Perhaps you are a fan of the NBA that doesn’t pay much attention to the offseason. Let’s take a look at the best veteran newcomer on each Eastern Conference team. Rookies were excluded.
The Best Veteran Newcomer On Each Eastern Conference Team
Atlanta Hawks – Dyson Daniels
Larry Nance Jr. has been more productive in his NBA career, but the higher ceiling belongs to Dyson Daniels. Selected eighth overall in the 2022 NBA Draft, Daniels didn’t make a huge impact in his first two seasons with the New Orleans Pelicans. Acquired in the Dejounte Murray deal, Daniels should receive plenty of minutes on a seemingly less-talented Atlanta team.
Boston Celtics – Lonnie Walker IV
The Celtics are bringing back much of the same team that won a championship last season. Lonnie Walker IV is the choice here, even as a player signed on an Exhibit 10 deal. The 25-year-old has averaged at least 9.7 points in each of the last four seasons.
Brooklyn Nets – Bojan Bogdanovic
While many believe that Bojan Bogdanovic will be traded at some point off the rebuilding Nets, he has been a walking bucket throughout his career. The 35-year-old has twice averaged over 20 points in the last five seasons and has shot nearly 40% from beyond the arc in his career.
Charlotte Hornets – Josh Green
Josh Green was involved in a massive six-team trade that sent Klay Thompson to the Dallas Mavericks. The 23-year-old Green spent his first four seasons in Dallas. Over the last two seasons, Green has averaged 8.7 points while shooting 50.8% from the field and 39.3% from three-point territory.
Chicago Bulls – Josh Giddey
The Oklahoma City Thunder traded Josh Giddey to the Bulls for Alex Caruso. Standing at six-foot-eight, Giddey has the ability to run an offense and has averaged 5.7 assists through three seasons. Turning 22 years old on October 10, Giddey has recorded 11 triple-doubles in his career.
Cleveland Cavaliers – JT Thor
Like Boston, the Cavaliers don’t have any new players that are non-rookies signed to a standard contract. JT Thor is on a two-way deal after playing in a combined 132 contests for the Hornets over the last two seasons.
Detroit Pistons – Tobias Harris
While Tobias Harris was seen as one of the league’s more overpaid players while with the 76ers, and still might be seen in that light after a two-year, $52 million deal with Detroit, it doesn’t mean he can’t be productive and useful. Last season, he posted averages of 17.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.1 assists. He is one of numerous new pieces on Detroit that should help space out the floor for Cade Cunningham.
Indiana Pacers – James Wiseman
James Wiseman certainly hasn’t lived up yet to being the second overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. With Indiana, it looks as if the 23-year-old will have a training camp battle with Isaiah Jackson to be the first reserve big man off the bench. Wiseman has career averages of 9.1 points and 5.6 rebounds in 19.0 minutes per contest.
Miami Heat – Alec Burks
It was a quiet offseason for Miami whose most notable move was signing veteran Alec Burks. Entering his 14th NBA season, the 33-year-old has double-digit scoring averages in each of the last five seasons. He is a career 38.3% from beyond the arc.
Milwaukee Bucks – Gary Trent Jr.
It was surprising to see Gary Trent Jr. sign for just the veteran’s minimum with Milwaukee. The 25-year-old has averaged 16.2 points while shooting 38.3% from beyond the arc over the last four seasons. A left elbow hyperextension knocked Trent Jr. out of the Bucks preseason opener, and it is not yet clear if he will be available to begin the regular season.
New York Knicks – Karl-Anthony Towns
This was Mikal Bridges for much of the offseason. Of course, late in the offseason, the Knicks executed a blockbuster trade for Karl-Anthony Towns. The first overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, Towns has been named an All-Star four times. Seen as one of the best-shooting big men of all-time, Towns connected on 41.6% of his three-point tries last season.
Orlando Magic – Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
The Magic were one of the league’s biggest surprises last season, and they took the Cavaliers to seven games in the opening round of the playoffs. Now they add Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and his championship experience to the roster. The two-time champion should slide into the starting shooting guard slot for Orlando. Caldwell-Pope has connected on more than 40% of his tries from beyond the arc the last two seasons.
Philadelphia 76ers – Paul George
Easily the most high-profile free agent to change teams, Paul George agreed to a max four-year, $211.5 million-plus deal to join Philadelphia. The 34-year-old is a nine-time All-Star who made it each of the last two seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers. George has averaged at least 21.5 points in each of the last nine seasons.
Toronto Raptors – Davion Mitchell
The ninth pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, Davion Mitchell was traded to Toronto from the Sacramento Kings. He played his first three seasons for Sacramento but saw decreased playing time in each ensuing year. While the 26-year-old has shown signs of being a stellar perimeter defender, he hasn’t developed a reliable outside shot (career 32.7% from three-point range).
Washington Wizards – Jonas Valanciunas
Malcolm Brogdon was in consideration, but he is now expected to miss at least a month with a hand injury. Standing at six-foot-11, Jonas Valanciunas joined the Wizards on a three-year, $30 million deal. Many expect the 32-year-old to be dealt near the trade deadline rather than remain on a rebuilding Washington team. Valanciunas averaged a double-double for four straight seasons before dipping to 8.8 boards per contest in 2023-24.
