Pacific 2019 NBA Free Agency Primer: Division in greatest flux

The NBA Free Agency Moratorium begins Sunday as TI offers primers for all teams. Up next arguably the teams in greatest flux within the Pacific Division.

Entering this season most pundits felt the Pacific Division would drive everything occurring in 2019 NBA Free Agency.  This was based on the top tier talent free agents within the division and the fact several of the top free agents played for the Pacific last season.

Yet, scanning the six divisions in the NBA the one which may have the greatest turnover this offseason is the Pacific Division. In 2018-19 this group was by far the weakest in the NBA, especially once LeBron James got hurt and the Lakers fell out of the playoff picture.

There is a myriad of reasons why this division is expected to have the greatest shifts. Firstly, the injuries to Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson may not result in them leaving Golden State, but it will most definitely require the Warriors to make moves to sustain their ability to remain competitive until Thompson returns.

Second, both Los Angeles teams are expected to make major moves with both clubs having cleared enough space to sign two max free agents. The Lakers enter the moratorium (as of today) with only three players cemented on their roster.

The Clippers have depth and front office substance but no guarantee of landing a top tier superstar in spite of camping out at Raptors games all season. Both LA teams will be aggressive and one thing to watch for is how they navigate the early going. Will they chance waiting to hear back from a free agent while others sign elsewhere? Or will they demand an immediate decision in order to keep their options open?

The other two squads in the Pacific represent the youth movement with one team excelling last season (Sacramento Kings) and the other once again returning to the lottery (Phoenix Suns).  Although their seasons played out dramatically differently they have many things in common entering the offseason.

Each fired and hired new head coaches (Kings: Luke Walton, Suns: Monty Williams), both are in need a strong veteran voice(s), need to improve their defensive system and both front offices have a less than stellar recent history.

With that let’s dive into each of the teams in the Pacific Division to outline their status entering free agency.