There’s been plenty of moves that have been made this NBA offseason as well as teams still pursuing to make a deal. Let’s take a look at the recent news:
Donovan Mitchell to the Knicks?
The Utah Jazz are looking to rebuild their roster. The Jazz have already traded Rudy Gobert to the Minnesota Timberwolves and are currently listening to offers for their star guard Donovan Mitchell.
The Knicks are a likely suitor as they possess plenty of draft picks. Acquiring Mitchell would bring New York in the right direction as they are looking to make it back to the playoffs this year.
The Miami Heat have been in the discussion to acquire Mitchell but they want to keep Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. The Heat are willing to trade Duncan Robinson whose stock has plummeted as he was benched for a large portion of the playoffs. Also, Tyler Herro who isn’t a comparable player to Mitchell doesn’t strike as an enticing deal to the Jazz.
Who knows where Mitchell will eventually end up? I would like to see him shift to point guard wherever he goes.
Phoenix Suns match the Indiana Pacers’ offer to Deandre Ayton
The Indiana Pacers offered restricted free-agent Deandre Ayton a four-year $133 million contract. The Suns matched the contract within the same day.
At the beginning of last season, Ayton was eligible to sign a five-year $172.5 million contract, however Ayton and the Suns couldn’t agree on terms.
You could argue that Ayton isn’t worth $33 million a year but it was important for the Suns’ future to keep him. The addition of Chris Paul a couple of years ago elevated Phoenix to reach the NBA Finals. Unfortunately, the 37-year-old point guard has a small window left and the franchise needs to focus on the present as well as the future.
Keeping Ayton was a smart move and the Suns can continue to build around Deandre Ayton and Devin Booker after CP3 retires.
Dejounte Murray traded to the Atlanta Hawks
Spurs’ point guard Dejounte Murray was traded to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Danilo Gallinari, three first-round picks, and a pick swap. The Hawks also received Jock Landale.
Dejounte Murray has finally had a string of healthy seasons after tearing his right ACL in 2018. Murray this past season averaged 21.1 points, 9.2 assists, 8.3 rebounds, and 2.0 steals per game which are all career-highs.
Adding Murray to the Hawks will help their perimeter defense with his 6’4″ height and 6’10” wingspan. Trae Young can also play off the ball now that the Hawks have another ball-handler. Trae Young faced swarming ball-pressure and several double teams in last year’s playoffs against the Miami Heat which shut down Atlanta’s entire offense.
For the series, Young averaged 15.4 points on 31.9% shooting and 18.4% from three and 6.2 turnovers. With Young struggling, the Hawks had no chance to win the series but adding Murray takes a boatload of pressure off of Young.
I like this addition for the Hawks and they still have John Collins and a bunch of other young players. As they continue to gain chemistry and mature their games, they’ll be a tough team to beat in a few years.
Minnesota Timberwolves acquire Rudy Gobert
The Utah Jazz dealt their three-time Defensive Player of the Year center to the Timberwolves. In return, the Jazz received five players including Patrick Beverley and Malik Beasley, as well as four future first-round picks, and a pick swap.
I was surprised to see a team take on Gobert’s contract where he’s set to average $42 million a year for the next four seasons. Gobert is a great rim protector, a phenomenal rebounder which is why he’s won the DPOY award three times but he’s a liability on the perimeter on offense and defense.
Teams would abuse the pick n’ roll switch to get Gobert on the perimeter which frees up the paint and allows the guard to score on a slower defender. In addition, Gobert’s offense is limited to lobs, dunks, and layups. He doesn’t have a go-to move in the post which he should develop with his 7’1″ height.
Not to mention, Karl-Anthony Towns will have to be on the perimeter even more now with Gobert clogging the paint. Towns is a great three-point shooter but there are games where he gets trigger-happy behind the arc. Towns is at his best when he’s mixing it up by taking advantage of the matchups down low and hitting an occasional three.
I don’t think this will be a great fit for the Timberwolves but we’ll see how it plays out.
Malcolm Brogdon is heading to Boston
Malcolm Brogdon has been traded to the Eastern Conference champs and gives Boston a bit more depth at the point guard position.
The Celtics fell short in the NBA Finals and they already made a great move bringing in Brogdon. Brogdon can shoot and he’s a great playmaker. The Milwaukee Bucks will have Khris Middleton back next year and it was important for Boston to make some tweaks to their roster to make another run for the title.
Marcus Smart was the Celtics’ primary point guard and he had some ups and downs in the playoffs but I prefer him to come off the bench. Smart’s decision-making is still a little shaky at times, specifically during the last few minutes of Game 7 against the Miami Heat where he missed four consecutive threes.
I would start Brogdon but I know he’ll have to earn it, but he’s a great addition to Boston if he stays healthy.
Photo credits: CBS Sports, Defector, NBA, Canis Hoopus, Hoops Hype