Some find it a bare market
Whether intentionally taking a hit with the hope for future moves in mind, or wheeling and dealing with goals not readily apparent or realized, there were teams that emerged from free agency either going backwards or nowhere at all.
The Knicks somehow managed to go through the whirlwind without a single inexplicable move. They and quite a few other lottery teams did not seem to gain much ground. But the losers in free agency were either teams that hurt the cause, even in just the short term, or were too good to not get better.
Some of this could still change with some helpful free agents still on the market, or with the potential of some teams’ caution to work out. Until then, the offseason and free agency was not kind to a handful of teams.
DETROIT PISTONS
So long: Christian Wood, Luke Kennard, Tony Snell, Khyri Thomas, Justin Patton, Langston Galloway, Thon Maker, John Henson.
Welcome: Jerami Grant, Mason Plumlee, Josh Jackson, Delon Wright, Jahlil Okafor, Rodney McGruder, Dzanan Musa, Killian Hayes, Isaiah Stewart, Saddiq Bey, Saben Lee.
The Pistons had a nice haul of solid additions on draft night and then acted as if they are in win-now mode. They helped the Rockets land Wood, a better and younger center than they kept. They paid Grant, a fine role player around go-to players, star money. They paid Plumlee, a solid backup center, as if he will put them over the top. That adds up to starting rebuilding by dealing the best young players on the roster. They will have dead money on the books for years and the protections on the pick they owe the Rockets will keep them from being able to deal a first rounder for years, or until it moves to the Rockets.
CHARLOTTE HORNETS
So long: Nicolas Batum, Dwayne Bacon, Willy Hernangomez, Bismack Biyombo.
Welcome: Gordon Hayward, LaMelo Ball.
The Hornets fully committed to a youth movement last season, a wise move that lasted about a month. Hayward is still a fine player, coming off an impressive season when healthy after his terrible injury with the Celtics. But the Hornets not only awarded him with a four-year, $120 million contract, they added to their considerable cost by having to waive-and-stretch Batum’s contract to do it. The best free agent the Hornets have signed since inking Hayward to a restricted free agent deal the
Jazz matched in 2014, Hayward should improve the Hornets all the way to not bad. But he, Ball, Devonte’ Graham and last season’s overpriced free agent from the Celtics, Terry Rozier, all need the ball in their hands to be their best. So much for the plan.
TORONTO RAPTORS
So long: Serge Ibaka, Marc Gasol, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. Welcome: Aron Baynes, Alex Len, Henry Ellison, De’Andre Bembry, Malachi Flynn.
Things could work out for the Raptors. They often do. In the short-term, however, they took a step back. Though the Raptors locked up Fred VanVleet, they let Ibaka and Gasol head to Los Angeles, largely to be in position to chase the big free agents of 2021. Baynes should ease some of that pain. Chris Boucher might be ready to fill a larger role. But for now, losing the centers from the championship team will leave a mark.
ORLANDO MAGIC
So long: D. J. Augustin, Wes Iwundu, B. J. Johnson, Melvin Frazier Jr.
Welcome: Dwayne Bacon, Cole Anthony, Devin Cannady.
The Magic largely made sure to keep their former Rockets, Gary Clark, James Ennis and Michael Carter-Williams. All three were solid rotation guys. All were wise to keep. But the Magic have gotten too good to have not made a move to move up. Bacon replaces Iwundu but losing Augustin hurts. Mostly, the Magic were treading water, without adding the perimeter shooting they could use. Plenty of other teams, for a variety of reasons, also stood pat. But the Magic have gotten good enough to have been more aggressive to get better.