In a recent article on The Athletic, David Aldridge ranked all 30 NBA teams based on their off-season moves for the 2024 season. The rankings were revealed over a three-day period, with the top 10 teams finally being released on Thursday. Aldridge emphasizes that these rankings are not power rankings, but rather a reflection of how much he personally liked each team’s off-season.
The Boston Celtics secured a spot in Aldridge’s top five off-seasons. Despite facing some challenges, they managed to keep all key players from their postseason run intact. With extensions for Jayson Tatum and Derrick White, the Celtics have solidified their core for the long term.
Concerns have been raised about the New York Knicks giving up significant draft picks to acquire Mikal Bridges from the Nets. However, Aldridge is quick to point out that Bridges was not just a strategic move to maintain the ‘Nova Knicks’ storyline. The Knicks’ off-season success was further highlighted by star point guard Jalen Brunson signing an extension ahead of schedule.
The Orlando Magic, coming off a strong playoff performance in 2024, fell just short of advancing past the Cavaliers. To bolster their lineup, they secured the services of shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope during the off-season. Aldridge commends the Magic for their efforts in solidifying their position as an up-and-coming team in the league.
Moving down to teams six through ten in Aldridge’s rankings, we see the Sacramento Kings, Brooklyn Nets, Cleveland Cavaliers, San Antonio Spurs, and Dallas Mavericks mentioned. Each team made moves during the off-season that caught the attention of Aldridge and contributed to their overall ranking.
As the 2024 NBA season approaches, the impact of these off-season moves will become clearer. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how these teams perform and whether Aldridge’s rankings hold true throughout the season.
