Win-loss record
In a frenzied offseason featuring an abundance of player movement, NBA teams have feverishly worked to try to improve their teams. But while it is difficult to judge their respective moves now, one thing is clear as the league eases through the summer.
The players are the big winners.
Just when you think you've seen salaries reach a peak, the bar rises and free agents sign for even more money. In fact, the general theme of the league this offseason has been that in order to secure talent teams almost have to overpay.
Is Larry Hughes a $12 million-a-year player? No, but that's what it took for the Cleveland Cavaliers to steal him away from the Washington Wizards. Is Samuel Dalembert worth $10 million a season? No, but if the Philadelphia 76ers hadn't given him that much, he may have gotten it elsewhere.
The question of which teams helped themselves the most this summer probably won't be known for quite some time. In a year or two, many of the teams who signed players to huge deals will be desperately trying to dump their salaries. Other players will emerge from the lesser ranks and appear as relative bargains.
In the meantime, those of us who speculate for a living will do exactly that. Here are the winners and losers of the NBA's free agency period.
Winner: Washington Wizards
After losing Hughes to Cleveland, the Wizards traded away Kwame Brown, whom they didn't want around anyway, to the Los Angeles Lakers for Caron Butler and Chucky Atkins. Then the Wizards used their midlevel exception to sign Seattle SuperSonics guard Antonio Daniels, one of the more consistent all-around guards in the league.
In effect, Washington lost a very good player but rebounded well by adding three solid ones at a reasonable price. Yes, they still need a big man, but who doesn't?
Loser: Philadelphia 76ers
The Sixers spent a lot of money, but are they that much better? They retained Kyle Korver and Dalembert and signed Steven Hunter as a backup center.
After trading for Chris Webber late last season, Philly's payroll was already sky high. Now it's astronomical, and yet the team seems very average. Not a good combination.
Winner: Memphis Grizzlies
Jerry West and Mike Fratello were disgusted with their team's implosion during the playoffs and decided that addition by subtraction was the way to go. Gone are Bonzi Wells and Jason Williams, both of whom openly feuded with Fratello. James Posey was also moved.
In their place are Damon Stoudamire, Bobby Jackson and Eddie Jones. The Grizzlies added quickness, speed and, most importantly, some much needed professionalism.
Loser: Los Angeles Lakers
New coach Phil Jackson wants a big guard who can help run the triangle, but so far the Lakers have come up empty-handed. They added Brown through a sign-and-trade, but he is unproven and a question mark.
Perhaps Brown will find his way in L.A. under Jackson, but the jury is out. In the meantime, the capped-out Lakers haven't done a whole lot to improve their roster.
Winner: Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers retained Zydrunas Ilgauskas and added Hughes and Donyell Marshall. With the natural progression of LeBron James, Cleveland should be better next season anyway, but with Hughes and Marshall in the fold, the Cavs could be championship contenders.
Marshall will stretch the floor as a big man, opening up driving lanes for James and Hughes. And with Ilgauskas on the block, the Cavaliers have a post-up threat through which to run their offense. General manager Danny Ferry would like to add a point guard, and he has some money left to do so.
Loser: Seattle SuperSonics
The Sonics were able to retain Ray Allen, but they lost Daniels and Jerome James and could soon lose Vladimir Radmanovic, With coach Nate McMillan moving onto Portland, Seattle's image and roster will be drastically different next season. That's disappointing for Sonics fans who enjoyed a remarkable year and were hoping for continued success.
Winner: Milwaukee Bucks
Many people questioned why the Bucks would sign Bobby Simmons to a $47 million deal, but he is on the verge of becoming an outstanding small forward in the NBA. Milwaukee also retained Michael Redd.
With Andrew Bogut manning the post and T.J. Ford making his comeback, the Bucks have some hope. Milwaukee should be much improved.
Winner: Amnesty players
Here you go, guys. Here's your money, only you don't have to work for it. And, by the way, now you can sign somewhere else – wherever you want – and make even more money. As Don King once said, "Only in America."
Question mark: Miami Heat
The Heat are supposedly on the verge of landing Michael Finley. After already adding Antoine Walker and Jason Williams, there's no question that Miami has upgraded its roster big time.
But this looks suspiciously like what the Lakers did two years ago when they added Gary Payton and Karl Malone to an already star-studded lineup. Are there too many cooks in the kitchen? Are there enough basketballs to go around? We'll find out.
Question mark: New Jersey Nets
I loved the Shareef Abdur-Rahim signing, but it fell through. Instead, the Nets ended up with Marc Jackson, who should complement the explosive perimeter talent New Jersey has in place already.
Jeff McInnis wore out his welcome quickly in Cleveland and has always been a shoot-first point guard. His ability to fit into this team and make himself a positive factor will be critical.
