The 2017 offseason has probably been one of the craziest offseasons in recent memory because of many superstars changing teams. That being said, many teams improved their roster. These are the 6 teams which I think improved their roster the most.
- Philadelphia 76ers: The “Process” has finally paid off. The trio of Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, and Markelle Fultz has the potential to be the best young team of 2018. In this offseason, the 76ers hit the jackpot in the draft by selecting the No.1 ranked prospect in Markelle Fultz. The team’s one issue is that they have had injury problems in the last few years. Embiid has played only 31 games in his first three seasons in the NBA, Simmons has not stepped foot on an NBA court since he was drafted in last year’s draft, and Fultz was injured in this year’s NBA Summer League.
- Oklahoma City Thunder: If a team gets a superstar as good as Paul George for a penny on the dollar, they immediately win. Oklahoma City got some help for Russell Westbrook this offseason after losing Kevin Durant last year. Even though Paul George is not as good as Durant, there is a strong possibility that the Thunder win 50+ games next season. Click here to see my article about this trade. The Thunder also had a great free agency pickup in Patrick Patterson. He is a stretch forward like Serge Ibaka before he was traded. A shooter like Patterson will help the Thunder space the floor because Westbrook is not the best shooter. If a power forward or center is a good shooter, and he steps out to the three-point line, there is practically nothing between the point guard and the basket, because the defensive big man needs to guard the three point shooting power forward/center.
- Gordon Hayward: I put Gordon Hayward on this list instead of the Boston Celtics because the Celtics did win, but not as much as they could have. Gordon Hayward joined the first title contender he has ever played for, the Boston Celtics, in this offseason. He also will be playing under his college coach, Brad Stevens. It turns out that Stevens and Hayward had spoken about teaming up in Boston before. Now that Hayward is playing in the weak Eastern Conference, he has a very strong chance at making his first Conference Finals ever. As well as that, because many Eastern Conference All-Stars moved to the West this season, Gordon Hayward will make the All-Star team for the second time in his career.
- Phoenix Suns: The Phoenix Suns are in a very good position. They selected the player in the draft who fits them perfectly in Josh Jackson. The Suns’ star
fadeawayworld.com player on the team is Devin Booker, who is a score first shooting guard but lacks a little bit on the defensive end. Josh Jackson is a small forward who can lock-down the opposing team’s best perimeter player. His only weakness is the offensive end. Therefore, Devin Booker and Josh Jackson are a perfect duo. They compliment each other perfectly and the future is bright in Phoenix.
- Chicago Bulls: Most people would say that the Chicago Bulls would be one of the losers of this offseason because the Jimmy Butler trade was not a good deal for the Bulls. Chicago got a great deal for Jimmy Butler in my opinion. I have already written an article about this. Click here to see more.
- Charlotte Hornets: You probably don’t know why the Hornets are on this list. It is because of their two underrated offseason moves. First, they got Dwight Howard for a third-string center in Miles Plumlee and a veteran shooting guard
sportingnews.com in Marco Belinelli. Dwight Howard will be a key piece for Charlotte because they need a reliable, defensive-minded center, and Howard fits that role flawlessly. Then, in the draft, the Hornets got a steal in Malik Monk, who they picked up at No.11. Many people saw Monk going to Orlando at Pick 6, but getting him at 11 was an amazing pickup for the Hornets. The backcourt duo of Kemba Walker and Malik Monk is deadly offensively for any opponents.