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3 teams that have quietly improved this offseason

John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Shockingly, there's been more to the 2015 NBA offseason than guessing which team LaMarcus Aldridge would wind up with, or the three-ring circus that was DeAndre Jordan, the Los Angeles Clippers, and the Dallas Mavericks.

The money being shelled out to recruit players is a sign of things to come, with the salary cap set to hit record heights. Front offices aren't afraid to make top-dollar offers to climb up power rankings, even if it means overpaying for less celebrated yet integral pieces to get better.

Here are three teams that didn't necessarily pull off a ton of attention-grabbing moves, but made enough under-the-radar signings and acquisitions to head into the 2015-16 season with a more positive outlook:

Toronto Raptors

Key acquisitions: PG Cory Joseph (four years, $30 million), PG Delon Wright (No. 20 pick), SF DeMarre Carroll (four years, $60 million), PF Luis Scola (one year, $3 million), C Bismack Biyombo (reported two years, $6 million)

Key losses: PG Greivis Vasquez (traded to Milwaukee Bucks), SG Lou Williams (signed with Los Angeles Lakers), PF Amir Johnson (signed with Boston Celtics)

Defensive-minded head coach Dwane Casey finally has some defensive-oriented talent to work with, so there's no reason the Raptors should slip further in their efficiency at that end of the floor next season.

Losing Sixth Man of the Year Lou Williams to free agency is a shot to the gut for a second unit that will struggle to replace his scoring, although he was a liability defensively and didn't factor into the new image general manager Masai Ujiri is attempting to create with his roster.

DeMarre Carroll, the biggest free-agent acquisition in franchise history, is the 3-and-D option Terrence Ross struggled to be on a consistent basis. Cory Joseph's Canadian origin adds to the whole "We The North" vibe, but his birthplace pales in comparison to what he brings as a perimeter defender, ball-handler, and surefire upgrade over Greivis Vasquez.

Ujiri evaluated his team following a postseason sweep by the Washington Wizards, found holes which needed to be filled, and made the moves to improve upon certain flaws. Bismack Biyombo is a legitimate backup center who can protect the basket, while Luis Scola steps in as the presumed starting power forward, bringing a veteran edge to a youthful rotation.

Perhaps these moves will be enough to secure the Raptors their first-ever seven-game playoff series victory, the next logical step in their quest to become yearly contenders in the Eastern Conference.

New York Knicks

Key acquisitions: PG Jerian Grant (No. 19 pick, acquired from Washington Wizards), SG Arron Afflalo (two years, $16 million), SF Derrick Williams (two years, $10 million), PF Kristaps Porzingis (No. 4 pick), Kyle O'Quinn (four years, $16 million), C Robin Lopez (four years, $54 million)

Key losses: SG Tim Hardaway Jr. (traded to Atlanta Hawks), PF Jason Smith (reportedly signed with Orlando Magic)

Re-signed: SF Lance Thomas (one year, $1.6 million)

Many will see the New York Knicks' offseason as a total dud after president Phil Jackson failed to lure a big-name star like Aldridge or Marc Gasol to the Big Apple. While none of the new players will light up the marquee at Madison Square Garden, New Yorkers will soon be swooning over some of the fresh faces competing alongside Carmelo Anthony.

This includes rookie Kristaps Porzingis, who some followers may be leery of based on the franchise's track record with overseas talent. No need to fret, though. He's a high-upside prospect with a ton of potential and a lot to offer. He's not going to develop overnight, but Frederic Weis or Andrea Bargnani he is not .... hopefully.

Robin Lopez is a solid two-way center who will help salvage New York's 28th-ranked defense. Last season, the difference between the normal field-goal percentage of a shooter and the percentage when Lopez was guarding him was minus-5.3 from 10 feet and closer. Arron Afflalo, who Lopez teamed with on the Portland Trail Blazers, isn't the defender he once was, but he'll be putting his best foot forward to get the most bang for his buck when he inevitably opts out of his deal after the first year.

Derrick Williams is a wild card, trying to shed his "draft bust" label from when he was selected second overall in 2011. He's not worth $10 million, but he brings tremendous athleticism and the size to guard multiple positions. It's not time to wave the white flag just yet on the 24-year-old.

Rejoice, New York. Your team will win more than 17 games next season. It's a start, OK?

Milwaukee Bucks

Key acquisitions: PG Greivis Vasquez (acquired from Raptors), SG Rashad Vaughn (No. 17 pick), PF Greg Monroe (three years, $53 million)

Key losses: C Zaza Pachulia (traded to Mavericks)

Re-signed: SF Khris Middleton (five years, $70 million)

The state of Wisconsin is the place to be, apparently. This would explain why Greg Monroe, one of the more sought-after forwards on the open market, turned down offers from New York and Los Angeles to join a smaller market in Milwaukee and suit up for the Bucks.

In all seriousness, winning still matters to some folks. Milwaukee won 26 more games in 2015 than they did the year before, and that was without No. 2 pick Jabari Parker for 56 outings. The Knicks and Lakers had yet to demonstrate in the win column that they were ready to take that next step, while the proof was in the pudding with the Bucks and their young core of rising stars.

A starting lineup of Michael Carter-Williams, Khris Middleton, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Parker, and Monroe is going to give the opposition fits. Landing Monroe shows other free agents Milwaukee is a viable destination, even if basketball will always be looked upon as the No. 3 sport in the area behind NFL football and Major League Baseball.

The Bucks would have continued to grow into an upper-echelon team with or without Monroe, who averaged a double-double of 15.9 points and 10.2 rebounds in Detroit last year. With Moose in town, Milwaukee earns more credibility in NBA circles – and maybe some extra playoff victories in the process.

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