NBA Offseason: Part 4

The Boston Celtics will take on the Cleveland Cavaliers on the opening day of the 2017 – 2018 season in 6 days. With the preseason starting on 2 weeks ago, we have a limited time to preview teams for the upcoming season. This will be a 7 part preview. I’ll start with the east coast, then do the west and finally Part 7 will be my take on the upcoming season as a whole. In part four, we examine the off season for the Southwest Division.

Dallas Mavericks

• Draft: Dennis Smith
• Added: Josh McRoberts, Jeff Withy, Max Kleber, Brandon Ashley, Gian Clavell, P.J. Dozier, Maalik Williams, Jonathan Motley
• Lost: NONE
• Injured: Seth Curry

The key behind the Mavs off-season was securing Nerlens Noel. They finally secured Noel with a 1-year $4.4 million contract, which isn’t much, but they have the rim protector and athletic big man that they need. In the draft they added Dennis Smith, who is already slated to be the Rookie of the Year. With Dirk looking to end his illustrious 20-career after this year, this will be a huge transition period for the Mavs who just had their first losing season in about a decade.

Houston Rockets

• Draft: NONE
• Added: Chris Paul, P.J. Tucker, Luc Mbah a Moute, Tarik Black, Chris Johnson, Tim Qarterman, Demetrius Jackson, Cameron Oliver, George de Paula
• Lost: NONE
• Injured: NONE

The addition of Chris Paul has definitely shaken up the Western Conference. But seeing how Paul and James Harden play together will determine the success of this team. If Paul and James go together like peanut butter and jelly, this could be one of the best offenses in the country. If the two super stars butt heads, the team could go cold. James Harden loves to handle the ball, and Chris Paul is a dominant point guard that needs the ball to make his team better. There will be a learning curve, because there is only one ball.

Memphis Grizzlies

• Draft: NONE
• Added: Tyreke Evans, Ivan Rabb, Dillon Brooks, Kobi Simmons, Durand Scott
• Lost: Zach Randolh, Tony Allen, Vince Carter
• Injured: Ben McLemore

The Grizzlies didn’t have the best off season. Memphis lost some of the leagues best veteran superstars in Tony Allen, Vince Carter and Zach Randolph. This however paves the way for a sleuth of new players to take the court as more than half of the roster has been drafted in the last 5 years. The Grizzlies will have to grind out every win. The team just lacks talent to be competitive in the western conference.

New Orleans Pelicans

• Draft: NONE
• Added: Tony Allen, Ian Clark, Frank Jackson, Darius Miller, Jalen Jones, Charles Cooke, Rajon Rondo, Solomon Hill
• Lost: Donatas Motiejunas
• Injured: Rondo, Hill

This is a franchise defining moment for the Pelicans. DeMarcus Cousins is in the last year of his contract and Anthony Davis is in the 2nd year of his, after signing a 5 year/ $127 million deal last year. The two big men will dominate the paint, both on offense and defense. The Pelicans pickup Tony Allen, a defensive juggarnaut and signed Jrue Holiday to a 5 year/$131 million deal this summer. New Orleans has spent a lot a dough in improving this roster. This year, the fruits of their labor should pay off.

San Antonio Spurs

• Draft: NONE
• Added: Rudy Gay, Joffrey Lauvergne, Derrick White, Darrun Hilliard, Brandon Paul, Matt Costello, London Perrantes
• Lost: David Lee, Dewayne Dedmon, Jonathan Simmons
• Injured: Tony Parker

The Spurs are the oldest teams in the NBA, they are also one of the most stable teams in the NBA. This year was a change, the against team tried to lock down Chris Paul and Paul George, but ended up only securing Rudy Gay and resigning Pau Gasol and Patty Mills. The x-factor for this team, is the play of Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge. If Leonard plays like the Player of the Year and LaMarcus dominates the paint, the Spurs have a big chance on making the finals. But that’s a lot of variables to count on, especially with an aging Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker.