NBA Stock Check: Every Eastern Conference Team

August 27, 2023

Lance attempts to determine the trajectory of each Eastern Conference team based on their 2022 season results and offseason moves.

Projecting success in the NBA can be really challenging! Despite player movement being at an all-time high, franchises must navigate an 82-game schedule while avoiding serious injuries to star players.

Every piece of the puzzle matters, especially considering the new CBA that punishes franchises for overspending by assessing a luxury tax.

With all the major transactions now likely complete, gauging the stock of each NBA franchise seems like a fair exercise. It's a simple activity: determine whether or not the franchise in question did enough in the offseason to ascend within the league's pecking order. Check out my Western Conference Stock Check here!

Atlanta Hawks

Following another first-round exit from the Atlanta Hawks and a short-lived trade rumor mill run surrounding Trae Young, the two-year saga of whether they will or won't trade John Collins ended. Ultimately, the deal appears as a salary dump, considering the aforementioned CBA shadowing over the NBA.

Clint Capela, reportedly, is next on the trading block. It's hard to fathom any haul for Capela providing Atlanta with anything other than more cap space to save them from the swinging pendulum of the luxury tax. Aside from cost-cutting moves, nothing the Hawks have done this summer alludes to anything significant regarding competing for the Larry O'Brien trophy.

Extending Dejounte Murray indicates Atlanta's front office has no immediate plans of completely blowing up the roster. However, defending NBA teams at a high level flies out of the realm of possibility with a backcourt featuring Young. Without a drastic change in direction, expecting the Hawks to achieve anything other than making another first-round cameo feels foolish.

Verdict: STOCK DOWN

Boston Celtics

What happened to the Boston Celtics? One victory away from consecutive NBA Finals berths, and Boston had it despite a Jayson Tatum ankle injury in the opening minutes of Game 7. Instead, a morale-breaking performance ensued as the Celtics recorded a .479 true shooting percentage. But wait, there's more. Following a head-scratching move in which Boston faithful saw its fearless leader Marcus Smart traded for the injury-prone, flash-in-the-pan frontcourt star Kristaps Porzingis.

It gets messier. Perhaps in preparation for the new CBA, Boston's front office opted to sign and trade their starting power forward, Grant Williams, in exchange for two second-round draft picks and a second-round pick swap.

Despite the shedding of multiple leaders on defense, the Celtics managed to expand the championship window for their All-NBA duo, paying a historic fee in the process. Boston and Jaylen Brown recently agreed to a league-high five-year, $304 million extension. Regardless of whether or not Brown plays out his contract in Boston, the extension promises the Celtics won't get left at the alter without a consolation prize.

In closing, losing two defensive assets for an injury-prone Porzingis doesn't translate to a winning offseason.

Verdict: STOCK DOWN

Brooklyn Nets

Sean Marks treats the Brooklyn Nets like an expensive Play-Doh set. When Marks took over the general manager reigns in Brooklyn, one could argue it was the worst position in the front office field. Draft-pick barren laughingstock of the league due to the abysmal trade involving an aged Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce well past their respective primes.

Fast forward past the catastrophic Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving era (whose trade haul garnered a decent selection of future draft picks and one fringe All-Star),  and now Sean Marks comes to another fork in the road. Does he trade all the aforementioned assets for another star in his thirties (Damian Lillard), or do the Nets discover their potential with Mikal Bridges as the best player?

Aside from the deflated team expectations, the idea of another will-he-won't-he-playseason from Ben Simmons automatically brings the stock down in Brooklyn. No matter how many Instagram posts with a deceptively inspirational caption, it's all meaningless until he produces anything other than social media content; everything else is noise from a seemingly broken player.

Unless Marks uses Simmons' $37-million annual earnings to help obtain Lillard, that Play-Doh set doesn't look as fun. Making matters worse, the Nets don't own their first-round pick in 2024, so a complete rebuild is hard to sell to fans. Despite the prospects (Marks possibly could not salvage his position to see a complete rebuild come to fruition), the roster has a few bright pieces, but not enough to warrant a costly, dull toy.

Verdict: STOCK DOWN

Charlotte Hornets

Although the Charlotte Hornets haven't done anything of note since Grandmama rocked pop culture in the 90s, at least having Michael Jordan as the majority owner provided prestige. However, Jordan sold his share this past summer, leaving the Hornets without its claim to relevancy.

Sure, LaMelo Ball has a shot at doing something in the league, but without any playoff appearances and a shaky roster, expecting anything other than another Play-In cameo is far-fetched.

The Hornets signed Miles Bridges to a $7.92-million qualifying offer, not even a year removed from his domestic violence case, which seems like a bad idea. Regarding free agent signings, Frank Ntilikina is the only notable player, and that says about all you need to know about the Hornets' stock grade.

Verdict: STOCK DOWN

Chicago Bulls

The Chicago Bulls find themselves in basketball purgatory while a championship-or-bust mentality dominates the basketball analysis discourse. Since signing DeMar DeRozan and trading for Nikola Vucevic, Chicago went an unremarkable 86-78 in the last two seasons. Furthermore, the Bulls haven't done much to matter in the league going back to the Derrick Rose timeline, as the six-time NBA champion franchise missed the postseason for the fifth time in six years.

Regarding stock grades, similar to their playoff success, the Bulls didn't move the needle. Aside from re-signing backup guard Coby White, Jevon Carter (yes, of the same position and role) signed with Chicago. Unfortunately, Lonzo Ball is reportedly out for the 2023-2024 season, and the aforementioned guards don't fill the three-and-d of the former UCLA Bruin.

Barely avoiding the luxury tax and just doing enough to say they did, the Bulls continue their complacent ways.

Verdict: STOCK DOWN

Cleveland Cavaliers

Making the postseason without franchise-saving LeBron James should have felt like divine intervention. However, despite harboring one of the better defensive players in the league and a frenetic backcourt, both of whom earned the ninth-best offensive and best defensive ratings, respectively, the season ended in a disappointing thud.

Despite producing efficient stats on both ends of the ball, Cleveland fell on its face against the New York Knicks in the first round. The Cavaliers traded significant assets for All-Star Donovan Mitchell, only for the Adidas athlete to drop the ball harder than Nike did when trying to sign Stephen Curry. Cleveland finished the playoffs with the worst offensive rating, exposing their shortcomings on the bench.

Seemingly, with its finger on the team's pulse, Cleveland's front office acted accordingly in free agency. Although Max Strus produced his best Cavaliers impersonation in the NBA Finals, as evident in the embarrassingly low 32 percent true shooting mark, the DePaul alum makes for a good rotation player. Out of necessity, Strus played a focal point in many games, good and bad, for the Miami Heat. However, in Cleveland, due to the backcourt presence of Darius Garland and Mitchell, and defensive star Evan Mobley, Strus won't have such a burden to carry and can focus on role-player duties.

In addition to adding Strus, Georges Niang joins the Cavaliers. Mainly known for his three-point shooting,  converting 40 percent of his career three-point shots, Niang has a small dose of a mean streak, which the Cavaliers need to extend their life against gritty teams such as the Knicks. Sometimes less is more, especially after taking a risk on Mitchell; finetuning the roster renders a positive offseason in Cleveland.

Verdict: STOCK UP 

Detroit Pistons

For a team loaded with young prospects (average age is 23), the Detroit Pistons made a lot of moves for veterans this past summer. Whether those established players end up as trade fodder or building blocks for the raw and inexperienced majority of the roster, the Pistons have a culture-building coach in Monty Williams.

Two second-round picks were also included when Detroit acquired Joe Harris" expiring $19.9-million contract from the Nets. In a league where superstars seldom hit free agency, the Pistons have a few assets to juice up a deal. Floated as a first-round pick or no-deal trade subject, Bojan Bogdanovich makes an interesting sidekick for the Select Team standout Cade Cunningham.

After missing most of last season due to shin surgery, Cunningham's impressive scrimmage performances versus Team USA provide a glimpse of hope for a team seeking a higher trajectory. Many options regarding team-building and a healthy Cade Cunningham warrant optimism from Pistons fans and critics.

Verdict: STOCK UP

Indiana Pacers

Since reuniting with the 14th-winningest NBA head coach in league history, Rick Carlisle, the Indiana Pacers lack a playoff appearance. However, by trading for Tyrese Haliburton during the 2021-2022 campaign, Indiana improved by 10 wins the following season. Although the Pacers franchise harbored a few stars in their NBA existence, free agency isn't typically a hotbed of talent. Oddly enough, though, despite Michael Malone's drunk-off-success confidence in re-signing the game-changing sixth man, Bruce Brown left the championship altitude of Denver for basketball land Indiana in a shocking two-year $45-million deal.

Astonishingly so, the Pacers didn't quit there. In a subtle trade, the Obi Toppin acquisition bolsters the athletic forward depth chart. The more supporting players for the rising star Haliburton, the better. Speaking of Haliburton, he and the Pacers seem like long-term fits in light of the five-year, $205.9-million extension.

Expect a vast improvement from the Pacers next season. Projecting the Pacers as a top-six team in the Eastern Conference is worthy of an official bet.

Verdict: STOCK UP

Miami Heat

Following a historic run, seeing an eight-seed clinching an NBA Finals berth, the second since the New York Knicks in the lockout year of 1999, the Miami Heat find themselves in an awkward situation. Allowing two pivotal role players, who played a crucial part during the magical run, assumes a league-changing trade is coming for Miami. However, as time passes, a trade that hasn't occurred hinders the floor for an otherwise bare roster.

What did Miami accomplish in free agency?

They re-signed Kevin Love,  a buyout signee who played some good minutes before the NBA Finals. Josh Ricardson, the prodigal son's homecoming nears. The inconsistent role player returns to the city where the hype originated. What about size, though? One of the many weapons Miami desperately needed versus Nikola Jokic. To combat such worries, the Heat signed backup center Thomas Bryant, who complained about his role on the Los Angeles Lakers and was traded to the Denver Nuggets, playing less than one minute in their championship playoff campaign.

Without a Damian Lillard trade, the 2023-2024 Miami is worse than the team minutes away from losing to the Chicago Bulls in the Play-In tournament.

Verdict: STOCK DOWN

Milwaukee Bucks

Without speculating on another superstar's frustration with their respective franchise, losing in the first round to an eight-seed understandably invokes doubt. Lacking assets to make a significant move, the Milwaukee Bucks chose to run it back, but with Adrian Griffin as the head coach. Unless a rookie or sophomore talent cracks the rotation, the Bucks again lack firepower off the bench.

Regarding raw offense, such as total points scored, Milwaukee fell below the average rank last season. Ranked seventeenth in points scored, expect more of the same as Milwaukee's front office seemed to only care about reuniting brothers, evident by the Robin Lopez and Thanasis Antetokounmpo signings. In all seriousness, though, Malik Beasley provides a theoretical spark off the bench.

Betting against Giannis Antetokounmpo probably doesn't bode well for your pockets, especially considering the weakened Eastern Conference following free agency. However, without much imagination in roster construction and a rookie head coach, Antetokounmpo is the sole reason to believe in a Bucks resurrection.

Verdict: STOCK DOWN

New York Knicks

In hindsight, 2013 was quite the omen for the following decade. For one, Elon Musk's meteoric rise alluded to his problematic future. An article from The Verge circa 2013 relayed as much: "Rarely a week went by in 2013 when the South African billionaire wasn't in the news", and now, as the somehow estranged owner of Twitter, Musk makes the headlines for all the wrong reasons.

You know what else happened in 2013? The New York Knicks won a playoff series, a feat which took 10 years to repeat.

Is it fair to suggest that Knicks' success means agony for anyone not donning the classic blue and orange? Probably not.

But it's not the first time hype exuding from the "Mecca" came back to bite the New York franchise and its fans. Without dooming the next decade, though, the Knicks warrant a bit of praise following their 2023 postseason success.

Although the Knicks didn't receive the Dallas Mavericks lottery pick (from the Kristaps Porzingis trade) as it was top-10 protected, free agency gave New York more fuel to the hype train. Firstly, gritty Villanova alum Donte DiVincenzo fits the Tom Thibodeau mold. Continuing the emphasis on the hard-hat style of play, New York further cemented its identity by extending fan-favorite Josh Hart, former Villanova teammate of DiVincenzo, at a team-friendly four-year (fourth year is a club option) $80.92 million.

Ultimately, Julius Randle must play better in the offseason for the Knicks to take the next leap into title contention. However, for now, the Knicks have the highest stock since the year of Bitcoin.

May the next decade not feel as dire.

Verdict: STOCK UP

Orlando Magic

"Something is better than nothing" - words uttered by a mother whose child groaned at getting socks for Christmas. Similarly, the Orlando Magic also opted for socks this summer. Coming off a 12-game improvement from the 2021-2022 season, Orlando seemingly aimed for internal growth instead of hiring outside help. Aside from signing veteran Joe Ingles, the Magic relied on the draft to acquire talent.

Sophomore forward Paolo Banchero has the capabilities of an All-Star. Confidence, scoring ability, and overall physical build are just a few qualities boding for a star in the league. Rookie seasons typically don't net efficient results, aligning with Banchero's rookie campaign. While three-point shooting indicates ultimate efficiency in the modern game, free throws allude to superstardom. Earning free throws means respect, for as hokey as it sounds, the sentiment is true.

Last season, Banchero proved his star potential and the respect of NBA officials. Attempting 534 free throws ranked Banchero ninth league-wide. A playoff team awaits once Banchero finetunes his game and the Magic continue developing the other young prospects around him.

Orlando's approach is allowing Banchero a natural development instead of microwaving the team. While not yet a postseason team, Orlando is organically producing a roster of prospects and a few veterans.

Something is better than nothing.

Verdict: STOCK UP

Philadelphia 76ers

A James Harden and Daryl Morey relationship meant ignoring each other's flaws and magnifying the positives. Now, following a back-and-forth worthy of a brief NBA investigation, the divorce seems inevitable. A once magical partnership now sours as the "Trust the Process" Philadelphia 76ers near the end. During the summer, the  2023 league MVP Joel Embiid expressed the yearning to win a championship, even if not in Philadelphia. What makes matters more complicated is where and to whom Embiid made such a statement. During the Uninterrupted Sports Film Festival, to Maverick Carter (LeBron James' business manager), Embiid made his intentions clear.

It's safe to say the 76ers aren't having a great summer. Other than hiring 2019 NBA champion Nick Nurse as the new leader of X's and O's, Philadelphia failed to make any moves to bolster a team needing a shakeup. One thing is sure: Embiid got some help on the bench. Paul Reed inked a deal to stay with the 76ers for the next three seasons. Mohamed Bamba gets a shot at redemption after losing the plot in Orlando and on a playoff team.

However, as Harden adamantly claimed, Morey is a "liar," given the extended history of the former giving up on teams, the 2018 league MVP decided the 76ers fate. Without many avenues to improve the team, the 76ers are close to the worst-case scenario, with one player wanting out and the other publicly contemplating. Whether Morey trades Harden or not, Philadelphia is a broken home.

Verdict: STOCK DOWN

Toronto Raptors

Toronto Raptors President Masai Ujiri seems close to the edge with the franchise to which he helped gain its lone championship. Years ago, Ujiri flirted with the idea of leaving for another franchise. However, the former Denver Nuggets front office member opted to stay with Toronto. Now, with Pascal Siakam on an expiring contract, the franchise is primed for its inevitable rebuild, suggested by hiring Darko Rajakovic. However, until Ujiri trades Siakam, it's difficult to imagine a full-scale blow-up maneuver.

Sophomoric jokes aside, rookie Gradey Dick took the internet by storm and, before suiting up for the regular season, has the Raptors fans' hearts.

Similar to Ujiri's tendency to flirt with the idea of leaving, OG Anunoby was theoretically traded multiple times already. Anunoby, although taking the myriad of trade rumors as a true professional, is a strong candidate as the next Raptor traded.

Admittedly, the Raptors' offseason moves played like a tug of war between rebuilding and pseudo-competing.

However, with bright prospects and high-value trade chips on the roster, they have ample options no matter what the Raptors decide to do.

Verdict: STOCK UP

Washington Wizards

After six seasons worth years of fraudulent contention, finally, the Washington Wizards grasped reality. The Wizards made some sound moves this past offseason despite history showcasing otherwise. Trading Bradley Beal without coughing up any first-round picks and obtaining four first-round pick swaps is as good as a return for a past-his-prime costly player.

Trading Kristaps Porzingis for a dependable point guard, Tyus Jones (on an expiring contract), bodes well for the trade market, especially in light of the shocking swap of Chris Paul for Jordan Poole. Withstanding the rumors of Kyle Kuzmas' free agency departure, the 2020 NBA champion re-signed with the Wizards.

Lastly, the draft selection of French forward Bilal Coulibaly alludes to star potential down the line. The 6'6 forward, with an impressive 7'2 wingspan, provides athleticism to a team in need. While the Wizards don't own their 2024 pick outright, the Knicks only take it if it falls out of the top 12. And according to their offseason moves, Washington appears prime for a rebuild.

Although not wholly bottomed out, Washington shut down the placebo treatment forced on fans every season for a dose of the real world.

Verdict: STOCK UP

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