NBA Free Agency: A Look at the Winners and Losers

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Monday night saw the open of free agency ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season. There has been no shortage of moves since free agency started. Players cannot officially sign contacts until Friday, August 6th, and negotiations are currently taking place. With countless players finding new homes, some teams are coming out of free agency as winners and others as losers. All signings were reported as of 8 PM CST on Wednesday, August 4th.

Chicago Bulls

One of the biggest surprises of the NBA free agency, if not the biggest surprise so far, has been the Chicago Bulls. For the last handful of years, the team has not done much in free agency. With a change in management and a duo of Zach Lavine and Nikola Vucevic, the Bulls are looking to become a force in the Eastern Conference again. Chicago opened free agency by signing New Orleans Pelicans Guard Lonzo Ball in a sign-and-trade deal. The four-year guard averaged 14.6 points per game, 4.8 rebounds per game, and 5.7 assists per game. Lonzo’s signing for Chicago is important because they are getting a playmaker. Since being drafted, Ball had recorded 40 10+ assist games while the current Bulls roster has only had 27 10+ assist games in the same time span. Chicago also added Los Angeles Lakers guard Alex Caruso, signing him to a four-year deal. Another four-year guard, Caruso averaged splits of 6.4 PPG, 2.9 RPG, and 2.8 APG. It is a given that Caruso will come off the bench, an area where the Bulls have struggled. Tuesday afternoon, the Bulls shocked basketball fans again by signing San Antonio Spurs guard DeMar DeRozan. The three-year sign-and-trade deal for DeRozan has its positives and negatives. The positive is that the Bulls are getting veteran guard who averaged 21.6 PPG, 4.2 RPG, and 6.9 APG. Chicago gets more scoring and another distributer out of DeRozan. The biggest negative coming out of the DeRozan signing is that DeMar doesn’t necessarily fit with the Bulls core. Joining the team, DeRozan is automatically the oldest player at 31. While it’s impossible to predict if DeRozan’s splits will drop off or if he will play all three seasons, the Bulls will be a team to watch next season. It is also important to note that, as of this writing, that big man Daniel Theis was traded to the Houston Rockets. The Bulls have also signed big man Tony Bradley, who will most likely play the backup center role. With Lauri Markkanen still a free agent, it will be interesting to see what other moves the Bulls make.

Verdict: Winner

Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers went into free agency in a tight spot following the draft-night trade giving the team former MVP Russell Westbrook. The trade resulted in the Lakers giving up Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. As previously mentioned, the Chicago Bulls picked up Alex Caruso. The Lakers also lost forward Markieff Morris to the Miami Heat and center Andre Drummond to the Philadelphia 76ers. It is also unlikely that the Lakers will re-sign guard Dennis Schroder. The biggest signing for the Lakers is Carmelo Anthony. A close friend of LeBron James, the 18-year NBA veteran averaged splits of 13.4 PPG, 3.1 RPG, and 1.5 APG. While it is unknown what Melo’s role will be, he is expected to have a presence on the court next season alongside LeBron. In addition to Carmelo, it is a reunion in Los Angeles. Talen Horton-Tucker is returning on a three-year deal, while Dwight Howard is returning after a year in Philadelphia. Trevor Ariza returns to Los Angeles after over a decade. In addition, the organization has also signed Malik Monk, Wayne Ellington, Kent Bazemore, and Kendrick Nunn to small deals. The four averaged 11.7, 9.6, 7.2, and 14.6 points, respectively. With the loss of several defensive players, it is likely the Lakers will drop off in defense this season. It will be quite interesting how all of those players will mesh together on the court and with the big three of LeBron, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook.

Verdict: Undecided

Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns had a season that many would not have predicted. A finals appearance following the eliminations of the Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets, and Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix was two wins away from winning their first NBA Championship. One of the biggest concerns going into free agency was if superstar point guard Chris Paul would re-sign with the suns or look to get a deal with another team. Fortunately for Suns fans, CP3 wants to run it back, looking to reach the NBA Finals once again, signing a four-year deal. Another important signing for the Suns, guard Cameron Payne returned on a three-year deal. While Payne only averaged around 8.4 PPG 9.3 PPG in the regular season and playoffs, respectively, it cannot be argued that Payne stepped up in CP3’s absence during the playoffs. The Suns also resigned forward Abdel Nader. An important piece that the Suns added in free agency was veteran center, JaVale McGee. While he only averaged 7.3 PPG and 5.2 RPG, the 13-year veteran is one of the hardest-working players in the league. McGee is a good addition for the Suns, who were weak at the backup center spot in the finals following the Dario Saric injury. McGee will most likely be in a role where he will keep Deandre Ayton out of foul trouble and play garbage time minutes. With the Suns bringing back almost the exact same team that went to the Finals, it will be exciting to see where they finish this season.

Verdict: Winner

Memphis Grizzlies and Minnesota Timberwolves

As of this writing, the following NBA teams have not made any moves. Memphis had an impressive season with their young team, making it into the playoffs after besting the Golden State Warriors in the Play-in Tournament. The team took one game from the Utah Jazz but lost in five games. Led by Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., the Grizzles added center, Steven Adams, prior to the draft. It is unclear if the Grizzles will make any moves, but they will face strong competition next season with a healthy Lakers and Warriors being just two teams standing in their way. Like the Grizzlies, the Timberwolves have not made any moves. Finishing 23-49 last season, the Wolves have a great pair in Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns. While it is unclear if former All-Star D’Angelo Russell will be a part of the Wolves’ future or not, the Wolves will most likely be at the bottom of the Western Conference for the foreseeable future.

Verdict: Losers

Miami Heat

Like the Phoenix Suns, the Miami Heat are looking to return to the NBA Finals. A season filled dampened by health and safety protocols and injuries, the Heat ended up getting swept in the first round. The good news for the team and its fans is that superstar forward Jimmy Butler signed a five-year extension as well as Duncan Robinson. Another important free agency signing that is sure to elevate the Heat into one of the East’s best teams is the addition of veteran guard Kyle Lowry. The 15-year guard and NBA Champion averaged 17.2 PPG, 5.4 RPG, and 7.3 APG. The addition of Lowry will give the Heat much-needed scoring as well as more distribution. Lowry’s sign-and-trade saw the Heat give up guard Goran Dragic as a part of that deal. A surprise to many, the organization was able to bring back guard Victor Oladipo on a one-year deal while many rumors during the season stated he would look for a max deal. The Heat were not done, as they got NBA Champion P.J. Tucker, as well as Markieff Morris of the Los Angeles Lakers. The Heat also re-signed and signed several role players that will be sure to contribute throughout the season.

Verdict: Winner

Philadelphia 76ers

The main story going into the offseason of the Philadelphia 76ers revolved around Ben Simmons. With the organization wanting multiple first-round draft picks as well an all-star level talent back, Philly has not been able to move Simmons at the time of this writing. So far in free agency, Philadelphia has lost Dwight Howard to the Lakers while signing Andre Drummond to fill that spot. The organization has also re-signed Furkan Korkmaz and signed Gorges Niang to a two-year deal. Another decision made by the team, Philadelphia decided to wave George Hill. While it looks like the Sixers may not make any other moves in free agency, the rumors of Damian Lillard being traded to Philly continue to grow. The Sixers reportedly hired Damian Lillard’s longtime trainer, something fans picked up on quickly. With a backup guard out of Philly as well as the organization’s desire to move on from Simmons, we may see a blockbuster trade in the coming days or weeks.

Verdict: Losers, for now

New York Knicks

The New York Knicks had the most cap space available going into free agency and they’ve used almost all of it already. The Knicks brought back guards Derrick Rose and Alec Burks, as well as big men Nerlens Noel and Taj Gibson. After letting guard Reggie Bullock go, the organization was also able to sign Evan Fournier away from the Celtics and will reportedly sign guard Kemba Walker after he is bought out from the Oklahoma City Thunder. There are positives and negatives to all the signings. Last season, Rose and Gibson averaged 14.9 PPG and 5.4 PPG, respectively. Rose cannot play in a starting role all season like he was depended upon in the playoffs. Gibson averaged over 20 minutes a game last season and did not produce much. Like Gibson, Nerlens Noel only averaged around 5 PPG while playing over 20 minutes a game. While Fournier averaged around 20 PPG in Orlando and 13 PPG in Boston last year, the four-year contract worth over $70 million may look questionable to potential free agents in years to come. Kemba Walker will most likely be starting heading into the season, but his position may hold back the growth of Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett. In addition, the Knicks are not getting the Kemba Walker of a few seasons ago. Only playing 43 games in the 2020-21 season, Walker averaged 19.3 PPG, dropping off from the previous two seasons. The biggest question will be how many games Kemba plays this season. Overall, the signings are a positive for the Knicks. They may not have signed a top-tier player, but the Knicks are once again a free agent destination.

Verdict: Winner