We’re only a few days into 2024 NBA free company, however there’s been no scarcity of motion and ripple results throughout the league, headlined by Paul George’s choice to affix the Philadelphia 76ers. To look at all of the motion, listed here are 15 observations about what has—and hasn’t—occurred in NBA free company to this point.
1. The Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder are the West’s huge winners.
Final week, I wrote about how Oklahoma Metropolis’s acquisition of Alex Caruso not solely served as an improve over Josh Giddey, however would additionally empower Chet Holmgren and Cason Wallace to deal with the ball extra. The signing of heart Isaiah Hartenstein may have an much more vital influence since now Chet can be aided by one other stout rim protector who additionally occurs to be an elite rebounder. And Hartenstein’s unimaginable screening and connective passing potential will add a brand new dimension to the Thunder offense.
Hartenstein can also be solely 26 years previous, and there could possibly be extra to his recreation than he was in a position to present with the Knicks. For instance, he has made 31 % of his 87 3-point makes an attempt in his NBA profession. Might the Thunder retain five-out spacing by asking him to hit nook and top-of-the-key 3s? And on protection, may Hartenstein be requested to modify extra on-ball actions, contemplating he’s had success with them previously? My intestine tells me that the Thunder have extra deliberate for Hartenstein than he’s ever been in a position to do, which may find yourself making his three-year, $87 million deal appear like a discount.
2. Two-big lineups are again.
The Celtics simply gained the NBA title with Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford sharing the court docket. The Timberwolves dominated all yr with Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Cities within the center. And groups just like the Bucks, Cavaliers, and Magic have additionally leaned closely on two-big lineups. Now the remainder of the league is catching on.
The Thunder added Hartenstein to pair with Holmgren, the Warmth chosen Kel’el Ware to affix a frontcourt led by Bam Adebayo, and the Grizzlies took Zach Edey to play with Jaren Jackson Jr. Even younger groups just like the Wizards (Alex Sarr and Jonas Valanciunas) and the Path Blazers (Deandre Ayton and Donovan Clingan) are sizing up. One-third of the NBA may ceaselessly deploy two-big lineups subsequent season. After the small-ball period, the bigs are again as soon as once more.
3. The Philadelphia 76ers are the East’s huge winners.
Over a month in the past, I reported that Paul George was plan A for Philadelphia, however there was no certainty that he’d find yourself leaving Southern California. Properly, Daryl Morey acquired his man. George is heading to the Sixers, creating an ideal match on the court docket subsequent to Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
George made 44.4 % of his catch-and-shoot 3s final season, so he’s robotically a greater goal than Tobias Harris ever was. He’ll be enjoying a extra condensed position in Philly, however his potential as a shot creator will permit the Sixers to depend on him when it is sensible. As I wrote in late Might: “In Philly, Embiid is the person. Maxey is the energizer. George could possibly be that chill presence who provides regular buckets on a nightly foundation however can even go off on any evening he’s feeling it or has one of the best matchup.” As well as, the Sixers have introduced in Eric Gordon and Andre Drummond and re-signed Kelly Oubre. There are nonetheless strikes to come back, however this group is already trying like one of the best staff of your complete Embiid period.
4. The Los Angeles Clippers aren’t whole losers.
Letting a star stroll for nothing isn’t a superb factor. However I perceive why the Clippers refused to provide a fourth yr to George, who’s 34 years previous. By not re-signing George and gaining extra cap flexibility, the Clippers had been as an alternative in a position to re-sign James Harden whereas including Nic Batum, Derrick Jones Jr., Kevin Porter, Kris Dunn, and Mo Bamba. Abruptly, they’ve a deep roster with a ton of men who could make performs off the dribble or grind on protection.
To make all of it work, the Clippers are relying on the well being of Harden and Kawhi Leonard. However George’s significance was diminished when Harden took the ball out of his palms and since George and Leonard have too many overlapping abilities; he wasn’t definitely worth the cash and decreased cap flexibility for the Clippers. Now, we’re starting to see the imaginative and prescient they’ve for a future with out him.
5. Low-cost possession may foil the Denver Nuggets’ dynasty plans.
Whereas the Celtics simply signed their fifth participant to a contract price $30 million or extra yearly, the Nuggets had been unwilling to even give $20 million a yr to Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who drained 41.5 % of his 3s in two seasons with the staff and was a essential perimeter defender.
After Bruce Brown left final summer season, it’s the second yr in a row certainly one of Calvin Sales space’s key acquisitions walked for nothing in free company. However that’s what occurs when your possession is afraid of a tax invoice. Earlier than final season, Sales space was open concerning the lengthy view he was taking by investing in younger gamers to construct a basis with. However head coach Michael Malone was reluctant to play these rookies, and now there’s a scarcity of readability about what the rotation will appear like. Christian Braun has some measurement and power benefits over KCP on protection, however he additionally made fewer than one-fourth of his 3s within the playoffs. Can Julian Strawther step up? Is a commerce incoming? Will they signal one other veteran? For now, the Nuggets get an incomplete grade for his or her offseason. However possession’s selections may harm their odds of constructing a staff that stays in rivalry.
6. The Nuggets mustn’t signal Russell Westbrook.
DNVR’s Harrison Wind reported this week that Nikola Jokic needs Westbrook on the Nuggets. That might be a significant mistake. They’re already stretched skinny in taking pictures, rating final in 3-point makes an attempt final season. Westbrook is among the worst high-volume shooters in league historical past, and since going to the Clippers and taking pictures at a decrease quantity, he’s nonetheless made solely 30.0 % of his 3s. There isn’t a manner for Westbrook and Aaron Gordon to share the ground. Defenders already sag off Gordon, creating challenges for Denver’s half-court offense. We’ve seen defenses flat out ignore Westbrook, rendering him unplayable. The Nuggets could really feel that they want downhill playmaking and rim stress, however Russ was one of many league’s least environment friendly scorers within the paint, and he’s an erratic passer. Positive, he’d present a veteran spark for the locker room, very like DeAndre Jordan has. However is that price taking developmental minutes from their different younger gamers? Russ was one of many first American stars to ever embrace Jokic, so that they’ve had a relationship for years now. But when the Nuggets signal him, Jokic would quickly discover out why he’s been on 5 groups in 5 years.
7. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is healthier for the Orlando Magic than Paul George could be.
On a three-year, $66 million deal, Caldwell-Pope offers worth within the brief time period as a knockdown shooter and a lockdown defender. However in the long run, he’s additionally now signed to a really tradable wage if he declines in any respect earlier than his deal is up. This is able to not have been the case for George. The Magic will in all probability have to make one or two huge trades to take the leap from a pleasant younger staff to a critical contender, so having these decrease wage numbers on the books is significant. The Pacers created the blueprint this previous yr by signing Bruce Brown to a wage quantity akin to KCP’s, then flipping him for Pascal Siakam. Orlando would clearly be completely happy to maintain KCP for all three years of his deal, however the added flexibility makes this a fair smarter transfer.
8. The Dallas Mavericks acquired manner higher.
Thus far, Dallas has upgraded from Tim Hardaway Jr. to Klay Thompson, from Derrick Jones to Naji Marshall, and from Josh Inexperienced to Quentin Grimes. Thompson has declined defensively, and even his shot isn’t what it as soon as was, however he’s nonetheless a much more dynamic shooter than THJ and can allow the Mavericks to put in extra movement ideas. Marshall is a extra full offensive participant than Jones and is in the identical ballpark on protection however has extra measurement. And though Inexperienced has proven flashes, he’s by no means skilled the highs that Grimes has as an on-ball defender or a scorching-hot scorer. Every of those three swaps appears fairly marginal when assessed independently, however collectively, they could possibly be vital.
9. The Golden State Warriors won’t be carried out.
Chris Paul was waived. Thompson was traded away for 2 second-round picks. Steph Curry is 36 years previous, and Draymond Inexperienced is 34. Golden State’s run seems to be over … proper? Properly, possibly not fairly. The Athletic’s Tim Kawakami says that the Warriors are intent on making one thing occur, and all experiences point out that their goal is Jazz ahead Lauri Markkanen.
Golden State is reportedly discussing sending Jonathan Kuminga to Utah together with picks (the Warriors can deal firsts in 2025 and 2027, plus swaps in 4 different years). Markkanen would on no account propel the Warriors again to favourite standing. However he’d definitely assist, particularly if their core younger items proceed ascending. Might Brandin Podziemski take a leap in his second season? Might Moses Moody do the identical if he has constant alternatives and stays on the roster? We’ll see whether or not the Warriors may even get Lauri, however his arrival may salvage Golden State’s tumultuous offseason.
10. The Lauri Markkanen sleeper staff
First, the Jazz drafted huge man Kyle Filipowski. Then they signed one other one, Drew Eubanks. They have already got John Collins and Walker Kessler underneath contract. The place precisely does that go away Markkanen? Positive, he may play some small ahead like he did in Cleveland. Nevertheless it’s not his greatest place; he’s higher as a 4. And even when we put apart the roster crunch, there’s the straightforward incontrovertible fact that he’ll be an unrestricted free agent in 12 months. Utah isn’t far alongside sufficient in its rebuild to warrant paying Markkanen a max like one other staff ought to.
Yahoo’s Jake Fischer says that the Kings have inquired about Markkanen. That is excellent news in case you’re a Sacramento fan. Earlier than final season, I mentioned that the Kings want frontcourt upgrades over or alongside Domantas Sabonis. Markkanen’s scoring prowess and defensive versatility are precisely what I’m speaking about. So is Kessler’s rim safety, if the Kings may scoop him, too. I’d surrender Keegan Murray, Kevin Huerter, and draft picks to get each. The Kings may then roll into subsequent season with a nine-man rotation made up of Sabonis, Markkanen, Kessler, Malik Monk, De’Aaron Fox, Devin Carter, Harrison Barnes, Trey Lyles, and Keon Ellis. Would they be the favorites within the West? Nope. However they’d be a playoff staff with the depth and top-end expertise to make a run.
11. The Milwaukee Bucks are complicated me.
The 2024 NBA draft class was crammed with upperclassman prospects who’re able to contribute as rookies. You’d assume a contending staff like Milwaukee, which was armed with two picks, would take benefit. As an alternative, the Bucks drafted two unready, uncooked youngsters, guard AJ Johnson and ahead Tyler Smith. Terrence Shannon (Minnesota), Baylor Scheierman (Boston), and Tyler Kolek (New York) had been only a few of the numerous gamers nonetheless on the board at no. 23 who may’ve helped the Bucks. Perhaps common supervisor Jon Horst is aware of that head coach Doc Rivers isn’t enjoying any rookie, irrespective of how prepared they’re. But when that’s the case, then they’ve a much bigger downside on their palms if a journeyman like Delon Wright is their solely free agent answer to this point. The summer season isn’t over but, after all. However groups just like the Sixers, Knicks, and Magic are taking leaps, and the Bucks are off to an undeniably unusual begin.
12. Brook Lopez is twisting within the wind.
Just a few weeks in the past, I reported that the Bucks wish to play a extra versatile type of protection subsequent season. This raised questions on whether or not Lopez has a future in Milwaukee. Within the time since, a number of experiences have indicated that the Bucks have certainly listened to provides for him. Yahoo’s Fischer says that the Lakers have inquired about his availability. As of now, nothing appears concrete. However the Bucks are in the midst of a flop of an offseason. And so are the Lakers, after they whiffed on all their free agent targets. Within the days to come back, possibly there’s a deal to be made that will ship Lopez to L.A., D’Angelo Russell to a 3rd staff, and items to the Bucks.
13. Chris Paul is ideal for the San Antonio Spurs.
How psyched should Victor Wembanyama be after going from Jeremy Sochan to Tre Jones to the freaking Level God? With Paul heading to the Spurs on a one-year, $11 million deal, San Antonio is ready to develop into Lob Metropolis South. CP3 will continually feed Wemby excessive above the rim, identical to he did ages in the past on the Clippers, when he performed with DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin. Final season, Wemby was on the receiving finish of 108 tried lobs, second within the NBA. A decade in the past DJ used to routinely lead the NBA with round 150 per season. It will not be unreasonable to count on Wemby to method that quantity with Paul.
Past his passing potential, Paul will train Wembanyama one of the best angles for setting screens, a lesson that may profit him for years to come back, irrespective of who his future level guard is. And a kind of guards could possibly be rookie Stephon Fortress, whom the Spurs drafted fourth in June. We’ve already seen the impact that Paul can have on a younger level guard in a short while after he and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander related throughout Paul’s lone yr in Oklahoma Metropolis. And now Fortress will reap the identical advantages.
14. The Atlanta Hawks may be screwed.
What Atlanta acquired again for level guard Dejounte Murray is honest: firsts in 2025 and 2027, plus Larry Nance Jr., Dyson Daniels, and E.J. Liddell. Nevertheless it doesn’t come near the three priceless firsts and one swap the Hawks initially gave as much as get Murray from San Antonio. The Hawks’ present roster will barely compete for the playoffs within the East, they usually don’t personal the rights to any of their firsts till 2028. If the Spurs known as as we speak providing these picks again for Trae Younger, the Hawks would fortunately say sure. However San Antonio is holding them hostage, opting to signal CP3 as a placeholder reasonably than make a commerce for a degree guard like Trae. Pretty much as good as Younger is, San Antonio would profit much more from being affected person. The Hawks have regarded nothing however incompetent lately. They’d higher hope that Zaccharie Risacher works out, or it’ll get ugly quick.
15. DeMar DeRozan could possibly be the steal of the summer season.
Name me loopy, however possibly somebody who averaged 24 factors and 5.3 assists per recreation whereas limiting turnovers, dominating from the midrange, and main the NBA in minutes is a fairly rattling good participant. Per Synergy Sports activities, DeRozan ranked within the 92nd percentile in pick-and-roll scoring effectivity and within the 86th percentile scoring out of isolations. Even at age 34, he stays a high-level bucket getter with a knack for making performs within the clutch. Sure, he nonetheless doesn’t shoot many 3s, and he’s well beyond his prime on protection. However whether or not the Clippers, the Lakers, or another person finally ends up touchdown DeRozan, they’re nonetheless getting a high-quality participant.