Which NBA teams are least likely to improve their win-total in 2022-23?
Last week, I examined a half-dozen NBA teams who I thought improved the most so far this offseason, even though there’s still plenty of free agents available.
With less than two months remaining in the NBA offseason, let’s review a half-dozen teams that I think didn’t think did much to help their 2021-22 win total — thus falling into the “least improved” category — which admittedly was tougher for me to put a fingernail on. But I digress.
Let’s jump into it!
Honorable mentions: Miami Heat, Washington Wizards, Sacramento Kings
Utah Jazz (49-33)
Key additions: G Patrick Beverley, G Malik Beasley, F Jarred Vanderbilt, C Walker Kessler, G Leandro Bolmaro (all traded from Utah); G Talen Horton-Tucker, F Stanley Johnson (traded from Lakers);
Key departures: C Rudy Gobert (traded to Utah); Also Patrick Beverley (traded to Lakers); F Royce O’Neale (also traded to Brooklyn); F Eric Paschall (two-way to Minnesota)
Skinny: After multiple years of failing to get over the hump, the Jazz pressed the big red reset button this offseason. It got an absolute haul from the Minnesota Timberwolves for Rudy Gobert — five first-round picks and five players — which is a win on the surface, even though we don’t know what those picks will look like five years from now nor do we know how each player will fit into its future. With a coaching change (to up-and-coming coach Will Hardy), trading Royce O’Neale and close friend Eric Paschall failing to receive a qualifying offer, Donovan Mitchell feels all but out the door and doesn’t all feel like apart of their long-term plans. The most likely destination is the Knicks, though the talks have been on-and-off throughout the past several weeks. All in all, the Jazz won’t be a top-5 seed next season and could be one of the worst in the NBA; that’s all dependent on if they keep Mitchell or who they get in return for him.
San Antonio Spurs (34-48)
Key additions: F Danilo Gallinari (traded from Atlanta), F Jeremy Sochan (draft), G/F Joe Wieskamp (draft); G Malaki Branham (draft), G Blake Wesley (draft), F Isaiah Roby, Gorgui Dieng (one-year, $2.6M); Alize Johnson (one-year, $2M)
Key departures: G Dejounte Murray (traded to Atlanta); Also Gallinari (buyout), C Jock Londale (traded to Phoenix)
Skinny: The Spurs presumably had a good draft class, nabbing Sochan, Branham, Wieskamp and Wesley. But trading away its prized point guard Dejounte Murray for pennies on the dollar — since it reportedly didn’t want to pay the 25-year-old — signaled the Spurs could be out of the playoff chase for the fourth consecutive season and potentially a team in contention for super-prospect Victor Wembanyama in next year’s NBA draft. I didn’t love their offseason, but perhaps Sochan and the rest of the draft class spark some newfound life for the future? I wouldn’t put it past them.
Phoenix Suns (64-18)
Key additions: C Jock Londale (traded from Atlanta)
Key departures: G/F Josh Okogie (one-year, $2.0M), G Damion Lee (one-year, $2.1M)
Skinny: The Suns didn’t lose a big fraction of their core and (begrudgingly?) matched the Pacers’ max offer sheet for DeAndre Ayton after plenty of speculation arose about his standing with the organization. So it’s not like their team is much worse, per say. But they won 64 games while other teams — most notably the Clippers, Lakers (maybe?), Nuggets, Mavericks and Warriors — all presumably improved their roster at least a little bit from a season ago, while the Suns haven’t (yet). Thus, making it much more difficult to retain their stout win total from 2021-22.
Indiana Pacers (25-57)
Key additions: G Ben Mathurin, G Andrew Nembhard, F Kendall Brown, Hugo Besson (all draft); G/F Aaron Nesmith, C Daniel Theis, G Nik Stauskas, F Malik Fitts, F Juwan Morgan (all traded from Boston)
Key departures: G Malcolm Brogdon (traded to Boston), Duane Washington Jr. (waived)
Skinny: Perhaps the first big move across the Association this offseason came when the Pacers dealt Malcolm Brogdon to the Boston Celtics, months after trading Domantas Sabonis in a package that brought 22-year-old point guard Tyrese Haliburton in return. Amid the Buddy Hield/Myles Turner-to-the-Lakers rumors, it might be fair to say we’re in the midst of a Pacers teardown. Though the latter has been thrown into trade rumors for three years now, so take that for what it’s worth, too. Either way, the fast-paced offense led by Haliburton, Chris Duarte, Mathurin, Nesmith and Isaiah Jackson should be quite the enjoyable watch. That doesn’t mean they’ll be good, but it least sparks some interest from Pacer (and perhaps some NBA) fans on a game-by-game basis.
Oklahoma City Thunder (24-58)
Key additions: F JaMychal Green (traded from Denver); C Jaylin Williams, F Ousmane Dieng, G Jalen Williams, C Chet Holmgren (draft); F Mike Muscala (two-year, $2.7M)
Key departures: Also Green (waived); C Isaiah Roby (waived)
Skinny: This might be cheating because the Thunder were one of my Honorable Mentions for the most improved NBA squad. But this (late) addition came in response to the season-ending Lisfranc injury to Chet Holmgren. He would’ve sparked the young, fun, perhaps budding Thunder squad; his perimeter skills and defensive instincts, regardless of his frame, were beyond advanced for someone of his size at his age. Now, the air has been let out of the sails; the Thunder can absolutely top their previous total of 24 wins, especially if Shai-Gilgeous Alexander is healthy for the entire season (until he gets inevitably shut down), but they’re still at least a year or two away without much room to grow in a deep-er Western Conference.
Charlotte Hornets (43-39)
Key additions: C Mark Williams, Bryce McGowens (draft)
Key departures: F Miles Bridges (free agency)
Skinny: The Hornets made a coaching change, drafted two players, haven’t brought in any new free agents and extended Cody Martin to a brand four-year deal. That’s it. Their prized forward Miles Bridges entered free agency and is now facing three felony domestic violence charges after being accused hours before free agency began. I’m surprised they haven’t rescinded his qualifying offer yet, since he’s a restricted free-agent. Nonetheless, it’s been a very bleh offseason for the Hornets thus far, though I like the addition of Williams; Charlotte’s been in desperate need of a capable center for years. Williams should help with that.
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