Eastern Conference Offseason: Every Team’s Biggest Mistake
As the NBA gears up for another exciting season, fans and analysts are taking a closer look at each team’s offseason moves. Every franchise enters the summer with a plan to improve, but not all decisions pay off as expected. Whether due to misjudged trades, contract overspends, or failure to make necessary changes, every team has its fair share of missteps. In this article, we’ll break down the biggest offseason mistakes of each Eastern Conference team.
1. Atlanta Hawks: Holding on to Trae Young
The Hawks find themselves in a precarious position. They’ve consistently hovered around the play-in tournament level but haven’t made the leap into true contention. While Trae Young is a talented player, his presence might be preventing a full rebuild. Atlanta could have maximized Young’s value by trading him to a contending team and initiating a true rebuild. Instead, they remain stuck in a state of limbo, trying to retool without a clear direction.
2. Boston Celtics: Complacency
This one might feel like a nitpick, but the Celtics could regret staying put after winning the championship. Boston has a strong core, and while the adage “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” holds some truth, history has shown that championship teams can quickly become complacent. With no major moves in free agency or the trade market, the Celtics run the risk of stagnation, which could hurt their chances of defending their title.
3. Brooklyn Nets: Holding on to Dorian Finney-Smith
The Nets are clearly in a rebuilding phase, yet they held on to Dorian Finney-Smith, a player more suited for a contending team. As a valuable three-and-D player, Finney-Smith could have fetched assets that better aligned with Brooklyn’s long-term goals. By keeping him, the Nets missed an opportunity to accelerate their rebuild.
4. Charlotte Hornets: Re-signing Miles Bridges
Miles Bridges is undeniably talented, but his off-the-court issues should have given Charlotte pause. The Hornets gave him a hefty $25 million per year contract in what felt like an unnecessary overpay, especially when it seemed like there wasn’t much competition for his services. By re-signing him, the Hornets are not only betting on a player with baggage but also locking in cap space for someone who may not move the needle.
5. Chicago Bulls: Going Halfway in a Rebuild
The Bulls have been hovering on the edge of contention for a few seasons but haven’t committed to a rebuild despite all signs pointing toward it. The team allowed DeMar DeRozan to leave for Sacramento, yet they held on to Zach LaVine. With LaVine’s value declining, Chicago missed its chance to fully reset, leaving them with a likely middling outcome next season, at best a fringe play-in spot.
6. Cleveland Cavaliers: Running It Back
After extending Donovan Mitchell, the Cavaliers seemed poised to make more moves to improve their roster. However, despite expectations, the team didn’t make any significant changes to an already expensive core. The Cavaliers are a good team, but in the competitive Eastern Conference, they’re not great. Without making a notable trade or signing to improve depth, Cleveland risks stagnating with a payroll full of max contracts.
7. Detroit Pistons: Overpaying Tobias Harris
The Pistons had plenty of cap space to make a splash in free agency but failed to lure top-tier talent. Instead, they handed Tobias Harris a two-year, $52 million deal. While Harris is a solid player, he doesn’t elevate Detroit’s floor significantly, making this an expensive gamble for a team that’s still trying to climb out of the Eastern Conference basement.
8. Indiana Pacers: Extending Obi Toppin
Indiana re-signed Pascal Siakam and extended Obi Toppin for four years and $58 million, creating a logjam at the power forward position. With Jarace Walker, their lottery pick from last year, also playing that spot, the Pacers are essentially paying starter money to a backup while limiting the development of their young prospect.
9. Miami Heat: Failing to Trade Tyler Herro
10. Milwaukee Bucks: Drafting A.J. Johnson
With a title window closing rapidly, the Bucks couldn’t afford to gamble on a development project, yet they selected A.J. Johnson, one of the rawest prospects in the draft. Johnson, who struggled overseas in the NBL, will take time to develop, but Milwaukee needs players who can contribute immediately. Their decision to draft Johnson could be a misstep if they fail to capitalize on their current championship window.
11. New York Knicks: Letting Isaiah Hartenstein Walk
The Knicks allowed Isaiah Hartenstein to leave for Oklahoma City, a move that has thinned their depth at the center position. With Mitchell Robinson’s injury history, the Knicks may struggle to find stability in the frontcourt. Hartenstein’s departure leaves them relying on unproven or inconsistent backups, a vulnerability that could hurt their playoff aspirations.
12. Orlando Magic: Overpaying Franz Wagner
The Magic committed to Franz Wagner with a max extension worth $224 million over five years. Wagner is a good player, but it’s unclear whether he’ll become an All-Star-level talent. By paying him before he’s fully proven, the Magic could be hamstringing their future flexibility, especially with Paolo Banchero’s extension on the horizon.
13. Philadelphia 76ers: Ignoring the Power Forward Spot
Philadelphia had a productive offseason, but their neglect of the power forward position is puzzling. With a lack of size at the four, they will be forced to play wing players like Kelly Oubre, Paul George, or Caleb Martin out of position, which could hurt their lineup versatility and overall balance in a competitive conference.
14. Toronto Raptors: Overpaying Immanuel Quickley
The Raptors handed Immanuel Quickley a $130 million, four-year extension despite him still being unproven as an All-Star talent. While Quickley showed promise, paying him star-level money now puts pressure on him to perform, and it limits Toronto’s ability to make other moves while he continues to develop.
15. Washington Wizards: Failing to Choose a Direction
Washington continues to rebuild, yet their offseason moves suggest indecision. Despite drafting Alex Sarr with the second overall pick, they signed Jonas Valančiūnas to a three-year deal and failed to explore the trade market for Kyle Kuzma. The Wizards are stuck between trying to compete and focusing on youth development, which will likely limit their growth in the short term.
Conclusion
The Eastern Conference saw teams make a mix of calculated moves and questionable decisions this offseason. While some franchises opted for caution, others may have overcommitted financially or failed to make the bold moves necessary to shift their trajectories. Only time will tell how these mistakes will impact the coming NBA season, but one thing is certain: no team enters the year without its share of doubts.
