries to its top stars. Without Klay, the Warriors can no longer be considered a title contender for 2021 (even with the addition of Oubre Jr.).
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16. New Orleans Pelicans
Offseason Acquisitions: G Kira Lewis Jr., G Eric Bledsoe, C Steven Adams
For a team that traded Jrue Holiday, the Pelicans made out fairly well during draft week. They collected a slew of picks for the All-NBA Defensive guard, and a capable stand-in in Bledsoe. New Orleans made another veteran pickup by acquiring Thunder big Adams who will likely start alongside Zion Williamson. They continued the trend of adding additional guards when they selected draft riser Lewis Jr. The former Alabama standout provides speed and shot-making ability to an already well-rounded offensive attack. Despite being one of the younger teams in the league, the Pelicans will enter the year with high expectations. We’ll be curious to see if they can live up to that.
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15. Indiana Pacers
Offseason Acquisitions: G Cassius Stanley, G Jalen Lecque
The Pacers are fringe contenders in the Eastern Conference. They don’t boast the level of high-end talent that their competitors have, but they have a solid roster top-to-bottom. It features two former All-Stars in Domantas Sabonis and Victor Oladipo, and Bubble All-Star T.J. Warren. Oladipo’s future with the team remains up in the air, though the team appeared to function better in the hands of Sabonis and Malcolm Brogdon anyway. They are not a threat to the Eastern Conference elite, but they will smash the cellar-dwellers on their way to a postseason berth.
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14. Phoenix Suns
Offseason Acquisitions: G Chris Paul, F Jalen Smith, F Jae Crowder, G Langston Galloway
The case for Phoenix making a playoff run this upcoming season is quite simple. Take Chris Paul off this past season’s Oklahoma City Thunder team and compare that roster with the one he’s joining in Phoenix. While the young Suns aren’t quite as battle-tested as the Thunder were, they are easily more talented starting at the top with All-Star guard Devin Booker. Booker isn’t the best guard Paul has teamed with (that would be former MVP James Harden), but he might be the one who is best suited to complement the point guard’s strengths. Their skill-sets brilliantly pair with one another, and Paul should also help unlock the best version of former No. 1 overall pick DeAndre Ayton.
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13. Houston Rockets
Offseason Acquisitions: G John Wall, F Christian Wood, C DeMarcus Cousins, F Sterling Brown, F Kenyon Martin Jr.
The Harden-Westbrook pairing lasted just one season before the two guards decided it was best to part ways. As long as Harden is at the helm, the Rockets will remain a playoff team in the West. However, it’s unclear just how high of a ceiling the team has with the injury-riddled Wall in tow. Wall will reunite with former Kentucky Wildcat running mate DeMarcus Cousins for the first time in their respective NBA career’s. It appears the Rockets are determined to keep James Harden on the roster and continue to build around the former league MVP.
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12. Utah Jazz
Offseason Acquisitions: C Udoka Azubuike, F Derrick Favors
The Jazz took a big swing on a proven guy in Mike Conley last offseason…and missed the mark badly. Conley was a disaster for most of the year, as star guard Donovan Mitchell often was at his best when we was commanding the offense (while Conley sat). They don’t have a very high ceiling, but the Jazz will be in contention for a top-4 seed if Mitchell takes another step in his progression.
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11. Portland Trail Blazers
Offseason Acquisitions: F Robert Covington, F Derrick Jones Jr., C Enes Kanter, C Harry Giles
After years of searching, the Trail Blazers may have finally found the quintessential forward to start alongside their star backcourt. Robert Covington was born to play alongside guards like Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum. He is a disruptive defender with the shooting prowess opposing teams will at least have to respect. Pair those three with the toughness of Jusuf Nurkic and Zach Collins, and the Trail Blazers have a starting five they feel good about versus any team in the league. That’s all you can ask for in a league as top-heavy as the NBA.
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10. Toronto Raptors
Offseason Acquisitions: G Malachi Flynn, C Aron Baynes, F DeAndre Bembry, C Alex Len
The Raptors have made a habit of blowing by expectations. There’s a good chance they end the 2021 season as a top-10 team, but there are some issues they’ll need to solve this offseason. Toronto selected SDSU point guard Malchi Flynn at the end of Round 1. While initially thought to be Fred VanVleet’s replacement, FVV quickly re-upped with the Raptors when free agency opened on a four-year/$85 million deal. Even with Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka departing, the Raptors have a trove of smart, tough, battle-tested players who will compete all year long.
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9. Boston Celtics
Offseason Acquisitions: C Tristan Thompson, G Jeff Teague, G Aaron Nesmith, G Payton Pritchard
The Celtics aren’t completely out of the title picture, but they feel further away than the rest of the Eastern Conference elite. Boston GM Danny Ainge obviously feels the same, as reports around the league indicate that the Celtics have been attempting to trade away Kemba Walker in hopes of landing the assets necessary to acquire James Harden from Houston. Ainge saw 2017 prized free agent signing Gordon Hayward leave for the Hornets. In return, the Celtics received the cap relief necessary to sign Tristan Thompson to a deal. Thompson and Jeff Teague will help deepen Boston’s rotation, but the Celtics can’t feel good about how this all played out.
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8. Dallas Mavericks
Offseason Acquisitions: G Josh Richardson, F Josh Green, G Tyrell Terry, F Tyler Bey, F Wes Iwundu, F James Johnson
Dallas’ elite offense alone makes them a threat in a loaded Western Conference. Luka Doncic ascended to All-NBA levels in Year 2 while orchestrating the league’s most potent offensive attack. Multiple Mavericks’ players sported career-highs across the board playing with Doncic last season, and the team hopes to see similar results from the newly acquired Josh Richardson (who was miscast in Philadelphia’s system). Dallas enjoyed a successful draft selecting two athletic wings in Green and Bey, and a gifted scoring guard in Terry. Additionally, the Mavericks are equipped with the necessary cap room to make a sizable splash during free agency.
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7. Philadelphia 76ers
Offseason Acquisitions: G Tyrese Maxey, G Isaiah Joe, C Paul Reed, G Seth Curry, C Dwight Howard, G Danny Green, G Terrance Ferguson, C Tony Bradley
The 76ers addressed one clear need during draft week: Shooting. Out went three-point brick-layers Al Horford and Josh Richardson, and in came two career-long 40-percent bombers in Curry and Green. Philly added another marksman through the draft in Arkansas’ Isaiah Joe. They also added a dash of shot-creation with the dynamic Tyrese Maxey. It’s a formula that should bode well for the Sixers’ two stars Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. Surrounding them with shooters is something other teams in the East won’t want to see.
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6. Denver Nuggets
Offseason Acquisitions: C JaMychal Green, G RJ Hampton, C Zeke Nnaji
The 2020 NBA Playoffs was the official breakout party for the Denver Nuggets. The dynamic duo of Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic fuel Denver’s offense, and they are backed by defensive studs. The Nuggets essentially exchanged their veterans for young, higher upside options this offseason. Gone are Jerami Grant (who left for an expanded offensive role in Detroit), Torrey Craig and (likely) Paul Millsap. Those departures signal more minutes will be afforded to guys like Michael Porter Jr., Bol Bol and rookie R.J. Hampton. This team gained some much-needed confidence during Bubble play. Murray, Jokic and the rest of the Nuggets emphatically announced that they’re here to stay.
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5. Brooklyn Nets
Offseason Acquisitions: G Landry Shamet, F Jeff Green, G Bruce Brown
Is James Harden on his way? If the former MVP had it his way, that would likely be the case. Adding Harden could potentially raise some serious chemistry issues. However, the talent level would be immense. Harden, Kevin Durant, and Kyrie Irving would be the most talented offensive trio ever. Until that happens, we have the Nets as more of a bottom-end title contender. Adding wing shooters in Shamet and Brown were certainly moves that foreshadow bigger transactions in the future. Does this mean we will be seeing Spencer Dinwiddie or Caris LeVert on the move next?
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4. Milwaukee Bucks
Offseason Acquisitions: G Jrue Holiday, F Bobby Portis, F Torrey Craig, G D.J. Augustin, G Gary Forbes, F Jordan Nwora
The Bucks missed on Bogdan Bogdanovic, but reeled in a big fish with the addition of All-World defender Jrue Holiday. Holiday is a better fit next to Giannis than Eric Bledsoe ever was, and adds both a secondary playmaker and a proven playoff performer into the fold. However, Milwaukee was forced to scramble after the Bogdanovic deal fell through. They wound up signing a mish-mash of B-tier free agents which includes Portis and Forbes who should help stretch the floor. It appears as if the front office is ready to push all of its chips on the table in pursuit of winning. We could see another big-time move by them before the season begins.
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3. Miami Heat
Offseason Acquisitions: F Precious Achiuwa, F Mo Harkless, G Avery Bradley
The reigning Eastern Conference champs deserve their due. While the Bucks, Nets and other are on their heels, the Heat are the team to beat out East. Two of their core pieces in Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo will be a year older, stronger, and wiser. Jimmy Butler has shown no signs of slowing down at 31. Rookie Precious Achiuwa is the perfect fit within the Heat’s culture as a energy big who competes on every possession. The Heat do a spectacular job unearthing hidden gems, and we have no doubt they’ll be able to piece together yet another winning roster this upcoming season.
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2. Los Angeles Clippers
Offseason Acquisitions: G Luke Kennard, F Serge Ibaka, C Daniel Oturu
Doc Rivers became the scapegoat once the Clippers unceremoniously bowed out of the playoffs. Despite being an immensely talented team, it was clear they lacked the togetherness needed to win a title. Once the volatility of this season is put behind them, this is still a roster capable of winning a ring. We aren’t sure if Luke Kennard solves any pressing needs for the Clippers, but he’s a good, young player. Kennard can knock down threes and also operate in pick-and-roll situations. The Clippers suffered a huge blow losing Montrezl Harrell to its rival, but recovered nicely by signing 31-year-old NBA Champion Serge Ibaka to a two-year deal. It feels like they aren’t done making moves quite yet, as the gap between the Clippers and their LA neighbors seemingly widened during free agency.
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1. Los Angeles Lakers
Offseason Acquisitions: G Dennis Schroder, C Montrezl Harrell, G Wes Matthews, C Marc Gasol
The reigning champs cemented their place as 2021 favorites with an explosive free agent class. Turns out, players are attracted to the idea of playing alongside LeBron James in sunny Los Angeles. The Lakers started off the series of acquisitions with a bang, shipping away the oft-maligned Danny Green for Sixth Man of the Year candidate Dennis Schroder. Then, the Lakers snatched away Sixth Man of the Year award winner Montrezl Harrell from the Clippers in one of the most shocking moves of the offseason. LA rounded out its roster by adding 3-and-D stalwart Wes Matthews and playmaking center Marc Gasol. They also re-signed playoff hero Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and are very close to inking Anthony Davis to a deal that will keep in LA for the foreseeable future. All is well for the Purple & Gold.
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