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The NBA Free Agency 2020 has been an eventful one, with notable free agents such as Danilo Gallinari and Marc Gasol making unexpected choices. Some teams were the clear winners of the offseason, as they added important pieces which will help them compete next season. In this article, we will take a look at 5 teams who improved their rosters the most in NBA Free Agency.
NBA Free Agency 2020: 5 teams who won the offseason
NBA Free Agency can be a tough nut to crack for most franchises. Let's take a look at the ones that succeeded in doing so this offseason.
#1- LA Lakers
The LA Lakers' agenda in NBA Free Agency 2020 was to add the right role players around the star duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis. GM Rob Pelinka and the front office have done a superb job so far.
The Lakers traded for Dennis Schroder, who is an upgrade at point guard and offers secondary shot creation, unlike Rajon Rondo. Schroder is a better scoring threat and will space the floor as a shooter.
In the frontcourt, the Lakers have acquired reigning Sixth Man of the Year Montrezl Harrell and former Defensive Player of the Year Marc Gasol. The duo is a clear improvement from Dwight Howard and JaVale McGee, who have moved on from the team.
Harrell brings incredible energy when he steps on the court, and Gasol is the kind of high IQ player who thrives next to LeBron James. On the wing, Wesley Matthews replaces Danny Green, a move that replaces a good defender and respected shooter with another.
#2- Portland Trail Blazers
The Trail Blazers have been a perenial playoff team, and the franchise has one of the best backcourts in the NBA in the form of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. However, the Blazers took a step forward in NBA Free Agency 2020 and will be right up as championship contenders next season.
Portland added Robert Covington to the mix and he is the high-level 3&D wing this team needed. Factor in a re-signed and healthy Rodney Hood and suddenly the wing play for Portland looks strong. The Blazers also re-signed Carmelo Anthony, and while the future Hall of Famer will see a reduced role (especially with Zach Collins healthy), his presence brings veteran leadership to this team.
#3- Phoenix Suns
After the 2020 NBA Playoffs, there were rumors that Devin Booker was unhappy in Phoenix and was looking for a way out of the franchise. The All-Star was also reported to be frustrated with the roster. It seems like the Suns paid due attention to the reports of discontentment, and chose to address the issue this offseason.
The big move was trading for Chris Paul and bringing the generation's best floor general to Phoenix. Paul is an intense competition and will make players around him better, especially big man Deandre Ayton and the role players. Chris Paul can also change the culture in the franchise and ensure the young player do not settle for less. The Phoenix Suns also made a smart move by picking up Jae Crowder in NBA Free Agency 2020, who is the solid veteran presence this team needed.
#4- Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks took the league by storm in NBA Free Agency 2020, as their front office made multiple aggressive moves. The result is that head coach Lloyd Pierce has a balanced roster to work with next season.
In Free Agency, the Hawks used their cap space to grab Danilo Gallinari, who is one of the league’s better stretch fours and will space the floor. They also added Bogdan Bogdanovic, a perfect fit as a secondary playmaker with size next to Trae Young.
Atlanta’s numbers fell off a cliff last season whenever Trae Young sat. Now the team has Rajon Rondo and Kris Dunn backing him up, providing distribution, playmaking, and in Dunn’s case, a strong defender.
#5- Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers had a huge roster gap to fill and required prolific shooters who could complement Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. The 76ers shooting woes have been well-documented in recent years. New General Manager Daryl Morey was able to address them immediaately in NBA Free Agency 2020.
The 76ers added Seth Curry and Danny Green to the mix and parted ways with Al Horford and Josh Richardson, who weren't a good fit with the team. In Curry, the 76ers have one of the best three-point shooters in the league. The guard takes 3-point attempts at high volume and knocks them down with great efficiency.
On the other hand, Green is a prototype 3&D wing, who will provide much-needed perimeter defense and size at the guard position apart from his shooting.
Guess the Lakers players!
