Central Division NBA Offseason Recap
In this episode of Locked On Fantasy Basketball, I break down the offseason moves for all Central Division teams, examining whether they got better, worse, or stayed neutral. We look into Detroit's struggle to escape the bottom, Milwaukee's attempt to improve, and Cleveland's puzzling lack of moves.
YouTube Link: Central Division NBA Offseason Recap
Key Highlights:
Chicago Bulls: Worse Off
Chicago Bulls had the 11th pick in the draft and selected Mathias Bozella, who has shown promise in the Summer League, particularly on the defensive end. They added Jalen Smith and Josh Giddey but lost key players Alex Caruso and DeMar DeRozan, making the team worse overall. The Bulls' future hinges on potential trades involving Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Neutral
Cleveland Cavaliers have been quiet this offseason, with no new signings and only drafting Jaylon Tyson at pick 20, who has shown potential. The coaching upgrade to Kenny Atkinson from JB Bickerstaff is significant, but the lack of player movement keeps the team in a neutral position.
Detroit Pistons: Improved
Detroit Pistons drafted Ron Holland at pick 5 and Bobi Klintman at pick 37. They made significant additions with Tobias Harris, Tim Hardaway Jr., Paul Reed, Malik Beasley, and Wendell Moore Jr., improving the team's roster. Despite losing several players, Detroit is undoubtedly better this season and no longer the worst team in the league.
Indiana Pacers: Neutral
Indiana Pacers didn't have a first-round pick but added Johnny Furphy, Tristen Newton, and Enrique Freeman in the second round. They signed James Wiseman to replace Jalen Smith, keeping the team in a neutral position. Furphy shows promise, but overall, the Pacers remain steady.
Milwaukee Bucks: Improved
Milwaukee Bucks drafted AJ Johnson at pick 23 and added Delon Wright, Taurean Prince, and Gary Trent Jr. on minimum contracts, significantly upgrading their roster. They lost Patrick Beverley, Malik Beasley, and Jae Crowder but improved overall. The Bucks are poised to push for a top-two seed in the East.
This is just a glimpse! For a detailed breakdown of each team's offseason moves and their potential fantasy impacts, check out the full video.
Watch the full episode here: Central Division NBA Offseason Recap
Best, Josh Lloyd