Biggest Winners and Losers from 2023 NBA Free Agency So Far
New York, New York (PSF) - Another wild free-agency period is underway in the NBA.
In what has become something of an annual tradition, we’ve seen tons of player movement since the doors opened on June 30th. Even with a new collective bargaining agreement that would seem to be more restrictive on the player-movement front, teams are wheeling and dealing in both free agency and on the trade market.
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Winners:
Los Angeles Lakers: With the additions of Gabe Vincent, Taurean Prince, Cam Reddish, and Jaxson Hayes and resigning Rui Hachimura, D’Angelo Russell, and Austin Reaves, along with retaining Jared Vanderbilt, the Lakers revamped the team with size, defense, shooting, and depth.
Boston Celtics: Trading away Marcus Smart hurts, but gaining a big who can stretch the floor like Kristaps Porzingis was a needed pickup for them. Signing Oshae Brissett, Justin Champagnie, and Dalano Banton adds more depth to the team while still retaining Malcolm Brogdon and Derrick White.
Phoenix Suns: The Suns traded for All-Star guard Bradley Beal to add Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Deandre Ayton with adding key additions this free agency with Chimezie Metu, Keita Bates-Diop, Drew Eubanks, Eric Gordon, and Yuta Watanabe to add depth to this team who can compete for an NBA championship.
Fred VanVleet: You can most likely go with the Houston Rockets with the moves they made to reshape the team with the addition of new Head Coach Ime Udoka. VanVleet a 6’1 point guard who adds versatility of scoring to the Rockets got a massive three-year $130 million dollar max deal was a haul for an undrafted player who originally just made over $80 million.
Losers:
Portland Trail Blazers: Ultimately losing the No. Two player on the Portland Trail Blazer’s franchise automatically makes this a losing free agency. Unfortunately, Lillard waited until the second day of free agency to provide the team his request, after the Blazers didn’t make any moves but draft Scoot Henderson with the number three overall pick and sign Jerami Grant to a five year $160 million dollar deal and no other moves were made which caused Lillard to want out.
Denver Nuggets: Take this with a grain of salt here they are the defending champions and will contend for a long time if they keep their core together. However, losing Bruce Brown, Jeff Green and Thomas Bryant (who can provide offense) was a big loss for the team as they look to Christian Braun and Peyton Watson to be the core to help the Nuggets contend for next season.
