Both were dealt significant blows. Up in Massachusetts, the Celtics watched as their two best players - Kyrie Irving and Al Horford - opted to sign with division rivals. The former chose the upstart Brooklyn Nets, while the latter settled on the title-contending Philadelphia 76ers, threatening to change the hierarchy of the Eastern Conference.
The Warriors also lost two of their best players, albeit before the offseason technically began. Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson both suffered injuries in the 2019 NBA Finals that will threaten their entire 2019-20 seasons, with Durant compounding matters by teaming up with Irving in Brooklyn.