The NBA Draft has come and gone, free agents have found new homes, and it seems that many of the top teams have been making moves, but the Warriors are still the champs. Where do the others rank as we head into the slower portion of the off-season?
NBA Power Ranking: The Association’s 10 Best Teams Post Free Agency
1) Golden State Warriors
It seems like everyone has forgotten that the Warriors won the NBA Finals not even a month ago. They didn’t make a huge splash in free agency, but they have accomplished exactly what they’ve needed to this offseason. Successfully resigning restricted free agent Draymond Green to a 5 year, 85 million dollar contract was their number one priority. With the new television deal kicking in and the salary cap expanding significantly in the next two seasons, spending 17 million dollars a year on an essential championship piece like Green will ensure long term success at Oracle. The Warriors’ regular season record was an insane 67-15 in the brutal Western Conference, and the only piece they’ve lost so far from that roster is David Lee. Expect them to lead the league in offensive and defensive efficiency for the second consecutive year.
Offseason Grade: B+
2) San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs’ offseason so far has been nothing short of spectacular. R.C Buford and Gregg Popovich have never been this aggressive in free agency, which should strike fear in the rest of the league. LaMarcus Aldridge is almost too good of a fit on this roster as they attempt to win their 6th championship in the Tim Duncan era. Now Duncan can comfortably play center and work the low post as Aldridge spaces the floor. With Tiago Splitter logging heavy minutes, the Spurs offense looked stagnant and clogged at points last season. Aldridge’s strong basketball IQ will allow him to learn the offensive system quickly and immediately produce on the court. Resigning former Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard to a max contract was an obvious and necessary move. David West joining the squad as a role player solidifies the bench and makes the Spurs the best midrange shooting team in the league. Expect them to be battling the Warriors in the Western Conference Finals next season.
Offseason Grade: A+
3) Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers suffered a bitter defeat in the Finals, but they’ve quickly restocked their roster to ensure depth so James Jones doesn’t ever have to log an important minute. Although I think resigning Kevin Love to a max deal wasn’t the best move, LeBron clearly feels like he has the championship pedigree necessary to help bring the Cavs their first title. GM David Griffin wisely resigned Shumpert to a favorable contract and used the team option on Mozgov’s contract. Mo Williams returning to Cleveland will only help the locker room and Kyrie Irving’s development. The only remaining question for the organization is if Dan Gilbert is willing to pay a huge luxury tax by resigning Tristan Thompson to a max deal. Expect the Cavs to return to the Finals assuming Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love can stay healthy.
Offseason Grade: B
4) Los Angeles Clippers
What a crazy sequence of events for the Clippers over the last week. When I began writing these power rankings, I assumed like everyone else that DeAndre Jordan was bringing his talents to the Mavs. The Clippers weren’t even in my top ten without Jordan, because he adds so much protection around the rim. But after a lockdown on DJ’s house, Paul Pierce tweeted a photo of him signing a contract to stay for at least three seasons. If I were the Mavs I would be very upset that DJ changed his mind, but contractually speaking, he didn’t do anything wrong. He just changed his mind, nothing wrong with that. Lance Stephenson will be a great fit on this team, adding some toughness and playmaking when Chris Paul is on the bench. Doc Rivers will be able to tame him so that he doesn’t bring any of the negativity he did to the Hornets. Chris Paul is hungry and desperate, and as long as he’s running Lob City with Griffin and Jordan running the floor, the Clips are title contenders.
Offseason Grade: A-
5) Oklahoma City Thunder
A very quiet offseason thus far isn’t the worst thing for the Thunder, as they just need all of their players to heal in time for the start of training camp. New head coach Bill Donovan will have to teach his system quickly to the Thunder, as they can’t afford to lose games early in the season. Sam Presti will soon have to decide what to do with restricted free agent Enes Kanter before another team makes an offer. Anytime a team has two of the five best players in the league, they’re going to be a serious championship contender. Expect the Thunder to push the Warriors or Spurs to the brink in the Western Conference Semi-Finals.
Offseason Grade: B-
6) Atlanta Hawks
The most surprising team of the 2014-2015 season will only get better next season. Losing DeMarre Carroll is a small blow, but they were smart for letting him walk. The Raptors will regret his 4 year, 60 million contract down the road. Trading for Tiago Splitter adds some important front-court depth off the bench. At this point with this roster, the Hawks can only hope that Dennis Schroder and Jeff Teague continue their development at the point guard position. With Coach Mike Budenholzer running the Spurs system in The ATL, expect the Hawks to give the Cavs a tough road to a Finals return.
Offseason Grade: A
7) Memphis Grizzlies
At last the Grizzlies resigned Marc Gasol to the max deal he deserves. Trading for Matt Barnes only adds even more feistiness that the Grizz play with every single night. Their window to make the finals is diminishing by the minute, as Mike Conley is their only really good young player. The Grizzlies have had success ignoring the NBA’s trend of pace and space, but that depends on much banging Gasol and Zach Randolph do in the low post. As those two get older and don’t play as many minutes, Memphis is going to have a harder time scoring. Keeping Jeff Green and singing Brandan Wright helps, but it feels like they’re one piece away.
Offseason Grade: B+
8) New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans haven’t been that busy this offseason, but grabbing Alvin Gentry as their new head coach was a very wise move. Gentry wasn’t kidding when he said that he and Anthony David were going to be in the Finals while celebrating as assistant coach of the Warriors. Anthony Davis is an absolute beast, and he’s been working on developing his three point shot this summer. Other teams might have a better supporting cast, but like LeBron, Davis can anchor a team. When he sets a pick and rolls, there are very few people in the league who can stop him. Jrue Holiday needs to be healthy if the Pelicans want to have a real shot, and they probably need to make a deadline move for a sharpshooting wing. Expect them to put up a serious fight in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Offseason Grade: C+
9) Chicago Bulls
Signing Jimmy Butler long term was by far the number one priority for the Bulls this offseason. They have the capability to be elite in the league as long as they’re healthy. Derrick Rose isn’t going to ever return to MVP form, but that doesn’t mean that he can’t be very effective. Fred Hoiberg will have a different approach than Tom Thibodeau, which will put less pressure on the players. They’ll compete this coming season, but don’t expect them to seriously threaten the Cavs unless Rose becomes the dominant playmaker he once was.
Offseason Grade: B+
10) Toronto Raptors
Masai Ujiri did Masai Ujiri things this offseason as he loaded up on depth and signed DeMarre Carroll. Although I think Carroll is a solid player, he’s the type of guy who seems to be good only in a certain system. And that system was with Mike Budenholzer. But, he does fill a need as a defensive minded small forward who can shoot from the perimeter. The Raps also added Cory Joseph, a Spurs product, Bismack Biyombo, and Luis Scola. Expect them to be a sneaky good team this season as they protect The North.
Offseason Grade: B-
Bonus 11) Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks are going to be one of the scariest teams in the league this season, because not even the Bucks know how good they’re going to be. Adding Greg Monroe was a huge victory for a small market team. The Greek Freak is only getting better, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he grew a couple of inches this offseason. Jabari will be healthy and will average close to 16 points per game. Jason Kidd is only getting better as a head coach, and he realizes how close they are to becoming a serious threat in the East. They could be one deadline move away from acquiring a point guard that will send them to the Eastern Conference Finals. Expect them to beat up the really bad teams in the East and have a really impressive record this season.
Offseason Grade: A-
