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Winners and losers Who made the best, worst moves of the offseason?Posted: Thursday October 10, 2002 3:44 PM
Other than Martha Stewart and George Karl, did anybody have a worse summer than the Boston Celtics? Fresh off their first trip to the Eastern Conference finals since 1988, Boston let free agent Rodney Rogers walk away for nothing and traded point guard Kenny Anderson to Seattle in a cost-saving move. The Celts might still be a contender, but it's certainly not going to be any easier for coach Jim O'Brien. Conversely, if the New Jersey Nets had a theme song for this past offseason it might be Hot Fun in the Summertime. Not only did last year's Eastern champs add three quality players to their roster, but they also struck a blow to their rivals up in Boston. The Nets and Celtics are just two extreme examples of teams that helped or hurt themselves during the past offseason. With NBA training camps now open, it's time to see other teams with similar experiences. Keep in mind, in analyzing these moves we're not necessarily taking into account long-range plans. We're simply looking at each team's prospects for the 2002-03 season, based on what each did or didn't do to improve. Here then are the NBA's five biggest winners and losers from this year's offseason (with caveats and silver linings):
Winners
Losers
Marty Burns covers pro basketball for CNNSI.com. Click here to send Marty a question or comment.
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New Jersey Nets: GM Rod Thorn traded for Dikembe Mutombo, and signed free agents
Rogers and Chris Childs. The 7-foot Mutombo, a four-time Defensive Player of
the Year, gives the Nets one of the few legitimate centers in the league and
a shot-blocker to help ignite the fast break. Rogers, a former Sixth Man
Award winner, provides an outside shooting threat to replace Keith Van Horn.
The fact that he left Boston for New Jersey is an added bonus.
Los Angeles Clippers: In acquiring Andre Miller from the Cavaliers, the Clippers added
the one piece that was missing from their core of young talent. Sure, they
had to give up a dazzling prospect in Darius Miles, but it's not every day
you get the chance to add the league's assist leader to your roster. Miller,
an L.A. native, should thrive as the playmaker and set-up man for Elton Brand
and Co.
Washington Wizards: Michael Jordan's return alone would have been enough to make this list. But the Wizards also traded for Jerry Stackhouse and signed free agents
Bryon Russell and Larry Hughes. Stackhouse, a career 21-point scorer, is a
big-time improvement over Richard Hamilton, and he should be motivated in a
contract year. Russell and Hughes are bonafide NBA players with size at their
positions
Atlanta Hawks: Adding Glenn Robinson in a trade for Toni Kukoc, Leon Smith and a
2003 first-round draft choice looks like a steal on paper. With center Theo
Ratliff back from his injury, and Shareef Abdur-Rahim at power forward,
Robinson should have plenty of chances to show off his silky smooth mid-range
jumper. If rookie draft pick Dan Dickau can handle the point, Atlanta could
be a surprise team.
Sacramento Kings: Despite another heartbreaking loss to the Lakers, the Kings
actually went out and got better. First they re-signed free agent point guard
Mike Bibby, a catalyst to their strong playoff run a year ago, then added one
of the top free agents on the market in forward/center Keon Clark. The
6-foot-11 Clark, a human pogo-stick who played last season for the Raptors,
should give Sacramento yet another quality big man to throw at Shaq and Co. 
Boston Celtics: After finally getting back to top of East, they let free agents
Rogers and Erick Strickland walk away for nothing. Then, in another
cost-saving move, Anderson was traded to Seattle for underachieving power
forward Vin Baker. Only time will tell if Tony Delk/Shammond Williams can run
the point, and if delicate team chemistry can be rebuilt.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Lost top three scorers in Miller, Lamond Murray (trade to
Raptors) and Wesley Person (trade to Grizzlies). Yes, they re-signed Ricky
Davis and added two nice young prospects in Miles and rookie Dajuan Wagner,
but it's unlikely those three youngsters are ready to fill the basket on a
nightly basis.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Next to the Summer of Smith (as in Joe), it might have been the
worst offseason in franchise history. First, free agent Chauncey Billups
bolted for Detroit. Then the Cavs matched an offer sheet for Davis. Finally,
Terrell Brandon's bad knee failed to heal enough to start the season. Bottom
line, they did nothing to get better.
New York Knicks: Getting all-star power forward Antonio McDyess from the Nuggets was a
good move, but it came at a cost (Marcus Camby). Meanwhile, they didn't at
all address their most glaring needs at point guard and center. To make
matters worse, Latrell Sprewell showed up for camp with a broken hand while
Kurt Thomas got busted for a domestic dispute.
Miami Heat: The loss of Alonzo Mourning for the season with a recurrence of his
kidney troubles has to put them on this list. The departure of free agent
point guard Rod Strickland doesn't help matters either. Travis Best will be
decent, and rookie Caron Butler has beaucoup potential, but no Zo means no go
for Pat Riley's crew.
