With most of the big names signed already, the Free Agency period is just about to end. There have been many changes around the league which makes for an intriguing 2015-2016 NBA Season. After examining player movement, I was able to determine the biggest winners, losers, surprises, and reaches of this year’s Free Agency period:
WINNERS
San Antonio Spurs
In a surprising twist, the Spurs were very active in Free Agency this year. Not only were they able to resign their new star Kawhi Leonard along with Danny Green, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili agreed to play at least one more season. The Spurs made one of the biggest splashes by sign coveted Power Forward LaMarcus Aldridge. The Spurs also signed veteran David West from the Indiana Pacers. These moves set the Spurs up for yet another championship run this upcoming season.
Los Angeles Clippers
The biggest plot twist in 2015 Free Agency happened. DeAndre Jordan spurned the Dallas Mavericks to resign with the Clippers. Jordan resigning alone makes the Clippers winners. They still have their nucleus intact. The Clippers acquired Lance Stephenson before Free Agency began, giving them an extra boost off the bench. The Clipper also signed Paul Pierce to play for his hometown and reunite with Head Coach Doc Rivers. Those moves are extra important because of Jamal Crawford trade rumors. With their now-improved bench in place, the Clippers are in a better position to dethrone the Warriors in the Western Conference.
Miami Heat
The Heat were successful in retaining Dwyane Wade and Goran Dragic. To bolster their bench, the Heat also signed Amare Stoudamire and Gerald Green, giving them a scoring punch. With Chris Bosh coming back from health issues, the rise of Hassan Whiteside and the steal of the draft in Justice Winslow, the Heat can go from out of the playoffs to a possible top four seed, becoming the new challengers to dethrone the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference.
Honorable Mention: Cavaliers resigning Love and Thompson, Milwaukee Bucks adding Greg Monroe
LOSERS
Portland TrailBlazers/Damian Lillard
I don’t think any team suffered worse than the Blazers. The Blazers lost four starters from last year: LaMarcus Aldridge (Spurs), Robin Lopez (Knicks), Wesley Matthews (Mavericks), and Nicolas Batum (Hornets). Also, they lost Arron Afflalo to the Knicks. The Blazers set their sights on Thunder Center Enes Kanter, signing him to a $70 Million offer sheet. But the Thunder decided to match the offer sheet. Most likely, the Blazers are not going to the playoffs this upcoming season. This especially hurts budding superstar Damian Lillard, who now has to carry the team for them to have any chance for success this season.
Rajon Rondo
How far has Rajon Rondo fallen? Just over a year ago, he was a top five Point Guard in the NBA. After a bad stint with the Mavericks, he signed a one year deal with the dysfunctional Sacramento Kings. There is already tension between new Head Coach George Karl and DeMarcus Cousins and management. Rondo’s attitude, which has rubbed many the wrong way, might clash with Coach Karl as well. Rondo has a lot of work to do to reclaim his star status in order to sign to a better team after this season.
Phil Jackson
Remember when I said the Blazers has suffered the worst? Phil Jackson can give them a run for their money. After negative reaction from Knicks’ fans for drafting Kripas Porzingis, Phil Jackson still had free agency to look forward to. This year was Phil’s chance to sign star power. That’s why the Knicks hired him. Free Agency has now passed and the Knicks have no star to show for it. Although he was able to sign Arron Afflalo and Robin Lopez, Phil Jackson ultimately to bring in a star fans can get behind. Things are not looking good for Phil Jackson right now.
Honorable Mentions: Dallas Mavericks losing DeAndre Jordan, DeAndre Jordan’s image. Pacers losing starting big men.
BIGGEST SURPRISE
Los Angeles Lakers’ Recovery
Along with the Knicks, the Lakers were expected to lure a star. There were talks about LaMarcus Aldridge and Kevin Love signing to the Lakers. Both players passed on them. There were reports that Aldridge was turned off by the Lakers’ pitch. Although they stumbled, the Lakers were able to land Roy Hibbert, Brandon Bass, and Lou Williams, giving them a better lineup to play with Kobe Bryant. These players do not make the Lakers title contenders. But, they do give the Lakers a chance to return to the playoffs.
BIGGEST REACH
Pistons Resigning Reggie Jackson
Reggie Jackson is a solid young player. He is a good scorer and has youth on his side. The Pistons were right to keep him. But for $80 Million over five years is a big reach. Reggie Jackson is getting paid like he is already a top tier PG. The Pistons overpaid to keep him. The only way that will be justified is if Reggie Jackson puts up big numbers and help them claim a playoff spot.
TheStupidFresh 