NBA franchises constantly shuffle their deck, hoping to stack the championship odds in their favor. This offseason, multiple teams made moves that altered not only their immediate aspirations but their futures as well.
While casual NBA fans may only consider how deals would impact the upcoming season, Sports Business Classroom teaches a broader point of view, focusing on how transferring players and assets might impact both teams given their organizational goals.
In this series, we will take a trip down memory lane and see how the 2023-24 offseason deals have progressed and how they could impact each team’s roster construction moving forward with the “Porzingis” trade and Houston Rockets signings.
Kristaps Porzingis Trade:
To Boston Celtics: Kristaps Porzingis (via Washington Wizards), No. 25 Pick in 2023 NBA Draft (via Memphis Grizzlies, traded away in a subsequent deal), Golden State Warriors 2024 top-4 protected first-round pick (via Grizzlies)
To Wizards: Tyus Jones (via Grizzlies), Danilo Gallinari (via Celtics), Mike Muscala (via Celtics), No. 35 pick in the NBA 2023 draft (via Celtics, also later traded again by Washington)
To Grizzlies: Marcus Smart (via Celtics)
Initial Grades
Celtics: A
After nine memorable seasons, the Celtics decided to move on from former Defensive Player of the Year Smart. While it was an emotional move for the franchise, they got great value in return. Smart showed a decline in play last season, and Porzingis is coming off a career year in Washington. Receiving two first-round picks in a deal where you arguably get the best player is impressive work.
Wizards: B
Trading Beal and Porzingis without receiving a first in return may be tough for Wizards fans to swallow. However, this trade shows that the Wizards are ready to embrace the rebuild. In the meantime, Tyus Jones is an excellent piece to run the offense and has a tradable contract that the Wizards could down the road.
Grizzlies: B+
After a tremulous season, it was clear the Grizzlies needed some adults in the locker room. Smart should provide the veteran leadership and championship DNA this team was lacking while potentially being a better on-court fit with Ja Morant than Jones ever was.
Quarter Grade
Celtics: A
So far, this has been an excellent move for the Celtics. Porzingis has fit in nicely with the Celtics’ existing core, and the trade for Jrue Holiday more than filled the Marcus Smart-shaped hole in the Celtics lineup. Most importantly, the Celtics look like the best team in the East and should be favorites to make it back to the NBA finals. Considering the Celtics are well into the second apron for this season, it feels like it’s championship or bust for this core.
Wizards: B
Jones has been solid and reliable for the Wizards to start the season. However, the Wizards are still not winning games. They have firmly cemented themselves as one of the worst teams in the NBA, and Jones is wasting a season of his prime on a non-contender. Flipping him to a contender for some younger pieces to help with the rebuild would make sense for this team.
Grizzlies: B
The Grizzlies have had a rocky first quarter. Smart was off to an okay start for Memphis before injuring his ankle in mid-November. The team went 6-19 during Morant’s suspension but has turned things around since his return (although Morant will miss the rest of the year with a shoulder injury). Smart has started to look like himself again and returned from his ankle injury nicely. Smart has complemented the Grizzlies big three well in a limited sample size.
Houston Rockets Signings
Fred VanVleet
Initial Grade: B
It was clear what the Rockets wanted to do this offseason. The goal was to return to the playoff picture after a rough few years at the bottom of the west. Many predicted the Rockets would use their cap space to make a big swing, and this was it. While VanVleet has flaws, he should instantly step in as one of the most impactful players on this young Rockets team. VanVleet has championship experience and will ideally help the Rockets’ young core take a leap.
Quarter Grade A-
VanVleet has played an integral part in the Rockets’ rise from the bottom of the standings. While he has continued to struggle shooting inside the arc, the rest of his game is more than making up for it. The Rockets are firmly in the play-in picture, and VanVleet is a huge reason why. VanVleet has also helped unlock a new level in Alperen Şengün’s game, which will have a longer-term impact on this franchise than just winning games this season.
Dillon Brooks
Initial Grade: B-
The sign and trade for Dillon Brooks shows the Rockets are ready to compete. Brooks had an up-and-down season with the Grizzlies, but his strengths are clear. He is a First Team All-Defense caliber player who can score the ball if needed. However, Brooks has also shown an unwillingness to take a smaller role and will often speak out more than he should. As long as the Rockets understand what they are signing up for, this should be a good addition to an already promising young core.
Quarter Grade B
Brooks has helped elevate the Rockets from bottom-feeders to play-in contenders. While he still has his off nights, Brooks is hitting career highs in field-goal and three-point percentages while maintaining a defensive-first mentality. His shot quality is slowly improving, and he looks worthy of the contract he signed this offseason.
Jock Landale
Initial Grade: B-
Landale was a relatively low-risk move signing. While a four-year commitment may seem like a lot on the surface, only the first season is guaranteed. If the Rockets do not like what they see from Landale this year, they can move on with little consequence. Landale most likely did not have a big market, as the Suns pulled his qualifying offer right before free agency opened up.
Quarter Grade C-
The Landale experiment has not been a success for the Rockets so far. Landale is averaging just 1.9 points and playing 8.7 minutes a game for a mediocre Rockets team. There is still time for Landale to turn his season around, but so far, it may be one and done for Landale in Houston.
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