This offseason has been full of anticipation and surprises. Let’s start with the draft. With the first pick, the San Antonio Spurs picked Victor Wembanyama who has been the most hyped up prospect since Lebron James in 2003. The 7-foot-4 center has an amazing 8-foot wingspan which allows him to block shots and work in the paint with ease. The Spurs are sure to get an all-around player who can shoot the three, while dominating in the paint and midrange. Another surprise of the draft was Cam Whitmore. The 20th overall pick from Villanova was projected to be drafted sixth by the Orlando Magic, but was selected by the Houston Rockets who also took Amen Thompson with the fourth pick. The explosive forward was the NBA summer league MVP and provided us with jaw-dropping dunks every game.
Now it’s time for the trades. As of Oct. 2, two of the biggest trades have happened in the span of one week. Giannis Antetokoumpo and the Bucks acquired the best clutch shooter in the world, Damian “Dame Time” Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers. The sharpshooter had shown a lot of interest in the Heat, but ultimately had Jrue Holiday and others going to Portland The Celtics made two blockbuster trades that surprised us all. Four days after Dame Time’s trade, Jrue Holiday was traded from Trail Blazers to the Celtics for two first round picks, Robert Williams III, and Malcom Brogdon. The point guard was dropping dimes to Giannis and the Bucks for three years and earned himself a championship. After the draft, Boston landed Kristaps Porzingis and the three point machine, Marcus Sasser, drafted from the University of Houston, and a 2024 first-round pick in a three-team deal with the Memphis Grizzlies and the Wizards. The Celtics traded the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year, Marcus Smart and some bench players to the Grizzlies and Wizards. Earlier in the offseason, the Washington Wizards and Phoenix Suns struck a deal sending St. Louis’ own Bradley Beal and two bench players to the Suns. In return, the Wizards acquired the 12-time all star Chris Paul, Landry Shamet, seventh overall pick Bilal Coulibaly, six second-round picks, and four first-round pick swaps from 2024 through 2030. This year’s offseason has been full of trades and anticipation. Get ready for another showstopping season of NBA basketball, starting Oct. 24.
