The top ten NBA offseason moves (Part 2)
The NBA offseason has been filled with explosive moves. Old dynasties are fracturing, super teams are emerging and there seems to be an unhealthy arms race brewing in the West. With the NBA season fast approaching, we thought it was time to reflect on the offseason and look at the big player moves that will impact you when you’re picking your teams on Draftstars. Here are numbers five to one on our list of top ten offseason NBA moves.
5. Carmelo Anthony gets traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder
After seven years Melo has left New York and headed west to join up with the Thunder. Anthony joins up with reigning MVP Russell Westbrook and Free Agent Paul George to turn the Thunder into contenders once again. Whilst many believe that Anthony is in decline, he has the potential to have a huge impact this season now that he is surrounded by good players. Anthony will be starting the season with a chip on his shoulder and looks to be a great play on Draftstars for the early part of the season.
4. Jimmy Butler gets traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Timberwolves have been very busy in the offseason, acquiring a number of quality pieces (Teague, Gibson and Crawford) to supplement their young core, but by far their biggest coup is luring All-Star Jimmy Butler away from the Bulls. Butler is an elite scorer and defender who has the ability to launch Minnesota into the playoffs, which is clearly the aim of the team. The Wolves have rebranded over the offseason and will be keen to leave their tag of perennial underachievers behind. The acquisition of Butler is a statement of intent.
3. Chris Paul gets traded to the Houston Rockets
The Rockets have loaded up their back court, trading for Chris Paul, who joins MVP runner up James Harden. On paper this looks like a great deal for the Rocket. Harden gets quality teammate to join him and it gives Houston another avenue to the basket. However, in order to get Paul, the Rockets traded away most of their depth and there is a large question over how the two ball handler will gel. Who is going to run the offense? How much will Harden’s usage reduce to accommodate Paul? These are questions we will find out the answers to as the season unfolds.
2. Paul George gets traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder
PG13 has arrived in OKC in what looks like a one year stop over before he is set to join the Lakers. In a loaded Western conference, how much can he do help MVP Russell Westbrook? That remains to be seen, but OKC look set to bounce back after a disappointing season, with George being joined by Carmelo Anthony. The bigger question is how the addition of George and Anthony will affect Westbrook’s triple-double average. With another two All-Star quality players on the roster, Westbrook should see his usage drop significantly, however he will also have the opportunity to take higher quality shots, so his numbers might not drop by as much as we think.
1. Boston Celtics trade Isaiah Thomas to Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Kyrie Irving
This is the trade that has capped off a truly volatile offseason. The two teams who played in the Conference Finals trading their two starting point guards. Thomas has been packaged up with Jae Crowder and the Nets first round draft pick for a younger, slightly taller Irving who has an extra year on his contract. It is a move that makes sense for both teams and will be hotly debated as to which team got the better deal. Irving gets an opportunity to be the main man and the Cavs get Thomas who can lead the offense when LeBron James is on the bench, but Thomas is set to miss a large chunk of the season with a hip injury. One thing is guaranteed, there will be plenty of hot takes when the two teams face off on the opening night of the season.
NBA SCORING SYSTEM
Base Points
Point Scored = 1 point
Missed Field Goal = -0.25 points
Missed Free Throw = -0.25 points
Assist = 1.5 points
Rebound = 1.25 points
Turnover = -0.5 points
Steal = 2 point
Block = 2 points
Bonuses
3 Point Made = 1 point
Double-Double = 2 points
Triple-Double = 2 points
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