After going through the bottom-10 teams in the first part of my annual 30-1 recap of every NBA team’s offseason, we arrive at the middle 10. The top 10 will be revealed Thursday.
Again, for the uninitiated: These aren’t power rankings. They’re just an opinion of how well each team did, or didn’t, improve during the offseason. I put the Memphis Grizzlies at No. 30 this year because, other than taking Zach Edey ninth in the draft, they didn’t do very much. As noted in the piece, their biggest offseason question is whether Ja Morant returns to being Ja Morant, something we won’t know until we see him back on the court in October. If he does, the Grizzlies will be right back in the mix in the Western Conference. We’ll all find out together.
In the meantime, we continue with teams 20-11. Most of these teams made significant changes to their roster, both through the draft and trades, and they either fit the direction in which the team was already going or were a welcome corrective to a philosophy that wasn’t working.
In the intro to Nos. 30-21, I listed two important bullet points as I do every year I do these rankings:
• If your team is ranked in the top 10, it doesn’t mean I love your team.
• If your team is ranked in the bottom 10, it doesn’t mean I hate your team.
What does that mean for these middle 10? Both. I don’t love your team, and I don’t hate your team. But the team you love may be here between the meh and the best, and it’s a mix. It features six teams (including two that lost in the Play-In Tournament) that missed the playoffs and two conference finalists.
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If you need a refresher about how we go about this and what this is all about, you can re-read the intro. But specifically, as this just covers the offseason, here’s what these rankings are not: a predicted order of finish for next season.
Salary numbers, with a couple of exceptions, come from Spotrac, which stays on top of this stuff as well as anyone east of Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report. Draft pick details are from both Spotrac and RealGM.
Here are Nos. 20-11.
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2023-24 record: 46-36; lost in Play-In
Added: F Kyle Anderson (three years, $27.7M, sign-and-trade from Minnesota); G/F Buddy Hield (four years, $37.8M, sign-and-trade from Philadelphia); G De’Anthony Melton (one year, $12.8M); F Lindy Waters III (acquired from Oklahoma City); C Quinten Post (second round, 52nd pick) G Reece Beekman (two-way); G Daeqwon Plowden (two-way); F Jackson Rowe (Exhibit 10): 2025 second-round pick (acquired from Dallas; less favorable of Philadelphia or Denver picks); 2031 second-round pick (acquired from Dallas)
Lost: G Klay Thompson (sign-and-trade to Dallas); G Chris Paul (waived); 2031 second-round pick (traded to Philadelphia via Dallas)
Retained: G Gary Payton II (exercised 2024-25 player option)
Extended: None
Returning from injury: None
The skinny: I know the hope in the Bay was Paul George. But that always felt more like a Warriors pipe dream than something the Clippers would actually do. (Can you imagine the blowback in Los Angeles if the Clippers not only closed their contending window by moving George but extended Steph Curry’s and Draymond Green’s in the process?) And, I also know Thompson’s departure hits this franchise hard, on a psychic level. But getting three solid vets with overlapping skills in Anderson, Melton and Hield to fill in around Curry, Green, Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski is about the best Golden State could have done this time around. The Warriors are stuck: they’ll never be lottery bad with Steph and Draymond around. But they’re no longer realistic title contenders, either, and it would have been silly to expect ownership to keep spending like they were.
2023-24 record: 14-68; did not make playoffs
Added: F Tobias Harris (two years, $52M); C Paul Reed (claimed off waivers from Philadelphia); G/F Malik Beasley (one year, $6M); F Simone Fontecchio (two years, $16M); G Tim Hardaway Jr. (acquired from Dallas); G Wendell Moore Jr. (acquired from Minnesota); G/F Ron Holland III (first round, fifth pick); F Bobi Klintman (draft rights acquired from Minnesota); G Daniss Jenkins (two-way); 2025 second-round pick (acquired from Dallas via Toronto); two 2028 second-round picks (acquired from Dallas); hired Trajan Langdon as president of basketball operations; hired head coach J.B. Bickerstaff
Lost: G Quentin Grimes (traded to Dallas); G Cam Spencer (draft rights traded to Memphis); G/F Evan Fournier (Pistons declined 2024-25 club option); C Chimeze Metu (Pistons declined 2024-25 club option); G Stanley Umude (Pistons declined 2024-25 club option); fired former general manager Troy Weaver; fired former coach Monty Williams
Retained: None
Extended: G Cade Cunningham (five years, $224M)
Returning from injury: G/F Ausar Thompson (blood clot)
The skinny: After years of unsuccessful tanking, Tom Gores cleaned house again, bringing in Langdon from New Orleans to run things. Detroit broke its substantial cap room up into pieces to improve the roster around Cunningham and Thompson with solid vets, hoping they can help them and the team’s other young vets. Harris, Reed and Hardaway can all still play, but I’m not sure how much they collectively can raise the Pistons’ floor. After so many years of dreadful basketball in the Motor City, though, I can understand the desire to hunt a Play-In spot to keep the fanbase engaged. With so many other teams in the East in full tank mode for the 2025 draft, Detroit may get in the postseason by default.
2023-24 record: 49-33; lost in first round
Added: G Gary Trent Jr. (one year, $2.6M); F Taurean Prince (one year, $2.9M); G Delon Wright (one year, $3M); A.J. Johnson (first round, 23rd pick); F Tyler Smith (second round, 33rd pick); G Stanley Umude (two-way); Anžejs Pasečņiks (two-way)
Lost: G Patrick Beverley (signed with Hapoel Tel Aviv); G Malik Beasley (signed with Detroit); F Jaylin Galloway (waived); G Andrew Funk (waived); F Thanasis Antetokounmpo (torn Achilles; expected to miss all of the 2024-25 season)
Retained: None
Extended: None
Returning from injury: F Khris Middleton (arthroscopic surgery, L/R ankles)
The skinny: At the second apron, the Bucks couldn’t improve their roster other than with the draft and vet minimums. Considering that, they did OK. Johnson was, to put it kindly, a reach at No. 23; while he has upside, for a team that needs to win now, there were more polished prospects to take. Smith, the G League Ignite forward, has just as good a chance to be a contributor next season. But adding Trent, Prince and Wright to the rotation for next to nothing was good work by GM Jon Horst and the front office. Most importantly, Giannis Antetokounmpo, who averaged 25.8 points per game on 67.8 percent shooting for Greece in the Olympics, looked as if he’s all the way back from the left calf strain that kept him out of the playoffs.
2023-24 record: 41-41; did not make playoffs
Added: F A.J. Griffin (acquired from Atlanta); G Reed Sheppard (first round, third pick); F N’Faly Dante (two-way); G Nate Williams (two-way); F Jack McVeigh (two-way); G Nate Hinton (Exhibit 10); F Jermaine Samuels (Exhibit 10)
Lost: G Pelle Larsson (draft rights traded to Miami)
Retained: G Aaron Holiday (two years, $9.6M); F Jeff Green (Rockets exercised 2024-25 club option); F Jae’Sean Tate (Rockets exercised 2024-25 club option)
Extended: None
Returning from injury: C Steven Adams (surgery, right posterior cruciate ligament); F/C Alperen Şengün (Grade 3 ankle sprain); F Tari Eason (left leg surgery)
The skinny: Houston got a good one in Sheppard, whose in-the-building range will fit right into the Rockets’ rotation. There will be nights when he’s overmatched physically on defense, but Ime Udoka has a lot of options to help him out at that end. Ideally, Adams, acquired in February, will return strong after missing much of the last couple of years with injuries and help ease the physical load as a backup to Şengün, who was having a great season before getting hurt. Houston should be a better team next season, but in the West, that doesn’t necessarily mean a playoff berth is a sure thing. Doesn’t matter. The Rockets are definitely on the right path.
2023-24 record: 39-43; lost in Play-In
Added: F/G Josh Giddey (acquired from Oklahoma City); F Chris Duarte (acquired from Sacramento); F/C Jalen Smith (three years, $27M); F Matas Buzelis (first round, 11th pick); F Adama Sanogo (two-way); G D.J. Steward (two-way); F Marcus Domask (Exhibit 10)
Lost: G DeMar DeRozan (sign-and-traded to Sacramento); G Alex Caruso (traded to Oklahoma City); C Andre Drummond (signed with Philadelphia); F RaiQuan Gray (waived)
Retained: F Torrey Craig (picked up 2024-25 player option)
Extended: F Patrick Williams (five years, $90M)
Returning from injury: G Lonzo Ball (left meniscus tear/replacement); Williams (initial bone edema, left foot)
The skinny: I like what Chicago did this offseason. It’s not sexy or needle-moving, but at least it’s a clear direction: Getting younger, with more versatility. With no one looking like they’re going to take Zach LaVine off Chicago’s hands any time soon, the Bulls pivoted and moved DeRozan, which should produce a more diversified offense going forward. Giddey, who had some real good minutes for Australia at the Olympics, will handle the ball or be a secondary or tertiary distributor with Coby White — or with Ball, if he can, at long last, return to the court. Buzelis is a Chicago-area native who has significant offensive potential if he can get stronger. Chicago could definitely stand to get into the top of the 2025 draft and add more talent to its core. But, hopefully, the days of chasing a Play-In berth like it’s something meaningful are over.
2023-24 record: 15-67; did not make playoffs
Added: C Jonas Valančiūnas (sign-and-trade from New Orleans); F Saddiq Bey (three years, $19M); G Malcolm Brogdon (acquired from Portland); F/C Alex Sarr (first round, second pick); G Bub Carrington (draft rights acquired from Portland); G/F Kyshawn George (draft rights acquired from New York); 2029 first-round pick (acquired from Portland; second-most favorable among Boston, Portland, Milwaukee); 2028, 2030 second-round picks (acquired from Portland)
Lost: F Deni Avdija (traded to Portland); G Tyus Jones (signed with Phoenix); 2027 second-round pick (traded to New Orleans via Chicago; protected 31-50)
Retained: C Richaun Holmes (two years, $25.9M); F Anthony Gill (two years, $4.7M)
Extended: None
Returning from injury: F Bilal Coulibaly (wrist contusion)
The skinny: Slowly, Washington is overhauling its roster to get younger, longer and more versatile. But make no mistake: The Wizards plan to be bad next season, to have their best shot at getting a pick at or near the top of the loaded 2025 draft. Valančiūnas, a target of LeBron James and the Lakers, isn’t part of the long-term timeline, but his presence will allow the Wizards to bring along Sarr more slowly, saving him from nightly beatings in the paint his first year or two in the league. The Wizards jumped back into the first round to get Carrington, who they think has big upside. It cost them Avdija, who made a huge jump last season. But Washington’s in the asset accumulation business now, and four picks for Avdija were too much to pass up.
2023-24 record: 47-35; lost in Eastern Conference finals
Added: C James Wiseman (two years, $4.8M); G Tristen Newton (second round, 49th pick); F Enrique Freeman (second round, 50th pick); F Johnny Furphy (draft rights acquired from San Antonio); F Cole Swider (Exhibit 9)
Lost: F/C Jalen Smith (signed with Chicago); G Juan Núñez (draft rights traded to San Antonio)
Retained: F Pascal Siakam (four years, $188.9M); F Obi Toppin (four years, $58M), Andrew Nembhard (three years, $58.7M); F James Johnson (one year, $3.3M); G Quenton Jackson (two-way)
Extended: None
Returning from injury: F/G Bennedict Mathurin (torn right labrum)
The skinny: The Pacers clearly knew what it would take to keep Siakam when they got him from Toronto, but getting it done officially means the franchise can get on with its rise in the East. A full season of Siakam-Tyrese Haliburton-Myles Turner, at the pace Indiana plays, with now-proven postseason talent in abundance throughout the rotation, should give the Pacers a leg up over many of their competitors for a top-four berth in the East. No harm in taking a flier on Wiseman; the 2020 No. 2 pick can rebound and run the floor. He just needs to do it all of the time. Mathurin and 2023 first-rounder Jarace Walker have to find their way back into meaningful minutes after Rick Carlisle’s group got so deep into the playoffs without them.
2023-24 record: 56-26; lost in Western Conference finals
Added: G Rob Dillingham (draft rights acquired from San Antonio); G Terrence Shannon (first round, 27th pick); F Joe Ingles (one year, $3.3M); G P.J. Dozier (one year, $2.6M); C Jesse Edwards (two-way); G Daishen Nix (two-way)
Lost: F Kyle Anderson (signed with Golden State); G Monte Morris (signed with Phoenix); F Bobi Klintman (draft rights traded to Detroit); 2031 first-round pick (traded to San Antonio); 2030 first-round pick swap with San Antonio
Retained: F/C Luka Garza (two years, $4.5M)
Extended: None
Returning from injury: G Jaylen Clark (Achilles)
The skinny: Pretty good job by Minnesota adding a player with lottery-grade upside in Dillingham who’ll be affordable the next several years, while the top of the roster, starting with Anthony Edwards, gets very, very expensive. The Wolves can put the ball in Dillingham’s hands with second-unit lineups and let him cook; Minnesota’s bench ranked 21st in offensive rating last season, per NBA.com. Shannon, too, can make some noise in reserve playing with the occasional starter or two. Ingles is a career 39.7 percent postseason shooter on 3s, though he dropped off dramatically in Orlando last year, making just 29 percent from deep against Cleveland in the first round.
2023-24 record: 49-33; lost in first round
Added: G Dejounte Murray (acquired from Atlanta); C Daniel Theis (one year, $2.8M); C Karlo Matković (three years, $4.9M); C Yves Missi (first round, 21st pick); G Antonio Reeves (draft rights acquired from Orlando); F Trey Jemison (claimed off waivers); 2027 second-round pick (acquired from Washington via Chicago; protected 31-50); named Bryson Graham general manager
Lost: F Naji Marshall (signed with Dallas); C Jonas Valančiūnas (sign-and-trade to Washington); F Larry Nance Jr. (traded to Atlanta); F Dyson Daniels (traded to Atlanta); F E.J. Liddell (traded to Atlanta); C Cody Zeller (sign-and-trade to Atlanta); 2025 first-round pick (traded to Atlanta via Lakers); 2027 first-round pick (traded to Atlanta; least favorable of Milwaukee/New Orleans, top-four protected); 2030, 2031 second-round picks (traded to Orlando); general manager Trajan Langdon left to Detroit
Retained: G Jose Alvarado (club picked up 2024-25 option); F Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (club picked up 2024-25 option)
Extended: None
Returning from injury: F Zion Williamson (left hamstring strain)
The skinny: The Pels still had some extra draft inventory from the Jrue Holiday and Anthony Davis trades, so they used some of it to get Murray. He should be a good addition, with positional size and a reasonable-for-today’s NBA contract through 2028. That times up well with Williamson’s prime, along with Trey Murphy III, Herb Jones and Alvarado. But New Orleans presumably has more planned to shake up its roster, as team president David Griffin made clear after another playoff flameout. Brandon Ingram hasn’t been moved as of this writing, and it’s getting late in the summer to do so, but he would be the one guy who could bring back significant pieces in return.
2023-24 record: 31-51; did not make playoffs
Added: F Svi Mykhailiuk (four-years, $15M); F Cody Williams (first round, 10th pick); G Isaiah Collier (first round, 29th pick); C Kyle Filipowski (second round, 32nd pick); C Drew Eubanks (two years, $10M); C Balsa Koprivica (NBA draft rights acquired from Clippers); C Micah Potter (two-way); 2030 second-round pick swap (Clippers); F Oscar Tshiebwe (two-way)
Lost: G Kris Dunn (sign-and-trade to Clippers); G Russell Westbrook (waived following trade from Clippers); G Taevion Kinsey (waived); F Kenneth Lofton, Jr. (waived): F Darius Bazley (waived)
Retained: G Johnny Juzang (four years, $12M); C Micah Potter (two-way)
Extended: F Lauri Markkanen (five years, $238M)
Returning from injury: Markkanen (right shoulder impingement); G Brice Sensabaugh (extensor tendon tear, left middle finger)
The skinny: Utah nailed the draft, staying put and getting three very solid prospects. There are concerns from NBA types about Williams’ motor, but every time I watched him last season, he did something you see guys do in the NBA every night. Collier was going to be a solid pickup for whoever took him in the 20s; it was the Jazz. He’s not a classic, pass-first point guard, but he can get to the rim with power. Filipowski had first-round grades from a lot of teams before sliding; defense will be a challenge at the next level, but he’s 7-feet tall and skilled. And if Utah wants to move on from Walker Kessler, now it can. Markkanen’s around for at least a yearafter signing his extension, so it’s up to the Jazz to continue to improve the team to make sure he wants to stick around for all of it.
(Illustration: Dan Goldfarb / The Athletic; top photos of Dejounte Murray, Lauri Markkanen and Reed Sheppard: Derick Hingle, Rich Storry, Adam Hagy / NBAE via Getty Images)
