NBA: 5 teams that took a step back in free agency this summer
By Kyle Crabbe
Breaking down five NBA teams that took a step back during the chaotic free agency period of 2019
During the 2019 free agency period, we saw big names like Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Kyrie Irving, Jimmy Butler, and many others change addresses and, at the same time, change the outlooks of several NBA franchises.
But with these big-time players leaving their respective teams, those teams now have to deal with the loss of such productive star players.
Let’s take a look at the teams that took the biggest steps back after the 2019 NBA free agency period.
5. Boston Celtics
2017-18 record: 49-33
Key additions:
Kemba Walker, Romeo Langford, Enes Kanter
Key subtractions:
Kyrie Irving, Al Harford, Marcus Morris, Terry Rozier
The 2019-20 Boston Celtics might be able to improve in wins from last season, but they took a huge drop in talent during the offseason. Boston lost Kyrie Irving as well as Al Horford, two big-time players. Irving and Horford are two of the more talented players in the NBA and definitely are major departures for the Celtics.
Boston also lost talented and productive rotation players in Marcus Morris and Terry Rozier. The Celtics front office was proactive and was able to rebound in free agency to bring in significant talent with the signings of Kemba Walker and Enes Kanter, but they will take a hit in terms of star power.
There is no denying the Celtics went from being NBA Finals contenders at the beginning of last season to a playoff threat, at best, this summer.