2024 NBA Offseason Overview
The 2024 NBA offseason was remarkably quiet, with no significant star players switching teams. This unusual stillness in player movement proved to heavily influence the subsequent title chase. Among the four franchises that made it to the 2025 conference finals, the Indiana Pacers were the only team that kept the same starting lineup from the prior year.
Key Trades and Transactions
In a groundbreaking six-player trade, the Minnesota Timberwolves and New York Knicks exchanged All-Stars Julius Randle and Karl-Anthony Towns. Both teams benefitted from the swap and advanced to the conference finals. The Oklahoma City Thunder further bolstered their championship-contending roster by acquiring guard Alex Caruso and securing center Isaiah Hartenstein from the Knicks as a free agent.
Not all high-profile trades culminated in success. The Philadelphia 76ers were initially viewed as offseason winners after signing nine-time All-Star Paul George to join Joel Embiid. However, injuries derailed the effectiveness of this duo in their inaugural season together.
Analysis of Key Transactions
Below, we will take a closer look at ten key transactions from the offseason, reviewing their initial assessments compared to their current standings after a year.
Key Transactions:
- Knicks acquire Karl-Anthony Towns:
From Minnesota Timberwolves:
In exchange for: Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, Keita Bates-DiOp, and a protected first-round pick.
Initial Grades: Timberwolves (B+), Knicks (B)
Revised Grades: Timberwolves (B+), Knicks (B+)
After both teams reached the conference finals, this trade might hold even more weight in evaluation over the long term. The Timberwolves strengthened their roster with DiVincenzo and saved significantly on their payroll, while Towns filled a critical role for the Knicks and made his presence felt, earning All-NBA honors along the way. - Brooklyn Nets trade for Mikal Bridges:
Nets received: Bridges, future draft picks.
Knicks received: Draft compensation.
Initial Grades: Nets (A), Knicks (B)
Revised Grades: Nets (A), Knicks (C+)
Brooklyn executed a significant haul for Bridges, netting five first-round picks, which reflects a solid outcome as the Nets began turning around their rebuilding process. While Bridges had some playoff struggles, he retained enough value to justify the move. - Chicago Bulls acquire Josh Giddey:
From Oklahoma City Thunder: Alex Caruso
Initial Grades: Bulls (C-), Thunder (A)
Revised Grades: Bulls (C+), Thunder (A)
Caruso proved indispensable for Oklahoma City, playing a key role in their championship run. Meanwhile, Giddey displayed improvement that solidifies his worth for Chicago moving forward, earning them a modest bump in grading. - Oklahoma City Thunder signs Isaiah Hartenstein:
Initial Grade: A
Revised Grade: A
Hartenstein joined seamlessly with center Chet Holmgren, forming a potent duo that helped the Thunder dominate defensively during their title run. - Sixers sign Paul George from Clippers:
Original Grade: A
Revised Grade: D
George’s disappointing season due to injuries reduced his franchise value considerably, leaving the 76ers in a precarious position regarding his future contributions and their investment in him. - New Orleans Pelicans obtain Dejounte Murray:
Initial Grades: Pelicans (B+), Hawks (B+)
Revised Grades: Pelicans (F), Hawks (A)
Murray’s Achilles injury compounded a hasty decision for New Orleans, while Atlanta maximized its return with a promising draft choice currently in their system. - Portland acquires Deni Avdija:
Original Grades: Trail Blazers (C+), Wizards (B+)
Revised Grades: Trail Blazers (A-), Wizards (B-)
Avdija transformed his performance significantly late into the season, making Portland’s investment look more favorable as he showed signs of becoming a critical piece for their future. - Dallas Mavericks land Klay Thompson:
Initial Grades: Mavericks (B-), Others (B)
Revised Grades: Mavericks (B), Others (B)
Despite injury setbacks, Thompson filled his role and started every game played for Dallas, although expectations were understandably tempered. - Sacramento Kings sign DeMar DeRozan:
Initial Grades: Kings (C+), Bulls (C)
Revised Grades: Kings (C-), Bulls (D)
The Kings’ fit for DeRozan diminished even more after roster changes, raising doubts about whether he was worth the risk in terms of contract and picks exchanged.
Conclusion
In retrospect, while some trades appear to have yielded immediate gains, they may ultimately require further evaluation over the coming seasons as we analyze the impact on team dynamics and overall performances. The 2024 offseason serves as a reminder of how unpredictable the league can be, where long-term effects can outweigh initial evaluations.
