2012 NBA Offseason: Grading the Southeast Division
By Matt Shetler
Today I take a look at Part 3 of my six part series in looking at each NBA team’s offseason moves. After grading the teams in the Atlantic and Central Division’s, it’s time to take a look at the teams in the Southeast Division.
Did LeBron James and the champion Miami Heat do enough to repeat? Will the Washington Wizards and Charlotte Bobcats be as woeful as they were a season ago?
Let’s take a look at that and much more as I dive into my offseason grades for the Southeast Division.
Atlanta Hawks
Players Added
NBA Draft: G John Jenkins, F Mike Scott
Free Agents: G Lou Williams
Trades: G Devin Harris, F Kyle Korver, G Johan Petro, F Anthony Morrow, F Jordan Williams, F DeShawn Stevenson
Players Lost
Free Agents: C Jason Collins, G Kirk Hinrich, F Vladimir Radmanovic, G Jerry Stackhouse
Trades: F Marvin Williams, G Joe Johnson
Waived: G Jordan Farmar
Is it too early to give Danny Ferry the Executive of the Year Award?
Just two weeks on the job, Ferry found the only general manager in the league willing to give up expiring contracts for the remaining $89 million left on Johnson’s contract, got another expiring contract for Marvin Williams, picked up a free-agent bargain in Lou Williams and suddenly has the team poised to be a serious player in the free-agent market of 2013.
Theoretically, the Hawks could add both Dwight Howard and Chris Paul next year. They’ll have just three players under contract. Even if they can’t persuade either All-Star to come to Atlanta, they’ll still have major room to attract other top-tier free agents.
They may be a little worse this season, but still have the talent to contend for a playoff spot, but this has been a very productive offseason for the Hawks. Grade: A
Charlotte Bobcats
Players Added
NBA Draft: F Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, F Jeff Taylor
Free Agents: G Ramon Sessions, C Brendan Haywood (amnesty awarded)
Trades: G Ben Gordon
Players Lost
Free Agents: G D.J. Augustin
Trades: F Corey Maggette
Waived: F Jamario Moon
The Bobcats had a nice draft adding MKG and Jeff Taylor and upgraded the point guard spot by essentially swapping D.J. Augustin for Ramon Sessions. But while they needed some shooting, taking on the $25.6 million still owed to Ben Gordon. While most rebuilding teams clear cap space, Michael Jordan just continues to add bad salaries. Grade: C+
Miami Heat
Players Added
NBA Draft: C Justin Hamilton
Free Agents: G Ray Allen, F Rashard Lewis
Players Lost
None
The champs lost no one and added two vets in Allen and Lewis. While they are both past their primes, in this Heat lineup they will be asked to just spot up and shoot 3’s, something both do very well. Grade: A-
Orlando Magic
Players Added
NBA Draft: F Andrew Nicholson, C Kyle O’Quinn
Free Agents: G Jameer Nelson (re-signed)
Trades: F/C Gustavo Ayon
Players Lost
Trades: F Ryan Anderson
Waived: F Von Wafer
The Magic added nothing and lost Ryan Anderson. In addition the Dwight Howard saga is completely out of control. It’s going to be a long way back for the Magic. Grade: F (could change if they get a nice haul for Howard).
Washington Wizards
Players Added
NBA Draft: G Bradley Beal, G Tomas Satoransky
Free Agents: F Cartier Martin (re-signed), G A.J. Price
Trades: F Trevor Ariza, C Emeka Okafor
Players Lost
Trades: F Rashard Lewis
Waived: F Andray Blatche (amnesty)
I wasn’t crazy about the deal for Okafor and Ariza. The Wizards sacrificed cap space for the future for two bad contracts. Teams that aren’t ready to win shouldn’t be making win-now type of trades. With that being said, a front-line of Nene-Okafor-Ariza could be pretty good and I love Washington getting Brad Beal in the draft. Washington could be a sleeper playoff team this season. Grade: B
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