Which NBA Teams improved The Most? Which Regressed?

September 4, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

The NBA offseason is a time of roster upheaval, and this episode of Locked on NBA Game Night cuts through the noise to assess which teams genuinely improved and which are poised for a fall. Hosts Haze and Swiper break down the league’s biggest winners and losers, focusing not just on flashy additions but on fit, direction, and the hard-to-measure chemistry that can make or break a season. The conversation is a practical guide for fans trying to understand what the moves actually mean for the upcoming year.

The Biggest Winners: Miami, Philly, and the Lakers' Retool

The hosts agree that the Miami Heat are the offseason’s clear winners. Adding Giannis Antetokounmpo is the headline, but the supporting cast matters just as much. Swiper points out that Miami also brought in Klay Thompson, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Bobby Portis Jr., a career 40% three-point shooter. The key insight is that this roster is built for the playoffs. “I think the heat might just be better in the playoffs in a half court playoff setting than the seventy sixers right now,” Swiper argues, noting that the pairing of Bam Adebayo and Giannis could be a nightmare for Joel Embiid and the Sixers, especially if Embiid isn’t fully healthy.

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What you'll learn

1 (01:50) **Episode Intro & Setup** - Haze and Swiper welcome listeners and set up the episode’s two-part debate: which NBA teams improved most this offseason, and which regressed.
2 (02:28) **First Improved Team: Minnesota Timberwolves?** - Swiper considers the Timberwolves after adding Lamelo Ball and Jonathan Kuminga, but criticizes their smaller front court and worse rebounding.
3 (03:08) **Philadelphia 76ers as the “Easy Answer”** - Swiper pivots to Philadelphia, citing Jalen Brown’s All-NBA season and the additions of Lapia’s LeBron, Dean Wade, Anthony Simons, and a rookie.
4 (03:44) **Miami Heat: Swiper’s Top Pick** - Swiper argues the Heat improved more than the 76ers, adding Giannis Antetokounmpo, Clay Thompson, Tim Hardaway Jr., Bobby Porter Jr., and Nick Richards.
5 (04:55) **Debating Philly vs. Miami vs. Minnesota** - Haze asks Swiper to rank the improved teams; Swiper puts Miami first, Philly second, and questions where Minnesota fits.
6 (05:17) **Utah Jazz and Directional Improvement** - The hosts discuss the Jazz’s talent level, rookie additions, and the fact they’ll now try to win, which makes them hard to gauge.
7 (06:18) **Lakers: Revamped Roster Around Luka** - Haze asks where the Lakers rank after adding Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes, Colin Sexton, Jaden Hardy, Kevon Looney, and Matthew Steibel, while losing LeBron.

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Show Notes

Blockbuster NBA offseason shakes the league: Giannis lands in Miami, Jaylen Brown joins the 76ers, and Kawhi Leonard exits the Clippers. Can the Miami Heat’s new frontcourt with Giannis and Bam Adebayo dominate playoff basketball over Joel Embiid and LeBron James’ 76ers? Which retooled teams are poised for a breakout, and who’s set for a slide after losing superstar power?

Haize & Swipabreak down the winners and losers of the summer, spotlighting major moves by the Lakers, Hawks, Raptors, Jazz, and Spurs, and debating whether the Bucks or Clippers suffered the biggest setback. The hosts spotlight statistical leaps to watch—will Austin Reaves and Coby White become breakout stars? Plus, the show closes with a spirited discussion about NBA veterans like Russell Westbrook, Lonzo Ball, and Chris Paul who fans want to see make one more comeback. Which reclamation story is most likely?

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