In an unexpected twist, ESPN analyst Kevin Pelton assigned the same offseason grade to three distinct Eastern Conference teamsthe Boston Celtics, Sacramento Kings, and Toronto Raptorseven though each franchise pursued vastly different strategies and faced unique challenges this summer.
Uniform Grades, Uneven Offseasons
ESPN’s Kevin Pelton released his offseason grades on July 28, 2025. Notably, the Boston Celtics earned a “C” after a summer anchored by cap-saving movesbut with serious sacrifices in roster depth.(Yahoo Sports, ESPN.com)
Meanwhile, the Sacramento Kings were also given a poor grade by Pelton, despite engaging in high-profile trades like acquiring Zach LaVinehighlighting a lack of overall offseason productivity.(PFSN, SI)
For the Toronto Raptors, Pelton assigned a C- or similar middling grade, reflecting disappointment in limited roster enhancement and financial flexibility constraintsespecially after extending star Scottie Barnes.(BARDOWN, Wikipedia)
So, despite the vastly different contextsCeltics managing injury and luxury-tax pressure, Kings navigating roster upheavals, Raptors constrained by extensionsthe same grade suggests ESPN weighed execution of strategy over narrative.
Deep Dive: Why the Grades Were the Same
| Team | Key Offseason Moves & Context | Analyst’s Take & Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Celtics | Traded Kristaps Porziņģis & Jrue Holiday to clear cap space; retooled financially due to Jayson Tatum’s Achilles injury; aimed to stay under the tax apron. | Smart financial reset, but talent drained — Grade: C (Yahoo Sports, ESPN.com) |
| Kings | Traded away De’Aaron Fox, brought in Zach LaVine and a haul of picks; fired coach; still earned criticism for overarching direction. | Tactical trade for assets, but limited vision — Grade: D vibe or low C — ESPN reaction suggests. (PFSN, SI) |
| Raptors | Extended Scottie Barnes to a max deal; offseason lacked meaningful upgrades; limited financial flexibility to make further moves. | C- reflects muted activity despite salary commitments (BARDOWN, Wikipedia) |
What This Means for Each Team
- Boston: Their deliberate strategy prioritized future flexibility over immediate contention. Pelton’s “C” reflects a well-executed reset, but one that leaves the team in a precarious short-term position.
- Sacramento: Though they made flashy trades, the Kings underwhelmed overall. Pelton’s grade questions whether the moves aligned with a cohesive plan or merely prolonged mediocrity.
- Toronto: Locked into Barnes, the Raptors were conservative. Their grade acknowledges stability but also underscores a missed opportunity to push forward through strategic acquisitions.
Conclusion
Pelton’s uniform grading of the Celtics, Kings, and Raptors suggests that, regardless of differing motives, he evaluated effectiveness through a consistent lens assessing whether each team improved, maintained, or regressed relative to their offseason goals.
This grading underscores how balancing present performance with future strategy remains a tightrope walk for NBA executives. Three different blueprints but the same report card.
