Eastern Conference Play-In
Hawks
Good: The Hawks made the Play-In despite the injuries. Trae Young showed increased passing. The late additions of G/F Caris LeVert, F Georges Niang, and G/F Terrance Mann paid off with the injuries. F Jalen Johnson was almost Most Improved Player before the injury, signing a long-term deal. C Onyeka Okongwu finally took over the position with the injury to Clint Capela, which they have been waiting for. #1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher played well and continued to get better developing his 3-point shot. The trade for SG Dyson Daniels, which I gave a B+, turned out to be a solid fit next to Trae. Big contracts come off the books.
Bad: The team is losing Capela for nothing after holding out for a 1st round pick, but still money saved. The team traded 1 to 2 more years of Bogdan Bogdanovic for 3 years of Mann, but he could be the off-ball player they need for Trae. LeVert is a free agent, but he may not be a long-term fit. Even with the return of Johnson, the team still needs 2 solid veterans to grow.
Bulls
Good: The trade for G/F Josh Giddey turned out to be a solid move as the main piece on their roster, after the Zach LaVine trade, as he helped get them into the Play-In. I also gave the Giddey trade a B+ at the time. G Coby White was able to regain his form with LaVine gone leading to increased production. C Nikola Vucevic continues to be a consistent piece. Rookie 1st round pick F Matas Buzelis was able to develop and take over a starting spot (for this season), even participating in the NBA Dunk Contest. G/F Kevin Huerter proved to be a nice trade piece along with PG Trey Jones when injuries hit. Young players saw increased minutes. PG Lonzo Ball was able to return to the court, although briefly.
Bad: Giddey needs to be re-signed, but they have the money to do it. The team lacks star players, so it is not a free agent destination, they could also use at least two veteran starters. Vucevic is on the last year of his deal and now they will have to decide if trading him is worth it, after years of putting him on the market. Jones is also a free agent they might want to re-sign. Patrick Williams is on a big contract and hasn’t developed, but he Is still young.
Western Conference Play-In
Kings
Good: The team was able to make it into the Play-In Tournament. The team does have a core of G Malik Monk, G/F Zach Lavine, F DeMar DeRozan, F Keegan Murray and C/F Domantas Sabonis along with veteran C Jonas Valanciunas. Trading for F Jake LaRavia was a smart move as a player who can play but was stuck behind good depth with the Grizzlies.
Bad: Trading PG De’Aaron Fox leaves the team without a true PG on the roster. Lavine and DeRozan didn’t win much with the Bulls so to bring them back together was a weird move. Trey Lyles provided good depth as a stretch PF/C, so they might want to bring him back. With the need at PG, they might want to bring back Markelle Fultz. They need more depth at the wings.
Mavericks
Good: The core of the team is intact and should be ready to go next season with a healthy Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis. Davis returned to get the team in the Play-In. G/F Max Christie could be a long-term piece. F/C Kai Jones filled in nicely while Davis was hurt. PG Brandon Williams has developed into a solid role player and was re-signed. F Naji Marshall was able to improve with more responsibilities. PG Spencer Dinwiddie regained form filling in nicely for Kyrie.
Bad: Trading Luka Doncic never made sense and still doesn’t. Injuries/trades stopped any chemistry/momentum the team had. The Klay Thompson decline continues. Christie regressed after a hot start with the team. The team traded G/F Quentin Grimes when he proved to be what they were missing. Trading for G/F Caleb Martin adds depth, but now they’re stuck with a big contract. Davis continues to get injured and now they’re stuck with his contract too. Dinwiddie and Daunte Exum are free agents both provided depth and filled in due to injuries.
