NBA offseason grades: Central Division

The NBA offseason is drawing to a close. Teams around the league have retooled, upgraded or tweaked their rosters as they prepare for another grueling campaign. 

With just a few weeks remaining until the start of the preseason, now is the perfect time to start assigning grades to each team's offseason. Today, we'll be looking at the Central Division. 

Milwaukee Bucks | Grade: C

Players in: Taurean Prince (F), Gary Trent Jr. (G/F), Delon Wright (G) | Players out: Malik Beasley (G)

The Bucks came into the offseason after their second consecutive first-round playoff exit. The Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard partnership failed to bring the immediate success many had expected. Part of the team's struggles were due to an aging supporting cast, with Brook Lopez and Khris Middleton looking a step or two slower. 

However, this summer, Milwaukee's lack of tradable assets or available cap space left it shopping in the bargain bin. The addition of Trent Jr. is its best piece of business, with him adding depth and high-level talent to the bench unit. Nevertheless, Milwaukee is again relying on Middleton and Lopez's production if it wants to make a deep playoff push.

Cleveland Cavaliers | Grade: B

Players in: None | Players out: None

The Cavaliers made it to the Eastern Conference semifinals last season, but they lost to the Boston Celtics. Jarrett Allen was injured for that series, while Donovan Mitchell missed the final few games. The Cavaliers' lack of movement this summer suggests they're banking on health and internal development to improve their chances of success next season.

Re-signing Donovan Mitchell is a significant win for the franchise and removes any concern about him leaving for nothing soon. Still, other teams around the Eastern Conference have vastly improved their rosters during the offseason. Nevertheless, if the Cavaliers' young roster takes a step forward and Kenny Atkinson helps get the best out of his players, Cleveland will still be a tough team to beat next season. 

Indiana Pacers | Grade: B

Players in: James Wiseman (C) | Players out: Jalen Smith (C)

Last season's Eastern Conference finalists have stood pat this summer. Like the Cavaliers, the Pacers are set up for long-term success. Their roster is full of young talent who could take a developmental leap heading into the new season, which could further push them toward being a genuine contender in the East. 

The Pacers' addition of Wiseman is smart business. He projects to be a high-level rim runner and has finally landed on a team that makes sense for his skill set. If everything goes according to plan, he could emerge as a steal of the summer. Of course, a lot will rest on the development of Tyrese Haliburton, who continues to prove himself as a top-10 player of the future. 

Chicago Bulls | Grade: F+ 

Players in: Josh Giddey (G), Chris Duarte (G/F), Jalen Smith (C) | Players out: Alex Caruso (G), DeMar DeRozan (F), Andre Drummond (C)

Give the Bulls credit, adding Giddey was a great business move and gave the franchise a potential All-Star of the future. That's where the praise stops, though. Chicago has failed to receive a single draft pick from any of its deals during the offseason. The Bulls have lost three core members of the rotation with only Giddey to show for it. 

Furthermore, Zach LaVine remains part of Chicago's roster despite its desire to move on from him. As such, the Bulls are probably too good to enter the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes but nowhere near good enough to challenge for a spot in the postseason. They're stuck in basketball purgatory, and that's the worst place a franchise can find itself. 

Detroit Pistons | Grade: B+ 

Players in: Malik Beasley (G), Tim Hardaway Jr. (G/F), Tobias Harris (F), Wendell Moore Jr. (G), Paul Reed (F/C) | Players out: Taj Gibson (F/C), Quentin Grimes (G), James Wiseman (C)

The Pistons finally appear to have a plan. Last season, they had some of the worst floor spacing in the NBA, making life tough for Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey to generate consistent offense. This summer, the front office has resolved that issue, adding multiple floor spacers along with Harris, who projects to be an ideal fit within the Pistons' roster construction. 

With more spacing within the roster, the Pistons should be a more complete team in the upcoming season. They're unlikely to make a push for the playoffs or even the play-in tournament, but at least there are finally signs of a blueprint from the front office. That alone is an encouraging sign for Pistons fans everywhere.