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More Team Offseason Recaps/Season Previews


Boston Celtics:
PG: Thomas/Rozier
SG: Bradley/Turner/james Young/Dejounte Murray
SF: Jae Crowder/Evan Turner/Waller Prince
PF: Love/Sullinger/Labissiere
C: Noah/Olynyk

The Celtics took their step forward going 42-40 under Stevens and finding their way into the playoffs. The Celtics wanted a star and were willing to put their big chip(Nets first) on the table. For the bro-fest to occur with the Cavs, Love needed to be sent somewhere, so the Celtics were a natural match. They Ingram(but love Crowder at his spot). Their backcourt could afford the loses of Smart and Hunter as they had a surplus. They used their draft picks to still put some very talented young guys on the roster. They got Noah on a 1 year 9 million deal to anchor their defense so Love can focus on scoring. They also got 2 wins in convincing Sullinger to take the QO in hopes of cashing in next year and getting Turner back on a 3 year deal for just over 8 mil per. Those two will both get big minutes as 6th men and provide great depth. This team looks like it fits together well and has youth and upside on the roster and still have assets to cash in if the need arises. It looks like Ainge is a winner again as Boston looks great for now and the future.








LA Clippers:
PG: Jeff Teague/Jerian Grant/Austin Rivers
SG: JJ Reddick/RJ Hunter/Wayne Ellington
SF: Brandon Ingram/Jeff Green/Braden Dawson
PF: Blake Griffin/Brice Johnson/Brandon Bass
C: Jordan/Jordan Hill

Chris Paul was approaching free agency and made it known that he wanted a title and didn’t think he could get through the west with the Clippers. They told him they would look around, but would need something big to move him. When Lebron made his powerplay to get his friends together things worked out great for the Clippers. They get a potential franchise guy in Ingram to build around with Blake and Jordan. They got a very good starting PG in Jeff Teague to help keep them relevant. They got two first rounders in Grant and Hunter who look to play big roles. The Clippers got some help for this year by taking advantage of Green’s down year and having him take a 1 year 9 million dollar deal with a player option and getting Jordan Hill and Brandon Bass for depth. They should still be a very good team in the West, but if Ingram develops the future could be much brighter for the Clippers.

Memphis Grizzlies:
PG: Jordan Clarkson/Shane Larkin
SG: Tony Allen/Tyler Johnson/Jordan Adams
SF:Shabazz Muhammad/James Johnson/PJ Hairston/Niang
PF:Zbo/Terrance Jones/J. Green
C: Gasol/Biyombo

After a down year and losing Conley in free agency it looked like Memphis was going to go into a slump in the west. They bounced back with a get younger attitude. They got Jordan Clarkson to replace Conley. They got solid young players looking to prove something in Johnson(2 years 12 mil), Terrance Jones(1 year 4 mil) Biyombo(2 years 14.5 mil), Larkin(2 years 9 mil), and a steal in James Johnson(1 year 2.9 mil). They got younger, deeper and got there guys on good deals. The key will be the health of ZBo and Gasol. If they can stay healthy and the young guys gel they could get back to where they were in the west with more upside, but there is a flameout chance here.











Atlanta Hawks:
PG: Schroder/Ramon Sessions/Norris Cole
SG: Shumpert/Hardaway JR/Lamar Patterson
SF: Bazemore/Korver/Thabo
PF: Millsap/Spilltier/Muscala
C: Robin Lopez/Jakob Poeltl/Walt Tavares

The Hawks struck out in free agency only able to get Bazemore back(3 for 27). After a really bad year they did get a nice pick in Poeltl and a first from Philly for moving down. It was clear that it was time for Schroder to start. They used him as a chip to fill 2 holes in getting Shumpert and Lopez to be starters. Korver should a sharp decline last year(big regression ratings wise). But can still be a shooter off the bench. They have a pretty decent core locked into solid deals, depending on how the East shakes out they could be a 8th seed or the worst case a 9th seed.

Miami Heat:
PG: Dragic/Tony Douglas
SG: Wade/Josh Richardson/OJ Mayo
SF: Winslow/Metta World Peace/ Richard Jefferson
PF: Bosh/Davis Lee/Mcroberts
C: Al Jefferson/ Emeka Okafor

The Heat lose Whiteside, but replaced with AL Jefferson eager to prove himself(1 year 14 mil with a PO). That ate most of their cap but were able to add solid veteran pieces on cheap deals to give them decent depth. The Heat got to the East finals, but the young Bucks were too much for them. With them getting older, and the rest of the East improving it doesn't look good, but they are a good team that should be in the playoffs and with Wade and Bosh they are still dangerous.


Charoltte Hornets:
PG: Kemba/Lin/Brain Roberts
SG:Batum/Beasley/Barbosa/Aaron Harrison
SF: MKG/Lamb
PF: Kamisnky/Teletovic/Hawes
C: Pachulia/Nene

After beating the Cavs, but losing in round 2. The Hornets were able to keep their core together. They got Batum to stay for 4 years and 67 million dollars. They got Lin for 2 years 16 mil and Lamb for 3 years 30 mil to spark the bench. Kaminsky takes over as the starting four man and they add Zaza for some defense and toughness. Mirza and Nene also sign forming a formitable bench big man combo. With another year together and some improvements from young guys I expect them to slide further up the East and build on their win over the Cavs.