NBA Off-Season: Top 3 Major Losses
The 2023 NBA offseason has seen its fair share of blockbuster trades and draft picks, but for some teams, the moves made have left them in challenging positions. Here's a look at the three teams widely regarded as the biggest losers in this year's offseason.
Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks' decision to waive Damian Lillard and stretch his remaining $113 million contract over five years to sign Myles Turner for $107 million over four years has been met with criticism. The team paid a significant amount to not have Lillard play for them, limiting their future financial and roster flexibility.
Despite their aggressive pursuit of talent around Giannis Antetokounmpo, these moves signal desperation and may cause long-term financial and competitive issues for the team.
Phoenix Suns
The Suns traded away Bradley Beal, who will still be paid $100 million over the next five years, but the Suns received no direct return in players. This financial move was designed to reduce luxury tax payments significantly (about $175 million in tax savings this season alone) and gain roster flexibility.
While it improves their financial situation, it leaves their roster weaker without a clear on-court return, negatively impacting competitiveness.
Portland Trail Blazers
The Blazers are implied as losers by taking on Damian Lillard’s large contract and losing significant assets. Their accepting the costly Lillard contract adds financial strain without clear contention prospects, echoing the Bucks’ predicament from the opposite side. They also lost Beal to the Clippers, illustrating ongoing roster management challenges.
New Orleans Pelicans and the 2022 NBA Draft
Meanwhile, the New Orleans Pelicans have been making moves of their own. They acquired Jordan Poole from the Washington Wizards and Kevon Looney, a center who previously played for the Golden State Warriors. With the No. 7 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, they selected Oklahoma's Jeremiah Fears.
Fears' selection drew immediate comparisons to Kyrie Irving, but his turnover-laden performance at Summer League was less than impressive. The Pelicans also selected Derik Queen, an 18-year-old rookie, with an unprotected first-round pick they received from Atlanta in a trade.
Boston Celtics' Roster Rebuild
The Boston Celtics are in the process of rebuilding their roster after losing key players due to injuries and trades. There has been speculation about whether Anfernee Simons, acquired from Portland in exchange for Jrue Holiday, will be flipped in another deal. The Celtics also inherited Michael Porter Jr.'s $40 million per year contract from Denver following the trade of Cameron Johnson.
Cam Thomas' relationship with the team has disintegrated due to exorbitant salary demands, and the team did not make any groundbreaking or exciting selections in the 2022 NBA Draft. The idea of a Derrick White trade has been floated by sources.
In summary, the Bucks' financial overcommitment to paying out Lillard’s large contract while acquiring Turner, the Suns' shedding of Beal without player return, and the Blazers' costly acquisition of Lillard amid roster struggles are widely viewed as the biggest offseason losses for NBA teams in 2023. The Pelicans and Celtics, while making moves of their own, are also facing challenges in their roster management and performance.
- The Milwaukee Bucks, Phoenix Suns, and Portland Trail Blazers have been criticized for their offseason moves, with each team sacrificing potential talent and financial flexibility for short-term gains.
- The agreements to waive Damian Lillard by the Bucks and acquire him by the Blazards, and the trade of Bradley Beal by the Suns, have left their respective rosters weaker and created long-term difficulties.
- The New Orleans Pelicans and Boston Celtics, while making roster changes, continue to face challenges in their roster management and performance, similar to the aforementioned teams.
