Winners:
1. Brooklyn Nets: Deron Williams and Joe Johnson bring some stability to the Brooklyn Nets. This will be one of the better back-courts in the league and the Nets should become a playoff team in their first season in Brooklyn. They could get even better if they can pull off a trade for Dwight Howard. If not, Brook Lopez and Gerald Wallace are solid third and fourth options, respectfully. No team has improved more in free agency than the Nets with the acquisition of All-Star Joe Johnson and by retaining Deron Williams.
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| Deron Williams looks to lead the new Brooklyn Nets to the playoffs in 2013. |
2. Los Angeles Lakers: It seemed as though Steve Nash was headed to the Toronto Raptors. They offered him more money than anyone else, and were hoping to make him the face of their franchise for the next few years. If he wasn't heading to the Raptors, he was going to New York where he could rejoin Amare Stoudemire and try to make the Knicks a legitimate contender in the Eastern Conference. But, the 38 year-old veteran decided something no one expected. He joined the Los Angeles Lakers and will pair up with Kobe Bryant to give the Lakers a Hall of Fame back-court. Nash will have a big impact and instantly turns the Lakers into a contender who are also in the market for Dwight Howard.
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| Steve Nash (left) and Kobe Bryant (right) will join forces in purple and gold after having some classic battles in the playoffs over the years. |
3. Boston Celtics- The Celtics were only one game from the NBA Finals in 2012 and it's no secret they're on a mission to beat the Miami Heat and return to the NBA Finals. They are well on their way to doing that with their offseason additions. They had a great draft by selecting Ohio State Forward Jared Sullinger and Syracuse Center Fab Melo. Both players add length to the front-court and can learn from future Hall-of-Famer Kevin Garnett. Garnett was a free agent until he signed a 3-year deal with hopes of one more title run. The Celtics also resigned Brandon Bass and are in the process of agreeing to terms with Jeff Green. However, adding veteran shooting guard Jason Terry may be the best move of all. He is a spark plug off of the bench and shows up in the clutch. If Ray Allen re-joins this already deep team, the sky is the limit for the aging, yet deep Boston Celtics.
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| Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett would like nothing more than to win a second NBA Championship. |
Losers
1. Dallas Mavericks- The Mavericks were hoping to land a superstar this offseason and instead they've lost some of their own. They missed out on Deron Williams and that led to Jason Terry departing to Boston. Steve Nash decided to go to Los Angeles instead of reuniting with the Mavs. It'll be interesting to see what Mark Cuban and the Mavericks do, but they are just a year removed from a championship and now they are in danger of missing the playoffs.
2. Orlando Magic- The Magic are stuck with the players they have because free agents do not want to play for the Magic until the Dwight Howard situation gets resolved. Howard is holding that franchise hostage..... literally.
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| The sooner Dwight Howard is in a different jersey the better for the Orlando Magic organization and their fans. |
3. Houston Rockets- The Rockets had dreams of acquiring a star (maybe 2) and becoming instant contenders. Instead, they are left without a point guard and are likely going to miss out on the one they have signed to a contract. The Knicks have said they would match any offer for restricted free agent Jeremy Lin. The Rockets have also agreed to terms with Center Omer Asik, but the Bulls will have three days to match the offer starting on July 11th. The $25 million deal seems a bit much for Asik if you ask me.
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| Houston entered free agency with two point guards, but after trading Kyle Lowry and free agent Goran Dragic signing with Phoenix, the Rockets are left hoping the Knicks do not match their offer for Jeremy Lin. |
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