NBA Offseason Roundup: Part III

Can Al Jefferson help the Jazz take the next step in 2013?

For the first installment of this series, click HERE. For the second installment, click HERE. 

In order to run a successful NBA team, it is crucial to consider the long-term effects of each transaction and to follow-through on a vision for the future. In my most recent blog post, I reviewed how two teams were able to dramatically change their roster by trading their superstar player. Now, I'd like to examine how three successful teams from last year used this offseason to build upon positive seasons. This is part three in a series of blog posts recapping the NBA offseason.

Jazz, Pacers, and Clippers Hope To Build Upon Playoff Appearances

In the last two free agency blog posts, I wrote about teams who are currently focused on rebuilding and are not necessarily ready to contend for the championship just yet. Now, I want to turn my attention to three franchises who are a little bit further along in the rebuilding process because they are coming off of seasons in which they made the playoffs. None of these teams made any significant personnel changes this past offseason, but they are hoping that some minor moves and internal improvements will allow them to advance further in the playoffs this year and in the near future.

Utah Jazz (36-30, 8th in Western Conference. Lost to San Antonio Spurs 4-0 in First Round)

Improvements: The Jazz's first full season without All-Star point guard Deron Williams was a successful one due in large part to the success of their youthful frontcourt. Big men Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap, Derrick Favors, and Enes Kanter all contributed to the Jazz finishing 3rd in the league in rebounding. Their major weakness coming into this season was perimeter shooting (27th in the league in 3PT% at 32%), so they acquired Randy Foye and Marvin Williams, both of whom shot 39% from the 3-point line last season.

Problems: San Antonio’s high-paced pick and roll offense was far too much for the Jazz to handle in the first round of the playoffs, as the Spurs won by an average of 16 points per game in the 4 game sweep. The Jazz defense was their weak point for all of last season (8th worst in the league in points allowed per game) and they didn’t do much this offseason to improve their defense. 

Looking Ahead: The Jazz's two leading scorers (Jefferson and Millsap) have expiring contracts and both of those guys play similar positions to the Jazz's two best young players (Favors and Kanter). Losing either Jefferson or Millsap would be a major setback for an improving Jazz team, so the front office must figure out a way to bring both players back or get some value in return if they lose either one of them. Utah has the depth and youth to build upon their trip to the playoffs last season.

Indiana Pacers (42-24, 3rd in Eastern Conference. Lost to Miami Heat 4-2 in Second Round)

Improvements: The Pacers gained a great deal of respect around the league when they forced a six game series against the eventual champion Miami Heat. Indiana was able to win 42 games last year because of balanced scoring and defense. Their signings of Ian Mahinmi and Gerald Green should build upon those strengths as Mahinmi is a strong defensive big man and Green looks like he could develop into an explosive scorer from the wing. Additionally, the Pacers were able to resign Roy Hibbert and George Hill, two of their key players, to four- and five-year deals respectively.

Problems: The NBA is a star-driven league, and it is very difficult to contend for a championship without a superstar. The Pacers only had one player named to the All-Star game (Roy Hibbert) and he may have been the most questionable selection out of all the players who made the game. Danny Granger led the team in scoring but his shooting percentage (41.6%, 97^th in the league) was not good. The Pacers did not appear to make any attempt to acquire a star player this past summer and unless one of their current players improves dramatically, their lack of a true superstar could be an issue going forward. 

Looking Ahead:Indiana has most of their key guys under contract for at least the next two seasons and they should continue to play hard-nosed defense under one of the league’s best young coaches in Frank Vogel. If the Pacers can’t advance past the second round in the next couple of seasons, they may need to consider acquiring a superstar talent to help them take the next step to becoming a true contender.

Los Angeles Clippers (40-26, 5th in Western Conference. Lost to San Antonio Spurs 4-0 in Second Round)

Improvements: The Clippers immediately became relevant once they acquired Chris Paul. Pairing Paul with Blake Griffin, who is perhaps the most explosive young power forward in the league, allowed the Clippers to vault into the playoffs and even win a seven-game first round series against the Memphis Grizzlies. One of the Clippers major problems last season was their reliance on Paul as their only offensive playmaker, especially after Chauncey Billups got injured. The Clippers addressed that problem by signing Jamal Crawford and Lamar Odom, both of whom are capable ball handlers and can create their own offense. Internally, the Clippers got Blake Griffin to agree to a maximum 5-year contract extension, guaranteeing that he’ll be wearing a Clipper uniform for at least the next 6 seasons.

Problems: The Clippers interior defense was soft last season, mainly because of DeAndre Jordan’s and Griffin’s inexperience. In the postseason, the Clippers were most effective on defense when Kenyon Martin and Reggie Evans were in the game and both guys are no longer on the team. The Clippers did not do much to address their lack of frontcourt depth and they could continue to struggle to guard the interior this season.

Looking Ahead: Getting Chris Paul to re-sign should really be their only significant priority, as his contract expires after this season. He is a talented enough player and leader to make sure this team (as presently constructed) contends for championships for several years to come and if he leaves, the Clippers could be on track to return to irrelevance. If they are able to re-sign Paul to what will be sure to be a maximum level contract, they will not have the flexibility to make any dramatic transactions in the upcoming years. However, with Paul, Griffin and the appropriate role players, they may just have a roster that is capable of competing for a title.