NBA's Pacific Division: Offseason Report Card
Golden State Warriors: D+
The franchise is in the midst of going through an ownership turnover and is trying to field a more competitive team that can compete for the playoffs.
The team dealt away promising young big Anthony Randolph, durable backup center Ronny Turiaf, and efficient wing Kelenna Azubuike in a sign and trade for David Lee.
True Warriors fans know that Randolph is capable of greatness considering his over length, athleticism, and basketball skill level, but was subjected to the coaching oddities of Don Nelson.
Turiaf also emerged as an extremely dependable big for them last season, especially amidst all of the injuries the team had suffered.
Anthony Morrow was also a steady contributor, averaging 13 points per game and being amongst the top three-point assassins in the game.
The team also selected another athletic big in Ekpe Udoh when the team had similar talents in Brandon Wright and Andres Biedrins and very much needed a starting small forward.
Let’s get back to David Lee, who did emerge as an All-Star last season averaging 20 points and 10 rebounds per contest for the Knicks.
Yes, Mike D’Antoni’s run and gun New York Knicks. Also known as the stat inflator.
So as much as Lee had a breakout year averaging 20 and 10 it should be known that he did it with a high-pace system and playing at center, a slot he will likely see less time at with Golden State.
I'm unsure if someone of his stature was truly worth five years, $80 million.
The new ownership is a start in the Bay Area, but Golden State will need to terminate Don Nelson and the shenanigans that come with him before truly emerging as a franchise.
Los Angeles Clippers: B-
The Clippers came into the offseason with the ability to shell max money for someone and will enter the season without a newly acquired star on the roster.
Still, unlike some other clubs with the ability to extend deep pockets this offseason (Ahem New Jersey…my throat hurts), the Clippers spent wisely on some key free agents instead of shelling out contracts just because they had the ability to.
Forward Ryan Gomes and guard Randy Foye will be a nice fit for Los Angeles’ depth. Gomes was had at a particularly low price tag.
The former Providence College Friar can provide consistency at the 3 slot and can even play some spot minutes at the 4.
Foye is a nice combo guard who should be able to fill in nicely behind Baron Davis and Eric Gordon.
The team also did a fine job on draft day picking up an athletic wing who should be able to fill in immediately next to Blake Griffin and Chris Kaman and one of the better point guards in the draft in Eric Bledsoe.
The team will need a full season to evaluate Blake Griffin and see exactly what course is necessary for this present team.
All in all it was a very steady, solid, and safe offseason in Clipper County.
Los Angeles Lakers: A-
When a team is coming off a championship usually the course of action that offseason is to ensure the team for the most part remains in tact.
Somehow not only are the usual cast of Lakers characters returning for another title run, but general manager Mitch Kupchak and the Lakers front office were actually able to improve their roster.
The team toyed with the idea of signing Mike Miller, but opted to save a few bucks and was able to lure former adversary Matt Barnes.
Barnes is one of more underrated wing defenders in the league and was vital in Orlando’s success last season.
Matt can play either wing effectively and would ensure that Kobe Bryant is never stuck guarding the other team’s prime wing talent.
Steve Blake would also be a welcomed addition to the triangle offense and can either start immediately for this club or spell the aging Fisher aptly.
Finally, the team was able to retain the aforementioned Fisher and backup guard standout Shannon Brown.
The Lakers were able to secure small holes on the team and add even more depth to areas with some aging talents.
LA has ensured themselves as the team to beat in the league yet another year.
Phoenix Suns: D-
It is understandable to shy away from signing Amar'e Stoudemire to a six-year deal worth max money knowing his injury history and the fact that most NBA high school draftees start deteriorating physically at a younger age.
So should the Suns really be blamed for not offering STAT max money even though he just led them to the conference finals?
Perhaps not.
Unlike New York though, Phoenix had not set themselves up well for a backup plan.
The team opted to then sign Josh Childress, a small forward, and trade Leandro Barbosa for another highly paid small forward in Hedo Turkoglu.
With Grant Hill and Jared Dudley on the roster, the team now has four small forwards seeking starters minutes and being paid as such.
On top of this, the team replaced Amar'e Stoudemire with Hakim Warrick.
Saying that is a major downgrade is an extreme understatement.
So in conclusion, Phoenix got much worse and thanks to acquiring Hedo will be cap strapped and of course do not seem to have a logical plan for the future.
Bad offseason Suns fans.
Sacramento Kings: B+
The Kings, once a team seemingly in disarray, now seem to have an identity and a nice future duo.
Sacramento wisely chose DeMarcus Cousins with the fifth pick in the 2010 draft.
If the Summer League is any indication of future success (more often it is a failure of disappointments) Cousins should have a nice career as a King.
A Cousins-Evans duo now gives Sacramento a nice young inside-outside combo that may remind some old school fans of the Orlando days of Penny and Shaq.
The team also has a nice shooter who can handle the ball and pass at the 3 in Omri Casspi and of course Jason Thompson returning at the 4.
The other pickup this offseason was acquiring Samuel Dalembert from the Philadelphia 76ers.
Dalembert is a length veteran center who should be able to provide ample backup minutes at center for Cousins and provide a necessary defensive presence up front.
The team should greatly benefit from a full training camp with their young core together and could surprise many by making a run for a playoff slot.
