The NBA offseason is winding down. Just about all the rosters are set. With so much change taking place the power has shifted slightly in the Southeast Division.
This year’s offseason has seen lots of talent shift from the Eastern Conference to the Western Conference. It has been an offseason of player movement and crazy stories.
The Southeast Division has been relatively quiet compared to others as far as change goes. Teams throughout the division elected to bring back their core team for the most part and give it another shot. There will not be much change in the win totals throughout.
Some of the decisions to stay put in the Southeast Division stem from the Cleveland Cavaliers being so dominant. It is a foregone conclusion the Cavaliers will be in the NBA Finals for the fourth straight season. There is no need to go all in just yet.
But a report that Kyrie Irving has requested a trade from Cleveland changes the dynamic of the Eastern Conference. Not only is the Cavaliers roster unstable, three of the eight playoff teams from last season have taken steps back. This means the power is shifting in the Eastern Conference.
Last season the Southeast Division had two teams make the playoffs and two others just miss the cut. The Orlando Magic were the only team that never had a chance of sneaking into the playoffs from the Southeast Division.
This coming season, the Washington Wizards are the only team in the division that is a lock to make the Playoffs. The other four teams in the Southeast Division will need to fight to make the last few available playoffs slots.
The race for the playoffs starts with this offseason.
A few moves were made in the Southeast Division in pursuit of the Playoffs. Some teams have conceded and will tank this season while others are loading up on free agents to get involved in the wide-open Eastern Conference.
Let’s rank the Southeast Division teams by their offseason moves and the potential effect on their franchises going forward. This is not a prediciton of where teams will finish but how they fared this offseason.
No. 5 – Atlanta Hawks
Outgoing Players: Paul Millsap (free agency), Dwight Howard (trade), Tim Hardaway Jr. (free agency), Thabo Sefolosha (free agency), Ryan Kelly (trade), Mike Dunleavy Jr. (waived)
Incoming Players: John Collins (draft), Tyler Dorsey (draft), Dewayne Dedmon (free agency),
Marco Belinelli (trade), Miles Plumlee (trade)
Re-signed Players: Mike Muscala
The Atlanta Hawks are in full rebuild mode. After making the playoffs the last 10 years, the Hawks have let go of most of their talent.
A year after letting Al Horford walk in free agency to the Boston Celtics, this year it was Paul Millsap’s turn to leave. After Atlanta reportedly did not make an offer to him, Millsap opted to sign with the Denver Nuggets.
Atlanta also traded Dwight Howard after one season with the team in return for very little. Tim Hardaway Jr. signed with the New York Knicks to deplete the talent even more.
The best acquisition for the Hawks this offseason may be their first-round draft pick, John Collins. Collins is an explosive athlete with great potential on both sides of the floor. Collins had a great showing during Summer League giving the Hawks something to look forward to.
Aside from Collins, the Hawks acquired Dewayne Dedmon in free agency. The Hawks are more than likely going to tank this season in hopes of getting a better shot at the number one pick.
After being in the Eastern Conference Finals just two years ago the Hawks are starting over.
Projected starting lineup: Dennis Schroder, Kent Bazemore, Taurean Prince, Ersan Ilyasova. Dewayne Dedmon
No 4. – Charlotte Hornets
Outgoing Players: Marco Belinelli (trade), Miles Plumlee (trade)
Incoming Players: Malik Monk (draft), Dwayne Bacon (draft), Dwight Howard (trade), Michael Carter-Williams (free agency)
Last season the Charlotte Hornets just missed the Playoffs. With the East getting noticeably weaker, this season the Hornets have a good chance of getting back into the Playoff picture.
The addition of Dwight Howard gives the Hornets a solid rim protector on the interior. Hornets coach Steve Clifford coached Howard during some of his best years. And Clifford has lots of confidence in him. This reunion could be just what Howard needs to reclaim his spot as an All-Star in the league.
And the Hornets did not give up much in the trade for Howard by losing Marco Belinelli and Miles Plumlee.
Howard still averages more than 13 points and 12 rebounds per game. But with two years left on his contract, it is hard to see the direction the Hornets want to go in the future. Taking on Howard’s contract would be a missing piece for a contender looking to win now. Charlotte is still fairly young and will possibly look to gain more assets near the trade deadline by shopping Howard.
Drafting Malik Monk and Dwayne Bacon provides the Hornets with more scoring options to take the load from Kemba Walker and allow Howard to focus on defense.
With more shooting on the floor, Howard can operate better in space. Bringing in Michael Carter-Williams gives Charlotte a long, pass-first point guard to distribute the ball and possibly allow Walker to play off the ball more.
The Hornets’ ceiling may be relatively low, but the team clearly has the talent to make a push in this new landscape.
Projected starting lineup: Kemba Walker, Nicolas Batum, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Marvin Williams, Dwight Howard
No. 3 – Washington Wizards
Outgoing Players: Bojan Bogdanovic (free agency), Brandon Jennings (free agency)
Incoming Players: Jodie Meeks (free agency), Mike Scott (free agency), Tim Frazier (trade)
Re-signed Players: Otto Porter, John Wall (extension)
The Washington Wizards stayed relatively still this offseason making no major moves.
The team’s top priority going into the summer was re-signing restricted free agent Otto Porter. After Porter received a max offer from the Brooklyn Nets, the Wizards matched the offer to keep their core intact.
In addition to signing Porter to a large deal, the Wizards were able to get John Wall to sign an extension.
With John Wall, Otto Porter and Bradley Beal under contract for the next few years, the Wizards have a solid core to build around. The Wizards threatened to knock off the No. 1 seed Celtics last season in the second round of the Playoffs. After a seven-game series, the Wizards fell short of advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals.
The addition of Jodie Meeks to the bench will give the Wizards a knockdown shooter from the perimeter, if healthy.
The Wizards lost some of their offensive fire power with the departures of Bojan Bogdanovic and Brandon Jennings. The Wizards are relying on the chemistry of Wall, Beal and Porter to continue to develop.
The Eastern Conference might also be up for grabs now that Kyrie Irving seems unhappy in Cleveland. Throw in the fact we have yet to see how the Celtics will perform with their addition of Gordon Hayward, and it seems like the Wizards have the most stability and consistency among the top teams.
Keeping everything together may have been the best move for the Wizards.
Projected starting lineup: John Wall, Bradley Beal, Otto Porter, Markieff Morris, Marcin Gortat
No. 2 – Miami Heat
Outgoing Players: Josh McRoberts (trade), Chris Bosh (waived)
Incoming Players: Bam Abedayo (draft), Kelly Olynyk (free agency), A.J. Hammons (trade)
Re-signed Players: Dion Waiters, Udonis Haslem, James Johnson
The Miami Heat had an up and down season last year. The Heat started out cold, but had a two-month stretch where they were the best team in the league. The run had them threatening to make the playoffs.
With a young team filled with D-Leaguers and castoffs, the Heat overachieved to many.
With their surprising success, the Heat did not make a lot of changes. After striking out on signing Gordon Hayward, the Heat opted to bring back Dion Waiters, James Johnson and Udonis Haslem. Both Waiters and Johnson took steps in the right direction as leaders of this young team and hope to continue that progress.
The Heat’s big free agent acquisition of Kelly Olynyk was a head scratcher after they drafted Bam Adebayo. Olynyk provides the Heat with a stretch big man who can also bang on the interior.
The team’s overall direction is a little blurry. But the young talent they have gives them a lot of hope.
Justise Winslow suffered a season-ending injury early last season. His return to the Miami Heat roster will be a welcomed addition. If they stay hot, they should be well within the Playoff race and a favorite to take one of the suddenly open spots.
Projected starting lineup: Goran Dragic, Dion Waiters, Justise Winslow, James Johnson, Hassan Whiteside
No. 1 – Orlando Magic
Outgoing Players: Jeff Green (free agency), C.J. Watson (waived), Jodie Meeks (free agency), Damjan Rudez (free agency)
Incoming Players: Jonathan Isaac (draft) Wesley Iwundu (draft), Shelvin Mack (free agency), Jonathon Simmons (free agency), Arron Afflalo (free agency), Marreese Speights (free agency), Khem Birch (free agency)
Patience was the name of the game for the Orlando Magic this offseason. The Magic filled a few of their needs by acquiring Arron Afflalo and Marreese Speights to shore up the teams shooting woes. Arron Afflalo, Marreese Speights and Shelvin Mack also give the Magic a strong veteran presence to help groom their young core.
The Magic’s biggest surprise was the signing of Johnathon Simmons. Simmons took a leap forward in this year’s Playoffs with the San Antonio Spurs after injuries to Tony Parker and Kawhi Leonard. Simmons is a gritty player looking to make a name for himself. His attitude and drive is something the Magic have not had for quite some time.
During the draft, the Magic took Jonathan Isaac and Wesley Iwundu, two great defenders with length. Isaac figures to be a cornerstone for the Magic. He will make an immediate impact on the defensive end. With so much depth on the wings, Iwundu will have to fight for time on the floor.
The Magic are still relatively young. With Frank Vogel coaching for the second straight season, the defense for Orlando should improve immensely. Defense will be what this team relies on to get wins.
The contracts the three veteran acquisitions signed are all team friendly and give Orlando flexibility moving forward. It was a good summer for the Magic.
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