The NBA offseason is off to a hot start already, with numerous stars, including Jaylen Brown, Kawhi Leonard, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and LaMelo Ball, having changed teams. These blockbuster moves will capture headlines, but it’s the under-the-radar offseason moves that are key to finding success.
Aaron Wiggins And Devin Carter To The Hawks
Wiggins and Carter aren’t exactly superstars, but they will play a key role for the Atlanta Hawks. The former was traded by the Oklahoma City Thunder for second-round picks after averaging 9.4 points per game off the bench. He has championship experience, is a reliable wing who can catch and shoot, and he’s able to defend multiple positions
Carter, who was shipped off by the Sacramento Kings, was a lottery pick two years ago. He provides guard depth at an exceptionally cheap cost, specializing in defense. He’s struggled to stay healthy, but if Atlanta can unlock his talent and translate it to the NBA level, he’d be a phenomenal addition for a team that now has a Trae Young-sized hole on its roster.
Dean Wade To The 76ers In The NBA Offseason
The Philadelphia 76ers made their headlining move by trading Paul George and some picks for Brown. Wade won’t be the game-changer Brown is, but he has a specific set of skills that every championship team needs.
Coming over from Cleveland, Wade is a great “3-and-D” player. At 6-foot-9, he’s able to defend bigs, but also is agile and disruptive enough to switch onto smaller guards. He also has a career 36.7% three-point percentage. With George heading to the Dark Side, Wade will perfectly slot into the 76ers’ rotation.
Kelly Oubre Jr. To The Pacers
The Indiana Pacers signed Oubre to a two-year, nearly $17 million deal. With Tyrese Haliburton returning from an injury that caused him to miss the entire season, the Pacers look prepared for a playoff push. Their new forward brings plenty of playoff experience, starting 18 of 35 appearances.
The 11-year veteran can fluctuate between the starting lineup and the bench, with the ability to drive to the basket or hit an open three on offense. His ability to defend all five positions will fit perfectly alongside a healthy Haliburton and new center Ivica Zubac. A two-year deal also gives the Pacers flexibility and won’t trap them into financial problems if Oubre falls off.
Mitchell Robinson To The Celtics
Questions surround general manager Brad Stevens after the Brown trade, but signing Robinson is a smart move. Last season, the lack of a paint presence was painfully obvious for the Boston Celtics. Enter Robinson, who has a career average of 1.7 blocks per game and is an above-average rim protector.
The recently crowned NBA champion also comes to Boston on a relatively cheap deal. His three-year, $47 million contract puts his annual earnings at around $16 million. For comparison, Walker Kessler got a new four-year, $130 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, with an annual salary that doubles Robinson’s. Both players have similar skillsets as big men who excel defensively but are limited outside the paint offensively.
Tobias Harris To The Spurs
Harris hopes to get the San Antonio Spurs back in the NBA Finals after signing a two-year, $31 million deal. The journeyman will be 34 years old when the season starts and will pose as a veteran presence for the extremely young Spurs roster.
The former Piston is not the pure scorer he was in the past, but he has averaged at least 13 points per game and shot above 34% from three for seven consecutive seasons. He’s not known for his defense, but his size and frame prevent him from being a weak point. Harris is an all-around player who is durable and reliable.
Quentin Grimes To The Lakers
LeBron James announced his time with the Los Angeles Lakers is over, but a plethora of new talent comes in. Grimes, Kessler, Collin Sexton, and Sandro Mamukelashvili were all acquired right after one another. Grimes is the player to highlight because of his ceiling and the deal itself.
A four-year, $60 million contract has been called a massive overpay for Grimes, but the vision is there. He’s a former teammate of Luka Dončić during their time on the Dallas Mavericks. Offensively, he’s a good shooter and has the ability to create his own shot. The guard can be a threat with or without the ball.
Fans have seen Grimes’ potential. After the Mavericks sent him to the 76ers, he averaged 22 points in 28
games. On a Lakers team that will need scoring behind Dončić and Austin Reaves, Grimes will be able to provide a spark off the bench.
