5 Winners and Losers of NBA Free Agency

It has been an expensive, thrilling, shocking, telling, star-studded start to the NBA free agency period thus far. Here are the five winners and losers ranked 5-1:

5. Winner – Thunder; Loser – Lonzo Ball

Winner – Thunder: Most thought the Thunder traded for Paul George just to rent him one year ago, oh were they wrong. The second biggest free agent this year wasted no time in re-signing with OKC and at least for the moment, has given small-markets hope.

Loser – Lonzo Ball: It sounds as if Lonzo’s camp knew trouble was on the horizon leaking his injury so he was not moved. The ball-dominant Lonzo Ball will now be joined by LeBron James and Rajon Rondo who also need the ball in their hands. The need for Lonzo in Los Angeles is decreasing by the day.

4. Winner – Celtics; Loser – Pelicans

Winner – Celtics: Boston did not need to make a splashy move this summer to be considered a winner. With LeBron James moving West, the Celtics are now well in the lead to take ownership of the East for many years to come. The Celtics are going to the/many Finals.

Loser – Pelicans: Losing DeMarcus Cousins is not the issue, they played better without him — it was losing Rajon Rondo. Rondo became a focal point for the offense in New Orleans and their on-court engine. Don’t be surprised if the Pelicans are not as good come playoff time.

3. Winner – Lakers; Loser – Rockets

Winner – Lakers: Of course, the Lakers are winners, they got THE free agent. A return to the playoffs is nearly a guarantee with LeBron James now leading the charge. As for the rest of their moves, heads should be scratching.

Loser – Rockets: The biggest move nobody is discussing is Trevor Ariza leaving the Rockets for the Suns. This is a move that is going to lead to a decline for Houston on both ends of the floor. The Rockets will not be as good as last year as a result and adding Michael Carter-Williams is not the solution.

2. Winner – Warriors; Loser – Cavaliers

Winner – Warriors: Golden State was the best team last year, they were coming into free agency as the best team, and are now even better. They added, when healthy, the most skilled center in the game in DeMarcus Cousins, and all they need him to do is be better than JaVale McGee. Why does it seem Boogie is going to have a big Game 6 in the Western Conference Finals to clinch a 5th straight Finals appearance?

Loser – Cavaliers: Cleveland lost their leader, their identity, their attraction, their hope, their team. Hard days ahead for The Land.

1. Winner – NBA; Loser – NFL

Winner – NBA: When was the last time a daily studio show led with something other than the NBA? NBA ratings this past season hit a four-year high, and now the most talked about player is joining the most talked about franchise. Oh, and there is already buzz about the next big trade and offseason. When you hear sports talk from now until next July, there is a good chance it will be about the NBA.

Loser – NFL: Unfortunately, with the way the NBA offseason is and has been going, someone has to take the L. And that is the NFL. The NFL has given the sports world literally no positive news in a year. Yes, they will still draw more viewers, but all the juice come November will be on the NBA. The NBA’s free agency period has also shed light once again on the lack of guarantees for the NFL players. The NBA’s offseason looks to be en route to once again postponing football talk.