Even if we are in the offseason, the NBA continues to make headlines, given the flurry of transactions we’ve seen in the open market in the past few weeks.
After winning their record 18th NBA title, the Celtics are poised to repeat, according to the NBA 2024 odds, because they didn’t break up their core amid huge financial implications.
However, they are expected to be tested in the Eastern Conference by the Knicks and the Sixers, as they retooled their respective rosters.
Elsewhere in the Western Conference, the Lakers and the Warriors aren’t expected to compete for titles soon because of their aging stars and lack of team-altering moves.
The 2024 offseason is far from over, but most of the biggest moves are already done at this point, and SBOTOP is here to review the some of the winners and losers so far.
Winner: Celtics
Jayson Tatum’s new $315 million deal is now the richest contract in NBA history, surpassing his teammate Jaylen Brown, who signed a $300 million contract last year. Tatum deserved to get the bag since he was integral to breaking the team’s title drought with his all-around play.
Locking down Derrick White is also a shrewd move since it’ll guarantee that he’ll play his prime years for the Celtics. White will earn roughly $125 million for the next four years.
Other than extending Tatum and White, the Celtics kept the band together by re-signing Neemias Queta, Luke Kornet, and Xavier Tillman to new contracts while adding Baylor Scheierman and Anton Watson via the 2024 NBA Draft.
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, and that’s what the Celtics did this summer.
Loser: Lakers
Meanwhile, the Celtics’ age-old rivals, the Lakers, are farther away than they were four seasons ago, when they won their 17th NBA title in franchise history in the Disney Bubble.
As is the case every summer, the Lakers were linked with numerous stars, but they didn’t get any of them, much to the chagrin of their front office.
The only notable moves they’ve made were to re-sign LeBron James and Max Christie to new extensions. James will earn $104 million for the next two years, while Christie will stay for four more years.
The Lakers also brought in JJ Redick, who has no prior coaching experience, to be their next head coach.
Well, at least LeBron James will get to finally share the NBA court with his eldest son, Bronny, who made NBA 2024 news when he was acquired via the No. 55 pick in this year’s NBA Draft.
Winner: Knicks
Knicks fans haven’t felt this good in a long time, as they’re now functioning like a well-oiled machine. After a deep playoff run last season, which almost saw them make it back to the Eastern Conference Finals, New York’s roster got even better this summer.
Despite losing Isaiah Hartenstein, Bojan Bogdanovic, Alec Burks, Shake Milton, and Mamadi Diakite via free agency, the Knicks managed to add Mikal Bridges and Keita Bates-Diop to their ranks while extending OG Anunoby to a five-year contract.
Bridges is delighted to be reunited with his Villanova mates Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Donte DiVincenzo, and all of them are perfect for Tom Thibodeau’s relentless playstyle.
The only thing that’s left to do for them is to bolster their frontcourt depth since Mitchell Robinson and Julius Randle have been injury-prone in the past few seasons.
Loser: Warriors
After winning four NBA championships together, the Warriors have let go of Klay Thompson, as the former Splash Brother will join the Mavericks via a sign-and-trade. Golden State also waived Chris Paul, who joined the Spurs on a one-year deal.
In return, the Warriors brought in Kyle Anderson, Buddy Hield, De’Anthony Melton, and Lindy Waters III. They are nice players, but they don’t exactly move the needle.
Because of their financial constraints, Golden State cannot make a big swing unless they trade Jonathan Kuminga, which they’re unwilling to do.
At best, the Warriors will likely be a play-in team again next season, and it’s only because of the brilliance of their aging stars in Steph Curry and Draymond Green.
Winner: Sixers
After a first-round exit last season, the Sixers pulled off a massive coup by prying Paul George away from the Clippers via a four-year contract. Other than that, Philadelphia managed to extend Tyrese Maxey and Kelly Oubre Jr. Paul George’s arrival gives the Sixers a new Big 3, and Philadelphia also added Eric Gordon, Caleb Martin, and Andre Drummond to cheap deals to strengthen their second unit.
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