{"id":1031584,"date":"2019-07-13T22:38:30","date_gmt":"2019-07-14T02:38:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports7.us\/?p=1031584"},"modified":"2020-04-18T00:04:11","modified_gmt":"2020-04-18T04:04:11","slug":"5-winners-and-5-losers-of-2019-nba-free-agency-period","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports7.us\/news\/5-winners-and-5-losers-of-2019-nba-free-agency-period\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Winners and 5 Losers of 2019 NBA Free Agency Period"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The last time the NBA free agency period made this much of an impact on the league was when LeBron James<\/a> took his talents to South Beach in 2010. Superstars changed conferences and teamed up together, forming several super-teams throughout the NBA. Not everyone was happy with how free agency played out, so today we will look at the winners and losers after a riveting first week of the 2019 free agency<\/a> period.
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Winner: Kawhi Leonard<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UXt3WHyXi10\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After winning his second championship with the Toronto Raptors, Kawhi Leonard<\/a> had his choice of any team he would want to play for. He made it clear to the Clippers he would only join them on a long-term deal if they traded for the superstar of his choice, another winner who ends up on this list. The Clippers should be the favorites to lift the Larry O'Brien trophy next season.
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Loser: Los Angeles Lakers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Not only did the Lakers miss out on Kawhi Leonard<\/a>, his lack of urgency with deciding forced Los Angeles to settle for second-tier free agents, when they could have used the cap space to sign another max player. The Lakers should rebound and make the playoffs with LeBron and Anthony Davis next year, but should still sting after the moves their in-stadium rival did to land two superstars from under their nose.
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Winner: Paul George<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We don't think George's decision to leave Oklahoma City had anything to do with Russell Westbrook. In fact, we think it was his relationship with the former MVP that made him resign a four-year deal at the end of 2018. However, his situation in Los Angeles is nearly ideal<\/a>. George gets to team up with the best player in the NBA and return to his hometown of Los Angeles in the process. A clear win for the MVP candidate.
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Loser: Charlotte Hornets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Dwayne
Dwayne Bacon and the Charlotte Hornets were losers during NBA free agency in 2019. | Gene Sweeney Jr.\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Hornets lost three-time All-Star Kemba Walker to the Boston Celtics, then followed that up by signing restricted free agent Terry Rozier. Rozier can be a good player but shouldn't be viewed as the first or second option on any playoff team. Expect a seat back at the bottom of the lottery for the Hornets.
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Winner: Brooklyn Nets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Nets signed Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and DeAndre Jordan. They lose D'Angelo Russell but will instantly become championship contenders in two seasons. Durant is coming off an Achilles injury that will force him to miss next season, but the Nets have quietly built a strong foundation for success on Atlantic Avenue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Loser: New York Knicks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The New York Knicks<\/a> didn't sign Irving or KD, and they didn't get the No. 1 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft to land Zion Williamson. The offseason has been a failure<\/a> for them, and it doesn't look to get better anytime soon after signing Julius Randle, Marcus Morris, and Taj Gibson as their main free agency pickups.
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Winner: Tobias Harris<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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