Grading Every NBA Team’s Offseason so Far – Bleacher Report

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If you blinked, you missed most of the 2020 NBA offseason action.

In a little over a week, we saw rosters revamped by the draft, trades and free-agent signings. And while not every team operated with the relentless transactional fury of the Oklahoma City Thunder, who swung deals with 10 organizations, it was still easy to come out of the experience feeling as dazed as Trevor Ariza, who shuttled between four teams in a matter of hours.

These offseason grades will assess how each organization did with the resources it had at its disposal, keeping in mind that not everyone had cap space, high draft picks or useful trade chips. There's no curve here, but we'll acknowledge each team's varying goals and positions in the league hierarchy as we evaluate their work.

In some cases, win-now moves made sense. In others...not so much.

We'll be tough but fair, though judging by the plethora of high marks we'll see, it seems like several teams used the lengthy hiatus from March to July to get their plans in order.

Then again, maybe the Detroit Pistons and Charlotte Hornets could have used a few more weeks.

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Notable Additions: Danilo Gallinari, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Kris Dunn, Rajon Rondo, Tony Snell, Onyeka Okongwu

Notable Subtractions: Dewayne Dedmon, Jeff Teague, DeAndre' Bembry, Vince Carter

Notable Re-Signings: None

The Atlanta Hawks weren't stingy with their cap space, handing 32-year-old Danilo Gallinari a three-year, $61.5 million deal and following that with a $72 million offer sheet for Bogdan Bogdanovic.If short-term improvement was the goal, Atlanta achieved it.

A partial guarantee on the third year of Gallo's deal offers the Hawks protection against the veteran's decline. If Gallinari ages poorly, Atlanta can get out from under the last year of his contract for a nominal fee.

Rajon Rondo addresses the playmaking void that opened whenever Trae Young sat last seasonthough at far too high a price (two years, $15 million)and Kris Dunn is an ideal defense-first fit in the backcourt. Throw in Tony Snell and Onyeka Okongwu, and the Hawks have essentially added six rotation pieces.

It's fair to worry that Atlanta spent too aggressively in ways that might compromise long-term flexibility and, ultimately, lower the franchise's ceiling. But the Hawks also wisely held off on a big extension for John Collins and could flip him for future assets to offset their recent win-now expenditures.

Snatching Okongwu with the sixth pick could also go down as a draft success. There's a nonzero chance he winds up the best big in the 2020 class, and his versatility makes him a clean fit in the modern game.

In all, the Hawks paid handsomely to improve. The playoffs aren't just a goal; they should be the expectation.

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Notable Additions: Tristan Thompson, Jeff Teague, Aaron Nesmith, Payton Pritchard

Notable Subtractions: Gordon Hayward, Enes Kanter, Brad Wanamaker

Notable Re-signings: Jayson Tatum

Under no circumstances should the Boston Celtics have met the market rates set by the Charlotte Hornets for Gordon Hayward, who opted out of his $34.2 million 2020-21 salary to sign a four-year, $120 million agreement with Charlotte.

That said, if the Celtics could have pulled off a sign-and-trade with the Indiana Pacers for Myles Turner and Doug McDermott, asGary Washburn of the Boston Globereported was being discussed, that's a glaring missed opportunity. Now Hayward's gone, and Boston has nothing to show for it but a slightly lower tax payment.

Tristan Thompson and Jeff Teague are decent rotation options, though the former might be overpaid at the full mid-level exception (MLE), while the latter looked close to his NBA expiration date last season. Turner would have been an ideal fit in the starting five andbonuswould have given Boston the kind of mid-tier matching salary it could use in a future trade for a superstar.

The only reason Boston ekes out an average grade: Jayson Tatum is locked up at the full max after signing a rookie-scale extension that could be worth up to $195 million. It was tempting to dock the Celtics a half-grade for failing to get Tatum on a full five-year deal; he managed to negotiate a player option on that fifth season.

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Notable Additions: Bruce Brown, Landry Shamet, Jeff Green

Notable Subtractions: Garrett Temple, Dzanan Musa

Notable Re-signings: Joe Harris

No spectacular additions here, as the Brooklyn Nets seem justifiably content with a healthy Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving constituting their major offseason talent infusion.

Bruce Brown can defend (and not shoot), while Landry Shamet can shoot (andmaybe defend a little) on the guard line. Those two give Brooklyn some lineup versatility, and both fit with the KD-Kyrie core.

Joe Harris' eye-popping $75 million deal showcases the price of shooting while also underscoring governor Joe Tsai's willingness to spend. Nobody would have batted an eye if Brooklyn had decided that four-year contract was too rich for a player who, in the absolute best-case scenario, profiles as a third option. But the Nets ponied up for an elite sniper, and their status as fringe contenders gets a boost because of it.

There's still probably a blockbuster trade to be made (looking at you, James Harden) that would significantly alter the roster and force a regrading. For now, the Nets' offseason looks pretty averagewith a little boost thrown in for having the guts to pay Harris like a star.

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Notable Additions:LaMelo Ball, Gordon Hayward, Vernon Carey Jr., Nick Richards, Grant Riller

Notable Subtractions:Dwayne Bacon, Nicolas Batum (waived), Willy Hernangomez

Notable Re-signings:Bismack Biyombo

The Charlotte Hornets looked at last season's 23-42 record, whichoversold the team's qualitywhen measured against its net rating, and decided they were one player away from...something.

Thirty wins? The eighth seed in the East? A shot at the play-in tournament?

It's hard to say.

An easier task: labeling Hayward's four-year, $120 million contract as one of the most ill-advised signings of the past several years. Hayward, a fine player, figures to top out at "quality second option on a winner" over the life of this new deal, which will take him through his age-33 season. Price in age-related decline, the lack of proven help around him and an alarming recent injury history, and you've got all the ingredients for a disastrous deal.

The Hornets should know something about that, as they may have towaive and stretch the last one of those they signed, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. To make room for Hayward, Charlottecould be forced to spread thefinal year of Nicolas Batum's albatross contract over the next three years. That would amount to $9 million in dead money on the cap in each of the next three years.

On the plus side in that scenario, Batum doesn't have to be on the Hornets anymore. He gets an A for the offseason.

If you're high on LaMelo Ball and believe he's got superstar upside, there's hope. But it's faint.

The Hornets broke the bank for an aging former star who might be good enough to nudge them toward .500. This offseason might as well become the playbook for how to stay mired in sub-mediocrity forever.

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Notable Additions:Patrick Williams, Devon Dotson, Garrett Temple

Notable Subtractions:Kris Dunn, Shaquille Harrison

Notable Re-signings:Denzel Valentine (qualifying offer)

It was surprising to see the Chicago Bulls prioritize Denzel Valentine, who got a qualifying offer, over Kris Dunn and Shaquille Harrison, who didn't. The latter two are among the league's best backcourt defenders, and Dunn even proved he could handle duties as a de facto small forward last season.

Valentine, often injured, doesn't have a standout skill. But he's a more balanced talent than either of the guards Chicago kicked to the curb. Versatility is apparently a point of emphasis for the new front office led by Arturas Karnisovas, perK.C. Johnsonof NBC Sports Chicago.

Patrick Williams rocketed up everyone's draft board the nearer we drew to Nov. 18, but it was still unexpected to see the Bulls take him at No. 4. Outside the top three picks, the 2020 draft was viewed as something of a crapshoot, though, so it's difficult to be too critical.

Devon Dotson is an intriguing undrafted free agent. Arguably the best player on the Kansas Jayhawks, who finished the truncated 2019-2020 NCAA season ranked No. 1 in the country, Dotson is a blur in the open floor and a dynamic scorer at the point. If he carves out a rotation role, the decision to move on from Dunn and Harrison will make a lot more sense.

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Notable Additions: Isaac Okoro, JaVale McGee, Damyean Dotson

Notable Subtractions: Tristan Thompson

Notable Re-signings:Matthew Dellavedova

When Andre Drummond opted in for $28.7 million last week, the Cleveland Cavaliers' cap space disappeared. That was a foreseeable outcome, though, so it's not like Cleveland's grand plans for free agency were dashed unexpectedly.

The Cavs' big move came in the draft, as Isaac Okoro fits into a hole on the wing and should quickly become one of the team's top defensive weapons. Rookies take time, but Okoro's athleticism and effort should offer immediate help. If he hones his jumper and adds a little more to his off-the-dribble game, he's got a chance to be a high-end wing starter for a long time.

But let's not get carried away with comparisons to Jimmy Butler just yet.

Damyean Dotson should have gotten more interest around the league, and the New York Knicks would have done well to prioritize keeping him. Their loss is Cleveland's gain. The 6'5" guard is a solid shooter on the catch at 36.1 percent for his career.

Cleveland didn't have the opportunity to get much done this offseason, so the relative lack of activity doesn't result in a poor grade. Whatever improvement happens with the team this year will come organicallynot via splashy acquisitions.

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Notable Additions: Josh Richardson, James Johnson, Wes Iwundu, Josh Green, Tyrell Terry, Tyler Bey

Notable Subtractions: Seth Curry, Delon Wright, Justin Jackson

Notable Re-signings: Willie Cauley-Stein, Trey Burke

The Dallas Mavericks needed wing defenders, and they got them.

Josh Richardson should thrive as a shutdown option who won't be pressed into quite so many offensive responsibilities with the Mavs. He wasn't his best self with the Philadelphia 76ers, but he should be in a role that fits his game more cleanly.

Losing Seth Curry in the Richardson trade stings, but the latter's deal will likely come off the books (via a player option) after this season, a bonus for a Mavs team committed to preserving 2021 cap space.

Speaking of which, there can be no doubt the Mavericks have big dreams for next offseason. The Delon Wright salary dump was another clear indication of the team's aimsas was the James Johnson acquisition. The veteran forward's contract expires, you guessed it, after 2020-21.

Rookie Tyrell Terry could offer much of the shooting Curry did for a fraction of the price, and Trey Burke's return after a stellar showing down the stretch last year further bolsters the guard rotation. Draftee Josh Green is another ready-to-play option with serious defensive potential.

Dallas got better where it needed toon defenseand simultaneously increased its future flexibility. That's a tough two-step to pull off.

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Notable Additions: Facundo Campazzo, JaMychal Green, Zeke Nnaji, R.J. Hampton, Isaiah Hartenstein

Notable Subtractions: Jerami Grant, Mason Plumlee, Torrey Craig

Notable Re-signings: Paul Millsap

It was tempting to knock the Denver Nuggets down to the C range, but we can't fault them for failing to compete with the foolish spending of other teams. Of course, it has to be noted that Denver reportedly matchedthe Detroit Pistons' gross overpay for Jerami Grant.

Grant was critical to the Nuggets' rotation, a key defensive component and a starter after a strong postseason showing. But they should count themselves lucky that Grant preferred Detroit's three-year, $60 million offer to theirs. That's just too much for a quality defender who can't create any of his own offense.

It should go without saying that the Nuggets were wise to also let the Pistons blow their cash on a ridiculous $25 million deal for Mason Plumlee. That absurd outlay will be studied by puzzled salary-cap scholars for decades.

Facundo Campazzo will dazzle with his passing and aggression at the point, and R.J. Hampton still has a bit of that top-prospect shine on him. He's a high-variance pick at No. 24, but Denver has had good recent luck with celebrated amateurs who slip in the draft for one reason or another. See: Porter Jr., Michael.

In feel-good news, Paul Millsap will return to the rotation. It's not ideal that Denver may need him to play a larger role at 35 than he did at 34, but that's where the Grant and Plumlee departures leave the team.

Denver may have taken a small step backward, but it still profiles as a contender. More than ever, its fate depends on Porter's rise and Jamal Murray's ability to play like a superstar for a full season.

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Notable Additions: Jerami Grant, Mason Plumlee, Jahlil Okafor, Josh Jackson, Delon Wright, Rodney McGruder, Killian Hayes, Isaiah Stewart, Saddiq Bey

Notable Subtractions: Christian Wood, Langston Galloway, Bruce Brown, Luke Kennard, Tony Snell, Khyri Thomas

Notable Re-signings: None

Charlotte's deal with Hayward is the most damaging long-term agreement signed this offseason, but Detroit's three-year, $25 million pact with Mason Plumlee might be the most ridiculous.

In what world is a non-stretch center worth nearly the full MLE? Christian Wood would have only cost another $5 million per season. The mind reels.

Grant's contract is also a significant overpay, especially because Detroit has nowhere near the playmaking Denver did. Defensively, Grant will be fine. But he's not a get-your-own offense player, and the Pistons' decision to add 17 new centers will only cramp spacing, further limiting Grant's ability to contribute as a dependent scorer.

Worst of all, Detroit swung more than one deal, adding Dewayne Dedmon and Zhaire Smith, for the express purpose of waiving and stretching those salariesall so it could fit Plumlee and Grant into space.

Credit Detroit for being active, and for snagging Killian Hayes at No. 7. But, holy smokes, did the Pistons ever botch this offseason.

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Notable Additions: Kelly Oubre Jr., Kent Bazemore, Brad Wanamaker, James Wiseman, Nico Mannion

Notable Subtractions: Ky Bowman

Notable Re-signings: None

The Golden State Warriors had no control over the worst part of their offseason. Klay Thompson's torn Achilles, suffered on the eve of the draft, was the gut punch felt 'round the world.

While it wasn't always a certainty that the Dubs would use their $17.2 million traded player exception (TPE), the Thompson injury upped the odds. Kelly Oubre Jr. won't replace Thompson's production, but the 24-year-old brings necessary youth, transition verve and defensive activity. Presumably a starter, Oubre is about as much as the Warriors could have hoped for with that TPE.

Old pal Kent Bazemore is back, and he'll also provide much needed two-way play in the wing rotation. He and Brad Wanamaker are terrific gets at a minimal cost, and the Warriors still have their taxpayer MLE and a $9.3 million disabled-player exception in the war chest for midseason moves or buyout candidates.

Finally, though everyone agreed the 2020 draft was as uncertain as they come, James Wiseman feels like the right pick. He profiles as a potential starter right away, and his off-the-charts athleticism should make him useful as a paint protector and lob threat. If his skills develop quickly, we could see the Warriors trust him to space the floor and survive in a more switch-heavy defensive scheme.

The 7'1" David Robinson clone (just talking physical aesthetics) gives Golden State its best chance at a superstar bridge to the post-Stephen Curry era.

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Grading Every NBA Team's Offseason so Far - Bleacher Report