Under-The-Radar Winners and Losers of NBA Free Agency

With the NBA’s Summer League starting and a majority of teams’ rosters finalized, it’s time to reflect on the offseason. The past month has seen several teams aggressively push toward contention while others have watched from the sidelines. Teams like the Philadelphia 76ers and Oklahoma City Thunder are recognized league-wide as having had amazing free agency periods, and others like the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers are known to have had the opposite- but what about the rest of the league? What about the teams that made lesser-known moves? Who are the select few teams that quietly had really good or really bad free agencies? 

Under-The-Radar Winners and Losers of NBA Free Agency

Winner: Phoenix Suns

Re-signed: Bol Bol, Damion Lee, Josh Okogie, Royce O’Neale

Added: Monte Morris, Mason Plumlee

Lost: Drew Eubanks, Eric Gordon

After getting swept by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the playoffs, the Phoenix Suns entered the offseason looking for answers. Devin Booker and Kevin Durant rumors started flying around the league, and it seemed like Matt Ishbia’s team was falling apart. Yet, they weathered the storm. They kept their two stars, re-signed key bench pieces in Okogie and O’Neal, and added a quality point guard in Monte Morris. Many of the Suns’ failures last year can be attributed to the disorganization that resulted from not having a point guard on the court, and Morris solves that problem. Despite having a rocky season last year, Morris has proven his passing instincts, efficient shooting, and ability to lead an offense. Despite being well over the second apron, the Suns found a way to improve their team and add depth. With the limited resources that were available, the Suns had a good free agency.

Loser: Toronto Raptors

Re-signed: Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickley, Garrett Temple

Added: Davion Mitchell, Sasha Vezenkov

Lost: Jalen McDaniels

The Toronto Raptors’ offseason has been characterized by re-signing their players, mainly Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley. Last season, they traded OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam to build around Barnes, and now the Raptors are doubling down on this by giving him a max contract. Barnes and Quickley are talented young players who can grow together for the next decade, but almost $400 million for the two is a bit rich. Throw in RJ Barrett, who is making more than $25 million a year, and there is almost no other cap space to sign another star player. The Raptors used this offseason to go all in on a big three of Barnes, Quickley, and Barrett; that is not winning you a championship. Right now, it is hard to see the Raptors’ plan moving forward. Thus, they are a loser this offseason.

Winner: Dallas Mavericks

Re-signed: N/A

Added: Quentin Grimes, Naji Marshall, Klay Thompson

Lost: Josh Green, Tim Hardaway Jr., Derrick Jones Jr.

Coming off a miraculous run to the NBA finals, the Dallas Mavericks faced several tough decisions to try and keep their championship window open. Instead of re-signing their players and running it back, the Mavericks took an aggressive approach and decided to change things up. They lost three pieces from last year’s team but added nearly identical replacements. Quentin Grimes replaces Josh Green as a youthful bench piece with defensive and shooting capabilities. Naji Marshall replaces Derrick Jones Jr. as a glue guy who plays hard on the defensive end and brings energy every time he steps onto the court. The most prominent upgrade is Klay Thompson for Tim Hardaway Jr. While Hardaway did not see real minutes throughout the Maverick’s playoff run, Thompson is a proven veteran and one of the best shooters in the history of the NBA. His catch-and-shoot ability will prevent teams from aggressively doubling Luka Doncic, and the spacing on the court should give the Mavericks one of the best offenses in the league. Dallas improved on the margins while maintaining last year’s blueprint and should be contending again because of it.

Loser: Miami Heat

Re-signed: Bam Adebayo, Thomas Bryant, Haywood Highsmith, Kevin Love

Added: Alec Burks

Lost: Caleb Martin, Orlando Robinson

The Boston Celtics won the NBA championship. The New York Knicks traded for Mikal Bridges. The Philadelphia 76ers signed Paul George. Even the Milwaukee Bucks can draw some signs of hope because Damian Lillard will now have a full season to acclimate himself. Yet, the Miami Heat got worse. Their lone move of free agency was replacing Caleb Martin with an aging Alec Burks. They decided their best option was to run it back. However, the Heat are no longer close to being one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference and will again find themselves competing for a play-in spot. The Heat are at an important crossroads in their franchise, yet have remained frozen in fear. They chose not to go all in on the current core of Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo by trading for another star, yet also decided not to retool for the future. They are stuck in the dreaded NBA purgatory and have no immediate way out. The Heat did not make any apparent mistakes this offseason, but their inability to do anything is damning. 

Winner: San Antonio Spurs

Re-signed: N/A

Added: Harrison Barnes, Chris Paul

Lost: Devonte’ Graham

Despite not having a real point guard for the majority of the season, Victor Wenbanyama still had one of the best rookie years in NBA history last season. His fluidity and versatility at 7’4 gives him unlimited potential- the San Antonio Spurs just have to unlock it. Their first step to maturing the Frenchmen was pairing him with one of the greatest point guards of all time. Yes, Chris Paul is 39, and no, he isn’t the same player he once was. But Paul’s impact will be so much more than that. On the court, Paul possesses the ability to get Wenbanyama the ball from anywhere on the floor- something the Spurs didn’t have last year. He will organize the Spurs’ offense and have them operating like a competent basketball team- something they were not last year. Off the court, Paul will help teach Wenbanyama and the other young guys on the Spurs what it takes to be great in the NBA. Signing Chris Paul and trading for Harrison Barnes (they also got a first-round pick in the trade) are not flashy moves, but the Spurs are winners because of their successful efforts to surround their star player with quality NBA veterans and impactful players.

The biggest and most controversial moves always get the most attention, but sometimes signing the Naji Marshalls or giving $35 million to the Immanuel Quickleys will make or break a franchise. Free agency is the most interesting time of the NBA calendar because of the variety of moves made by different teams, and this year was no different. 

Main Image: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports