NBA Q & A

Last week, each team was given an offseason grade. Last month, we also recapped the NBA draft. Today though, we’ll both answer specific questions about players, teams, and offseason moves and discuss the impact each has. If there is a question you want answered that we haven’t discussed here, feel free to ask us in the comment section.

NBA Q & A

Best Value on a New Contract?

Andrew: Andrei Kirilenko. The Hawks stuck gold in their Millsap deal, but Kirilenko could help his new team win a championship (unlike Millsap). He will anchor a nice bench and keep Pierce and Garnett fresh throughout the year.

Greg: I think it’s a tie between Andrei Kirilenko (1 year, 3.18 million) and Paul Millsap (2 years, 19 million). Kirilenko left 10 million on the table by opting out of Minnesota so this deal is a steal. Millsap is a premier PF that can replace Smith.

Worst Value on a New Contract?

Andrew: Jose Calderon. I know Dallas was probably just depressed that none of the big names were interested, but Calderon is a limited player (not much athletic upside and can’t play defense) who will be 32 when the season comes around. They just signed/drafted young talented point guards anyways. A four-year deal was flat out dumb, along with the fact it’s worth about 30 million.

Greg: Jose Calderon (4 years, 29 million). Not sure what the Mavs were thinking here. Signing Calderon, while drafting Larkin, and signing Gal Melek and Devin Harris… Seems like a lot of money to throw at an aging PG.

Best Offseason Trade?

Andrew: If I had to pick just one, I’d say Philly’s trade with the Pelicans. They sped up their rebuild in no time. Think about it: By trading Holiday they unloaded a lot of money/future money (along with shedding Bynum’s contract), which will allow them to be extremely active in free agency next summer, which seems to be one of the best free agency periods ever. They also got Nerlens Noel, who had the most upside of any rookie in 2013, picked up a potential lottery pick for 2014 - one of the most loaded draft classes ever, and they actually found a great young replacement for Jrue in MCW who they drafted at #11. They can go from East doormat to playoff team in one year, and it started with this move.

Greg: Tie between Nets/Celtics and Pelicans/76ers. The Nets now have a fantastic shot to win an NBA title this season. Their starting five is unmatched in the NBA. If Jason Kidd and Lawrence Frank can coach up the bench, they have a chance, even in a 1-2 year window. As for the Pelicans, by giving up Noel (and pick) for Jrue Holiday, they took advantage of a guy falling to them and got tremendous value.

Worst Offseason Trade?

Andrew: Why would the Jazz trade for Golden State’s overpaid bench? It seems to me like they are tanking when they could have nabbed some key pieces for the future. Letting A. Jefferson and Millsap walk was stupid, especially when their money ended up going to Biedrins, Rush, and R. Jefferson.

Greg: Clippers sending Eric Bledsoe and Caron Butler to Phoenix for Redick and Dudley. Plain and simple, the players they got rid of are better than the guys they got in return (in my opinion).

Best Overall Move in the East?

Andrew: The Pacers trading for Luis Scola. In my estimation, this move didn’t really cost them much, especially since they unloaded Gerald Green in the deal, but it got them a veteran big man that can seriously play. It bolstered their bench, which was their glaring weakness, and it could help significantly in their effort to overtake Miami.

Greg: The Magic drafting Victor Oladipo and the Bobcats signing Al Jefferson. Oladipo will be the best player in the 2013 draft, no doubt about it. The Bobcats needed a big man to pair with Cody Zeller, who they drafted this year. This will make the Bobcats/Hornets much better this year.

Worst Overall Move in the East?

Andrew: Easy answer: See Milwaukee Bucks. But just to say something different than other analysts, I’ll pick the tougher answer: The Celtics not trading Rondo. They are in a significant rebuilding period and trading Rondo now could help them significantly, especially leading into 2014, which gives teams a massive chance to land talent. By the time Boston acquires enough talent to be good again, Rondo will be old (ish). Just ditch him now and move on!

Greg: Washington signing John Wall to a max contract. In their defense, what choice did they have? However, he’s not a max player in my opinion, but a poor man’s Derrick Rose without the accolades.

Best Overall Move in the West?

Andrew: The Rockets signing Howard. Dwight is another star to pair with Harden in Houston, and they remained loaded with shooters and role players all around them. They even were able to hold onto Lin and Asik. My guess is that they are now a Top 3 team in the Western Conference.

Greg: Houston getting the big baby (Howard) to sign with them. It really does make them better.

Worst Overall Move in the West?

Andrew: OKC not doing a thing. They traded James Harden last year, a budding superstar, for Kevin Martin (and others), a decent fill in as a third scorer. Now they lost him. So what’s left is basically Jeremy Lamb, a player who has scored 17 points in his NBA career. They should have a “win-now” mentality and they blew it this summer.

Greg: As I stated earlier, I really hated the Clippers trade. I don’t see how it makes them better like others are saying.

Which Playoff Team in the East became a Title Contender?

Andrew: Brooklyn Nets. They became a playoff team last year by combining Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, and Brook Lopez. This summer they added Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Jason Terry via trade. Kirilenko (mentioned earlier) was another huge addition to their bench. They are legit now.

Greg: I echo what Andrew said. The Nets are true contenders.

Which Non-playoff Team in the East will move into the Playoffs Now?

Andrew: The Detroit Pistons because they added sheer talent. Josh Smith and Brandon Jennings are huge gets for this team. Caldwell-Pope and Billups add some firepower also (and leadership in Billups). Of course, they still have Greg Monroe, Andre Drummond, Rodney Stuckey, etc. too. I’m not sure they will all blend perfectly together, but that’s too much talent to miss the playoffs.

Greg: I see a lot of teams improving. It’s a coin flip for the playoffs between the Washington Wizards, Charlotte Hornets, and Detroit Pistons. All of them will improve.

Which Playoff Team in the West became a Title Contender?

Andrew: LA… Clippers. The “other” team in LA is now the best team in the city (sorry Kobe). Not only did they hit a home run by keeping Chris Paul, but they brought in a championship caliber coach in Doc Rivers. He can get the most out of their talented big men. They added shooting with Redick, Dudley, and Bullock too. Bench help was also acquired with Collison, Mullens, and Barnes. They are my new favorite in the West.

Greg: I’m not a Howard fan, but Houston is now a legit title contender.

Which Non-playoff Team in the West will move into the Playoffs?

Andrew: The Pelicans are clearly the team that improved the most. Jrue Holiday and Tyreke Evans are All-Star caliber players that will change their offense dramatically. Eric Gordon should also be healthy finally. Anthony Davis and Austin Rivers should be much improved in their second seasons. Plus Pierre Jackson, Jeff Withey, and Anthony Morrow give them a little extra depth.

Greg: Phoenix Suns. I really like the trades and moves they have made in their rebuild.

Most Shocking Move of the Offseason?

Andrew: Anthony Bennett being picked #1 overall. Nobody really knew how this year’s draft would unfold, but nobody really saw this coming at all. It just got the whole thing started in a crazy way, and it continued on throughout. Who would have thought Noel would have then fell to #6, only to be traded. McLemore at 7 was shocking too. Draft night was simply nuts!

Greg: The Nerlens Noel trade to Philly for Jrue Holiday was out of nowhere. Like Andrew said, that night was insane.

Most Intriguing Move of the Offseason?

Andrew: A.I. to the Warriors. This was another deal I didn’t see coming, and I’m interested to see how it plays out. Theoretically this moves Harrison Barnes to the bench. This also brings an element of defense that they didn’t have last year. I just think this changes who the Warriors are, I think for better, but who knows?

Greg: How about Jason Kidd being named Head Coach of the Nets. He was playing for the Knicks last year for crying out loud.

Three Teams Moving in the Right Direction?

Andrew: Charlotte adding Al Jefferson and Cody Zeller can completely alter their team. The Suns acquiring Eric Bledsoe, Archie Goodwin, Alex Len, multiple draft picks, and even a former first rounder like Miles Plumlee are all quality acquisitions that will help them going forward. Cleveland got Jarrett Jack, Andrew Bynum, Anthony Bennett, and Sergey Karasev to a team that had budding stars in Kyrie Irving, Dion Waiters, and Tristan Thompson. Portland and Minnesota too.

Greg: The Pacers took another step forward this summer. Detroit is adding talent. And the Pelicans made big moves that should pay off.

Three Teams Moving in the Wrong Direction?

Andrew: I don’t know what the Jazz are doing. Getting Trey Burke was solid, but after that they blew it in the offseason. Dallas failed to acquire top free agent talent, and then settled and over-paid players in their Plan B. The Lakers lost Dwight Howard and seemingly are lost in what strategy they should take going forward.

Greg: Agree with Andrew about the Mavericks and Lakers. But also the Celtics, a team that’s been elite over the last five years is now straight up rebuilding after their deal with Brooklyn.

Name 3 Newcomers that will Make the Biggest Impact on their New Team?

Andrew: Dwight Howard and Doc Rivers as I mentioned above are two. The third is Victor Oladipo. He will be a star and will be the perfect player to aid in the rebuilding process in Orlando. He is not only a great talent on the court, but his work ethic and attitude can re-energize the team and city.

Greg: As mentioned earlier, I like Al Jefferson. Paul Millsap can really help fill the void left by Josh Smith. And Tyreke Evans can help turn things around in New Orleans.

Name 3 Newcomers that will Cause Problems or Bust with New Team?

Andrew: I actually like the move but I also think Andrea Bargnani could bust with New York. Injury concerns make me doubt the impact Greg Oden/Andrew Bynum will have. And as much as I think Detroit will improve, Josh Smith/Brandon Jennings have the potential to sabotage chemistry for the Pistons.

Greg: J.J. Redick may not live up to his trade expectations. Dwight Howard, if his injury issues continue, won’t perform well enough. Steven Adams, drafted at #12 by OKC, won’t help the team at all right now.

By: The Sports Guys