Nikola Jokic enjoyed the championship parade, but now it’s time to defend the title. Here are some quick hitters from the NBA offseason.
When the final buzzer sounded in Game 5 of the 2023 NBA Finals, newly crowned champion Nikola Jokic was ready to go home. The Finals MVP stayed and enjoyed the championship parade in Denver, but he was ready to switch off from basketball mode for the offseason.
If you’re anything like the two-time Kia MVP and have not stayed locked in on all the NBA news, player moves, and overall chaos of the past 121 days, we’re here to recap everything you may have missed.
1. Spurs draft phenom Victor Wembanyama
With the first overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, the Spurs added a generational talent in Victor Wembanyama. The 7-foot-4, multi-skilled French phenom is the most highly-touted prospect since LeBron James. Can he follow in the footsteps of Tim Duncan and David Robinson to become yet another game-changing big taken No. 1 by the Spurs? Go deeper.
2. Blazers start new era under Scoot Hendersen
After the Hornets selected Brandon Miller at No. 2, the Blazers kept their pick and took Scoot Henderson at No. 3, a move that precipitated an even bigger one: With Portland going younger, 11-year veteran Damian Lillard requested a trade out of Rip City. Go deeper.
3. Damian Lillard traded to Bucks
After months of silence, the Blazers struck a deal before training camp. A three-team deal sent Lillard to Milwaukee, with Portland getting Jrue Holiday, Deandre Ayton and draft picks. Phoenix received four potential rotation players. Milwaukee’s move boosted the Bucks to favorites in the East. Go deeper.
4. Celtics acquire Jrue Holiday
Holiday’s tenure in Portland lasted four days as he was traded to Boston for Malcolm Brogdon, Robert Williams III and two future first-round picks. The Bucks took the title of East favorites with the Lillard trade, but Boston responded quickly with the Holiday deal. Go deeper.
5. Celtics land another former All-Star
Boston had a busy offseason after the Celtics fell to the Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals. As part of a three-team deal, Boston acquired Kristaps Porzingis from Washington and sent Marcus Smart to Memphis, leaving the Grizzlies with the past two Kia Defensive Player of the Year winners. Go deeper.
6. Suns add Bradley Beal, form Big 3
There’s a new big three in Phoenix with Bradley Beal joining Devin Booker and Kevin Durant as part of a three-team deal with Washington and Indiana. This move sent Chris Paul to Washington (at least briefly). Will the addition of Beal be enough to lift the Suns to their first title? Go deeper.
7. Chris Paul in, Jordan Poole out
Paul was rerouted from Washington to Golden State in exchange for Jordan Poole, two players and two future picks. Paul has had a tenuous relationship with the Warriors in the past after a number of playoff meetings, but everyone involved is focusing on the present rather than the past. Go deeper.
8. Rockets launch new leadership
The Rockets made big changes after operating in the West’s basement the past three seasons, adding veterans Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks to join their young core. They also hired a new coach in Ime Udoka to lead the squad. Go deeper.
9. Miami turns to Herro
Fresh off a second Finals appearance in four seasons, Miami lost two key players in Max Strus (to the Cavs) and Gabe Vincent (to the Lakers). With Miami unable to land Lillard or Holiday, will Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and a returning Tyler Herro be enough to get back to the Finals? Go deeper.
10. Kyrie Irving commits to Dallas
The Mavs went just 5-11 with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving on the court together after Dallas acquired Irving at the trade deadline, missing both the playoffs and AT&T Play-In Tournament. Dallas decided to run it back by re-signing Irving to a multi-year deal. Go deeper.
11. Young stars get paid
A number of marquee players – Domantas Sabonis, Dejounte Murray, LaMelo Ball and Desmond Bane, along with Team USA trio Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton and Josh Hart – agreed to multi-year contract extensions to continue to build with their current squad. Not mentioned is Boston’s Jaylen Brown, who signed the richest deal in NBA history. Go deeper.
12. Several players re-sign
With a choice to stay or go, many top free agents – Irving, Draymond Green, Kyle Kuzma, Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez, Austin Reaves, Jerami Grant, Cam Johnson, Russell Westbrook and more – chose to re-sign with their current squad rather than seek out a new opportunity elsewhere. Go deeper.
13. Others on the move
It wouldn’t be free agency if everyone stayed put. In addition to VanVleet and Vincent, this offseason saw 2023 champ Bruce Brown sign with the Pacers, Eric Gordon join the Suns and Donte DiVincenzo sign with the Knicks, where he reunites with former Villanova teammates Jalen Brunson and Hart. Go deeper.
14. New coaches
In addition to Udoka in Houston, five other head coaching changes were made this offseason: Adrian Griffin replaces Mike Budenholzer in Milwaukee, Nick Nurse goes from Toronto to Philly, and Darko Rajakovic takes over the Raptors; Monty Williams goes from Phoenix to Detroit, with Frank Vogel taking over the Suns. Go deeper.
15. New tournament
The NBA announced the inaugural In-Season Tournament for the 2023-24 season, adding a new competition for all 30 teams. Group Play begins November 3 and the tournament culminates with the championship on December 9 in Las Vegas. All games except the championship will count toward the regular season. Go deeper.
16. New CBA
Great news from the business side of the game as the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association signed a new seven-year Collective Bargaining Agreement, which took effect on July 1, 2023 and runs through the 2029-30 season. Go deeper.
17. New rules
New rules this season include in-game flopping penalties as well as an expanded Coach’s Challenge, with coaches getting an additional challenge if their first is successful. In addition, the league announced a Player Participation Policy to deter teams from resting marquee players throughout the season. Go deeper.
18. Summer League puts up record numbers
NBA 2K24 Summer League in Las Vegas featured more buzz and sold out crowds than ever before as fans were eager to see the debuts of Wembanyama and other top young players. The Cavs ultimately won the title behind Summer League MVP Isaiah Mobley. Go deeper.
19. Wade, Dirk among new Hall of Famers
In August the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame enshrined the Class of 2023, a group stacked with star power, international flavor and Spurs connections. Dwyane Wade, Dirk Nowitzki, Pau Gasol, Tony Parker, Gregg Popovich and Becky Hammon headlined a class that left an indelible mark on the game. Go deeper.
20. Team USA comes up short
Germany defeated Serbia to win the 2023 FIBA World Cup with a team featuring four NBA talents: tournament MVP Dennis Schroder, Franz and Moritz Wagner, and Daniel Theis. Despite a breakout summer from Anthony Edwards, Team USA failed to medal for the second straight World Cup, finishing fourth after losing to Canada in the bronze medal game. Go deeper.
