The NBA’s top teams are not taking steps back, they are improving, and leaving small market teams to continue to fight for lottery position. The Celtics, Lakers, Spurs, Cavs, and Magic have all improved, and any one of them could be the last team standing next June.
The Celtics’ biggest off season event was the successful surgery and healing of all star Kevin Garnett. Their front court depth was an issue last year, so Celtics general manager Danny Ainge signed free agent Rasheed Wallace. Rasheed can play and guard both the forward and center positions, and stretches the floor with his solid perimeter shooting.
If the celtics can re-sign forward Glen Davis, their weakness in 2009, will be their strength in 2010; frontcourt depth.
The Lakers wasted no time exploring ways to get better after winning the franchise’s 15th title in June. After losing forward Trevor Ariza to free agency, they signed veteran forward Ron Artest from Houston. Artest gives the Lakers better defense, and can allow Kobe Bryant to not have to guard the opposing team’s best perimeter scorer.
The next challenge for the champs is to resign Lamar Odom. If they cannot sign Odom, their depth will take a major hit.
After a tough loss in the NBA Finals, the Magic pulled off a blockbuster trade with the Nets acquiring Vince Carter, for a package of players including Courtney Lee and Rafer Alston. While the Magic gave up on a promising young player in Lee, they are adding a proven scorer in Carter, and now Jameer Nelson can fully reclaim the starting point guard role.
The Spurs realized their team was getting older. They acquired Richard Jefferson from the Milwaukee Bucks via trade and drafted Pittsburgh forward Dejuan Blair in the second round of the 2009 Draft. Jefferson is a solid all around player, and Blair is a bruiser in the paint and will team nicely alongside all star Tim Duncan.
If they can stay healthy, the Spurs will be the team to beat in the Western Conference in 2010.
The Cavs looked to supply the incomparable LeBron James with more firepower and found it in Shaquille O’Neal. Acquired via trade from Phoenix, Shaq will give the Cavs a dominant low-post presence the franchise has never seen. He also brings championship experience with him to a team that has none.
While the Cavs did not acquire a lot of new players, they only gave up Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic to get O’Neal, so the core of the team is still intact.
The summer of 2009 has seen the NBA’s elite get even stronger. There is no doubt many more moves could be made as the trade deadline gets closer. As everyone saves their pennies for the 2010 free agent class, the moves of the 2009 offseason, could determine the fate of the NBA for years to come.
It has been a long time since the NBA has seen 5 legit championship contenders to start a season.