clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

NBA Free Agency Grades

A Spurs' eye view of the 2016-17 San Antonio Spurs

It's Year 1 A.D. for the Spurs, something none of us were looking forward to. There are many unknowns and a million question marks. Teams all over the league can relate. Most don't have five Hall-of-Famers on the roster and another coaching them.

A Spurs' eye view of the 2016-17 Washington Wizards

There's a lot of combustible, flammable parts here and no one really expects much from the Wizards after a tumultuous off-season. Oddly enough, I think Scotty Brooks might be the perfect coach for them. He's been around young talent with big egos.

A Spurs's eye view of the 2016-17 Utah Jazz

The Jazz might lead the league in good, solid pros. But I don't quite get the hype for them, and I'm wondering what I'm missing.

A Spurs' eye view of the 2016-17 Toronto Raptors

We The North has a ways to go before their fans can claim We The Champs, but a Finals appearance isn't the stuff of fantasy if a couple of their youngsters break out.

A Spurs' eye view of the Sacramento Kings

The Kings are a dysfunctional lot now, but they were good once and will be again. We're probably not going to see it coming when it happens.

A Spurs' eye view of the Trail Blazers

Not to put too fine a line on it, but the Blazers should be everyone's second-favorite team. Unless you were already a Blazers fan, in which case you can use the time you save to watch soccer.

A Spurs' eye view of the Phoenix Suns

Most of this preview is about a player who's not a current member of the Suns and never has been. Sorry not sorry.

A Spurs' eye view of the 76ers

A season preview worthy of a club experiencing a series of unfortunate events.

A Spurs-eye view of the 2016-17 Orlando Magic

The Magic have gone from having zero rim protectors to two and were among the most active teams in the off-season, including at coach where they've almost certainly upgraded. Beyond that, I've got nothin'.

A Spurs' eye view of the 2016-17 OKC Thunder

I know what you're thinking. How will they be able to overcome losing Randy Foye in free agency?

A Spurs' eye view of the 2016-17 New York Knicks

The Knicks hired "Horny," who used to be one of the best guards in basketball years ago, to be their chief decision-maker on the court. And also Jeff Hornacek to be their coach.

A Spurs' eye view of the 2016-17 N'awlins Pelicans

Poor Anthony Davis. What did he ever do to deserve this?

A Spurs' eye view of the 2016-17 Minnesota Timberwolves

The T-Wolves were fun to watch last year, but what's going to happen when people stop being nice and start being real?

A Spurs' eye view of the 2016-17 Milwaukee Bucks

It's tough to be optimistic about the Bucks when one of their best payers will likely be shelved until the All-Star break.

A Spurs' eye view of the 2016-17 Miami Heat

Two franchise pillars are gone, but don't worry, I'm sure Hassan Whiteside will be fine on his own.

A Spurs' eye view of the 2016-17 Memphis Grizzlies

The whole roster is coming off injury, they've got a new unproven coach and the franchise seems to be cursed, but in spite of all of that, I really have a good feeling about these guys.

A Spurs' eye view of the 2016-17 Los Angeles Lakers

We've never seen the Lakers rebuild through the draft before. They've always reloaded with established stars. Can their kids shine or will they be swallowed whole by the bright lights?

A Spurs' eye view of the 2016-17 Los Angeles Clippers

It's not Curry, Green, Thompson and Durant, but the Clips have a pretty impressive "big four" of their own, and if they can ever avoid their own shadows, they might actually threaten the Warriors.

A Spurs' eye view of the 2016-17 Indiana Pacers

I suppose in a town known for driving as fast as possible it makes sense to get rid of all the Hills.

A Spurs' eye view of the 2016-17 Houston Rockets

The Rockets will probably have a more harmonious locker room next season but the steps they took to rectify their roster issues were... well they were something.

A Spurs' eye view of the 2016-17 Warriors

Maybe it's be more fair to the rest of the league if the Warriors had to keep and play Harrison Barnes too.

A Spurs' eye view of the 2016-17 Detroit Pistons

The Pistons have a talented young roster, two beloved former Spurs big-men and a great coach, yet all of their potential is being held hostage by their best player's Achilles heel. And unlike actual Achilles heels, this one may be inoperable.

A Spurs' eye view of the 2016-17 Denver Nuggets

While all the cool kids are watching the T-Wolves for their young-stars-on-the-rise bona fides, you can get on the ground floor with the Nuggets, who, without any fanfare, are building what has a chance to be just as special, if not more so.

A Spurs' eye view of the 2016-17 Dallas Mavericks

Mark Cuban literally stars in "Shark Tank," a TV show about venture capitalists bankrolling crazy business ideas, and he let Harrison Barnes' agent talk him into offering a max contract. Either he needs to listen to his analytics guys, or fire them.

A Spurs' eye view of the 2016-17 Cleveland Cavaliers

For the first time since he was maybe nine years old, LeBron James will get to play basketball without having to worry about living up to people's dreams or expectations. He's finally free to just have fun out there. Should we be scared?

A Spurs' eye view of the 2016-17 Chicago Bulls

After the housecleaning Chicago endured, there are a lot of new faces in Bulls jerseys this year.

A Spurs' eye view of the 2016-17 Charlotte Hornets

The Hornets lost three of their best players in the off-season, replaced them with guys who are much worse and it wasn't even the most embarrassing part of their off-season.

A Spurs' eye view of the 2016-17 Boston Celtics

You love Brad Stevens, I love Brad Stevens, we all love Brad Stevens. So what happens now that the league's young mastermind finally gets a real star to work with?

A Spurs' eye view of the 2016-17 Atlanta Hawks

Like the Spurs, the Hawks lost their starting center in the off-season. Like the Spurs, they replaced him with a dude fans of his prior club were all-too-happy to see him go. Now they just need Taurean Prince to turn into the next Kawhi Leonard.

Get to know the 2015-16 Toronto Raptors

Only in the Atlantic can you have two clearly subpar starters and still be the clear division favorites. Where's the scoring going to come from in Toronto?

Get to know the 2015-16 Orlando Magic

They'll throw down more hellacious dunks than the halftime trampoline act and Hezonja's the heel we desperately need, but man, what an odd mishmash of talent.

Get to know the 2015-16 New York Knicks

Phil Jackson is slowly but surely building the roster from the bottom up. Will fans and ownership be patient. Will Carmelo Anthony buy in? Can Anthony even be a part of this and make it work?