NBA Offseason Roundup: Analyzing the Biggest Moves of the Summer

2024-25 NBA Offseason Recap

The offseason in the NBA is a period that fans of the sport worldwide anticipate, regardless of which team you support. It’s a time when the rumor mill is at full speed and where every team in the league is looking to do one thing, and one thing only: bolster the roster and move closer to becoming a title contender. This summer was a frantic period, and while some of the best teams in the league stood pat, others were aggressive trying to make moves, either via trade or free agency.

Instead of analyzing what every team did — or didn’t do — in free agency, we’ll focus on the most relevant offseason moves from a fantasy perspective. Did a player change teams and land in a better situation? Was there a head-scratching trade or signing? Did any team improve its contending status? Let’s read about the five most significant moves in the offseason ahead of the upcoming 2024-25 NBA regular season.

The Pelicans have one of the most dominant players in the league in Zion Williamson and two former All-Stars in Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum to anchor their lineup. However, they needed a point guard to round out their starting five, so they went out and got one via trade when they acquired Dejounte Murray from the Pelicans. They didn’t have to part ways with any key player in the process, as Larry Nance, Dyson Daniels, E.J. Liddell and Cody Zeller headed to Atlanta, along with first-round picks in 2025 and 2027, in exchange.

This deal fits both teams when analyzing their timelines of contention. The Pelicans can be a real threat in the Western Conference — perhaps not to challenge the Thunder, Nuggets or Timberwolves for the top spot, but they could compete for a playoff berth. Adding Murray to the mix could maximize McCollum’s efficiency in the shooting guard role, giving New Orleans four players who can carry the team offensively on any given night. Meanwhile, the Hawks acquired young players and draft assets, clearly signaling the franchise’s intention to rebuild looking toward the future.

From a fantasy perspective, Murray could experience a lower usage compared to his 2023-24 numbers in…

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Author : RotoWire.com

Publish date : 2024-09-04 08:49:00

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