Top Five Acquisitions of the NBA Offseason
Paul George to the 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers quietly extended their postseason streak to seven consecutive appearances, yet their lack of deep playoff success diminishes its significance. Since the 2000-2001 season, when Dikembe Mutombo and Allen Iverson's efforts were thwarted by the Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant-led Lakers in the NBA Finals, Philly hasn't advanced further. The team aims to shift its culture with the addition of nine-time All-Star Paul George. Despite a bevy of noteworthy injury setbacks, George remains a prolific scorer and skilled defender who was active for more than 70 games for the first time since the 2018-2019 season. His .130 win shares per 48 minutes underscore his iconic moniker as “Playoff P” when mid-April rolls around -- arguably the biggest selling point for a team with noted playoff woes. His disappointing five-year stint on the West Coast was by virtue of injury to both fellow All-Star running mate Kawhi Leonard and himself. With Joel Embiid and George maintaining their health throughout the season and crucial moments in between, Philadelphia could emerge as a strong contender in the Eastern Conference as early as next summer.
2. Mikal Bridges to the Knicks
After the New York Knicks were banished into oblivion at the hands of NBA Champion Boston Celtics, it was evident additional support could thread the needle for an emerging contender. A couple of months later, the rich get richer as the Knickerbockers exchange a king's ransom for Mikal Bridges — an addition that threads the needle leaps and bounds. Little-by-bit Bridges has offered sound improvement as a scorer every season since earning a top-10 vote for Most Improved Player in 2021. He averaged nearly 20 points per game, shooting a superb 37.2% from beyond the arc, and demonstrated remarkable durability by playing in all 82 games this season. He's a recipient of a lone All-Defensive First-Team Selection in a year where he finished second to Marcus Smart in Defensive Player of the Year voting. A New York franchise that mistakenly drafted now-teamless Kevin Knox in the 2018 NBA Draft has fixed their costly mistake for a high-cost yet even higher net reward potential addition.
3. Alex Caruso to OKC
The Oklahoma City Thunder's youthful trifecta of Chet Holmgren, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Josh Giddey exceeded expectations by clinching the Western Conference first-seed but malfunctioned in the Semifinals. Giddey wasn't necessarily renowned for his defensive prowess or his ability to create without the ball In his hands, leading to a bench relegation and a limited role in the most pivotal juncture of the season. Enter a straight-up player trade for two-time All-Defensive honoree Alex Caruso, who could conceivably transfigure OKC’s perimeter defensive presence. Under the radar was Caruso’s three-point development in which he shot a career-high 41% as a starter — another loose screw in Giddey’s game. Caruso likely won’t light the court on fire as a scorer but his veteran experience and defensive prowess could earn OKC a second consecutive Western Conference first-place title.
4. Isaiah Hartenstein to OKC
The Oklahoma City Thunder have made a splash in an already bustling offseason by signing former Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein to a three-year, $87 million contract. Hartenstein, a journeyman who has yet to remain on a roster for more than two seasons across his five prior stints, maybe on the cusp of his prime at 26. Similar to Caruso, Hartenstein isn’t known as an offensive guru who can score at will and demands bracketed coverage on every square inch of the court. He’s one of the most reliable and efficient bench options in the NBA who excels in an area that was nearly absent for OKC last season, rebounding. The Thunder, who ranked 27th in rebounds per game and 28th in rebound percentage at a troubling 48.4%, should enjoy instant gratification. The former second-round pick averaged a career-record 8.4 rebounds per game across 74 games played and a career-high 49 starts. With his proven prowess on the boards, Hartenstein is poised to be a game-changing addition for the reigning first-seed.
5. DeMar DeRozan to the Kings
The Chicago Bulls have officially embraced their commitment to a full-scale rebuild by orchestrating a sign-and-trade deal with the Sacramento Kings. In this move, the Bulls sent DeMar DeRozan to the Kings in exchange for a pair of second-round picks, cash considerations, and former All-Rookie Chris Duarte. Sign-and-trade deals often result in a discounted value for the departing player, allowing the Bulls to pivot towards a youth moment, or rebuild. Chicago, not expecting significant returns for DeRozan, who was set to enter free agency and had expressed dissatisfaction following the Giddey trade, seized the opportunity to reset their lineup. DeRozan, formerly with the Toronto Raptors, now joins a Kings team positioned as the ninth seed, featuring two established stars and a promising young talent as the pre-set foundation. I couldn't justify ranking this move any higher than fifth due to over-barring questions I have on team fit. While DeRozan remains a remarkably durable player and versatile scorer well into his 30s, the Kings already have a plethora of ball-dominant playmakers who tend to hold onto the rock longer than the league average. Additionally, DeRozan's well-documented struggles on defense throughout his 15-year career raise questions about whether his acquisition was necessary in the first place. Nevertheless, DeRozan's decade and a half of consistent scoring prowess and high-caliber performance still position him as an enticing addition for a team striving to make a playoff comeback.
