Grading All 15 Eastern Conference Teams 2024 Offseason
Asher gives all 15 Eastern Conference Teams a letter grade depending on the moves they made this offseason.
Atlantic:
Boston Celtics
A+
(Photo by Peter Casey/USA TODAY Sports)
The Boston Celtics were able to get themselves a A+ because they were able to re-sign two of their stars, Jayson Tatum and Derrick White. Other notable signings was bringing back Luke Kornet and Sam Houser. Something that the Celtics did that many teams have failed to do in the previous years after winning a title was bringing back their whole squad. This was another major thing that could help them bring the Celtics another NBA Championship.
Brooklyn Nets
B
(Photo by Mike Watters/USA TODAY Sports)
The Brooklyn Nets finally began their long awaited rebuild by trading away Mikal Bridges for Bojan Bogdanovic and 6 firsts plus a second round pick. Another important moves were resigning Nic Claxton, Keon Johnson and Trendon Watford. They were also able to obtain Zaire Williams from the Memphis Grizzlies via trade. Something that was overlooked in the Nets off-season was during the 2024 Summer League the Nets 51st pick in the 2023 NBA draft Jalen Wilson was able to win the MVP which means he could be a reliable asset in the future.
New York Knicks
A-
(Photo by Wendell Cruz/USA TODAY Sports)
At the start of free agency we didn’t know what to expect from the New York Knicks but they ended up exceeding all of our expectations by re-siging OG Anunoby for 5 years. The biggest move they made was trading for Mikal Bridges. They gave up Bojan Bogdanovic and 6 firsts plus a second round pick to the Brooklyn Nets in this trade. They also locked Jalen Brunson a four year extension while taking a massive pay-cut. As of 8 hours ago, the New York Knicks were able to sign Tom Thibodeau a 3 year contract as head coach.
Philadelphia 76ers
A+
(Photo by Derik Hamilton/AP Photo)
The Philadelphia 76ers had a offseason for the ages. They brought back two starters from last year, the 2024 Most Improved Player Tyrese Maxey and Kelly Oubre Jr. They also re-signed two solid bench players in Kyle Lowry and KJ Martin. They shockingly signed someone people thought would never sign with the Sixers, Paul George. Paul George is a 9 time all-star who previously played for the Clippers. They also were able to pick up Andre Drummond, Caleb Martin, and Eric Gordon. The 76ers lost some role players in Buddy Hield, De’Anthony Melton, and Nicolas Batum.
Toronto Raptors
F
(Photo by Chris Young/CP)
The Toronto Raptors had a boring offseason. They started off free agency by handing Immanuel Quickley and Scottie Barnes each 5 year contracts. They also traded Jalen McDanials in exchange for Davion Mitchell. They missed out on re-signing Gary Trent Jr while he leaves for the Bucks.
Southeast:
Charlotte Hornets
D-
(Photo by Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports)
The Charlotte Hornets were not a good team last season whether it was injuries to Lamelo Ball or just the lack of depth the team needed. They were able to obtain Josh Green from the Mavericks and picked up the Veteran forward Taj Gibson. The Hornets brought back Miles Bridges on a three year deal and Seth Curry on a year deal. In the lottery this year the Hornets were able to get the 6th overall pick which led to them drafting Tidjane Salaun who could be a solid role player for the team in the future.
Atlanta Hawks
C
(Photo by Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports)
The Atlanta Hawks had a interesting offseason. They were able to get themselves the #1 pick but it is still to early to see if they made the right decision. Drafting Zaccharie Risacher wasn’t they’re biggest offseason move their biggest one was shocking everybody and trading Dejounte Murray for Dyson Daniels, E.J. Lidell, Larry Nance Jr., Cody Zeller, 2025 first-round pick (via Lakers), and 2027 first-round pick (least favorable of Bucks/Pelicans, protected top four.) They had two other major departures in Saddiq Bey and AJ Griffin.
Miami Heat
B-
(Photo by Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports)
The Miami Heat had an overlooked offseason. The Heat began by re-signing Thomas Bryant, Haywood Highsmith, and Kevin Love. The also ended up signing the veteran guard Alec Burks. A major move that many people didn’t realize was that the Heat signed Bam Adebayo to a three year deal. The Heat also had the 15th pick in this year’s draft which they picked Kel’el Ware who led the Miami Heat to the 2024 Summer League Championship.
Washington Wizards
C+
(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
The Washington Wizards had a fascinating off-season that brought in a lot of young and old talent. The started off by drafting a France Big-man in Alex Starr with the second overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Just before the 14th pick by the Portland Trailblazers the Wizards made an exchange with the Blazers which saw the Wizards getting Malcolm Brogdon, the 14th Overall pick (Bub Carrington), a 2029 first round pick, and future seconds all for Deni Avdija. They also brought in two amazing players in Jonas Valanciunas and Saddiq Bey.
Orlando Magic
B-
(Photo by Mark Blinch/GettyImages)
The Orlando Magic entered this off-season with some of the most money out of all 30 NBA teams. They began by bringing back a lot of important roster pieces in Goga Bitadze, Gary Harris, and Mortiz Wagner. With all that money they had they handed Franz Wagner a max-rookie contract and Jonathan Issac a 5 year deal. New players they added were Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Cory Joseph.
Central:
Milwaukee Bucks
C
(Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Milwaukee Bucks had a lot of changes to made after losing in the first round to the Indiana Pacers. Even though they had to make a lot of changes they only added three players this free agency. This brought in Taurean Prince, Delon Wright, and Gary Trent Jr all on one year contracts.
Cleveland Cavaliers
D-
(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
The Cavs have had a similar offseason as the Toronto Raptors…boring. The Cavs have only given contracts extensions to Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley. We still don’t know if the Cavs will trade Darius Garland but there have been multiple trade talks that have had his name involved but it is still too early to see.
Indiana Pacers
B+
(Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)
The Indiana Pacers have had a pretty strong 2024 offseason. They started off by resigning one of their stars Pascal Siakam. The Pacers also gave the Game Three king Andrew Nembhard a 3 year contract extension. They also gave one of their best role players Obi Toppin a three year deal. The Pacers also shocking handed James Wiseman a two year contract.
Chicago Bulls
D+
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The Bulls have finally entered rebuild mode with trading Alex Caurso and Demar DeRozan away. After trading away Alex Caurso and Demar DeRozan they gained Josh Giddey, Chris Duarte, second round picks, and cash. They also signed Jalen Smith and re-signed Patrick Williams. The Bulls also landed a future star in Matas Buzelis with the 11th pick in this draft.
Detroit Pistons
B-
(Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
I think the Detroit Pistons had an underrated offseason. They started off with handing their star Cade Cunningham a 5 year contract extension. They also brought back Simone Fontecchio on a 2 year deal. They also brought in Tobias Harris, Malik Beasley, Tim Hardaway Jr via trade with Mavs, and Wendell Moore Jr. The Pistons also brought in my favorite player from this years draft Ron Holland II with the 5th overall pick.
I loved reading your thoughts, and can't wait to hear about your analysis of the western conference. Can't wait to read more!
Wow this is amazing! What a detailed analysis. I can tell that you put a lot of thought and effort into this article. I enjoyed hearing your opinions. Well done!