NBA free agency has been underway for about a week and a half now and things haven’t been as active as we’d like, mainly because of the stir the Kevin Durant trade request has caused throughout the league. Still, teams have made some casual additions that are really going to elevate their roster to the next level. In this article, we will reflect on some of the key signings made by teams wh have made significant strides in getting better. So, without further ado, let’s get right into it.
#3 – Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers have been ranked among the worst defensive teams the past couple of seasons, severely limiting their ceiling come playoff time. Having one of the premier offensive weapons in Dame Lillard on your team, the time is now to win in Portland, and the Trail Blazers have made significant strides in getting better, especially on the defensive end.
Not only did they acquire Josh Hart at the trade deadline, but they also added Jerami Grant, and now, have also added Gary Payton II to their roster to help bolster their defensive efforts. Payton II has close ties to Portland, as both he and his father attended college in Oregon. I believe he’ll fit right into the Trail Blazers playing scheme. With a new defense and a healthy Damian Lillard, this team is primed for a deep playoff run.
#2- Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves made arguably the biggest splash during free agency, trading away a slew of depth pieces and first-round picks for multiple DPOY winner Rudy Gobert. The France native is arguably the best rim-stopper of his generation and is a constant threat when he’s on the floor. This addition not only bolsters the Timberwolves defensive efforts, it also gives leeway to their young stars to flourish.
Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns will benefit the most from this trade, as Gobert will come in and take the defensive pressure off of them so they can focus on the offensive side of the game. Both are supreme scorers in this league, and it will be a real treat to see how both fare with the addition of Gobert to the roster.
#1- Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers we’re already a good team, but the additions they have made during free agency has only made them better. The Clips we’re one of the most disappointing teams of this past NBA season, as they didn’t even qualify for the playoffs; truly disappointing coming from a team housing Kawhi Leonard (although he was injured all year) and Paul George on the roster.
The Clippers are awaiting for Kawhi to be cleared for 5-on-5 action, and now they have added John Wall to the roster, a lethal scorer who still has a lot of juice left in his game. The Clips also re-signed veteran big man Nicolas Batum, a supremely underrated player who had interest from a slew of teams.
Hopefully, Kawhi is back before Christmas, that way the team can build some chemistry heading to the finals months of the season and into the playoffs. There is no question this team will make the playoffs next year; the only question that remains is how far will they go?
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