With most of the noteworthy moves of the summer in the rearview, it is now time to look them over and pick a few of my favorite moves from around the NBA.
Trades and free agent signings, and maybe a draft pick or two, will be discussed, so buckle up.
1. Mikal Bridges moves to Manhattan
The Nova Knicks are officially a thing.
After stockpiling assets for years to try and land a superstar, New York realized that Jalen Brunson was the superstar it had been waiting for, and moved mountains to get the exact player he wanted.
Mikal Bridges is a perfect fit alongside the Knicks’ core and elevates them to heights unseen in MSG since Patrick Ewing was in town.
2. PG13 leaves the Clippers, heads to Philadelphia
The Clippers are still the Clippers.
Whether it’s trading the farm for the Kahwi Leonard-Paul George duo, doubling down and trading for James Harden, or un-doubling down and letting George walk, it’s all incredibly Clippery.
The addition of George makes Philly a true contender, and it sends LAC down a path of irrelevance it is all too familiar with, it’s just a matter of how long it can stave it off.
3. OKC Carushows a little Hart(enstein)
The last time OKC had a young trio of stars, it sat on its hands.
This time, it’s different. Sam Presti hit two home runs, trading Josh Giddey for a better-fitting, cheaper player in Alex Caruso, and poaching Isaiah Hartenstein from New York with OKC’s cap space.
Whether or not these moves turn into a title remains to be seen, but it’s nice to see Presti and OKC learn from its past mistakes.
4. KCP becomes a magician, disappears from Denver
Small markets unite.
The Orlando Magic joined OKC in making a splash in free agency, signing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to a 3-year deal, and leaving the Denver Nuggets with a hole in their starting lineup.
KCP reportedly turned down Denver’s attempt to match the offer and opted to team up with Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and others to make Orlando an Eastern Conference contender.
5. Big splash in the Big Easy
The New Orleans Pelicans needed another guard.
The first round of the playoffs proved that Brandon Ingram can not be a primary ball-handler in the NBA, so NOLA went out and bought low on Dejounte Murray.
In this West, it’s hard to imagine the Pelicans making much noise, but the addition of Murray gives them one of the more talented starting lineups in the league.
6. DeMar I say it DeLess I like it
The Sacramento Kings made a splash this summer, adding one of the most talented scorers in the NBA.
They have been frisky the last couple of years, so they went out and got DeMar DeRozen, giving up a valuable 2031 pick swap in the process.
DeRozen’s talent is evident, but does anyone think this move makes the Kings a threat to get out of the second round? The results remain to be seen, but the price to do it was heftier than some think.
7. Washington embraces the tank, picks three rookies
For years, the Washington Wizards refused to bottom out.
Under new management, Washington is seemingly at peace with where it is, and it showed in the draft. After choosing Alex Sarr, Bub Carrington, and Kyshawn George in the draft, the Wizards took on the salary of Malcolm Brogdon, traded Deni Avdija, and got multiple draft picks back.
The Wizards have been bad for a while, but at least now it’s on purpose.
8. Golden State retools bench, replaces Klay with depth
When a franchise icon departs, sorrow usually follows.
Klay Thompson is gone, and Warriors fans will be forced to adjust to that, but the additions of Kyle Anderson, Buddy Hield, and De’Anthony Melton should quickly replace any sadness.
Thompson is at a different stage of his career, and surrounding Steph Curry with more quality role players is the best chance GSW has of competing in 2024.
