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18 July 2010
There's a number of moves or transactions I could point to in order to demonstrate the craziness of the NBA this summer, but perhaps this one takes the cake: Darko Milicic will receive $20 million over the next four years from the Timberwolves. If you're not sick after reading that, then you haven't been paying attention.
In recent memory, we've never seen a summer like this one, with the huge free agency deals, multiple multi-player trades, and..shall we say...questionable personnel moves by nearly every team. There were so many rumors floating around this summer that it was nearly impossible to track who was going where and for how much. At one point, I believe there was a sign-and-trade involving David Lee, Hank Aaron, the late Ted Kennedy and three members of Phish, although it fell through because the band members refused to relinquish the rights to their hit song "Gin & Juice" (that's for you Smooth).
With that in mind, here's a look at each team's off-season, including trades, free agency signings and the draft. For these lists, I've only included new additions to the roster, not players who resigned (you'll also notice I took some liberties with the use of the word "significant"). As I write this, there's still some pieces yet to fall into place, but the majority of the player movement should be completed. Too bad we only have to wait another three months for the actual games.
Here's a look at the Northwest. Coming up tomorrow, the Pacific. Be sure to check out the Eastern's Conference's Atlantic, Central and Southeast Divisions.
Northwest Division
Denver Nuggets
Significant additions: Al Harrington
Significant losses: None
Outlook: Harrington will help provide some depth up front for the Nuggets, which isn't a bad idea given the injury propensity of Kenyon Martin and Nene. Other than that, this will be almost exactly the same team as last year, which can be good and bad. Denver will still be dangerous as long as they have Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups and JR Smith, but they still lack the poise and consistency required to be a championship contender. Scoring points won't be a problem for this team but they'll have to prove they can stop somebody if they want to advance in the playoffs. If they can stay healthy, and if role players like Ty Lawson and Arron Afflalo can step up, this team has the talent to play with anyone. But unless they show a better commitment to defense, they're not going to challenge the Lakers for Western Conference supremacy.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Significant additions: Wesley Johnson, Michael Beasley, Lazar Hayward, Martell Webster, Luke Ridnour
Significant losses: Al Jefferson
Outlook: For a bad team, the Wolves never cease to provide entertainment. First, they won the bidding war for Darko, although it remains unclear who exactly they were bidding against. Second, they made their run on small forwards, as they drafted Johnson and Hayward in the first round, then traded for Webster and Beasley. Next, one summer after using three first-round picks on point guards and then signing another in free agency, they went out and signed point guard Luke Ridnour. After that, to top it off, they then traded away one of their most consistent players for the one thing Wolves' fans don't want their team to have...more draft picks. On paper, this team actually appears to have some talent, although it won't be enough to keep them out of the basement. But more than wins or losses, we should just be thankful there are teams like the Wolves around to remind us that you can still have a sense of humor and be an NBA general manager. Here's to David Kahn!
Oklahoma City Thunder
Significant additions: Cole Aldrich, Morris Peterson, Daequan Cook
Significant losses: None
Outlook: Two years ago, the Thunder won 23 games. Now they'll enter the 2010-11 season as arguably the second-best team in the West. With Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Jeff Green, Serge Ibaka and James Harden, the Thunder have as bright of a future as any team in the league. Lacking only some depth up front and some veteran guys for chemistry, the Thunder landed Aldrich in a draft-day trade, and his rebounding and defense should earn him some minutes this year. Peterson will be expected to provide some leadership to the young team, while Cook gives them another shooter to space the floor for Durant and Westbrook. If they can handle the expectations of being a top team, the Thunder could make a lot of noise this season and into the playoffs.
Portland Trail Blazers
Significant additions: Luke Babbitt, Elliott Wiliams, Wesley Matthews
Significant losses: Martell Webster
Outlook: Stop me if you've heard this before - the Blazers can be one of the best teams in the West if they stay healthy. Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge can be a potent duo, and surrounded by players like Jerryd Bayless, Rudy Fernandez, Nicolas Batum and Andre Miller, this team has plenty of ways to beat you. Adding Babbitt and Williams, two versatile players who can play multiple positions, will only add to the ways the Blazers can attack on offense. Matthews, a rugged defender, should carve out minutes right away with his toughness, adding even more depth for the Blazers. But as usual, the key will be the health of the big men, namely Greg Oden, Marcus Camby and Joel Przybilla. If those three can stay healthy, this is a team capable of putting a scare into the Lakers. But history tells us this team will once again battle injuries, and have to settle for merely being a playoff team.
Utah Jazz
Significant additions: Gordon Hayward, Al Jefferson, Raja Bell
Significant losses: Carlos Boozer, Kyle Korver, Wesley Matthews
Outlook: The Jazz appear to have found ample replacements for their losses this summer, trading for Jefferson to fill Boozer's spot in the post, drafting Hayward to fill in for Korver, and then signing Bell to take over Matthews' role as a defensive stopper. However, it remains to see how well the new pieces will mesh under Jerry Sloan. The Jazz still have Deron Williams running the show, and with Andrei Kirilenko, CJ Miles, Paul Milsap and Mehmet Okur all back, this is still a veteran team that's used to winning. If Jefferson can prove to be as adept running the pick-and-roll with Williams as Boozer, and if Hayward is able to provide some quality minutes off the bench, the Jazz could be a top-four seed in the West. Look for Williams to have a monster season.
Predicted finish: Oklahoma City, Utah, Denver, Portland, Minnesota
