Which NBA teams made the most of the 2010 offseason? Sure, the number one team is predictable, but what about the rest of the league. The following is my list of the NBA’s top ten 2010 off-season teams.
1. Heat
Their future dominance makes me sick. Three of the next four championships will go to the Heat; you read it here first. Think about it. Miami currently has two of the top four or five players in the NBA and three of the top 12. The Lakers have created a dynasty with two of the top 10 and four of the top 45. Granted, LA has a better supporting cast, but with the big three, Miami doesn’t need much at the point, center, or bench to win a few titles.
2. Lakers
The Lakers just keep adding pieces. Blake at $4M a year, Barnes at $1.8M a year, and Brown at $2.3M a year are all bargains. All three are strong role players. Barnes and Brown both gave up more lucrative offers to play for the Champion Lakers. The Lakers also signed Derek Fisher at 3.7M/yr, but at three years and with the current market, they overpaid. It was, however, crucial that they not allow the Heat to sign the veteran guard. Fish will be effective for one more year, and then he’ll pocket his $3.7 for limited minutes off the bench. Overall, Kobe and Lakers management saw what the Heat did, and they took immediate and constant action. The almost certain 2011 finals between the Lakers and Heat should be entertaining. The only problem will be that they can’t both lose.
3. Bulls
The Bulls acquired Carlos Boozer, but may have overpaid at $15M a year, but who isn’t overpaying for power forwards these days (Lee at $13.33M per and Stoudemire at $20M per). The Bulls also dumped Kirk Hinrich’s inflated contract, and filled his loss with two players Kyle Korver and Ronnie Brewer, with combined 2010-11 contract amounts of nearly the same dollar amount as Hinrich 2010-11 contract. It should be noted that the Magic saved the Bulls from themselves when they matched the Reddick deal at over $6M per year. All that being said, are the Bulls the new Jazz?
4. Jazz
Hayward may have been a reach with their draft pick at number nine. Is it just me, or does it seem like the Jazz never actually had the Knicks pick; they simply had some luck with a fairly decent player falling to them at their usual 20th – 22nd pick. Though he may not be ninth overall pick worthy, Gordan Hayward is a smart, unselfish player and will fit well in the Jazz system. Al Jefferson was a great acquisition for Utah. He gives the Jazz some needed size in the paint and is a younger less expensive, and slightly less risky Carlos Boozer. Also, with deals like J.J. Reddick ($6.33M/yr), W. Matthews ($7M/yr), and R. Allen ($10M/yr), the Raja Bell ($3.3M/yr) deal seems brilliant. The Jazz filled another need here with Bell’s perimeter defense.
5. Wizards
John Wall alone puts the Wizards at the five spot. He looked very good in the summer league. He should have an immediate impact for the Wizards. Washington traded for Kirk Hinrich, for almost nothing, and he has a rare declining contract, but still is overpaid at $9M this year and $8M next year. Yi Jianlian was added. I like Yi. Remember, he is a strong shooting, and coordinated 7 footer (did anyone say Dirk Nowitzki?) Also, Josh Howard’s contract came off the books, he was paid $11M last year. I still can’t figure out where his talent went. He has now re-signed with the Wizards for around $4M for one year.
6. Knicks
The Knicks acquired Amare at $20M per year and Raymond Felton at just over $8M per year. With today’s market, they may have overpaid for both, but their wallets were open and the result should be around eight more wins this year. They also picked up some solid pieces, Turiaf and Azubuike, in the David Lee deal.
7. Nets
New Jersey acquired Derrick Favors in the draft, who is raw but has plenty of potential. New Jersey also picked up Travis Outlaw, Anthony Morrow and Jordan Farmar. All three of these acquisitions are players who have yet to hit their respective ceiling. The Nets are rebuilding, but should win a few more games this year than last year.
8. Clippers
LA added Foye and Gomes, both for $4M per year; neither are game changers but keep in mind they still have Baron Davis, Eric Gordon (a future all-star) and Blake Griffin will be back. Aminu and Bledsoe were both good draft picks. The Clippers are two, maybe three years away from a winning record. The Clips did lose Blake, Gooden and Outlaw; but they should definitely win at least five and likely more like seven additional games this year than last year.
9. Mavericks
Dirk re-signed, that was a must. Haywood is a strong center, and really is not as overpaid as some think at under $9M per year. The Mavericks did, however, trade for Tyson Chandler, who is due nearly $13M this year. Fortunately, this is the last year of his contract.
10. Bucks
Salmons at 8M a year is a good value. He averaged nearly 20 pts. a game after being traded to the Bucks last year. Salmons deal looks great when compared to Joe Johnson’s $100M contract. Salmons is a moderately poor man’s Joe Johnson. The Bucks also acquired Corey Maggette in a trade with the Warriors. Maggette is due around $10M for each of the next three years, but with last year’s average of 20 pts. a game, he gives Milwaukee some needed scoring. The Bucks should be a better team this year, even with the loss of the underrated Luke Ridnour.
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