Yardbarker
x
NBA superstars on new teams in 2017-18
Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

NBA superstars on new teams in 2017-18

The summer of 2017 was one of the craziest offseasons in NBA history with myriad NBA superstars finding new homes. Things kicked off with Jimmy Butler getting traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves on draft night and just escalated from there.

Kyrie Irving demanded a trade, the Knicks finally got rid of Carmelo Anthony and Paul George ended up alongside another Angeleno — but not in Los Angeles. Here's where all of superstars on new teams ended up. 

 
1 of 13

Gordon Hayward leaves Utah for Boston

Gordon Hayward leaves Utah for Boston
Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

It always made sense that Gordon Hayward would become a Boston Celtic. He first rose to national prominence at Butler University with head coach Brad Stevens, who is now the head coach of the Celtics. Stevens's offense is the perfect home for Hayward’s scoring ability and willingness to make the right play. 

 
2 of 13

Kyrie Irving ends up in Boston

Kyrie Irving ends up in Boston
Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

There wasn’t a bigger shock this offseason than when reports surfaced that Kyrie Irving wanted to leave Cleveland — or rather, leave LeBron James. Along with fellow newcomer Gordon Hayward, Kyrie is now on the Eastern Conference team in the best position to dethrone the very King he made three consecutive NBA Finals trips with. 

 
3 of 13

Boston deals Isaiah Thomas to Cleveland

Boston deals Isaiah Thomas to Cleveland
Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

After an emotional postseason in which Isaiah Thomas played through the death of his sister to help Boston reach the Eastern Conference Finals, he was a part of the trade package in exchange for Kyrie Irving that lands him alongside LeBron James and Derrick Rose. His health could be a huge determining factor in who represents the East in the NBA Finals this season. 

 
4 of 13

Derrick Rose heads to Cleveland

Derrick Rose heads to Cleveland
Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

When the Cavaliers signed Derrick Rose, he seemed like an awkward fit considering the makeup of the team at the time. Then a few days later Kyrie Irving requested a trade, and everything made sense. Rose — a former MVP — is a reclamation project who, if healthy, is still one of the fastest point guards the league has to offer. 

 
5 of 13

Dwyane Wade is bought out, signs with Cleveland

Dwyane Wade is bought out, signs with Cleveland
Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

The Bulls bought out Dwyane Wade’s contract after a year that just didn’t work out for either party. Wade signed a veteran’s minimum deal with the Cavs to reunite with LeBron James in hopes to re-create the magic the two developed while in Miami. 

 
6 of 13

Rajon Rondo finds his way to New Orleans

Rajon Rondo finds his way to New Orleans
Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Rajon Rondo could end up missing the first two months of the NBA season if he gets surgery on a sports hernia. But the point guard found himself in New Orleans after spending last season with the Chicago Bulls. The pass-always point guard, when healthy, will have the opportunity to figure out how to best utilize Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins. 

 
7 of 13

Jimmy Butler is traded to Minnesota

Jimmy Butler is traded to Minnesota
Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Also leaving Chicago is Jimmy Butler, who was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves to give a young, emerging team a bona fide star. Andrew Wiggins's and Karl-Anthony Towns's lives should be much easier with the attention that Butler is going to receive on the offensive end and with what he brings on the other side of the ball. 

 
8 of 13

Jeff Teague joins the movement in the Twin Cities

Jeff Teague joins the movement in the Twin Cities
Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

After Jimmy Butler was traded for on draft night, the ‘Wolves cleared up some cap space to bring in Jeff Teague from Indiana. Teague gives Minnesota a kind of spacing that Ricky Rubio never could because of his shooting ability. Towns will have more room on the block while Wiggins will have cutting lanes with less traffic. 

 
9 of 13

Paul George is traded to Oklahoma City

Paul George is traded to Oklahoma City
Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

After losing Teague in free agency, the Pacers’ hands were forced into moving Paul George in a trade. Instead of Boston or Los Angeles like many expected, PG13 ended up in Oklahoma City to play with the reigning MVP, Russell Westbrook. 

 
10 of 13

Carmelo Anthony is moved from New York to OKC

Carmelo Anthony is moved from New York to OKC
Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Sam Presti wasn’t done after landing Paul George. The Thunder general manager was able to sneak in — for the second time in the same offseason — and steal a star from teams most expected to land him. This time, Presti traded for Carmelo Anthony when most thought he’d end up in Cleveland or Houston. 

 
11 of 13

Chris Paul joins forces with James Harden in Houston

Chris Paul joins forces with James Harden in Houston
Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

While the Rockets weren’t able to trade for Carmelo Anthony, they did trade for Chris Paul. James Harden finished second in MVP voting in his first season under Mike D’Antoni, so we can only imagine what Houston is dreaming up with Harden and Paul on the floor at the same time. 

 
12 of 13

The Hornets trade for Dwight Howard

The Hornets trade for Dwight Howard
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The Hornets were the most statistically middle-of-the-pack team in the NBA last year. Ranking 14th in both offensive and defensive efficiency, the team traded for Dwight Howard, who, at the very least, might help bolster the Hornets into the top third of defensive teams.

 
13 of 13

Paul Millsap leaves Atlanta, joins Denver

Paul Millsap leaves Atlanta, joins Denver
Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

The Denver Nuggets might be the most interesting team as we approach opening night of the 2017-18 NBA season, and adding Paul Millsap could be the difference between barely missing the postseason and becoming an awfully scary seventh or eighth seed. The Atlanta Hawks reportedly never made an offer for Millsap during free agency, so the Nuggets scooped up the All-Star to play along Gary Harris and Nikola Jokic. 

Phillip Barnett firmly believes in the healing power of a good snickerdoodle cookie. You can follow him on Twitter @regularbarnett.

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

+

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.