Out of the sixteen teams that made the playoffs this season, eight were eliminated just over a week ago. The process now begins for each team’s GM to build on this season’s success and attempt to improve their roster for next season.
So what offseason decisions are these teams facing? Let’s have a look and see what may be the key decisions for each Eastern Conference playoff team eliminated in the first round.
Toronto Raptors (3rd)
Record: 48-34
Pending Key Free Agents: Kyle Lowry (U), Patrick Patterson (R), Greivis Vasquez (R)
The Raptors are fresh off their best regular season in franchise history and will be looking to ensure this season was no fluke. With four out of five starters signed for next season, the Raptors biggest decision will be re-signing their season MVP and starting point guard, Kyle Lowry.
There are two reasons why I believe Masai Ujiri will do whatever he can to re-sign Lowry.
- The 2014 NBA point guard free agent class is thin. According to hoopshype.com, Kyle Lowry is the top free agent point guard this offseason with Eric Bledsoe, Isaiah Thomas, Shaun Livingston and Nate Robinson rounding out the top five. Aside from Eric Bledsoe, who had an injury riddled 2013-2014 season, there is no point guard in free agency that could come in and replace Lowry.
- NBA teams don’t trade away their all-star point guards. If Lowry walks and signs elsewhere, Masai Ujiri will find it very hard to trade for someone of equal value in the off-season. Ujiri would either have to take a chance on a young player that may breakout (i.e. Reggie Jackson), or trade for a point guard on a down year, and hope he turns it around in a new home. Even if the Raptors GM was able to swing a deal for an equivalent starting point guard (i.e. Rajon Rondo), he would likely have to include multiple first round picks and Terrance Ross to make it happen.
Chicago Bulls (4th)
Record: 48-34
Pending Key Free Agents: Kirk Hinrich (U), DJ Augustin (U)
Aside from Kirk Hinrich and Augustin, the Chicago Bulls can go into next season with pretty much the same team that finished 4th in the East without Derrick Rose. The key decision that Chicago needs to make is if they want to shake things up, or give it one last run with a healthy Derrick Rose. Taj Gibson emerged as a starting power forward this season, making the declining Carlos Boozer expendable. If unable to trade Boozer, the Bulls will likely amnesty their starting power forward to clear some cap space to make a run at Carmelo Anthony or another big name free agent.
This may be the time for Chicago to strike with a move for ‘Melo; the Heat and Nets will be one year older next season, and the Pacers don’t appear to be the powerhouse everyone thought they were this season. If Danny Ferry makes a big move and shake up their roster, the Bulls could propel themselves to the top of the Eastern standings next season.
Charlotte Bobcats (7th)
Record: 43-39
Pending Key Free Agents: Josh McRoberts (Player Option), Luke Ridnour (U)
One of the more surprising teams this season were the Charlotte Bobcats. It appears last offseason that Rich Cho hit a homerun by signing Al Jefferson, and he will now be looking to add to pieces to seventh place team for next season. The Bobcats appear to be in a good spot; their core of Kemba Walker, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Al Jefferson will only get better next season, and they will have cap space to try and make a splash in free agency.
And that is where the problem may lie. Much like other small market cities, the Bobcats will likely have to over spend to attract a big name free agent. With Jefferson’s presence down low, the Bobcats would really like to upgrade the stretch four position, which was the role Josh McRoberts filled nicely this season. With McRoberts likely to opt out of this contract, do the Bobcats look to re-sign him or try to find an upgrade in free agency? There are some free agent names out there who could fit the need; Channing Frye, Marvin Williams, and Trevor Ariza all appear to be an upgrade, but they are also just the type of players that remind me of when Charlotte signed Tyrus Thomas and Gerald Wallace to big contracts…
Atlanta Hawks (8th)
Record: 38-44
Pending Key Free Agents: Mike Scott (R), Elton Brand (U), Shelvin Mack (R)
The Atlanta Hawks are maybe the team to watch next season. Jeff Teague has shown this postseason that he is one of the top point guards in the East; and with a Healthy Al Horford returning (SIA Profile), the Hawks are primed to climb back up the standings next season.
The decision for Danny Ferry will be whether or not to make a big move to bolster the roster. The Hawks could use an upgrade at the small forward position, as they only have Demare Caroll at this point. Does Danny Ferry sell high on first time all-star Paul Milsap, and flip him for a starting three? Or does he remain status quo and hope the addition of Al Horford is enough to get them back into contention? I’m not sure if adding Horford to this roster will propel them to contender status, but they very well could be a top 5 team out East next season.
Thank you for reading. Please take a moment to follow me on Twitter – @LWOSjeff. Support LWOS by following us on Twitter – @LastWordOnSport – and “liking” our Facebook page.
For the latest sports injury news, check out our friends at Sports Injury Alert.
