Same faces in new places.
Klay Thompson, Paul George, Karl-Anthony Towns are just some of the big names who are looking for fresh starts with new teams as the race for the 2024-25 NBA title gets underway.
With that, let's look back on some of the biggest offseason movements around the Association.
Paul George to the Philadelphia 76ers
2023-24 averages: 22.6 PTS | 5.2 REB | 3.5 AST
In hopes of contending against the reigning champion Boston Celtics and other East powerhouses such as the New York Knicks and the Milwaukee Bucks, the Philadelphia 76ers went all-in last summer.
The Sixers won the Paul George lottery, acquiring the biggest fish in the free agency pool to form a Big Three alongside MVP Joel Embiid and reigning Most Improved Player Tyrese Maxey.
This also marked George’s return to the Eastern Conference for the first time since 2017, instantly making Philadelphia as championship contenders.
Besides George, the Sixers also upgraded their roster with the arrival of veterans Eric Gordon, Reggie Jackson, and a returning Andre Drummond on top of 3-and-D guy Caleb Martin.
On paper, this is perhaps the best collection of talent that Embiid has had in his Sixer tenure but one question always haunted his polarizing career: can he manage to stay healthy enough for a deep playoff or championship run?
Mikal Bridges, Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks
Bridges’ 2023-24 averages: 19.6 PTS | 4.5 REB | 3.6 AST
Towns’ 2023-24 averages: 21.8 PTS | 8.3 REB | 41.6% 3FG
Coming off their best season yet since the Carmelo Anthony era, the New York Knicks looked to build off their 50-win season and an East semifinal appearance.
Enter Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns.
The Knicks first traded for Bridges–a high-level, two-way wing and another Villanova Wildcat– to boost their depth before pulling the trigger on a blockbuster swap centered around Towns and former All-Star Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo.
[ALSO READ: Karl-Anthony Towns shares classy way how he learned of trade to Knicks: 'Respect']
That makes an impressive all-around starting five of superstar guard Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, another quality defender in OG Anunoby, along with Bridges and Towns.
But New York got smoked by the reigning champion Celtics on the opening night, 132-109.
[ALSO READ: Jayson Tatum leads historic Celtics shooting in NBA opening-day rout of new-look Knicks]
Still a lot to work for the Knicks but this year might be the season where a championship seems realistic after all.
2023-24 averages: 17.9 PTS | 3.3 REB | 38.7% 3-PT FG
As one chapter closes, another is about to begin.
Klay Thompson’s 13-year in the Bay Area came to an end after the four-time champion joined Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, and the Dallas Mavericks, who lost in the NBA Finals last June to the Celtics.
DeMar DeRozan to the Sacramento Kings
2023-24 averages: 24.0 PTS | 4.3 REB | 5.3 AST
After three underwhelming seasons in Chicago, DeMar DeRozan chose to go back to the West and joined the pair of Domantas Sabonis and De’Aaron Fox in Sacramento.
A 16-year veteran who averaged nearly 21 points per game in his career, DeRozan brings another shot-creator and scorer to the best offense in the league just two years ago.
He will get a chance to team up with Fox as the two now form one of the best clutch tandems in the league with the all-around brilliance of Sabonis still on the table.
Sacramento made its first playoff appearance in 2023 but fell short last season, after crashing out in the In-Season Tournament. DeRozan might be the key in helping the Kings return to the postseason.
Dejounte Murray to the New Orleans Pelicans
2023-24 averages: 22.5 PTS | 5.3 REB | 6.4 AST
Dejounte Murray is now on his second team in the last three seasons after getting traded to New Orleans Pelicans, a team who desperately needed a legitimate point guard.
[ALSO READ: Reports: Pelicans acquire Dejounte Murray in blockbuster trade with Hawks]
After playing alongside ball-dominant guard Trae Young, Murray will now share the ball with Zion Williamson, CJ McCollum, and Brandon Ingram. That’s four former All-Stars on the same team that got swept in the opening round last year by the top seed OKC Thunder.
But will it be enough for New Orleans to contend in a loaded Western Conference?
Randle’s 2023-24 averages: 24..6 PTS | 9.2 REB | 5.0 AST
DiVincenzo’s 2023-24 averages: 15.5 PTS | 3.7 REB | 44.3% 3FG
In parting ways with longtime star Karl Anthony Towns, the Minnesota Timberwolves welcomed former Most Improved Player Julius Randle and sharpshooter Donte DiVincenzo.
Alex Caruso, Isaiah Hartenstein to OKC Thunder
Caruso’s 2023-24 averages: 10.1 PTS | 3.8 REB | 3.5 AST
Hartenstein’s 2023-24 averages: 7.8 PTS | 8.3 REB | 3.5 AST
No one predicted last season that the youthful OKC Thunder would make the playoffs, let alone claim the West top seed over the likes of the Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves.
Led by MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC got exposed in the second round in the playoffs by the Mavericks with their lack of big body in the paint and a better defensive, shooting guard.
Then came Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein — two players who seemed to be the perfect fit to fill those needs on a team with title aspirations.
Caruso is perhaps the best perimeter defender in the league and brings championship experience having won a ring with the Lakers
Meanwhile, Hartenstein had a breakout season in New York and could become the rock-solid two-way big man for the team who can score, rebound, pass and defend.
Not the biggest of the names but the Thunder surely got the pieces that they wanted.
Chris Paul to the San Antonio San Antonio Spurs
2023-24 averages: 9.2 PTS | 3.9 REB | 6.8 AST
One of the best floor generals of his generation is teaming up with perhaps the next face of the league.
Chris Paul may not be the same All-Star caliber point guard that he once was, but he surely is the best playmaker that reigning rookie of the year Victor Wembanyama will be playing with.
The Paul-Wemby alley-oop connection might be what excites the fans in San Antonio but it will also be a chance for point guard Stephon Castle to pick CP3’s brain and learn the game even more.
Surely, the Spurs are a young team but it will be interesting how the dynamic of Paul and head coach Greg Popovich will further develop the growth of Wembanyama in his sophomore year.
Russell Westbrook to the Denver Nuggets
2023-24 averages: 11.1 PTS | 5.0 REB | 4.5 AST
Two of the top four in NBA all-time career triple-double leaders are on the same team.
The Denver Nuggets got a much-needed boost with the arrival of the 2017 MVP Russell Westbrook to the team after losing key championship pieces Bruce Brown and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in two straight offseasons.
Westbrook joins a team led by three-time league MVP Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr. to name a few a season removed from their second-round exit.
[ALSO READ: Russell Westbrook cherishes opportunity to join 'unguardable' Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets]
While he was not the MVP-level triple-double machine he once was, Brodie will surely get a player who plays hard every time he is on the court and brings energy to the bench.
