The midway point of the NBA 2023-24 season is almost here, and that makes this the perfect time for The Athletic to review what’s happened so far — and to make some predictions about the future.
Beginning today, and continuing Thursday and Monday, we’ll examine the season from every perspective.
Today, we’ll reevaluate moves made during the 2023 offseason and identify the teams and players that have overachieved and underachieved.
To tip things off, we’ve assembled three of our NBA writers: Will Guillory, in New Orleans; Eric Koreen, in Toronto; and Josh Robbins, in Washington.
Let’s evaluate some of the moves made during the 2023 offseason. Which decision has turned out best so far, and why?
Will Guillory: The biggest move this offseason wasn’t one singular trade. It was the Boston Celtics somehow turning Marcus Smart, Malcolm Brogdon and Robert Williams III into Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porziņģis with two separate deals. The previous iteration of the Celtics was already one of the best teams in the NBA. But adding Holiday and Porziņģis made this group the clear favorite to win the title this season. They even have a chance to make history after starting 19-0 at home. The moves they made over the summer certainly sacrificed some depth, which they’ll have to address before the trade deadline. Still, as long as the starting five remains healthy, Boston will be a matchup nightmare for anyone in its path.
Eric Koreen: How about a non-move: the Minnesota Timberwolves standing pat, more or less, after a disappointing first year following the Rudy Gobert trade. Given how much they gave up to acquire Gobert, the pressure was on to change something dramatically following barely squeaking into the playoffs and a five-game exodus in the first round. They could have moved on from head coach Chris Finch, traded Karl-Anthony Towns or simply not extended Jaden McDaniels and kept their financial options open. Instead, the Timberwolves continued to believe in what they had put together, and now are one of the best teams in the NBA, a legitimate title threat.
Josh Robbins: The Milwaukee Bucks trading for Damian Lillard has turned out great — but not because that move will catapult the Bucks back to the NBA Finals. The truth is, despite what Lillard brings on offense, the Bucks may not be as strong as they were at this time last season. Losing Holiday has severely impacted Milwaukee’s defense; Milwaukee entered Tuesday ranked 19th in points allowed per possession, which is cause for concern.
But the Lillard trade already has been a huge win for the Bucks, and here’s why: It helped pave the way for Giannis Antetokounmpo to sign a contract extension, as The Athletic’s Eric Nehm and Sam Amick have written. The extension runs through the 2026-27 season and includes a player option for the 2027-28 season. Keeping Giannis keeps the Bucks relevant.
Look, as much as I enjoy Milwaukee as a great place to raise a family, it’s not one of the NBA’s glamour cities. All small-market franchises have to worry about keeping their superstars. But Antetokounmpo has remained happy in Milwaukee; a large part of that has to do with his essential character traits, of course, but it also stems from the Bucks doing what’s been necessary to surround him with the right players. Adding Lillard certainly qualifies. And that already makes adding Lillard a huge win.
Which 2023 offseason move has underwhelmed the most so far, and why?
Guillory: I’ll say Jordan Poole’s move from the Golden State Warriors to the Wizards. It’s so easy to forget that just two years ago this guy was a difference-maker on a team that won the NBA Finals. Now, he’s become one of the biggest punchlines in the league. And it’s not just because…
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