Grading the offseason for every NBA team

The Hawks are sticking to a plan and building for beyond the 2019-20 campaign. As The Ringer's Jonathan Tjarks wrote, forward De'Andre Hunter, a big investment made by the Hawks during the draft, should fit in nicely alongside last season's Rookie of the Year nominee Trae Young and underrated 21-year-old John Collins. Atlanta loaded up on expiring contracts to prepare for the 2020 trade deadline and free agency next summer.

Grade: B

Even before the Celtics were bounced from the postseason, observers knew the relationship between Kyrie Irving and the franchise was strained. He signed with the Nets as a free agent. Instead of pairing the one-time champion guard with Anthony Davis, who New Orleans traded to the Lakers, the Celtics settled on Kemba Walker, Enes Kanter and Kanter's troll-worthy defense . Boston also lost Al Horford and Marcus Morris. The lineup's chemistry on and off the court may improve with Irving elsewhere. As it pertains to talent, though, Boston failed to improve. 

Grade: C-

If we were being fair to the rest of the NBA, we wouldn't grade the Nets offseason until the spring or summer of 2021. We in the sports world are prisoners of the moment, though, so we must give the Big Apple's top basketball franchise a high mark. Will Kevin Durant fully recover from the torn Achilles he suffered in the Finals? Will Kyrie Irving mesh with backcourt mate Caris LeVert and the rest of the locker room as Durant works to ready himself for the 2020-21 campaign? The current Nets aren't constructed to win more than a single postseason series, but that doesn't impact their grade here. 

Grade: A-

No franchise had a worse offseason than the Hornets. Kemba Walker and Jeremy Lamb found life rafts off the sinking ship. Granted, criticisms of the three-year contract Charlotte gave Terry Rozier have been a little over the top since the club won't be ready to compete before he enters the final season of that deal. Not trading Walker before last winter's deadline will burn the Hornets through the opening half of the 2020s.

Grade: F

Nothing the Bulls achieved this offseason generates headlines or causes local fans to run to the box office. Zach LaVine, Lauri Markkanen and Wendell Carter Jr. should continue to develop, and the 22-win Bulls added Tomas Satoransky, who enjoyed a career season with the Washington Wizards. Chicago also drafted Coby White, which signals the end of the team's Kris Dunn experiment. With a little luck, these Bulls might be watchable in February. 

Grade: B

The Cavaliers are paying the price of (allegedly) letting LeBron James run the franchise for four years. Cleveland drafted Darius Garland, a move that makes one wonder if Collin Sexton is long for the organization, and also added Dylan Windler and Kevin Porter   Jr. in the draft. Getting JR Smith off the books was necessary. So is trading Kevin Love. This team is going to lose ugly and often.

Grade: C-

In NBA power rankings, there are good teams, bad teams and then franchises stuck in basketball purgatory such as the Pistons, who seem destined to be a lower-level playoff team. Signing guard Derrick Rose on a team-friendly, two-year contract after he enjoyed a career resurrection with the Timberwolves was a risk worth taking. Forward Sekou Doumbouya, drafted 15th overall, is a project. Trading Blake Griffin would improve the Pistons down the road. However, it seems the team's front office doesn't want to endure the immediate pains that would follow that transaction.

Grade: C-

Bojan Bogdanovic's signing with the Utah Jazz prevented the Pacers from hitting a grand slam this offseason, but a two-run dinger isn't anything to sneeze at. The Pacers snatched Malcolm Brogdon from the Milwaukee Bucks, added Jeremy Lamb and took cheap fliers on T.J. Warren and T.J. McConnell. Obviously, the club's offseason will only be successful if Victor Oladipo is able to reclaim his All-Star form following the ruptured quad that ended his campaign in January. The Pacers will be a tough out in April if Oladipo is the player of old by then. 

Grade: A-

The Heat responded to the retirement of Dwyane Wade by trading for Jimmy Butler, a two-way star who can pilot the franchise to a deep playoff run ... if Miami makes more moves. Meyers Leonard isn't a replacement for Hassan Whiteside, but the Heat trading Whiteside to the Portland Trail Blazers was in the best interests of both parties. Can the Heat trade for Chris Paul or Kevin Love? Would signing Carmelo Anthony turn Miami into a legitimate contender? How will those within the organization react the first time Butler challenges a coach or teammates during a game or a practice? 

Grade: B-

Knicks fans may try to convince themselves the franchise's failure to sign Kevin Durant was a good move. They may be right in a few years, but the Knicks undeniably struck out in free agency after trading Kristaps Porzingis to the Dallas Mavericks. The drafting of RJ Barrett  doesn't eliminate the reality that the iconic franchise couldn't lure a single big name to the "World's Most Famous Arena." 

Grade: D-

No, the Magic retaining Terrence Ross and Nikola Vucevic while adding Al-Farouq Aminu won't put the club atop the conference standings. Orlando has interesting options ahead of the 2020 trade deadline, specifically as it pertains to the future of center Mo Bamba. Maybe Markelle Fultz, who still hasn't played a second in an Orlando jersey, will be a steal for the Magic whenever he takes the court. 

Grade: B-

The Wizards are stuck in limbo with John Wall sidelined for the foreseeable future because of the torn Achilles that downed him in February. Truth be told, Bradley Beal may be doing himself and the Wizards a favor by not signing an extension with the franchise this summer. Washington re-signed Thomas Bryant and acquired Ish Smith and   Isaiah Thomas, among other players, ahead of what will be another dreadful season. As Matt Bonesteel of The Washington Post wrote, the Wizards drafting Gonzaga's Rui Hachimura ninth overall earned the club criticism. 

Grade: D

The Raptors did everything possible to convince Kawhi Leonard to stay. But The Board Man probably made his mind up before he hoisted the Larry O'Brien Trophy. Additions of Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Stanley Johnson don't make up for the two-time Finals MVP's departure. The next big moves made by the Raptors will be finding buyers for veterans such as Kyle Lowry, Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka.  

Grade: D

In July, Keith P Smith of RealGM wrote about a conversation he had with a league executive regarding Jimmy Butler, who left the Philadelphia 76ers for the Miami Heat in a sign-and-trade this offseason: "You add Jimmy, you better be sure. I bet Spo (Erik Spoelstra) and Pat (Riley) are sure. And they are probably right. But that dude can ruin your whole deal if he’s not happy. And when has he ever been happy?" Along with banking on the notion of addition by subtraction, the 76ers signed Tobias Harris to an extension and added defensive force Al Horford to a roster that has Defensive Player of the Year candidate Joel Embiid in the starting lineup. JJ Redick signing with the New Orleans Pelicans brings this grade down. 

Grade: B+

The Bucks couldn't afford to sign Malcolm Brogdon and Nikola Mirotic AND re-sign Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez as well. And soon they have reigning NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo's contract to deal with. Lopez is a solid signing, and guard George Hill stayed put at an inexpensive price. The Bucks will be favorites to win the Eastern Conference again. 

Grade: B

The Mavericks unofficially made their first splash of the offseason last January when they traded for Kristaps Porzingis. Even though the unicorn hasn't played since suffering a torn ACL in February 2018, the Mavs nevertheless put pen to paper on a max deal with the big man. Smart move, as the duo of Porzingis and Rookie of the Year Luka Doncic is the team's future. As The Dallas Morning News' Tim Cowlishaw explained, Porzingis and Doncic have up to two full seasons to impress stars scheduled to enter free agency in the summer of 2021. Adding Seth Curry, who shot 45 percent from distance last season, improved Dallas' perimeter offense.

Grade: B+

As expected, the Nuggets enjoyed a quiet offseason. They exercised the last year of Paul Millsap's contract and signed 22-year-old Jamal Murray to a five-year extension. Isaiah Thomas is off the books. Michael Porter Jr. will hopefully evolve and make positive strides after a redshirt season. Drafting Bol Bol 44th overall could be a low-risk, high-reward move. 

Grade: B

The Rockets removed Chris Paul's contract from the books, landed Russell Westbrook and held onto James Harden, Clint Capela and Eric Gordon. What's not to like? Westbrook and Harden are both proven MVPs used to having the ball in their hands. "I don’t have to touch the ball to impact the game," Westbrook said during his official Rockets intro, according to Kurt Helin of NBC Sports. We'll see if that changes this season. 

Grade: B+

By trading Mike Conley to the Utah Jazz, the Grizzlies completed the most vital part of their latest rebuild. The job still isn't finished, though, as dealing both Jae Crowder and Andre Iguodala as quickly as possible should be high on the club's list of goals. Rookie Ja Morant, second to only Zion Williamson in many predraft rankings, and Jaren Jackson Jr. may be stars in the making. Memphis is another team slated to have a ton of available cap space next summer. 

Grade: B+

The Timberwolves came up empty in their pursuit of D'Angelo Russell and then completed a draft-day trade that included sending Dario Saric to the Phoenix Suns to obtain Jarrett Culver's rights. Even if Jace Frederick of the St. Paul Pioneer Press is correct in predicting Culver could eventually outshine Andrew Wiggins, Wiggins' contract is still a problem to deal with. Recently, Berry Tramel of the Oklahoman suggested that OKC trade Chris Paul for Wiggins. 

Grade: C

Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin couldn't convince Anthony Davis to stay. Instead, the Pelicans dealt him to the Lakers for a package that included Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball, youngsters with high upsides. And, of course, the team drafted Zion Williamson first overall. New Orleans also traded for veteran Derrick Favors, who has one season left on his contract, and signed JJ Redick to a deal that expires in two years. According to Jake Fisher of Sports Illustrated, Griffin intends to buy before next year's trade deadline. 

Grade: A

Fifteen. That, per Rodger Sherman of The Ringer, is the number of first-round picks the Oklahoma City Thunder could control between the 2020 and 2026 drafts. General manager Sam Presti netted quite a haul by trading Paul George, Russell Westbrook and Jerami Grant. He also added Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Danilo Gallinari. OKC must dump Chris Paul and his contract, but the Thunder can wait to make a deal until a  team blows them away with an offer. 

Grade: A

Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton deserve better from the Suns. Nobody should be upset the Suns moved on from Josh Jackson, but why trade T.J. Warren after he posts career bests in three-point shooting and then overpay for Ricky Rubio? Phoenix also selected North Carolina's Cameron Johnson 11th overall, a decision called a " reach" by multiple outlets. The Suns seem to be throwing ideas toward walls to see what sticks. 

Grade: D-

As Forbes' Morten Jensen explained, the Trail Blazers signing both Damian Lillard  and CJ McCollum to extensions keeps the band together and gives the club the ability to chase a star during a 2021 free agency period set to be loaded with talent. But what about 2019-20? Trading for Hassan Whiteside will be worth the gamble if he flourishes under the mentorship of Lillard and Pau Gasol while Jusuf Nurkic recovers from the devastating leg injury he suffered in March. Keeping Rodney Hood over Seth Curry and Enes Kanter makes sense. Even if Zach Collins becomes a starter for a playoff-caliber lineup, the Trail Blazers aren't as good, on paper, as the conference's best teams. They also may not be done wheeling and dealing. 

Grade: B-

The Kings probably won't rise into the top eight of the standings in the better conference, but the team's offseason was more about surrounding Buddy Hield, De'Aaron Fox and Marvin Bagley III with depth and players who actually want to play for the club. Center Willie Cauley-Stein is gone, replaced by Dewayne Dedmon. Three-and-D forward Trevor Ariza adds experience to the rotation. Harrison Barnes received a deserved four-year contract following an impressive, brief stint with the organization. 

Grade: B

The Spurs completed a sign-and-trade that involved Davis Bertans  joining the Washington Wizards in return for DeMarre Carroll, with the plan being that forward Marcus Morris  would join San Antonio on a two-year agreement. Morris spurned San Antonio for the New York Knicks, making Rudy Gay's two-year contract  the club's best transaction of the offseason. We'll never count Gregg Popovich  out, and he's getting Dejounte Murray back after the 22-year-old missed the entire 2018-19 campaign because of a torn ACL. 

Grade: C-

Mike Conley, acquired from Memphis, cost the Utah little. Bojan Bogdanovic, who shot a career-high 42.5 percent from beyond the arc in 81 starts last season, signed a four-year contract with the Jazz. With Donovan Mitchell and two-time reigning Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert still in the lineup, the Jazz can hang with any opponent in a seven-game series. 

Grade: A

We're working under the assumption the Warriors knew Kevin Durant intended to sign elsewhere even before the 2019 Finals. Golden State got D'Angelo Russell coming off his first All-Star season in the Durant trade, and he'll be worth plenty on the market if he and Stephen Curry don't click. The Warriors had to re-sign Klay Thompson even though he suffered a torn ACL in the Finals, and getting Willie Cauley-Stein  on a "prove it" contract while holding onto Kevon Looney without breaking the bank will keep the Warriors in the playoff hunt. 

Grade: B-

The Lakers mortgaging the future to give LeBron James what he wanted was always inevitable. Anthony Davis  is worth the high price Los Angeles paid, and DeMarcus Cousins could be an All-Star reborn back with his former frontcourt teammate. Keeping Rajon Rondo and JaVale McGee was important for the team's depth, but the Lakers couldn't sell Kawhi Leonard on joining the fun. Will James' health affect his playing time a second straight year? 

Grade: B+

The Clippers didn't just get Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. They also re-signed Patrick Beverley, held onto JaMychal Green, traded for two-way contributor Maurice Harkless and still have Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the team's biggest loss of the offseason. We think the club with the Association's best perimeter defense will survive just fine. 

Grade: A+