NBA Winners and Losers so far in Free Agency

Free agency is arguably the best event of the year in the NBA season. There is a lot of moving and shaking so far in this free agency and with the salary cap rising to $94 million a 34.5% increase from the 2015-2016 season., it’s really hard to tell what are good prices and signings, and what are bad prices and signings. Some teams have swung for the fences and some teams are looking for a base hit. Not only that, did they actually hit the ball? Let’s look at teams who have hit the ball with the bat, teams who either swung and missed, or got caught looking.

Losers: Orlando Magic
Acquisitions:
Jeff Green 1 year/$15 million
Bismack Biyombo 4 years/$70 million
Evan Fournier 5 Years/$85 Million



Okay, Magic, you can be done trolling us. Who on god’s green earth is going to bid you out for any of those players? In all honesty, are you just throwing money around to absolute scrubs because you can? Jeff Green is the player who just does nothing besides stand in the corner and fall asleep on defence. Congratulations, now you have a bigger logjam in your frontcourt than when the people on Axe Men fist fight. There are not enough words in the alphabet to grade the Magic’s offseason moves. But since there’s only 26, it’s a Z-. By FAR the worst team during this free agency period.

Winners: Boston Celtics
Acquisitions: Al Horford 4 years/$113 million



I’ve been very critical of Danny Ainge lately. But this Al Horford move is amazing. He provides exactly what the Celtics need; rebounding, rim protection, and scoring. The fit is almost like those luxurious beds that fit your body. It’s perfect. Also, they are still in the Kevin Durant race and the Horford signing only helps their chances. Remarkable work by Danny Ainge and his staff, a tip of the hat to you.

Losers: Chicago Bulls
Acquisitions Rajon Rondo 2 years/$30 million



Is there anyone in the Chicago Bulls organization that has a brain? What in the world are they doing? Seriously, I’m genuinely interested. How is Rondo any better than Derrick Rose? In what fantasy land does Gar Forman live in? Rondo and Butler together, on the same team? This will be why Jimmy Butler will be listening to Taylor Swift more often because at least she isn’t as annoying and irritating as Rondo. This is unbelievable. It makes no sense on any level. This honestly might be worse than what the Magic are doing.

Winners: Utah Jazz
Acquisitions: Joe Johnson 2 years/$22 million



Is it safe to say that Dennis Lindsey is one of the best General Managers in the league? I’d say so. The pickup of Joe Johnson helps the Jazz in a lot of ways; he can shoot, has veteran leadership, very good in isolation, and provides a lot of bench scoring. The exciting thing for Jazz fans is he wanted to come there. A player who has pretty high name status wanted to play for your organization. The Jazz needed those four things I listed above, and now they can check all those boxes. Now, with the roster set, the Jazz seem like a dangerous team who probably will be fighting for home court advantage next year.

Losers: Dallas Mavericks
Acquisitions: None
Offers: Harrison Barnes 4 years/$95 million



Did the Mavericks even watch the NBA Finals? Or were they too busy swinging for the fences for players they’ll never get? I get trying to play the Warriors hand by maxing out Barnes. But the only problem is they did it on a wrong day. If you’re going to do that do it earlier you idiots. I don’t understand what the Mavericks see in Harrison Barnes. He’s not very good. He reminds me a lot of Jeff Green, it seems like he can do a lot more, but in reality, he can’t. He is so blah on the court that it makes me yawn. I don’t get the move, and I don’t know what direction the Mavericks are going.

Winners: Atlanta Hawks
Acquisitions: Dwight Howard 3 years/$70 million, Kent Bazemore 4 years/$70 million



I know, I know, a Dwight Howard signing was a good idea?! This move by Atlanta was brilliant. They were able to get an athletic center that can be really effective on the pick and roll with Dennis Schroder and giving Atlanta something new and to excite the fans. Although they let Horford go, it seems like a better fit to have Howard at center and Paul Millsap at power forward. And in addition, they re-signed Kent Bazemore who was the biggest concern for the Hawks considering they been stashing wing players. Overall, I thought it’s been a great start.

Losers: Milwaukee Bucks
Acquisitions: Matthew Dellavedova 4 years/$38.5 million dollars, Mirza Teletovic 3 years/$30 million




How many teams are bidding for Matthew Dellavedova for 38 MILLION IN UNITED STATES DOLLARS? Why would you offer that much since there are plenty of quality backup point guards in the market that aren’t going to go for that much? I don’t understand the Delly signing. Teletovic isn’t as bad, 10 million a year for a pure shooting power forward who are sought after isn’t terrible. Although given that, there is uncertainty. How will he fit with the long, lanky, athletic forwards on the Bucks? We’ll see how it plays out. Maybe they trade Monroe. Side note: seems like Bron is definitely willing to say bye bye!

Bonus Losers

Players who signed long-term contracts last year/Anthony Davis

This is probably the most obvious one. Given the cap is now $94.5 million compared to $70 million last season, that’s a 34 percent increase from one year! Now, I understand that players are worried getting hurt the next season or getting hurt permanently causing them to not have money anymore. Take Anthony Davis for example, he signed the richest contract in NBA history at the time. But if he would have waited until this year or next year, he could’ve been filthy rich. In 2015 he signed a 5 year/ $145 million contract. But instead, he could have had 5 year/$153 contracts or possibly a 5 year near $200 million. But in his case, it’s better to be safe than sorry