Klay Thompson to Miami, DeMar DeRozan to Denver and the NBA offseason's most underrated moves

As we inch closer and closer to fall (you already took a sip of a Pumpkin Spice something, I know it), we can feel the optimism spreading within the basketball world.

The offseason is full of transactions, moves to improve and swings to make things … fit . That's the key word. Context, opportunity and how a new acquisition works within what a team does will end up defining how well a transaction ends up being.

It's easy to view moves in a vacuum. Teams need to acquire talent to fit a need, talent needs an opportunity to work, etc. But my curiosity always forces me to dig a little deeper: Maybe adding this player did not address every weakness a team has, but how did it make them stronger? What can teams do with these additions that they could not do last year?

So with that in mind, I present to you my six pack of underrated fits with NBA training camps opening later this month.

This is less about Klay Thompson returning to All-Star form, less about Klay being Ray Allen to Miami 2.0, and more about the fit between the human, the player and the franchise. It's clear Thompson wants to compete at a high level, and the Heat are always going to work to compete at a high level, especially after cashing in their chips to get Giannis Antetokounmpo. Erik Spoelstra has a knack for understanding his roster, knowing where his team needs to go and getting the most out of his roster. It feels like a natural meeting of the minds.

It's not hard to imagine how Thompson, one of the greatest 3-point shooters of all time, will help Miami when it comes to spacing. But Thompson is not just a great shooter, he's a movement shooter and a willing shooter. For the Heat, that can open up the playbook. Giannis will always draw the attention of a defense, but Thompson gives them someone who can be used in different actions as a threat when he's off the board. If you don't believe me, wait until the first time Klay makes four-plus 3s in Miami and listen to the crowd.

Many will point to the defensive end of the floor, point to his age and point at me. What I will say in response is, with Andrew Wiggins, Bam Adebayo and Giannis, there is a good amount of size and length that can surround Thompson on defense. Miami and Thompson needed each other, and that should pop throughout the season.

When the Minnesota Timberwolves reshaped the vision for their team by acquiring LaMelo Ball, it felt like the team was upgrading their guard position while also locking themselves into small ball. Being able to add a young, dynamic talent like Jonathan Kuminga to that vision feels like a major plus for Minnesota.

Before I get to the basketball aspects, it's important to note that Minnesota wanted him there. From the top of the organization, to the front office, to the roster and Anthony Edwards, they clearly valued his talent and what he could add to what they are building. How much value does that have for Kuminga, considering his feelings about how things went in Golden State? Forget the fanfare and ink being spilled for a moment, the human nature to feel wanted can unlock a whole lot of things.

On the court, not immediately having to tap Jaden McDaniels at the 4 all the time feels like a big win for the Timberwolves. They can get to some lineup versatility and different combinations. Considering the guard room the Wolves have, there will always be a certain level of talent on the floor. Kuminga's athleticism should immediately be felt in transition. His confidence offensively and ability to self-create should also help Minnesota in moments where the offense has a lull. If there is a boost in catch-and-shoot 3s and driving closeouts, the Wolves become even tougher to guard.

Tim Connelly has had an eye on getting talent in the room and Chris Finch has had a knack for getting the most out of it. We have seen the franchise take a player who may be seen as something, and then seeing something in them. The growth of Julius Randle, the evolution of Naz Reid, the immediate turn from Ayo Dosunmu, the playoff version of McDaniels — all of those leaps came in-house. So it's not hard to imagine that a young player looking for a home and a chance to prove himself pops in an environment that may be the best context he's had.

There has been a lot of conversation about the Denver Nuggets' offseason, and I fully understand where it's coming from. The way they lost their playoff series to the Timberwolves coupled with a lack of a big offseason move and the loss of Peyton Watson may not feel the best to a lot of people. But if we move all of that to the side and I told you a 54-win team with the best offensive rating in the NBA last season added DeMar DeRozan, would it feel so bad?

(It might. I know you're rolling your eyes right now, but stick with me.)

A lot of times additions are viewed in a very specific tunnel. This team is bad at X, and if we don't fix that, we won't get where we want to. I understand that. And I understand if you add a player that you also believe is bad at X, it can ruffle some feathers. My counter would be that sometimes a team may see what it needs but may not be able to find it at the moment. That doesn't stop its pursuit of greatness, it just makes it … a little different.

What if I told you the Nuggets may have worked to strengthen their strength — to add to what they already do very well offensively, even if it's in a way that may not 100% vibe with the sounds of "modern basketball"? One of the best offenses adding one of the best bucket getters is an interesting concept. Make no mistake about it, until the day he hangs up his shoes DeRozan will be a bucket getter. How many of those has Denver had in this era?

If we're being honest, half of what people felt about the growth from Aaron Gordon last season was his ability to go find a basket within the team's context. DeRozan has the ability to provide stability to the Nuggets' second unit without having to relentlessly smash the Jamal Murray button. And for a team that has made life difficult in the fourth quarter for opponents having to figure out how to guard Nikola Jokić, Murray and Gordon, I'm not sure adding DeRozan to the mix makes that easier.

Would this also not be the best offensive context DeRozan has had? And if you're worried about the defense, we can be honest with each other, how many players would have to be added to Denver for you to not be? We have proof of concept: If you can't stop them and they can stop you enough, they will always be hard to deal with.

Isaiah Joe/Kevin Huerter/Gary Harris/Taurean Prince/John Collins to Detroit

Yes, I am aware that as I write this we do not have an ending to the long-term storyline of Jalen Duren and the Pistons. But I also watch soap operas, so I know that a) eventually we'll get a conclusion and b) I can pivot to other people without much concern. So I present the Pistons seeing an Eastern Conference chasing them down, doubling down on their identity, and also saying, "Hey, what if we just have more shooting?"

Bring me Isaiah Joe and his ability to be used in different actions. Kevin Huerter, let's see if you can let it fly. Gary Harris and Taurean Prince, you shot well from deep, come over here and do that. John Collins, you've been working to expand that part of your game, why not?

The percentages and the volume are going to shift and change, but what I like for Detroit is the fact it has options. It can maintain a level of spacing around the continued growth of Cade Cunningham and what I would assume to be the two-man game with him and Duren. If you're going to help, they have different people who can make you pay. And never forget, they are going to guard you . They'll never stop guarding you.

I am an enjoyer of taking a swing on talent, and if you're New Orleans trying to figure out what the next era will be, why not take a swing on Bennedict Mathurin?

He's showcased an ability to score over and over again, he adds a dynamic with his shot creation and driving, and there have been flashes defensively. What is the worst thing that can happen?

It's the Western Conference, so results will always vary, but having a lot of offensive talent may not be the end of the world. Mathurin likely has a desire to prove himself in a different way, and the way he does it may help the Pelicans figure out exactly what they want to do going forward.

This felt like the sneakiest move of the offseason. The Spurs absolutely put the league on notice last year. They will have to deal with going from the hunter to the hunted, but they will also have to figure out how to navigate the effects from losing in the NBA Finals. Where Tobias Harris helps them is not just from being a veteran, but by adding to the foundation they have already laid.

Harris showcased a different level in his ability to score in Detroit; being able to do that in San Antonio with less responsibility should be a plus for both sides. He can also guard multiple positions, space the floor, and be used in different actions. The beauty is that the Spurs won't have to rely on Harris to do those things in theory. And he's coming off a year where defense meant everything in Detroit and he can carry that over with Victor Wembanayama now behind him. If he stays in form, this could open another door for the Spurs.