The season is well and truly under way, with either joy, dread or indifference well and truly having settled in. 

Which teams set themselves up for a legitimate shot at success (either via winning or adding value)? Lets perform an audit, seeing what assets arrived and which disappeared (I wont be including any 2^nd round pick for GM points deals).

Lets take a look at the best performing teams from the offseason:

Golden State Warriors

Added: Kyle Lowry, Tim Hardaway Jr, Spencer Dinwiddie, Josh Jackson, Tre Jones, Paul Millsap (FA), Gorgui Dieng (FA), Georges Niang (FA), Isaac Bonga (RFA), Nassir Little (team option), Ziaire Williams (draft pick), Armoni Brooks

Lost: Andrew Wiggins, Gary Harris, Jakob Poeltl, Dillon Brooks, Troy Brown, Duane Washington Jr, Aaron Wiggins, 1^st round pick, 2^nd round pick

Is this the season that self hype becomes legitimate hype? The Warriors have an exciting, modern basketball lineup and I think they have crushed it this offseason. Condensing three decent pieces for a great player is a move I will always endorse. Then, to keep the team balanced, swapping out an overpaid wing in Wiggins for two capable veterans and a rookie is better value depth to a better player in Lowry. Not satisfied, Titles added Dinwiddie for cheap and netted three contributors from free agency, most notably, Paul Millsap.

Toronto Raptors

Added: Demar Derozan, Fred Vanvleet, Markelle Fultz, Willie Cauley-Stein, Carmelo Anthony (FA), P.J. Tucker (FA), Trevor Ariza (FA), Semi Oyjeli (FA), 2^nd round pick

Lost: Malcolm Brogdon, Lauri Markannen, Steven Adams, Daniel House Jr., Kenrich Williams, 1^st round pick

If you are looking to put some money down on a team to come out of the East, look no further than the Raptors. I count six high quality starters or rotation players coming in, three leaving. Thats a significant injection of capable, influential players and cant be ignored. I havent seen Brogdon step up in critical situations thus far in NSL playoffs, so getting Derozan for him is a clear upgrade. The Fred Vanvleet deal was also a win, adding talent and value. North is pointing straight up.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Added: Jarrett Allen (RFA), Alex Caruso (FA), Tomas Satoransky, Evan Fournier, Brook Lopez, Davion Mitchell (draft pick), Brandon Clarke (team option), Obi Toppin (team option), Alex Len (FA), Javonte Green (FA), Rodney McGruder (FA)

Lost: Marcus Morris Sr., Juan Toscano Anderson, John Konchar

Out of all these teams, the Cavaliers have gone about this offseason dominance the most under the radar. On the surface, it doesnt look all that sexy on the surface, but under closer inspection, look at all the value and talent they added for this season at such a slight cost. Caruso, Fournier and Lopez are all either starters or going to start games and they have only lost one capable player (Morris). Cavaliers leaned into their excess cap space as well as a team can, and I think their newly acquired depth and talent will see them make the playoffs.

Minnesota Timberwolves

Added: Khris Middleton, Pascal Siakam, Jonas Valanciunas, Lonnie Walker, Lamelo Ball (team option) Isaiah Stewart (team option), Dwight Howard (FA), Alec Burks (FA), Scottie Barnes (draft), Damian Lee, Naz Reid, Freddie Gillespie (rights), Scottie Lewis (draft), Daniel House Jr., Kenrich Williams

Lost: Caris Levert, Kyle Kuzma, Immanuel Quickley, Saddiq Bey, Thomas Bryant, Terance Mann, Dorian-Finney Smith, Willie Cauley-Stein, Josh Okogie, 1^st round pick, 2^nd round pick

Wow. Pretty much the entire team is in the added section (including rookie team options), with almost no teams in the league bar probably the Sacramento Kings (I didnt check but assuming) experiencing as much change. There are pieces there for immediate and future success, and despite the Wolves sending out plenty of capable players with potential, one cant underestimate how important upgrading and condensing is, and that’s what I like about the Wolves work.


San Antonio Spurs

Added: LeBron James, Terance Mann, Nerlens Noel (FA), Otto Porter Jr. (FA), Dewayne Dedmon (FA), Jamychel Green (FA), Rajon Rondo (FA), Solomon Hill (FA), Etwaun Moore (FA), Udonis Haslem (FA), Dean Wade (FA), 2 x 2^nd round picks

Lost: Damian Lillard, Robert Covington, Dorian Finney-Smith

One of the real winners of free agency, and not sure any team played their hand better than the Spurs. As you can see, they had to add half a team and they did a good job of this, using their GM points well and placing many smart, winning bids. They added value in their trades and their signings at a lesser cost. The real feather in the cap is selling high on Damian Lillard and landing LeBron James. Despite his age, his impact on the game is arguably the greatest and thats not even his best feature.

Milwaukee Bucks

Added: Evan Mobley (draft pick), Reggie Jackson (FA), Duncan Robinson (FA), Trey Lyles (FA), Hamidou Diallo (RFA), Zion Williamson (team option), Killian Hayes (team option), Precious Achiuwa (team option), Aaron Nesmith (team option), Jeremian Robinson-Earl (draft pick), 2^nd round pick