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NBA: 5 biggest winners from the 2019 offseason

By Liaudwin Seaberry

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 15: Patrick Beverley #21 and Montrezl Harrell #5 of the LA Clippers celebrate after they beat the Golden State Warriors during Game Two of the first round of the 2019 NBA Western Conference Playoffs at ORACLE Arena on April 15, 2019 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 15: Patrick Beverley #21 and Montrezl Harrell #5 of the LA Clippers celebrate after they beat the Golden State Warriors during Game Two of the first round of the 2019 NBA Western Conference Playoffs at ORACLE Arena on April 15, 2019 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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NBA Boston Celtics
NBA Boston Celtics Kyrie Irving (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

Brooklyn Nets

The Brooklyn Nets were one of the surprise teams in the NBA during the 2019 season. Led by former point guard D’Angelo Russell, the Nets emerged from the basement of the Eastern Conference to capture the No. 6 seed. However, no one could have seen what ensued for the franchise during this offseason.

The team signed former Celtics star Kyrie Irving and two-time Finals MVP Kevin Durant to max contracts each worth four-years, $142 million contracts, while Russell was sent to Golden State via a sign and trade to match the salaries. Both Irving and Durant are proven scorers and facilitators, with Irving leading the Celtics to the playoffs last season despite being the only option at certain times during the season.

Durant, on the other hand, is coming off of a torn ACL in the NBA Finals that will sideline him for the 2019-20 season, yet the risk will certainly be worth the reward if he comes back in 2021 even 80 percent of his former self. The 10-time All-Star and four-time scoring champion has the game and talent to age well into his 30’s, shown by his career 38 percent 3-point percentage.

In addition to signing Durant and Irving, the Nets added veteran big man DeAndre Jordan to a core in place of shooting guard Caris LeVert, point guard Spencer Dinwiddie, and center Jarrett Allen. Jordan, a two-time rebounding champion and three-time All-NBA member, will provide the Nets with a strong inside presence along with a mentor for the 21-year-old Allen, who still is finding his way as an NBA center.

Brooklyn’s coach-general manager duo of Kenny Atkinson and Sean Marks have put into place a team that went from playoff hopeful to bonafide conference championship contenders within a matter of months. However, the truly cannot be truly judged until Durant is back on the court in 2020. Regardless, the team’s display of a win-now mentality moves them into the shortlist of offseason victors.

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