One week out from the Draft and five days into Free Agency, let's take a look around the NBA.
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Many people think Gordon Hayward swerved the Celtics by agreeing to a 4-year/$120-million contract with the Charlotte Hornets, as the general opinion around the NBA was that he was intent on returning to his hometown Indiana Pacers and that the Celtics and Pacers would work out a sign-and-trade.2
I was not all that surprised by the move.
After three injury plagued seasons in Boston, Hayward wanting a fresh start was not surprising at all. When the Celtics signed Hayward in July 2017, there was the expectation he would be a key piece in leading Boston to a championship but the injuries - as well as the emergence of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown - have relegated Hayward to a secondary role.
Hayward also got money from Charlotte that he was unlikely to receive from any other NBA team, including the Pacers. The Hornets are being roasted for giving Hayward that kind of bank, but with a young roster led by LaMelo Ball the Hornets were in need of a steady veteran presence who, if healthy, can still be an excellent player. Hayward will be productive in Charlotte and the Hornets will look at this signing as a good decision.
Danny Ainge is being raked over the coals by Celtics Twitter, who believed Ainge was going to get Myles Turner, Doug McDermott, 1982 Larry Bird, and Jesus Shuttlesworth for Hayward in a sign-and-trade.
Do we know that Indiana was going to match the Charlotte contract? Do we know that Hayward would leave $20-million (or more) on the table to go to Indiana? Do we know that Ainge felt Turner was worth paying?
Charlotte still has not officially announced the Hayward signing, so the possibility of a sign-and-trade between the Celtics and Hornets remains. One possibility for the Celtics would be to sign Hayward and trade him into the Hornets available salary cap space, which would create a Traded Player Exception for Boston. The TPE is too difficult to explain in full detail (so click here if you really need to know more about it) but it basically means the Celtics would have a year to add a player (or players) into that TPE.
After the Hayward news broke, Ainge jumped on Tristan Thompson and Jeff Teague to build roster depth. Thompson gives Boston a physical center known for defense and rebounding. If there are no more roster moves, it should be expected that Thompson will pair with Daniel Theis, Robert Williams, and Grant Williams to give the Celtics a solid rotation of big men. Teague is good veteran point guard to play behind Kemba Walker and teach the young trio of guards taken by Boston in the last three drafts (Carsen Edwards, Tremont Waters, and Payton Pritchard).
So, now what for the Celtics?
I still believe Ainge will turn Hayward into something. Do not discount the TPE, as Ainge would have a year to fit a player into that salary spot to bolster the roster.
The Celtics could probably use one more big man, preferably one who can play both forward spots. Semi Ojeleye is likely to fill this role, but if an upgrade is possible it would be helpful.
Adding an additional wing is also critical. Tatum and Brown are the team leaders, but the depth behind them is thin and untested. 2019 first round pick Romeo Langford is likely to start the season on the injured list, and he did not show enough as a rookie to feel comfortable with him as a key role player on a contender. 2020 first round pick Aaron Nesmith (a favorite of this spot) is promising because of his ability to knock down three-pointers but he's still a rookie and the road from Vanderbilt to the NBA will have its speed bumps. Javonte Green does not inspire much confidence.
The Celtics are deep at ball handler, but there are many questions at the position. Is Kemba healthy? Can Teague play starter minutes for long stretches if Kemba is not healthy? Is Marcus Smart going to be able to balance having to handle the ball and play the wing while also being their defensive leader? What can we expect from Pritchard, Waters, or Edwards?
While it may not be the popular opinion in these parts, it's important to have patience with this roster. Tatum (22) and Brown (23) are young and will be able to carry this team through the majority of the regular season. Giving Kemba time to get his knee right will pay off come the playoffs. Giving opportunities to Nesmith, Pritchard, and Edwards to earn minutes as shot makers to complement Tatum and Brown also could pay off come the playoffs.
And if Ainge can turn Hayward into an asset (which is the likely outcome), this roster could be ready to compete in the East.
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Over a week ago, I was congratulating the Bucks on two moves that not only cemented their status as a title favorite in 2021, but also made the case to Giannis Antetokounmpo to commit long term to Milwaukee.
The Jrue Holiday trade with New Orleans was finalized, but the reported sign-and-trade with the Kings for Bogdan Bogdanovic fell through. Bogdanovic ultimately signed with the Atlanta Hawks.
The Bucks will still be a championship contender, as Giannis is good enough to make almost any roster a contender. Having Khris Middleton and Holiday to support Giannis makes the Bucks a favorite to represent the East in the Finals in 2021.
However, losing out on Bogdanovic hurts their chances this season and, it could help tip Giannis to leaving Milwaukee in free agency next summer. Bogdanovic is a gifted shooter and play maker who would have really helped Milwaukee. Losing him, and seeing him sign with the Hawks, is not a great look for the Bucks management as they try and convince the two-time defending MVP to commit his future to Milwaukee.
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Speaking of the Hawks, they look like they could be a team to watch in the East in 2021.
Two years after being criticized for trading the draft rights to Luka Doncic to acquire Trae Young and a 2019 first round round pick (that they turned into Cam Reddish), the Hawks look ready to compete.
The Doncic trade will always haunt Atlanta if he continues to develop into an MVP candidate. But that hasn't stopped the Hawks from quickly building a competitive team.
Young is now surrounded by wings Bogdan Bogdanovic, Reddish, Tony Snell, De'Andre Hunter, and Kevin Huerter as well as bigs Clint Capela, John Collins, and 2020 first round pick Onyeka Okongwu. Rajon Rondo and Kris Dunn will help Young with ball handling duties.
Expect the Hawks to be a playoff team in 2021 as they build a budding contender in Atlanta.
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The Lakers won the 2020 championship and then three new pieces that make them the favorite to repeat in 2021.
Rob Pelinka let Rondo, Dwight Howard, and Avery Bradley walk in free agency and dealt JaVale McGee and Danny Green. In return they have signed center Marc Gasol, forward Montrezl Harrell, and guard Wesley Matthews while trading for guard Dennis Schroder. The Lakers also re-signed Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Markieff Morris.
LeBron James and Anthony Davis were going to need more help, especially early in the season, due to the quick turn around from the end of last season and the start of this season. These moves allow the Lakers to rest James and Davis without worry of a complete disaster on the court.
James and Davis now have a deep and diverse rotation to support them. Pelinka is the early favorite for Executive of the Year as he re-tooled a championship roster into one that, on paper, looks better right now than it did the night they celebrated with the Larry O'Brien Trophy.
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I wanted to share some thoughts on the Rockets, but until we see what the plan is with James Harden than it's impossible to judge that situation.
My guess is the Brooklyn talks will stall, and if Harden moves teams in 2021 it will be to Philadelphia.
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Happy Thanksgiving, enjoy the stuffing tomorrow!
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