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NBA: The Teams That Improved The Most This Offseason

By Maxwell Ogden

May 16, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers new head coach Nate McMillan and president of basketball operations Larry Bird speak to the press during a press conference at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
May 16, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers new head coach Nate McMillan and president of basketball operations Larry Bird speak to the press during a press conference at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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BOSTON, MA – JULY 8: Newly acquired Boston Celtics player Al Horford throws out the ceremonial first pitch before a game between the Boston Red Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays on July 8, 2016 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – JULY 8: Newly acquired Boston Celtics player Al Horford throws out the ceremonial first pitch before a game between the Boston Red Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays on July 8, 2016 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) /

4. Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics had two significant voids entering the 2016 NBA offseason. The first was a big man who could actually anchor the interior and put an end to the need for Brad Stevens to utilize makeshift rotations, and the other was an upside player along the wings.

Danny Ainge found both when he drafted Jaylen Brown and signed four-time All-Star Al Horford.

Boston has an All-Star at point guard in Isaiah Thomas and an All-Defense shooting guard in Avery Bradley. Boston also has a revered two-way small forward in Jae Crowder, but it lacks a true go-to player down low.

The likes of Jonas Jerebko, Kelly Olynyk, Jared Sullinger, and Tyler Zeller provided versatility, but Horford can do everything they do on his own—and at a much higher level.

Brown may not provide much immediate value, but he did show himself to be a gifted slasher at Summer League. Furthermore, a 22-year-old Marcus Smart should continue to progress and Terry Rozier showed out at Summer League.

Though the other moves were minimal, replacing a makeshift rotation of big men with a four-time All-Star is an incredibly wise decision.

Next: Addressing The Void