NBA training camps begin next week, which means this is the point of the summer where you start saying “oh yeah, I forgot that team got that guy.” Here’s a quick division-by-division primer to remind you how the offseason went and get you ready for the NBA season.
ATLANTIC DIVISION
Boston Celtics
Added: Jordan Walsh (draft), Kristaps Porzingis, Oshae Brissett, Dalano Banton, Svi Mykhailiuk, Lamar Stevens, Jay Scrubb (two-way), Neemias Queta (two-way)
Lost: Marcus Smart, Grant Williams, Mike Muscala, Justin Jackson, Justin Champagnie, Blake Griffin, Mfiondu Kabengele (two-way)
FanDuel win total over/under: 54.5
The big picture story heading into camp: The Celtics re-tooled their roster after falling short of the NBA Finals, moving Smart in a deal for Porzingis and giving them a powerful frontcourt scoring option they haven't had in a long time. Joe Mazzulla enters his second year as head coach but comes off his first offseason to plan and hire his own staff, so there are some questions about how much of last season’s approach will carry over and what kind of influence new assistants Sam Cassell and Charles Lee will have. Boston’s championship window was closed some by the new CBA, which will force them to make some tough financial decisions in the next couple of years, which puts some pressure on them to excel this season.
Brooklyn Nets
Added: Dennis Smith Jr., Lonnie Walker IV, Darius Bazley, Trendon Watford, Armoni Brooks (two-way), Jalen Wilson (draft, two-way), Noah Clowney (draft), Dariq Whitehead (draft),
Lost: Patty Mills, Joe Harris, Seth Curry, Yuta Watanabe, David Duke Jr., Dru Smith
FanDuel win total over/under: 37.5
The big picture story heading into camp: The Nets are an interesting young team for Jacque Vaughn in his first full season as head coach after the departure of Steve Nash. They gave Cam Johnson a big contract, giving them a potent young duo along with Mikal Bridges. The Nets have enough young talent to make a big swing on the trade market or keep them and be one of those “tough out” teams. The biggest question mark is Ben Simmons, who has talked big over the summer about his return. If he can follow through (as big as an “if” can get), the Nets can become a very interesting team.
New York Knicks
Added: Donte DiVincenzo, Jaylen Martin (two-way), Dylan Windler (two-way), Nathan Knight (two-way)
Lost: Obi Toppin, Derrick Rose
FanDuel win total over/under: 44.5
The big picture story heading into camp: Aside from getting a bunch of Villanova alums together with the addition of DiVincenzo, the Knicks kept the majority of the core that won 47 games and a playoff series last season. Tom Thibodeau teams are generally tough, defensive teams but the Knicks took off last season because of their offense, and a full season of Hart plus DiVincenzo gives them some good depth to complement their main guys. The biggest thing to watch is Julius Randle, who had another bad playoff performance and switched agents this summer, ditching agency CAA, which is so interwoven with the Knicks they might as well wear Patrick Ewing jerseys. Is this the precursor to a battle that could mess with a promising season or much ado about nothing?
Philadelphia 76ers
Added: Kelly Oubre, Patrick Beverley, Danny Green, Mo Bamba, David Duke Jr., Nick Nurse
Lost: Georges Niang, Shake Milton, Jalen McDaniels, Mac McClung, Doc Rivers
FanDuel win total over/under: 48.5
The big picture story heading into camp: It’s all about James Harden. If the Sixers can patch things up with Harden and he withdraws his trade request, then the Sixers have a very good team that can challenge for a trip to the Finals. If Harden is set on making things impossible for the Sixers, then the whole thing can fall apart as people watch to see if Joel Embiid throws his hands up and demands a trade himself. New head coach Nick Nurse has his hands full with a volatile situation in Philadelphia, but if things stay together, it will be interesting to see how his creativity will impact Embiid and the Sixers.
Toronto Raptors:
Added: Dennis Schröder, Jalen McDaniels, Garrett Temple, Markquis Nowell (two-way), Gradey Dick (two-way), Darko Rajakovic (head coach)
Lost: Fred VanVleet, Dalano Banton, Nick Nurse
FanDuel win total over/under: 36.5
The big picture story heading into camp: This is a transition period for the Raptors, who need to figure out what to do with Pascal Siakam. Scottie Barnes is the future and O.G. Anunoby seems to be sticking around, so where the Raptors go from there is up for some debate. They’ve been linked to Damian Lillard rumors, but however their season goes, there's a good bet the roster changes somewhat over the course of the season. New coach Darko Rajakovic, a Serbian native with three decades of coaching experience, takes over with a chance to grow with his new team.
