CP3 to San Antonio, Donovan Mitchell’s surprise extension, and the Knicks’ move to reunite the Villanova boys. Here’s the 2024 Free Agency roundup.
It was business as usual for Brad Stevens and Boston to start this offseason, drafting two 3 & D players that can space the floor, then doubling down on last year’s roster, resigning Jayson Tatum and Derrick White to long-term deals.
While the Celtics might be up for sale, Joe Mazzulla and Brad Stevens won’t let up in their pursuit of back-to-back rings.
While there has been chatter regarding Derrick White’s payment on that 4-year deal, Boston wouldn’t have won the 2024 ring without him and sometimes - it pays to have a do-it-all guard.
The Bulls need to catch up in their pursuit to retool the team in my opinion, but Josh Giddey and Jalen Smith are steps in the right direction alongside Matas Buzelis as the 11th pick in the draft last week.
Smith couldn’t find playing time in Indiana once the postseason hit, but he brings an incredible defensive skillset at the 4 spot that could also stretch the floor. Josh Giddey isn’t an Alex Caruso on defense but should be a plus-playmaker for the Bulls' wings and bigs.
DeMar DeRozan remains a question mark and the organization won’t be able to move forward until that is addressed, while Zach LaVine’s relationship with the front office (if there ever has been one) is “broken”.
All in all, Chicago might be in the worst situation of any NBA franchise and a change of leadership is apparent.
Against most odds, it seems as if Mitchell is going to try one more year in Cleveland. With Miami lurking in the shadows, the 2024-25 season will be something to monitor in Cleveland with a new head coach and a similar roster coming back this season.
The 27-year-old is amidst his prime and in an Eastern Conference that looks jumbled after Boston, the Cavs look to have a competitive roster for years to come, while health remains a key.
After the departures of DJJ and Josh Green, Nico Harrison and the Mavs are replacing their Western Conference champion wings with the trio of Klay Thompson, Naji Marshall, and Quentin Grimes.
Marshall and Grimes are prototypical 3 & D players, with Marshall being one of the sneakiest signings this season. He’s coming off a career season in New Orleans where he brought a ton of energy on both ends of the floor. Thompson should have a better shooting year with the Mavs, especially with Kyrie and Luka demanding so much attention as ball handlers.
I’m looking for Jason Kidd’s utilization of Thompson - who is at his best off-ball cutting and coming off screens. A lineup of Kyrie, Luka, Klay, Washington, and Lively should give teams massive issues on defense.
Harden returns to Los Angeles with DJJ and Kevin Porter Jr. among the wings on the way to help the offensive load. With Oklahoma City owning the Clippers' picks for the foreseeable future and a move to the Intuit Dome on tap, Steve Balmer, Ty Lue, and company are running on a tight thread.
While DJJ had a great year with Dallas, I’m unsure if he will put a dent in the Clips' issues, and with Kawhi’s injury concerns the Clippers are a play-in candidate after another extremely disappointing end to the postseason.
It seems as if the Spurs got out on Dejounte Murray at the right time. Although Murray is a solid pickup for the Pelicans who have been searching for a floor general since the Holiday departure, he isn’t a proven winner or leader on the court.
With Zion demanding touches at the top of the key, Murray might have to change his playstyle for New Orleans which is something I’m unsure he’s willing to do.
New Orleans gets better with this move, but this doesn’t feel like a short or long-term solution to competing in the West.
Mikal Bridges joins New York via trade, while OG Anunoby resigns with the blue & orange. The Knicks have completed the Nova Knick formation with Brunson, Hart, Divencenzo, and now Bridges.
Brunson’s defensive issues can now be masked behind the rest of this crew, while Deuce McBride is a solid bench option should one of these guards get hurt or get into foul trouble.
Losing out on Hartenstein is a big loss, with Randle and Robinson both posing health issues. During the season, expect a veteran big man to head New York’s way to complete their roster.
Hartenstein and Caruso - two high-energy players - have joined OKC in their quest to reach the Finals for the first time since the Baby Big Three existed.
Both players bring a defensive skillset that includes rebounding, something OKC lacked heavily last season.
Presti will need one of these guys to get better offensively though, as their offense was surprisingly the one aspect that killed them late in that Mavs series.
While retaining most of their talent, Orlando opted to bring in KCP to fill a shooting void on the wing.
This isn’t a Hollywood-like move for the Magic, but it is a step in the right direction for a team that needs some veteran talent and leadership in the locker room.
The Magic get deeper and after taking Cleveland to 7 games, they are ready to make some noise next season with an improved Banchero and deeper unit.
An A+ fit all around, success normally follows CP3 wherever he goes even if a ring isn’t the end game.
This move makes Wemby an MVP candidate and improves San Antonio’s chances at making the Play-In game.
It will be interesting to see how aggressively the Spurs play the 2024-25 season with Cooper Flagg and other incredible prospects coming in the next draft class, but CP3 should speed up Wemby, Sochan, and rookie Stephon Castle’s development.