Complete 2018 NBA offseason grades for all 30 teams

Golden State Warriors

Key additions: Jacob Evans (free agency), DeMarcus Cousins (free agency), Jonas Jerebko (free agency), Danuel House Jr. (free agency)

Key subtractions: JaVale McGee (free agency), Zaza Pachulia (free agency), Omri Casspi (free agency)

The Golden State Warriors would’ve won the summer had they just re-signed Kevin Durant and called it a day. They were the heavy title favorites for 2018-19 entering the offseason, and even on another 1+1 deal, keeping KD ensures it stays that way.

However, the defending champs weren’t done stealing from the poor and giving to the rich. They got terrific value late in the first round of the draft with Jacob Evans, sure, but they completely turned the NBA upside down by signing DeMarcus Cousins for the freaking taxpayer mid-level exception ($5.3 million).

Getting arguably the best center in the NBA for that price is unbelievable for any team, let alone this juggernaut. He’ll be trying to re-establish his value in a winning environment, so his fiery temper shouldn’t be a problem on this team. They can also afford to bring him along slowly so he’s completely healthy when he takes the court. Even if he can’t stay healthy, so what? The Warriors have more than enough to coast to another title without him.

If he can return healthy, however, he takes Golden State’s unfair advantage to astronomic levels. There’s little downside here, even if he’ll probably miss half the season trying to get back. Throw in being able to re-sign Kevon Looney after declining his option before the season, plus snagging Jonas Jerebko and Danuel House Jr., and the Warriors won the offseason by a mile.

Grade: A+