The Five Smartest Moves of the 2014 NBA Offseason

I’m going to shatter your expectations and write this entire article without mentioning Lebron James. If you’ve watched ESPN at all in the past, let’s say, decade, I think you’ve had your fair share of Lebron coverage. And while his return to Cleveland has clearly been the highlight of the NBA offseason, I’ve found a way around putting it on the list. Notice how I used the word “smartest”. I’m not glorifying the Cavaliers for having superlative judgement in their acquisition of Lebron. James Dolan has the ability to make that decision. If James Dolan can do it, it’s not ingenious. That’s something I call the “Dolan Rule”--spread the word, let’s make it a thing. I’m looking for the five most clever and strategic moves by an organization this offseason. So allow me to stop talking about the man and get this list started.

5. Chicago Bulls: Signing Pau Gasol They lost out in the Carmelo Anthony sweepstakes, but Chicago still found a way to improve this offseason by grabbing Pau Gasol. The 13-year veteran, four-time All-Star, and two-time NBA Champion will take over for Carlos Boozer as the big man alongside Defensive Player of the Year winner Joakim Noah. The Bulls will get Derrick Rose back, and with the addition of Doug McDermott, they have a lot of talent. Talent only gets you so far, though, so signing a proven winner really means everything for Chicago. A healthy Rose can mean one of the top seeds in the Eastern Conference for the Bulls. Expect Gasol to be an integral part of their postseason run.

4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Trading For Kevin Love Love is a great talent, and has the potential to lead the Cavs to an NBA Championship, so of course I have to mention this trade. Still, for reasons I will explain later, it was not a move deserving to be at the top of the list. The other end of the trade will make an appearance at a higher spot, but for now, let’s focus on the positives. This man has averaged a double-double for the past five seasons. Put those numbers next to the numbers of “He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named”, add one of the best Point Guards in the league to the mix (Kyrie Irving), as well as top 3-point shooters (Mike Miller/James Jones), my vote for the league’s most underrated player (Dion Waiters) and a good amount of other tools around them (Shawn Marion, Tristan Thompson, Anderson Varejao), and--well--wow. On the other hand...

3. Minnesota Timberwolves: Trading Away Kevin Love Kevin Love is in the last year of his contract. And he was NOT signing with the Wolves again. Another year in Minnesota would maybe amount to a low playoff seed and a first round exit in the playoffs at best, so getting value for K-Love while they still could was brilliant. Even more brilliant was the value they were able to get for him. In exchange for an albeit remarkable player--but that would only stay with them for one more year and failed to lead them to the playoffs in all six seasons he spent there--Minnesota received: Andrew Wiggins - An absolute home-run for the Wolves, who were able to lock down the first overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft. Wiggins doesn’t share the same mindset as Love, as he’s excited about the opportunity to play on “whichever team wants [him].” He will step into Kevin’s old spot as Minnesota’s franchise player, but with better pieces around him, I’d expect Andrew to accomplish more for the franchise during his career than K-Love did. Anthony Bennett- This first overall pick of the 2013 NBA Draft shows us a combination of size and mobility that should excite fans in the Twin Cities. He put up a poor rookie campaign, however he didn’t go a game in the 2014 Summer League without scoring double-digits, while averaging 8 rebounds as well. Thaddeus Young- And finally, add a man who averaged 17.9 PPG last season. After the strongest statistical season career, Young will bring a lot to the table--including much-needed playoff experience--at Small Forward for the Wolves. All that (and a $6.3 million trade exception) for a guy they would’ve only had for one more season. Ricky Rubio, smile.

2. Golden State Warriors: Keeping Klay Thompson SPOILER ALERT: The Golden State Warriors will be the most improved team in the Western Conference, and will make their way to the Conference Finals for the first time since Rick Barry led them that far in the 1975-76 season. All because they knew they didn’t need to shake their team’s foundation, but just add a few more pieces and be patient. When most people hear Klay Thompson’s name, they think “Splash Brother”, or “the guy that helps Steph Curry out a little bit”. First, yes, Klay is a knock-down shooter who becomes a more effective scorer every day. In his three NBA seasons, he’s averaged 12.5 PPG, 16.6 PPG, and 18.4 PPG, respectively. Notice a trend? But what makes Klay so invaluable is his defense. He’s beginning to rightfully be regarded as the best two-way Shooting Guard in the game. His capability to lock down forwards just as well as he can guards is a talent unmatched by any other man at his position today. And yeah, K-Love is great and would’ve made this team even scarier on offense, but it wouldn’t have made them a better team. They already have David Lee--who is a less-talented version of Love, but can do a lot of the same things. While Love would’ve been an improvement at that position, the downgrade at Shooting Guard would have been so dramatic that it would’ve sent Golden State on a path similar to the one they’ve been on for the last few decades--a path with no appealing destination. The Warriors will now benefit from the presence of Shaun Livingston and Head Coach Steve Kerr. While many people think they missed out by not grabbing Love, I think their commitment to Klay Thompson will get them a championship within the next three seasons.

1. Washington Wizards: Signing Paul Pierce I’m not going to make any crazy claims about the Wizards success this season, but this list is about the smartest moves of the offseason, and Pierce is the perfect fit in Washington. I hated Brooklyn’s decision to give up so much for him and Garnett (refer to my blog post last April praising the Celtics for offloading them). And I’m realistic about his shortcomings as far as what is left in the tank. But when I looked at Washington’s roster at the end of last season, I saw that they had athletes that I viewed as top-10 guys at their positions at every spot but Small Forward (John Wall, Bradley Beal, Nene, Marcin Gortat). I also saw that young leaders were struggling to really carry the load and get past other veteran leaders in the playoffs. Enter Paul Pierce. The Wizards killed two birds with one stone in getting a solid Small Forward and one of the most experienced veterans in the league in Paul Pierce. It’s the perfect fit for Paul, who can complement John Wall very well as a leader, and perhaps make the Wizards a serious contender in the Eastern Conference this year. I wouldn’t set my expectations too high for Washington, but as far as moves that actually make too much sense, put this one at the top of your list.

The Top 5 Most Critical Offseason Moves of the NHL

An in-depth look at the most crucial moves of the offseason, and how the players will impact their new teams.

1. Ryan Kesler, Center - Anaheim Ducks

Just before the 2014 NHL entry draft, two-time United States Olympian Ryan Kesler waived his no-trade clause and was shipped to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Nick Bonino, Luca Sbisa, and two picks in this past entry draft. The Ducks finished off last season with the most points in the Western Conference with a striking 54-20-8 record, and now with the addition of this new center, Anaheim will be even stronger. Kesler was one of the biggest trade targets during this past season after publicly stating that he wanted a fresh start, as he was not satisfied with the path of the Vancouver Canucks. In short, the Ducks were lucky to grab the 6-2 202 lb. center for such a good price. Kesler’s size, faceoff skills, and ability to score double-digit power-play goals will be key for the disappointing 22nd-ranked Anaheim power play this past season. The 2011 Selke trophy winner will anchor the 2nd line for Anaheim next to Swedish young-gun, Jakob Silfverberg. In 2011, Kesler proved he could guide a team to the Stanley Cup final by netting 41 goals and 32 assists for the Canucks. Kesler wants a championship and wants it now. His chances got a lot better after being dealt to the Western Conference juggernaut, Anaheim Ducks.

2. Ryan Miller, Goaltender - Vancouver Canucks

With the trade last year that sent of Cory Schneider to the New Jersey Devils, and the departure of Roberto Luongo in the trade that sent him back to Florida, the Canucks’ main objective over the offseason was to grab an experienced goaltender to lead them this season. The Canucks made the move to sign Miller to a 3-year, $18 million contract this offseason to fill this missing piece. Miller brings some needed experience to the Canucks goaltending. Miller spent his first 12 seasons with the Buffalo Sabres until this past February when he was traded to the St. Louis Blues. The two-time United States Olympian and 2010 Vezina trophy winner has shown that he is capable of stepping up and putting up note-worthy goaltending numbers; however, he will need to adapt quickly to the tactics of the offensive powerhouse California teams in the Pacific Division (Anaheim, San Jose, and the 2014 Stanley Cup Champions, Los Angeles Kings). If Miller clicks with the Canucks and performs under the pressures of the endless goaltending drama in Vancouver, we could see Vancouver make the playoffs unlike last year’s 12th place finish in the Western Conference.

3. James Neal, Right-Winger - Nashville Predators

In the midst of the first round of the 2014 NHL entry draft, the Pittsburgh Penguins made the first blockbuster trade of the draft sending power forward, James Neal to the Nashville Predators in exchange for Patric Hornqvist and Nick Spaling. The trade freed up some cap space for the Penguins, but they lost an important part of their offensive core. Neal finished last season with 27 goals and 61 points in 59 regular season games with the support of 2012 Art Ross and Hart Memorial trophy winner, Evgeni Malkin. Neal will be entering his third season of a 6-year, $30 million contract this season and will provide much needed offense to the Nashville Predators as the first line right-winger. In the 2011-2012 season Neal proved himself as a top-line contender scoring a career high 40 goals and 41 assists, a feat no Nashville Predator has ever achieved. We will also see Neal as the captain of Nashville’s power play this season, a role Neal took during the 2011-2012 season and scored a league-leading 18 PPG for the Penguins. The acquisition of James Neal will finally bring the presence of a big-time goal-scorer to the “Music City” that Nashville has always lacked.

4. Dan Boyle, Defenseman - New York Rangers

The most targeted defenseman in this past offseason was the long-time San Jose Shark, Dan Boyle. The offensive defenseman signed a two-year, $9 million contract with the New York Rangers. With the signing of Boyle, the reigning Eastern Conference champions filled a much-needed hole in their defense with the departure of Anton Stralman to the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 38-year-old has had a lot of experience in the NHL and his presence on the second line of defense for the Rangers will be crucial. Boyle will be playing a lot of minutes for the team especially as many see him having a leading role on the point during the Rangers’ power play. With Boyle’s offensive minded play comes his capability of driving possession of the puck, which will be key when trying to attack the opponent’s defensive zone. Adding Boyle’s gives the Rangers his proficient offensive tactics; however, it will be his defensive minded role that will be critical in trying to help the Rangers get back to the Stanley Cup Finals this season.

5. Mike Cammalleri, Left-Winger - New Jersey Devils

Mike Cammalleri, the 11-year NHL veteran left-winger, signed a 5-year, $25 million contract with the New Jersey Devils over the offseason. Cammalleri is coming off of an impressive season with the Calgary Flames scoring 45 points (26 goals and 19 assists) in his 63 games played. Although new to the team, the left-wing sniper will be playing on the first line with veteran and 2013-2014 Devils scoring leader, Jaromir Jagr, and assistant captain, Travis Zajac. Cammalleri’s presence on the top line will help improve the Devils’ subpar offense that finished 27^th in the NHL averaging 2.40 goals per game. Did the Devils overpay for Cammalleri? Maybe. But, as Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello said before the offseason the Devils would be looking for the addition of scoring help on the market. Cammalleri has proved his scoring abilities by scoring 30+ regular season goals multiple times, so if he can catch fire the Devils will no doubt get back into the playoffs after missing them two years in a row.