Underrated NBA Additions

By Avi Carr-Gloth

Every NBA offseason, some major trades and signings capture the attention of the basketball universe. The trades of Russell Westbrook, John Wall, Chris Paul, and Jrue Holiday were among the top headlines in the hyper-condensed 2020 offseason. However, there are always moves that get less attention when they occur but end up being huge difference makers during the season. 

Here are some underrated moves that will end up having a larger impact than it appears at first glance.

Steven Adams to the Pelicans

Steve Adams (12) guarding Heats Bam Adebayo. (David Santiago/Miami Herald)

Adams getting traded got lost in the shuffle between Chris Paul’s trade and the absurd amount of first-round draft picks amassed by Thunder General Manager Sam Presti. Officially he was included in a four-team trade between New Orleans, Oklahoma City, Milwaukee, and Denver. Shortly after the trade went through, he was inked to a two-year $37 million extension. Adams will team up with Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram to form one of the league’s most talented and intimidating front-courts. However, this move has as much to do with the present as it does the future. 

Williamson and Ingram both have elite ceilings with the chance to be future faces of the league. The only potential roadblock appears to be injury. Both players have already missed a sizable amount of games in their young careers. Adams helps mitigate injury risk by taking the brunt of the defensive work in the post. The early prevention of a grueling physical toll on the Pelicans' young studs could pay incredible dividends as their careers progress. If they go on to have long and healthy careers, Adams will be an important person to thank.

Tristan Thompson to the Celtics

The Celtics have consistently been one of the premier teams in the league in recent years. They have advanced to the conference finals in three of the last four seasons. One of their biggest weaknesses over that stretch was rebounding and interior defense. Enter Thompson who signed a two-year $19 million deal to join Boston after nine seasons in Cleveland.

Thompson was a member of Cavaliers teams that were a major thorn in the side of recent Celtics teams. He became one of the best offensive rebounders in the league and provided consistently good defense in the paint. Between his team fit and contract, this is an all-around terrific signing by Celtics GM Danny Ainge. Thompson fits the timeline of this contender while not putting a significant dent in their future salary cap. Boston will face premier big men such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, and Bam Adebayo in the playoffs, and while Thompson won’t completely shut any of them down, he is Boston’s best big man option for their closing defensive lineups.

Luke Kennard to the Clippers

Kennard was traded to Los Angeles in a three-team deal including Detroit and Brooklyn. A former first-round pick by the Pistons, Kennard adds shooting and driving abilities to a contender. He will be counted on to play big minutes off the bench for a team that just lost reigning Sixth Man of the Year Montrezl Harrell. The Clippers had the top-scoring bench last season and will still rely heavily on Lou Williams and Serge Ibaka in tow. The Clippers are also certain to take advantage of the league’s relaxed rules on resting players which could mean Kawhi Leonard and Paul George play in fewer games.

Kennard fits well the personnel of the bench unit but is also compatible with the starters. A career 40.2% three-point shooter, he can be used as a spot-up floor spacer while holding his own defensively. He averaged over 4.1 assists per game in a small size with Detroit last year flashing his improved passing and court vision. Kennard’s addition didn’t receive much fanfare, but there will definitely be multiple moments this season where the Clippers will be glad they got him.

Avery Bradley to the Heat

Miami had to be careful during free agency this offseason as they want to keep their cap space open for 2021 in case any superstars becomes available. That left them with limited room for free agents this year. They threaded the needle beautifully by adding Bradley on a two-year deal for $11.6 million with a team option the second year. A stout perimeter defender who shoots threes at a career 36.4% clip, Bradley is a seamless fit in this Miami backcourt. He also fits into the Heat culture as a respected veteran with playoff experience.

The Heat have a wealth of lineup combinations at guard to close out games depending on their opponent. Head coach Erik Spoelstra is known for throwing in schematic curveballs such as playing zone defense for important short stretches. Miami rode terrific play from Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro, Goran Dragic, and Kendrick Nunn all the way to the Finals. Bradley’s addition now makes this arguably the deepest backcourt in the league. 

Avi is a sports writers for La Tonique Media.