Day one of NBA free agency is over, and there has been ALL KINDS of movement around the association. We break down the biggest winners and losers so far.
Winner – Houston Rockets
The Rockets are unafraid of the potential Oklahoma City “dynasty” on the rise.
It seems like they will be the Thunder’s most significant test on the road to a repeat, not only because of the team on the court, but the emotional ties that will inevitably affect this matchup for the 25-26 season.
First, they traded for KEVIN. DURANT.
Houston had long been one of the favorites to land KD if he were to be traded, but the return for Phoenix was pretty lackluster considering the potential trade returns that had been discussed. Jalen Green was the star of the package, but that’s hardly a loss for Houston, as he was as inconsistent as he was effective.
Durant brings nothing but consistency. He’s the greatest scoring forward of all time, and even if his athleticism has dipped in the past few years, he is still an elite offensive talent in the league today. His presence changes Houston. Their biggest flaw was the lack of scoring, especially in the clutch. Now, they address that for at least the next couple of years.
Houston has been ACTIVE. They also signed Dorian Finney-Smith away from the Lakers, improving their stellar defense. And Clint Capela is back, bringing a different threat to the interior.
Houston and Durant chasing OKC after they won their first title is must-watch television next year.
Loser – LeBron James
There is no trade market for LeBron James.
That’s not a sentence you’ve ever seen written before.
But according to Shams, that’s the case. LeBron opted into his $52.6 million player option, but immediately it was reported that he wasn’t sure how he fit into the Lakers’ future plans and was exploring his options.
Typical summer LeBron.
Except he’s 40, due $52 million, and probably wants an extension. AND the entire league is cash-strapped by the second apron.
LeBron is used to getting his way. This may be the first time in his life that he doesn’t hold the cards, though.
Winner – Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets are the other team that pushed the World Champion Thunder to a seventh game this past postseason, and they see the light.
Jokic was incredible all season long (he would’ve got my MVP vote) and continued that stellar play into the playoffs. But it was all year long that the Nuggets’ supporting cast was lacking, leading to the strange firing of Mike Malone. But when the playoffs came around, the Nuggets did feel like they turned a corner. They were in lock step with OKC.
So they made a huge move. They finally moved off of Michael Porter JR, a talented offensive player who struggles to stay on the court and is a defensive liability, and acquired Cam Johnson.
Johnson has been a gem of a trade chip for years. He was toiling away in Brooklyn after having an excellent start to his career in Phoenix. He was a part of the Mikal Bridges package and has developed into a prototypical 3 and D wing in the NBA. He doesn’t have the offensive ceiling that MPJ has, but his availability and defense will make all the difference in the world.
They also added Bruce Brown! He is back on the full mid-level exception. He was a critical member of their championship team and is still an incredibly valuable member of a contending team’s rotation.
Winner – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
NBA Champion.
MVP.
Finals MVP.
4-year, $285 million extension
Not a bad year for the young man.
Loser – Boston Celtics
Jrue Holiday is gone.
Kristaps Porzingis is gone.
Even Al Horford and Luke Kornet are gone.
While it looks like Derrick White and Jaylen Brown will remain in Boston as they try to find their way into the next era post-Tatum’s injury, this team seems like it wants to at least try to compete in a weak East next year, even if it will be more of a “retooling year” for Boston.
This is the reality of the new NBA. You can only pay for a roster like Boston had for so long before the price becomes so astronomical that you have to weigh the cost of winning.
The era of super teams is over.
Welcome to NBA parity.