Offseason Wrap Up: Who Aced It, Who Blew It?

Let’s get straight into it; here are my offseason awards for the summer of 2010.

AN OFFSEASON TO FORGET

Cleveland Cavaliers

There’s only one way out of this mess and that’s to tear it all down and start over. Anything else would be deluding themselves and their fans. Being a small market team that is unattractive to free agents it is vital they take the slow methodical approach of building through the draft, using Oklahoma City as the model. The patchwork approach that they seem to be favouring will only drag this ‘summer of pain’ out for the next decade or more.

Toronto Raptors

I once believed Bryan Colangelo was a top GM, but now I think he’s lost the plot. In the last few years he has handed out $230m worth of contracts to the likes of Bargnani, Calderon, Kapono, Jack, Johnson, Turkoglu and Kleiza. Yikes. No wonder Bosh skipped town. Drafting Ed Davis may be the only saving grace here.

Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns just spent the offseason setting themself up for mediocrity. They did Toronto a huge favour by taking on the overpaid and overrated Turkoglu, and if they think they can replace Amar’e Stoudemire with Hakim Warrick and Channing Frye, they’ve lost touch with reality. And why are they hoarding small forwards? That’s the preferred position for Turkoglu, Hill, Childress, Dudley and Clark. A rebuild focused on youth would have been the sensible approach.

AN OFFSEASON TO REMEMBER

Miami Heat

The Miami Heat will be an unstoppable force for years to come. All the elements are there; scoring, shooting, rebounding, toughness and defense. For the next 2 years only one team stands in their way – the Los Angeles Lakers. After that, forget about it. Unless another super team is formed.

Chicago Bulls

The Chicago Bulls have finally arrived. Though not a true championship contender (they are still one quality player away), they are a top 4 team in the East and will be a force to be reckoned with in the playoffs. And just like the Blazers, they must love ‘stickin it’ to the Jazz.

Los Angeles Lakers

By making improvements to their championship squad, LA has promptly snuffed out the aspirations of other would-be contenders in the West. And let’s not beat around the bush here, barring an injury to one of their key players, they will be participating in the 2011 NBA Finals. Ditto for Miami.

FREE AGENCY - WHAT WERE THEY THINKING?

I’ll preface this section by saying that I was truly spoilt for choice here. Let’s be frank, GMs were spending like drunken sailors this summer. Some of the contracts handed out to mediocre players were absurd, even by NBA standards.

Darko Milicic (four-years, $20m), Wolves

It makes you wonder how closely David Kahn has payed attention to the NBA over the last few years. If he had, he would have seen the evidence that Milicic is just not cut out for the NBA. Three years ago Memphis gave Darko a 3 year $21m deal, and he failed to live up to it. In spite of this, Kahn saw fit to reward him with a 4 year $20m deal. Did we all miss something; does Kahn know something we don’t? Who am I kidding; this guy is the new ‘Isiah Thomas’. Minnesota fans don’t deserve this.

Joe Johnson (six-years, $124m), Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks better get comfortable being on the outside looking in, because that’s where they are going to stay with this decision. $124m for the guy who averaged 11.8ppg in the second round whitewash against Orlando? That’s no franchise player. The evidence is there; ignore it at your peril.

Drew Gooden (five-years, $32m), Bucks

This is a staggering amount for a guy that is about to play for his 9th different team in 9 seasons. And who exactly were they bidding against? His biggest strength is his rebounding but he far too often looks for his shot, not seeming to recognise his limitations on the offensive end. One positive; that won’t fly under coach Skiles.

FREE AGENT BARGAINS

Udonis Haslem (five-years, $20m), Heat

Re-signing Haslem solidified this team as a true title contender right off the bat. He’s a warrior and the perfect complement to the Miami Big 3. Staying in Miami for far less than market value also says a lot about the guy. His sacrifice will be rewarded.

Matt Barnes (two-years, $3.6m), Lakers

Matt Barnes should be a very bitter man. The one guy who actually deserved a payday once again got screwed, while the likes of those above were showered in undeserved millions. You don’t win championships in this league without a guy like Barnes, and it’s quite perplexing as to why no one wants to pay him. But he landed on his feet in LA where he will finally get the recognition he deserves, just not the payday. Shame.

Ronnie Brewer (three-years, $12.5m), Bulls

I was tempted to go for Steve Blake here but getting Brewer on the cheap is a steal. Despite his inconsistent stroke, he is a big athletic wing who can defend multiple positions, a perfect match for new coach Tom Thibodeau. Teaming in the backcourt with Rose, Brewer will be an important cog in this new and improved Bulls team.

HEAD SCRATCHING TRADES

Corey Maggette from the Warriors to the Bucks for Dan Gadzuric and Charlie Bell

You just know Warriors GM Larry Riley let out a ‘suckers’, when someone actually agreed to take on Maggette and his horrible contract. With the emergence of Bogut and Jennings and the re-signing of Salmons, Maggette was an unnecessary acquisition for the Bucks, especially at that price (three more years at $30m). But like it or not, they have 3 years to incorporate this volume shooter (i.e. ball hog) and lazy defender into the mix. I give it a week before he lands in coach Skiles’s doghouse.

Hedo Turkoglu from the Raptors to the Suns for Leandro Barbosa and Dwayne Jones

Bryan Colangelo deserves credit for unloading Turkoglu, but then again, he should have never signed him to that ridiculous contract in the first place. Barbosa’s similarly overpaid at $7m per, but I know which player I’d rather have. Phoenix, the problem is yours.

Kirk Hinrich and 17^th overall pick Kevin Seraphin from the Bulls to the Wizards for the rights to 2006 second round pick Vladimir Veremeenko

They could have got more for him, but unloading Hinrich and his generous $9m per year salary was not unreasonable. What is unreasonable is Washington’s insistence that you need to put all your eggs in the backcourt basket to be successful in this league. $9m per year for a reserve guard is a luxury they can’t afford, especially with Arenas’s albatross hanging around their neck. My advice, although it appears to be a foreign concept to them, focus on improving your frontcourt if you really want to make strides.

BEST ‘UNDER THE RADAR’ TRADES

Al Jefferson from the Wolves to the Jazz for two future first round picks, a salary cap trade exception and Kosta Koufos

Big Al could ultimately be a better fit in Utah than Boozer, providing more length on defense and a better scorer on the block. And I am sure the low key Jefferson will endear himself to the salt lake city faithful, who no longer have to endure those exaggerated ‘look at me’ screams from Boozer every time he perceives a foul.

David Lee from the Knicks to the Warriors for Kelenna Azubuike, Anthony Randolph, Ronny Turiaf and a future second round pick

A nice trade for both sides, particularly for the Warriors, where Steph Curry and David Lee will form a solid foundation to build around. It’s a pity that foundation doesn’t include Greg Monroe.

Michael Beasley from the Heat to the Wolves for a future second round pick.

It’s hard to write this but nice move by Kahn. But let’s be honest, it’s not as if he burned up the phones to make this deal happen, as it was common knowledge that Beasley could be had for a packet of skittles. The enigmatic Beasley can average 15 points per game in his sleep, so imagine what he could do if he was actually clued into the game. Whether that can happen in Minnesota is another question.

DRAFT DAY BLUNDERS

Ekpe Udoh, No. 6 Warriors

You could see this coming a mile away. Greg Monroe would have been the smart choice but the Warriors typically don’t operate that way. Monroe should be a starting quality center for years to come, but with the arrival of David Lee, Udoh is destined to be a backup power forward. Presumably this pick was based on the belief that they already have a starting center in Andris Biedrins. Although a good rebounder, Biedrins averaged a truly pathetic 16% from the stripe last year, and let’s be honest, he couldn’t throw the ball in the ocean. Just because he is paid like a starting center doesn’t mean he is one. And enough already with drafting raw injury prone 6-10 stringbeans.

Avery Bradley, No. 19 Celtics

Look, Bradley could be a fine player in this league one day but I just don’t understand this pick for the Celtics. Boston has a desperate need for youth on the wings behind the aging Pierce and Allen, and James Anderson, Dominique Jones or Damion James could have provided that. At 6-3 and 180 lbs Bradley will have to make the transition to point guard in order to be successful in this league. And correct me if I am wrong, but the Cs already have a young superstar at that position who recently signed a lucrative extension. A trade is inevitable. And I don’t know about you, but I have a hard time trusting the man who 2 years ago drafted JR Giddens with a first round pick.

Gordon Hayward, No. 9 Jazz

The Jazz needed a home run with this gifted pick but I fear all they got was a serviceable role player, at best. They could have filled their two glaring holes, an athletic scoring wing to take the burden off Williams in the backcourt (Henry/George), and more importantly, size and muscle upfront with a defensive focus (Aldrich) to battle the likes of the Lakers in the playoffs. A missed opportunity, but not surprising if you look at their recent draft history (Maynor (traded), Koufos (traded), Almond (waived))

STEALS OF THE DRAFT

DeMarcus Cousins, No. 5 Kings

Ok, I admit it, there is a bust potential on Cousins due to his surly demeanour and negative attitude, but the rewards could be enormous. His ‘edgy’ personality may in fact help him to succeed at the center position, where let’s be frank, too many softies roam the paint. In a league where true bigs are becoming scarce, if Cousins does fulfil his potential he could be a monster. He has all the tools, he just needs to discover that burning ambition to be great. And I still can’t believe Minnesota passed on him, considering they are crying out for something resembling an NBA center. But that’s their MO, to butcher the draft. Need I remind you of the players they have passed over in recent years: Granger, Roy (traded), Westbrook, Curry, Jennings etc.

Cole Aldrich, No. 11 Thunder (from Hornets)

Oklahoma City gave up the rights to the 21^st and 26^th pick in a 15 man draft, in exchange for the 11^th pick Cole Aldrich. Sam Presti is a genius. Aldrich won’t be confused for a star and may not even be a starter, but he could be a valuable rotational big on a contending team. That’s funny, I thought New Orleans were in need of the same thing. My mistake, I forgot they have Darius Songaila. And some people question Chris Paul’s desire to leave the penny pinching Hornets.

Lance Stephenson, No. 40 Pacers

The Pacers had nothing to lose with the 40^th pick in the draft and they rightfully swung for the fences with Stephenson. He may not turn out to be the star once predicted, but his form and versatility in summer league proved he could be a nice contributor. Seemed like the perfect low risk pick for the Knicks at 38 or 39.