Graded against the ideal: D+
Graded against the reality that the team was facing: B-
I don't think you can give this off-season a letter grade without knowing what the criteria is.
I mean, what's an A+?
Is it Anthony Davis + Horford + Kyrie or Kemba? The hypothetically possible team we could have put together if everything had gone perfectly?
Or is it the "lemons out of lemonade" criteria?
I'm going to grade without considering AD as a realistic possibility, and with the understanding that Kyrie was gone no matter what.
In that circumstance, Danny did amazing getting Kemba and Kanter. However, there's a question mark about Al Horford. Should Danny have gotten an agreement with him before the deadline to opt out? It's hard to know the answer without knowing when all the deals were agreed to. When did we tamper with Kemba? When did Philly tamper with Horford? Assuming Al could have been persuaded to stay, what was the bottom line cost of a sign-and-trade with the Nets?
All of that is unknowable for the average fan. But, I do feel a bit disappointed seeing Horford, Morris, etc. all leave with no compensation. As for the draft, Langford is a question mark to me; I'm liking the Edwards and Williams picks. Lastly, I wonder about the roster construction, with so much youth and NBA experience. I'd feel better if we had more vet voices.
All things considered, I think a B- is fair. Not great, but respectable.