NBA's Atlantic Division: Offseason Report Card

It's that time of year again.  Grade reporting time.

First we'll start with the Atlantic Division where we can see why this offseason was perhaps the biggest one in NBA history.

Boston Celtics: B+

The Celtics had probably a much greater challenge entering the offseason than people realize.

Pierce and Ray Allen’s deals were up and head coach Doc Rivers was considering retirement.

The team was on the verge of a major shakeup, a deterrent for a true title contender.

On top of everything, the team also needed to ensure they had replacements for Kendrick Perkins, who will start the season on the injury reserve, and the retired Rasheed Wallace.

Boston also had far fewer trading assets to dangle in order to fill in these voids.

Boston was surprisingly able to fill in most of their voids.

Netting Shaquille O'Neal for the league minimum is a steal considering other contracts allotted to serviceable centers over the years.

The team also was able to spend their mid-level exception wisely on long-time effective post player, Jermaine O’Neal.

The Celtics were also able to retain Nate Robinson, who should benefit from a full training camp, and Marquis Daniels for reasonable price tags.

The major negative was Boston’s inability to replace the departed Tony Allen and acquire a talented backup two-guard.

With Boston being very limited in assets and exhausting their cap constraints, it will be hard to see how the team can acquire such a talent.

The void can certainly not be sufficiently filled by Marquis Daniels, rookie Avery Bradley, or recently acquired troublemaker Von Wafer.

New York Knicks: B+

The Knicks have been waiting forever for the summer of 2010.

LeBron was available, as were Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, and even Joe Johnson.

And who was the Knicks big free agent acquisition?

Amar'e Stoudemire?

Stoudemire does have familiarity with coach D’Antoni and a fast-paced system, and does seem like the perfect big man in such a style.

The team may also benefit ticket sales wise with the newly acquired information regarding Amar'e’s ties to Judaism.

With everything that had transpired, New York actually did quite well this offseason.

Prior to the summer’s frenzy few pundits (props to Stephen A. Smith) believed Miami was going to pull off such an offseason, and believed James and Wade would seemingly decide between staying with their teams or going to Chicago or New York.

It is difficult to really fault New York for not landing one of three free agent studs since we now know that LeBron does not want to be the No. 1 guy and will shy away from a demanding large market and that Chris Bosh will follow his buddy Dwyane Wade like a lap dog (thank you Stan Van Gundy).

Looking back there was no reason to believe New York was even a contender.

New York does deserve enormous credit for having a backup plan.

New York had set themselves up nicely to acquire a nice trio of talent, Anthony Randolph, Ronny Turiaf, Kelenna Azubuike, for a player they really showed little signs of retaining in David Lee.

Randolph had always been in Coach Don Nelson’s dog house back in Golden State, but had shown enough overall talents and athletic ability to warrant true promise.

Playing alongside Stoudemire in a Mike D’Antoni fast-paced system should greatly benefit him.

The team also ensured a solid point guard for years to come with the signing of Ray Felton.

Considering how much the Bobcats seemingly needed Ray to return it is surprising to see that New York was able to sign him at a reasonable price tag.

New York also signed wing journeyman Roger Mason Jr. who is better known as a terrific three-point shooter, which is always useful under coach D’Antoni.

New Jersey Nets: C

The Nets had high hopes this offseason.

The team was running ad campaigns throughout the summer indicating a promising team.

The ad featured a series of hope for the 12-win team: “New Arena," “New Owner," “A High Draft Pick," “New Head Coach," “28 million in cap space…”

Unfortunately the ad did not feature on actual player currently on the roster.

New Jersey airballed on their first, second, fifth, 18th, and 23rd options, missing out on the trio of James, Wade, and Bosh and then even on Stoudemire, Joe Johnson, and Rudy Gay.

The team wasn’t even able to attain Luis Scola or Tyrus Thomas.

Inevitably the Nets overpaid for mediocre talent in the form of Travis Outlaw, Jordan Farmar, and Anthony Morrow.

Outlaw was a once great sixth man for Portland, but injuries have seemingly deterred any further progress.

Farmer seemed like a nice up and coming point guard for the Lakers a few seasons ago, but regressed last year and even was outplayed by Shannon Brown.

Anthony Morrow was a solid pickup for them, but he is not enough to change the fortunes of this franchise.

The team was at least able to salvage some of their cap on Troy Murphy via a Courtney Lee trade last week.

Murphy should provide ample spacing for Lopez down low and allow for Rookie Derrick Favors to develop accordingly with proper minutes at the backup four slot.

New Jersey will likely head to the lottery one more time with another chance at luring a free agent superstar.

Next time they need to be successful.

Philadelphia 76ers: B-

Philadelphia did not make any loud moves this offseason, but instead ensured they would stay under the luxury tux threshold by trading Samuel Dalembert for Spencer Hawes and Andres Nocioni.

The team has an abundance of small forwards after the trade, but in theory Noch should fit in well under new coach Doug Collins.

Nocioni has not had consistent playing time since his days as a Bull where he was a steady hard nosed rugged small forward who can also play a quick four in a pinch.

Spencer Hawes should also be a nice addition to the team.

Hawes should particularly benefit the play of Elton Brand who should have more room to maneuver the outside shooting of Hawes lingering around the high post.

Rookie Evan Turner may not be in the ideal situation but should still see consistent minutes early on under coach Collins.

The team has also set themselves up well for the future with second-year guard Jrue Holiday now ensconced into the starting PG role.

Holiday looked terrific in the summer league and should be amongst one of the league’s most improved players this season.

Toronto Raptors: C+

For a decent while Hedo Turkuglu’s current contract was considered amongst the league’s worst, right up there with Elton Brand and Rashard Lewis.

So how did General Manager Bryan Colangelo unload Hedo’s albatross of a contract for the talented do-it-all guard, Leandro Barbosa?

Unsure…ask Phoenix.

The Raptors have retained their youth, albeit at a steep price tag, and are now only left with Calderon’s atrocious contract on the books.

The team didn’t get much in a sign and trade with Bosh though and should compete with Minnesota for the league’s worst record.

Still, Raptors fans should be looking up as the 2011 draft boasts a slew of potential studs.

It’s rebuilding time Canadians.