thelesterlee
We are in the midst of one of the more exciting summers in NBA history.
The NBA drafts are becoming deeper which means there’s just more talent in the league and that makes free agency even more compelling.
Unfortunately, not every organization participated in the fun as they either sat on the sidelines not making any phone calls or they did make phone calls—to some of the worst players in the league.
Here are the 7 teams that completely fucked up the 2021 offseason:
1. New Orleans Pelicans
Pelicans GM, David Griffin, won a title in Cleveland thanks to LeBron and tricked New Orleans into letting him ruin Zion Williamson’s career.
New Orleans had first-round picks and the entire Lakers young core.
Griffin flipped that into acquiring Jonas Valanciunas, Garrett Temple, and Devonte Graham.
The fuck is going on over there? I love Brandon Ingram’s game and I wish he was able to watch him flourish but nope, he’s sharing the court with Eric Bledsoe and [insert name of random rookie that isn’t good].
I don’t think Zion and Garrett Temple will be recreating that photo of Wade throwing an oop up to LeBron.
2. Boston Celtics
Brad Stevens stole Danny Ainge’s job as Celtics GM and used his power to un-do everything he hated about Ainge’s previous moves.
He traded away Kemba Walker to get Al Horford back but needed to give away a 1st round draft pick to do so. Update: Kemba was bought out by OKC and now plays for the Knicks for $8 million.
Boston took on a terrible Horford salary and lost draft picks to make the Knicks better.
At the time of writing this, Boston just brought Enes Kanter back.
I hope Gordon Hayward still has property in the Boston area. He’s next.
3. Portland Trailblazers
Once a week, Damian Lillard tells a new NBA writer that he wants a trade.
Portland was fully aware of the unhappiness of their superstar and figured the secret to keeping him in Oregon was to let Carmelo Anthony and Zach Collins leave and replace them with Cody Zeller, Tony Snell and Ben McLemore.
That Portland front office will pay for their war crimes.
#FreeDame
4. Dallas Mavericks
Replacing Josh Richardson with Reggie Bullock is cool or whatever.
Richardson went to Dallas and forgot how to play basketball. Just like Lamar Odom did. Keep an eye out for Josh’s trips to Vegas. Keep him away from those gas station boner pills.
But there is no reality in which you give Luka Doncic the keys to the kingdom and keep Kristaps Porzingis on the same roster knowing these two do not mesh on or off the court.
5. Golden State Warriors
Steph Curry is 33 years old coming off an MVP-caliber season and as he ages, Golden State has decided that they will focus more on their future instead of putting all their eggs in one basket and maximizing Steph’s window of greatness.
Draymond Green can’t make open layups.
Klay Thompson hasn’t walked in two years.
Who cares?
Let’s use our 3 high lottery picks to draft 3 teenagers who are projects that need time to develop when we could’ve traded those picks for win-now stars to help Steph. Ok.
6. San Antonio Spurs
I have no idea what the Spurs could’ve done to improve their roster considering their previous draft picks have sucked and they used their pick this year on Joshua Primo who was the youngest player available and needs the most development.
But losing DeMar DeRozan—the best player on your team—and replacing him with *squints* Doug McDermott, is bad.
7. Detroit Pistons
Killian Hayes was a great draft pick last season. Cade Cunningham was the no. 1 pick this summer.
Unfortunately, we’ll never see them reach their potential because they’re sharing a court with Kelly Olynyk and Mason Plumlee.
Personally, I would surround my young backcourt with shooters and rim protectors but okay, sign Trey Lyles. Do your thing thing.
I guess Detroit drafted Cunningham so they can eventually trade him for more draft picks(?)
Great 2021 offseason for every team except these 7.
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