The NBA offseason is a rollercoaster that doesn’t end until the new season begins.
From free agency to trade negotiations, there’s never a dull moment in the offseason, even if the team is on vacation or taking a break before training camp starts in September like they do now!
Rumors of trades for All-Stars like Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Donovan Mitchell and Russell Westbrook continue to circulate in the league on a daily basis, and what to discuss as we look ahead to the 2022-23 season. There are still many.
New players and new teams have emerged as threats, and after the first game of the 2022-23 season, new rumors begin to form that could change the league’s trajectory.
From recaping what happened or didn’t happen this offseason to predicting what will happen as the NBA gears up for the new season, I’m doing my best as always. to answer these and other questions submitted by fans across the league for the latest edition of Fastbreak.of “NBA fan mail bag”
1. Which team was the biggest “winner” of the offseason?
Any team will always make good and bad moves in the offseason, but honestly, both of these definitions are a matter of opinion.
For me, the three teams that stood out in the free agency and trade market this offseason were the Boston Celtics, the Sacramento Kings and the Philadelphia 76ers. Each of these teams added talent to their roster, but none really gave up much value in the process.
Looking at the Celtics, they’re well on their way to the NBA Finals, and now they’re not only taking back the entire core from this championship-capable team, but adding Malcolm Brogdon and Danilo Gallinari. Additionally, Brad Stevens has always had a trick up his sleeve and has proven aggressive when it comes to adding winning talent to the Celtics, so he’ll likely be back before or during the 2022-23 season. It is very likely that you will consider adding more talent to your .
The Kings added Kevin Harter, Malik Monk, KZ Okpala and rookie Keegan Murray. These will all be key talents like Domantas Sabonis and De’Aaron Fox. I think I have a good chance of claiming an in-tournament spot.
As for the 76ers, not only did they take All-Star James Harden a nearly $15 million salary cut, but the team was able to sign Danuel House Jr. and veteran PJ Tucker as a result. Philadelphia also transferred Danny Green, who is out with a torn ACL, to Memphis Grizzlies’ Deanthony Melton. The Sixers are winning now.
2. Can the team take a chance on Dennis Schroeder before training camp?
It turns out Dennis Schroeder wasn’t worth much in the trade market last season when he was with the Boston Celtics, and he didn’t have a market in free agency last offseason either. Start with Boston.
It’s a bit shocking that no team has shown interest in signing Dennis Schroeder this offseason, but it all goes back to the numbers the veteran guard has imposed on himself. Teams across the league don’t see him as a core building block, instead he’s the role he played in the 2018-19 season and his Thunder in Oklahoma City in the 2019-20 season, which means he’s sixth overall. The bench is considered his talent.
Perhaps the Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks would be interested in signing him, given that they still have open rosters and are looking to add backcourt thickness behind the All-Star point guard. But Dennis Schroeder currently has no market and is unlikely to. Change at this time of the off season. Where he will play basketball during his 2022-23 season remains a big mystery.
3. Do you think Donovan Mitchell, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant will be traded by the end of the year?
There are always people asking the million-dollar question, “Will this All-Star be traded?”
Of course, everyone wants answers to all three of these questions, but let’s be honest, with the Utah Jazz and Minnesota Timberwolves killing, burying, and closing the cemetery where the trading market currently resides, no one is really there at this point. don’t know.
No team in the league can pay the price the Brooklyn Nets gave Kevin Durant, and we’re starting to get to that point with the Utah Jazz and Donovan Mitchell.
In the trade, they received five players and five first-round picks from the Timberwolves.
If I had to answer honestly, I would say that Donovan Mitchell is leaning ’60-40′ in favor of moving to the New York Knicks this offseason, but this may not be two teams. This complicates things and could end trade negotiations altogether. As for Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, it is currently suggested that both All-Stars will remain with the Nets for his 2022-23 season. Guess we’ll have to wait and see how this unfolds!
4. Of the teams that missed the playoffs this past season, which do you think will be the most likely to qualify for the playoffs during the 2022-23 season?
Call me crazy, but I’m a firm believer that the Sacramento Kings, at least for now, will make the Western Conference playoffs through play-in tournaments. ‘s one bold prediction, and if there is a bandwagon for this team, I’m sure many are jumping on the Kings bandwagon now.
See… Kings have been teased enough that all good things, and in this case bad things, come to an end at some point. Not making the playoffs for 16 consecutive seasons is a really bad idea, but I really like the move this franchise has made this offseason.
Next to Paolo Banchero, Keegan Murray is on the early Rookie of the Year list for next season, and alongside Dearon Fox and Domantas Sabonis, the franchise has Harrison Barnes, Kevin・Herter, Keegan Murray, Malik Monk, Davion Mitchell, and Rishawn. Holmes.
Again, I may be crazy, but I believe this Kings team is competitive and will win 35+ games this year to qualify for the play-in tournament.
5. Looking ahead to the 2022-23 trade deadline, which players are the most talked about and most likely to move?
Aside from Donovan Mitchell, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, not many players have been called “trade blocked” this offseason. At this point, many teams are happy with what they’ve accomplished in the offseason and have no intention of making any other deals before the start of next season.
Looking ahead, however, there are some key names sticking out as potential trade deadline targets across the league. Eric Gordon (Houston Rockets), Bojan Bogdanovic (Utah Jazz), Jordan Clarkson (Utah Jazz), Josh Richardson (San Antonio Spurs), Will Burton (Washington Wizards) All are seasoned veterans and potential trade targets for competing franchises.
Myles Turner (Indiana Pacers) could also be added to this list as he has been the team’s trade deadline target every season since he was drafted by the Indiana Pacers in 2015.
Compared to past seasons, the 2022-23 season has the potential to be a very competitive season, with only 3-4 teams failing to make the playoffs. This year will be high-level basketball throughout the NBA, so get ready!
