Kevin Durant’s decision to sign with the Golden State Warriors completely changed the landscape of the NBA to the point where there were immediate calls to alter the league’s rules. However, while the Warriors will undoubtedly enter the 2016-17 NBA season as the prohibitive favorites to win a championship, they weren’t the only team that substantially upgraded their roster. Here is a look at four non-playoff teams from a year ago that have improved enough to make the playoffs this coming season.
Chicago Bulls
The Bulls turned a lot of heads a year ago when they missed the playoffs by two games, so it was no surprise when they opted to go in a different direction this offseason. It’s quite shocking how much this organization has changed in such a short period of time. A couple of years ago, they were challenging for the NBA finals. Nowadays, they’re merely fighting for a playoff spot.
The good news is that by moving out Derrick Rose and opting not to bring back Joakim Noah or Pau Gasol, they have cycled out a lot of age and allowed for a makeover. Chicago pledged to get younger by adding Jerian Grant in the trade that sent Rose to the New York Knicks and drafting Denzel Valentine. Their youth movement took a turn when they signed Rajon Rondo and then convinced Dwyane Wade to come home. Grant, Valentine, Nikola Mirotic and Doug McDermott represent the youth infusion the Bulls needed while Wade, Rondo and Jimmy Butler make up a formidable veteran group. Chicago might not contend with the big boys in the Eastern Conference but they should definitely be able to get back to the postseason. They missed out the playoffs for just two games
New York Knicks
New York was more than happy to take Rose and Noah from the Bulls and they didn’t stop there as they managed to land Brandon Jennings and Courtney Lee to solidify their backcourt. Combine the incoming talent with Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis and suddenly the Knicks look like a team that should contend for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Jennings – when healthy – is a very quality player that should help solve their point guard problems and the good news is they don’t need to necessarily rely on him because of Rose. And if Rose isn’t healthy then Jennings can step in. Lee will replace what Arron Afflalo brought to the table, for the most part. As for Noah, he’ll be an upgrade over Robin Lopez, who left via free agency.
New York won’t be considered a frontrunner for one of the top seeds but after struggling throughout the first couple of years under Phil Jackson the Knicks should finally make their return to the postseason in 2016-17.
New Orleans Pelicans
Injuries were a big part of the reason why New Orleans took a step back a year ago but the team made some smart decisions this offseason that should pay off. Allowing Ryan Anderson to walk as a free agent made a lot of sense and the Pelicans got some immediate help in a major area of need by drafting shooting guard Buddy Hield with the sixth-overall pick. Factor in the additions of E’Twaun Moore and Langston Galloway to improve their backcourt depth and the fact that star center Anthony Davis is fully healthy again and it’s clear New Orleans will be a playoff contender once again this coming season.
Utah Jazz
The Jazz put the rest of the Western Conference on notice when they finished one game back of the Houston Rockets for the final playoff spot and after upgrading their roster in the offseason they should be primed for a stronger postseason bid. Utah is stocked with young talent led by Gordon Hayward, Trey Lyles and Rudy Gobert and they did an excellent job insulating them with some strong veteran additions in George Hill, Joe Johnson and Boris Diaw. The result could be the perfect storm for a Utah side that is definitely talented enough and should be able to find a way in to the Western Conference playoff picture this coming season.
