Christmas in July is a statement that is ringing true for the NBA’s biggest fans as we’ve immersed ourselves into the saga that is free agency.
The last six days have been filled with top-notch additions for some franchises while others have been left picking up the pieces after some major departures.
Let’s take a look at some of the biggest winners and losers.
Golden State Warriors- hands down THE biggest winner of free agency. After winning their first title back in 2015, they went on to lose a 3-1 lead over the Cavs and their second straight title. It was a devastating loss, but it didn’t stop the team from moving on and preparing to go at it again next season.
Their biggest acquisition came from the Oklahoma City Thunder when small forward Kevin Durant announced he would leave his home for the last nine years, to join the superstar cast in the bay area.
Obtaining Durant alone gives the Dubs an edge that no other team will have next season.
They also signed deals with C Zaza Pachula and David West (who I honestly feel like just wants a ring…but who wouldn’t right?)
They did get rid of some key pieces to make room for KD–letting go of Harrison Barnes (who ended up signing a monster deal with Dallas) and Andrew Bogut (also with Dallas).
Of course they have to get their chemistry worked out, but everyone is already crowning them 2017 champions.
Chicago Bulls- Bulls nation was rocked when news rang out of Derrick Rose’s departure. Chicago had been holding on to the star in hopes that he would recover from injury and bounce back to his former shape, but when he was unsuccessful, the team parted ways with him.
There is good news for the Bulls, however.
Next to KD taking his talents to the Bay (JGood I know you like that), the next biggest news of the off season has to be Dwayne Wade leaving the Miami Heat and joining Jimmy Butler in Chicago.
Wade, who was born in Chicago, played with the Heat for 13 seasons, winning three championships with the franchise.
Wade and Butler will also be joined by Rajon Rondo, making for an interesting back court.
Add to that Taj Gibson, who has been a solid constant, Robin Lopez and rookie Denzel Valentine (Michigan State) and this team might just find themselves back in the playoffs next season.
My only disappointment with the team is that Pau Gasol got away (he has a verbal agreement to sign with San Antonio).
New York Knicks- This is the first time in a long time I can honestly say I’m excited to see what the Knickerbockers will bring to the court next season.
I started to feel bad for Carmelo Anthony because I didn’t feel like they were giving him the help he needed to be contenders and I knew that he wouldn’t leave New York for anything so he would be stuck with a franchise that wouldn’t win (sound familiar Charlotte fans?)
Phil Jackson has acquired Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah from Chicago, giving Anthony not only a great guard who is instrumental with his ball handling, but also a fiery player in Noah who isn’t afraid to get physical down low.
Jackson also snagged former Charlotte Hornets guard, Courtney Lee who came through clutch in the playoffs last season making a game-winning three pointer in Miami to take the series lead.
These pieces alone have catapulted New York from the very bottom of the eastern conference barrel, to legit contenders. I’m thinking a three or four seed for these guys. We’ll see…
Oklahoma City Thunder- Losing Kevin Durant to the team whose season they almost ruined, makes OKC the biggest losers in free agency.
The duo of KD and Russell Westbrook, no matter how dynamic it was, was not enough to win them a championship in their eight years together. They came close twice, falling to a LeBron James led Heat back in the 2012 finals and to the Warriors in the western conference finals in 2016.
The organization will pretty much have to start over from scratch and either find another franchise player to build a team around or see what they can gather for Westbrook (assuming he doesn’t try to leave the team shortly).
They definitely won’t be relevant for the next few years.
Charlotte Hornets- And then there’s my hometown favorite…
Every time I think Charlotte is taking a step in the right direction, they go and mess it up by making a bunch of moves that don’t even begin to make sense to me.
I tried to understand when they got rid of Al Jefferson. He was a great asset to the team, but his health would definitely become an issue the longer we kept him.
I even tried to understand letting go of Jeremy Lin (and I love me some Lin Lin)! I figured surely Jordan and the crew had something up their sleeve if they’re getting rid of those guys…
Not so much.
They brought back Ramon Sessions and signed dog on Roy Hibbert!!
I was never impressed with Sessions when he was here the FIRST time. Hell I would have rather gone back and gotten DJ Augistine for that matter.
And as far as Hibbert is concerned, he is one of the softest big men I’ve ever had the displeasure of watching. The only dominance I saw in him was when he went up against the Heat playing for Indiana.
I don’t know what they plan to do with these guys, but to me it just feels like the franchise just took one ginormous leap backwards. They’re making it really hard for me to be a Hornets fan and I’m really afraid that we’re going to see Kemba Walker giving up his best years to a team that isn’t willing to help him be successful.
It’s been a wild one to say the least. Who are some of your biggest winners and losers this off season?
Until next time…
Shiree Talks Too Much!! 
Reblogged this on JGoodWithSports.
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