NBA Swing: Winners and Losers of Free Agency

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With the 2024 free agency period kicking off on June 30th, many free agents have already inked new deals to return to their teams or find new homes. As of July 3rd, almost every star has inked a deal with very few big names remaining. With the boom period of free agency done, it’s time to look back at the winners and losers of free agency so far.

Golden State Warriors- The Biggest Loser of Free Agency

No team has seen as big of a loss this offseason as the Golden State Warriors. The first major blow would see former Clippers star Paul George opt out of his contract, making a trade for him impossible. The second major blow would be the end of the Big Three dynasty. After 13 seasons with the team, Klay Thompson would leave in free agency for the Dallas Mavericks. Thompson would turn down a two-year deal from the Warriors to take a three-year deal with the Mavs for less money per year. With Klay leaving, there are many questions for the future of the Warriors organization and Steph Curry.

Reports would come out that the Warriors would turn down a deal that would see Chris Paul and Andrew Wiggins be traded for Chicago Bulls star Zach Lavine before the Warriors would waive Paul. The Warriors would make several moves following the loss of Thompson including the signings of Kyle Anderson, and De’Anthony Melton, and have been linked to players including Lauri Markkanen and Buddy Hield. As of right now, the Warriors have not added any significant pieces to keep them in a potential championship conversation. If they cannot make any last-ditch effort moves to give Curry another chance at a championship, this is only the beginning of the end for the Warriors.

Dallas Mavericks- Winner

Following a tremendous run to the Finals, the Dallas Mavericks have continued to build up their championship-caliber team. The biggest addition to the team would be former Warriors sharpshooter Klay Thompson. While he’s not the player he was before his numerous leg injuries, he makes for a great third star alongside Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. As the number three option for the Mavericks, Thompson’s workload will significantly decrease compared to what it was in the Bay Area. The team would also sign Naji Marshall to a deal and land Quentin Grimes via a deal with the Pistons.

Dallas would have several departures including Derrick Jones Jr. signing with the Clippers and Josh Green and Tim Hardaway Jr. being traded to the Charlotte Hornets and Pistons, respectively. With an arms race at the top of the Western Conference, the Mavericks have gone all in to prove their run to the 2024 Finals was not a fluke.

Los Angeles Clippers & Los Angeles Lakers- Losers

The Warriors are not the only losers in the Pacific Division of the NBA. Both L.A. teams, the Lakers and Clippers had lackluster starts to free agency. Of the two teams, the Clippers would suffer the biggest loss, losing Paul George to the Philadelphia 76ers for nothing. Re-signing Kawhi Leonard previously and signing James Harden to a new deal right before free agency started, the Clippers will struggle to remain in championship contention without a third star. While there are rumors of the Clippers pursuing a player like DeMar DeRozan, no deal has been made yet.

For the Lakers, the team has made no real moves other than re-signing LeBron James to a two-year max contract. The Lakers have missed out on multiple big names in free agency so far with the team having very little wiggle room to make any moves. Like the Clippers, the Lakers have been linked to DeRozan, but no move has been made. With LeBron nearing 40 and only having a couple of years left, the Lakers do not look like contenders. Bringing back nearly the exact same team as this past season, the Lakers are more likely to be fighting for a play-in spot by the end of next season.

Philadelphia 76ers- Winner (For now)

The Philadelphia 76ers have had one of the best starts to free agency of any team, but are they championship contenders? The Sixers would land the biggest free agent available this offseason in Paul George, inking a four-year, $212 million deal. The team would also extend their young star Tyrese Maxey, who would agree to a five-year max extension. Other notable moves from the Philly would see Andre Drummond re-join the team on a two-year deal, veteran sharpshooter Eric Gordon joining the team on a two-year deal, and Kelly Oubre Jr. returning on a two-year deal.

With teams like Boston and New York stacking their rosters to compete for a championship, Philly had no choice but to do the same. Unfortunately for them, their players have not seen a lot of post-season success. There is no telling how much longer Joel Embiid will be in his prime and if the new Big Three can be legitimate championship contenders. With the Sixers still having moves to make, it is difficult to decide if Philly is a true winner during free agency thus far.

Denver Nuggets- Loser

For the second free agency period in a row, the Denver Nuggets have lost a key member of the 2023 championship team. The last free agency, it was Bruce Brown and Jeff Green. This free agency, the Nuggets would lose Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to the Orlando Magic. Many reports have called Nuggets ownership cheap with their efforts to keep the Nuggets championship team together. The team would also trade Reggie Jackson to the Hornets. Their only re-signing would be of big man DeAndre Jordan. Recent reports would suggest interest in Clippers guard Russell Westbrook, but no moves have been made.

While other teams around the West stacking their championship-caliber rosters, the Nuggets have been falling behind. Rumors have suggested moving off Michael Porter Jr. could be an option as the CBA starts to affect the team’s rosters, but only time will tell if that move is made. Even though they have the best player in the world in Nikola Jokic, Denver’s lack of moves in free agency so far is a worrying sign going into next season.