NBA offseason grades: Central Division

With all the major pieces assigned and reassigned, we turn our attention to grading each and every NBA team’s offseason activity.

Today, after exploring the Atlantic and Northeast divisions, we turn to the Central Division.

Chicago Bulls: B-

The Bulls filled some obvious needs this offseason, with Norm Powell giving them a shooter/scorer and Nic Claxton manning the middle. The 33-year-old Powell isn’t a long-term solution and Claxton is…fine. After a number of years spinning their wheels, at least the Bulls are trying something different.

Drafting Caleb Wilson at pick four was a no-brainer. It remains to be seen if his white-hot summer league jumper carries over to the real games, but he’s still a potential tentpole star for the Bulls to build around.

Cleveland Cavaliers: D

It’s conceivable that in 12 months’ time the Cavaliers could look very, very different.

The switch from Darius Garland to James Harden hardly moved the needle. The lure of home failed to land LeBron James and they’ve lost their best on-ball defenders in Dean Wade and Keon Ellis.

The Harden-Donovan Mitchell backcourt is a defensive disaster; the Jarrett Allen-Evan Mobley twin towers tread on each other’s toes offensively. It’s hard to see where the improvement comes from.

Jaylon Tyson is ready to assume more responsibility but is hardly a defensive upgrade. Second round pick Meleek Thomas was a Summer League revelation, but is all offense and might struggle to carve out a role.

If the Cavs can’t make some real noise this season, expect seismic changes.

Detroit Pistons: C+

With All-Star center Jalen Duren still unsigned, this grade has an asterisk attached to it. But with most teams’ cap space evaporated, there are really only two conclusions: Duren re-signs or Duren is sign-and-traded.

From a pure talent viewpoint, Detroit downgraded from Tobias Harris and Caris LeVert to John Collins and Isaiah Joe, but both newcomers unlock something. Joe is one of the best shooters on the planet – a skill sorely needed in Motor City – and Collins provides some small ball potential, playing the five next to Ausar Thompson.

Too much creative responsibility still falls to Cade Cunningham. If he falters or, heaven forbid, gets hurt, the Pistons are in trouble.

Orlando Magic: C-

This is THE make-or-break year for the Magic. They’ve brought in a new, innovate coach in Sean Sweeney. He’ll have to be at his creative best to make this talented, but ill-fitting group work.

The Paolo Banchero/Franz Wagner fit concerns are real. That the backcourt pairing of Jalen Suggs and Anthony Black can’t really shoot is an issue. The center rotation is serviceable at best.

Having made their all-in move for Desmond Bane last offseason, the Magic don’t have many bullets left to fire, explaining their only roster move being the return of aged former star Nikola Vucevic.

Washington Wizards: D+

There is a surprising amount of young talent on the Washington roster, including heralded first overall pick AJ Dybantsa. Why, then, ink a $212 million deal for a point guard whose value comes from dominating the basketball and offers precisely nothing on defense? Trae Young will certainly raise the Wizards floor in the shorter term, but could impact the long-term development of Dybantsa, Kyshawn George, Will Riley and Alex Sarr.

There remains another shoe to drop, as well. Will the Wiz extend Anthony Davis? Again, he’ll up their win totals this season but may impinge Sarr’s growth. Does Washington look to move him? There’s a new signing in Philadelphia who may insist on bringing his old teammate in.