NBA Winners and Losers After 1st Week of Free Agency for 2016-17 Season: Golden State a Hit or a Miss? Duncan Considering Retirement
In just one week, the total amount handed out to free agents in the NBA reached $3 billion, thanks in large part to the huge media deals that led to a massive salary cap per franchise.
Despite this huge amount and major player shuffles over the past days, most NBA teams haven't improved much, save for a few, including the Golden State Warriors which acquired another superstar in Kevin Durant to their already star-studded roster.
It seems that the two NBA finalists last season, Golden State and Cleveland, are set for a rematch for the 2016-17 season as both teams maintain their edge in talent against other teams in their own Conferences. Other teams aren't so lucky; fans and experts alike are worried about the competitive disparity which seems imminent next season.
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Let's look at the winners and losers of the first week of 2016-17 NBA free agency
1. Golden State Warriors --> Winner
The Warriors had to lose two starters, Andrew Bogut and Harrison Barnes, to get Kevin Durant. But this move definitely made them a super team that might even break the 73-9 season standing record they secured last season.
By adding Kevin Durant, Steve Kerr got rid of his weakest link in the death lineup, Harrison Barnes, and replaced him with a star that could not only score but can contribute in other aspects as well. Durant is excellent in terms of rebounding, defending, distributing the ball, and basically just lighting out opponents.
Best case scenario: Curry, Thompson, Durant, and Green, the new megadeath lineup, will make Golden State an NBA Dynasty team providing multiple championships and being the most entertaining team in this generation.
2. San Antonio Spurs --> To Be Decided
Rumor has it that Tim Duncan, the face of the franchise and one of the best power forwards, if not the best power forward, in the league, will retire. Duncan's contribution to the Spurs and the league are irreplaceable. At age 40 last season, he still managed to positively contribute to the team, and despite the Spurs' highly talented roster of players, losing Duncan will be a loss for the team.
San Antonio acquired Pau Gasol perhaps in anticipation of Duncan's retirement. But Gasol will face the same problems Duncan had when matched against pace and space teams like the Golden State Warriors. Gasol can't guard both Green and Durant in the perimeter, so there might be a switch strategy going on there.
3. Boston Celtics --> Winner
By getting Al Horford in a 4-year, $113 million deal, Boston has positioned itself to become the second best team in the Eastern Conference, behind the 2016 NBA Champs Cleveland Cavaliers.
Celtics fans will love Horford's all-around game. He is a classy player with an unsullied character. In fact, according to Mike Budenholzer, "From the way he plays to his character on and off the court, he is the kind of person we want to continue to build with."
Horford is clutch. For years, he has displayed a level of poise and calmness during crucial end game situations. He can also score in multiple ways, and has excellent passing ability.
4. Houston Rockets --> Loser
After a disappointing season, the Houston Rockets lose Dwight Howard for nothing. Then they got Eric Gordon and Ryan Anderson; two skilled players no doubt, but both players have injury risk factors written all over them.
Both Anderson and Gordon missed a total of 173 games during the past 3 seasons. What's more, Rockets spent $133 million in 4-year contracts for both players. Perhaps, this lucrative and long-term offer is not worth it given the fact that both players have showed they are injury-prone.
