What the Heck Happened in the Atlantic Division?

A Hollywood screenwriter couldn’t get a hold of a handful of groups with as a lot drama, intrigue and simply undeniable mess as the ones discovered in the NBA’s Atlantic Division. You have a workforce that garners headlines it doesn’t matter what it does (New York), a neighbor whose celebrity demanded a industry that by no means got here (Brooklyn), a workforce that should ruin thru to complete the procedure earlier than its window shuts ceaselessly (Philadelphia), a workforce combating in opposition to horrible headlines and damage to stay a identify contender (Boston) and, by some means, blessedly, the quietest, maximum competently run franchise in the complete league (Toronto).

Let’s do a snappy rundown of what took place since the Golden State Warriors hoisted the identify trophy and the offseason started.

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Photo by way of Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE by way of Getty Images

Offseason in 5 phrases or much less

Where do I start?

Big Changes

This workforce added Malcolm Brogdon and Danilo Gallinari to a workforce that used to be already considered one of the private in the league. The drawback is additionally they swapped out head trainer Ime Udoka for a minimum of this season and most likely ceaselessly, and for now, the workforce is shepherded by way of an unproven Joe Mazzulla. Oh, additionally, the Celtics are the new house of former Pistons ahead Blake Griffin. Don’t need to skip that vast construction.

On paper, the workforce used to be going to be higher on the ground, however then accidents hit (we’ll get there) and the franchise is indescribably worse off in the vibes division. The Boston Celtics had been intended to be the magnificence of the Eastern Conference and the workforce that used to be gifted sufficient and younger sufficient to have a multi-year identify window that would start as early as this season.

Now?

Maybe? But how? The workforce nonetheless boasts Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, however the popularity of each took a minor hit in closing yr’s playoffs when it used to be unclear if both had sufficient to actually lift a workforce to the promised land. But even supposing you settle for that in all probability neither are destined for a LeBron, Durant, Curry tier, their intensity and their chemistry had been intended to hold them. They nonetheless had Marcus Smart, Derrick White, Al Horford, Grant Williams and Robert Williams.

Then the accidents hit. Gallinari used to be misplaced for the season to a knee damage suffered at EuroBasket, Robert Williams is out for a longer duration with knee surgical operation, after which they misplaced their trainer for the yr to a intercourse (and possible sexual harassment) scandal and had no one with deep revel in to tackle the function.

Better or Worse?

They are nonetheless excellent, however how are you able to no longer say they aren’t worse? Yes, they nonetheless have the ability to compete for a identify, however to consider they are going to make it that a long way you would need to forget about … * gestures wildly * … all of this.

Playoff Contender?

Technically sure, however they appear destined for an early go out in what’s going to be a disappointing season and an opportunity to scrub all the stink away and check out once more subsequent season.

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Photo by way of Jim Davis/The Boston Globe by way of Getty Images

Offseason in 5 phrases or much less

The Empty Threat Franchise

Big Changes

It’s extra about what didn’t exchange than what did. Kevin Durant demanded a industry or the axing of trainer Steve Nash and/or GM Sean Marks. All nonetheless stay in Brooklyn and so they’ll simply fake the whole thing is A-OK. Oh yeah, and after threatening to forego the ultimate yr of his deal and take much less cash to earn his freedom, Kyrie is again, child, simply as all of us knew he could be.

The workforce did lose some ability, maximum particularly former Pistons Bruce Brown, Andre Drummond and Blake Griffin (RIP Pistons East). None can be felt greater than Brown who used to be in a position to be a Swiss Army knife in Brooklyn and delivered numerous the power a veteran-laden workforce wishes to stick dedicated all through a protracted common season.

The Nets did upload some notable ability this offseason — they were given in early on the Utah hearth sale to grasp Royce O’Neale and took a flier on TJ Warren. Both will assist upload competence on the wings and take a bit little bit of the burden off of Durant to do the whole thing, however it nonetheless doesn’t really feel like sufficient.

Better or Worse?

This workforce will pass so far as Kevin and Kyrie permit it, which, frankly, might be lovely a long way. But for those who consider in basketball karma, this entire misbegotten generation of Brooklyn Nets basketball appears like precisely what we skilled with Kevin and Kyrie this offseason — numerous scorching air and in the end empty threats. Of path, there could also be a non-zero probability that Ben Simmons all at once turns into the feel-good tale of the NBA season. Crazier issues have took place (see access on Celtics, Boston).

Playoff Contender?

Not if there’s justice in this universe.

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Photo by way of Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE by way of Getty Images

Offseason in 5 phrases or much less

Are the Knicks secretly … nice?

Big Changes

The New York Knicks exuded … persistence? Confidence? Competence? I’m so puzzled. Sure, it’s simple to clown on them somewhat for having CAA convey in but every other high-priced unfastened agent to Madison Square Garden in Jalen Brunson. But Brunson is nice. And it used to be somewhat laughable to peer everybody assuming a deal for Donovan Mitchell used to be all however a carried out deal best to peer the Cavs swoop in and get him. But that may were saving the Knicks from themselves. I’d a lot somewhat pair RJ Barrett with Brunson than upload the undersized Mitchell. And that doesn’t even issue in all the draft property they’d have surrendered.

Speaking of draft property, they accumulated a couple of as they traded alternatives and salaries to open up the cash to pay Brunson. It value them Jalen Duren (thank you, NY!), however they do have 4 long run firsts headed their manner together with as many as 3 in 2023. They may just make extra offers so as to add ability.

Better or Worse?

They have high quality scorers at guard, two high quality facilities in Mitchell Robinson and Isaiah Hartenstein and Obi Toppin frequently combating for extra of a job. They are skinny at small ahead, however they’ve were given numerous ability. Can they in any case do one thing with it?

Call me loopy, however I’m beginning to consider.

Playoff Contender?

Mark my phrases, the New York Knicks will make the playoffs*

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*Subject to modify as I write increasingly more offseason recaps

Photo by way of Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE by way of Getty Images

Offseason in 5 phrases or much less

The Process desperately wishes effects

Big Changes

The Sixers know they’re top-heavy in order that they attempted to handle their intensity. They signed tremendous gule man PJ Tucker, Montrezl Harrell, and De’Anthony Melton. Even if the outdated James Harden is long past, a slimmed-down and extra critical Harden can nonetheless do numerous injury on a nightly foundation, and the extra bad Harden is, the much less taxed Joel Embiid is on a game-to-game foundation. We deserve no less than one wholesome Joel NBA postseason to peer what he’s truly in a position to. PJ Tucker can pass a ways in serving to Embiid, even supposing he isn’t the perimeter danger he was once a s small-ball 5. Tucker provides a defensive stopper who can guard a couple of spots on the ground and no less than gifts sufficient of a danger from deep that defenses will guard him. Tucker can play with Embiid or exchange him if the workforce wishes protection or lean on Harrell if they’re determined for offense.

The items appear to suit, and this workforce may just perform a little critical injury.

Better or Worse?

I feel they’re higher, fitter, extra cohesive and with the right combination of personalities, younger legs, veteran talent and an all-around high quality rotation to be a surprisingly bad workforce. If no longer this yr, it would by no means occur for the Embiid Sixers.

Playoff Contender?

Most for sure a playoff contender, a presumptive Eastern Conference finalist(?) and may just win an NBA identify.

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Photo by way of Carmen Mandato/Getty Images

Offseason in 5 phrases or much less

Quiet … a bit too quiet

Big Changes

The Toronto Raptors had been most commonly content material to stick pat this offseason. That is smart while you’re already taking part in the ascension of younger level guard Fren Van Vleet, the flexible Pascal Siakim and basking in the glow of grabbing reigning rookie of the yr Scottie Barnes at No. 5 in a stacked draft.

Instead, they added Otto Porter Jr. who did so much with the alternatives introduced him by way of the Golden State Warriors closing season and can glance to do a lot the identical in Toronto. They additionally added Juancho Hernangomez who’s now a film megastar, and that’s sorta cool, I suppose.

Better or Worse?

They really feel caught in impartial, and that turns out somewhat abnormal taking into account how competitive Masai Ujiri has been in his occupation. And this is doubly true taking into account how it kind of feels like the Raptors can’t merely depend on the majority of the Eastern Conference being a dumpster hearth. The position is a lot more aggressive at the moment, and the Canadian alternate charge isn’t what it was once.

Gary Trent Jr. and VanVleet are more likely to decline upcoming participant choices and can be awfully dear to retain. Precious Achiuwa is reasonable now however can be dear quickly. Siakam has best two years left on his monster deal, and in all probability the Raps glance to transport him quicker than later It for sure appears like Ujiri might be competitive all through the season and do relatively a facelift on the present roster.

Playoff Contender?

They are nice sufficient to be a decrease tier in the Eastern Conference but additionally no longer so dominant that they’d be a shoo-in. to continue to exist a play-in recreation if it got here to that. I love the Raptors avid gamers, however I’m a bit apprehensive about the place they’re as a franchise.