Winners and losers (up to now) of the 2018 signing party

The problem here: The Cavs owe the Atlanta Hawks a top-10 first round, next summer, as part of the deal that sent Korver to Cleveland few years ago. In a post-LeBron environment, Cleveland must once again start stocking young talent – hence the future Kyrie-for-IT, which has imported the first unprotected choice of Brooklyn Nets, now Sexton – which means pay for the Cavs to be about as bad as they can this year and next year. (The top 10 of the pick is protected until 2020, after which it is converted into a second round pick in 2021 and 2022).

The decks are cleared for an almost total rebuild, with only Sexton, Osman and sophomore center rising Ante Zizic on the pounds after the end of the 2019-20 season. (A possible extension for Nance Jr. would change that, but will still leave Cleveland with a lot of flexibility in two years.) If the organization decides to abandon any pretense of series contention, the Cavs should seek to auction the love – a trap Due to his injury history and the possibility that with a player option for the 2019-2020 season, it would be a one-year lease – for all that they could net in capital project or young talents. As the year progressed, GM Koby Altman could also look for takers for Hill, Smith and Korver, who have only partial guarantees for the 2019-2020 season and whose contracts that may soon be expired could help

The Cavs are in a better rebuilding position than at LeBron's last outing, thanks to the good future cover sheet, to the presence of Sexton and, if they are bad enough, to the next two . years, a full set of future first-round choices available to them. Again: the pain and the losses are coming back to Cleveland. At least they will still have 2016.

WINNER: WARRIORS OF THE GOLDEN STATE

Duh.

More

They kept Kevin Durant. They signed DeMarcus Cousins ​​for the middle-level taxpayer exception in an agreement that left all the sport in trouble. They bring in center Kevon Looney, who came late in the season and in the playoffs, for the minimum; they bring Jonas Jerebko, a great intelligent, robust and versatile man, for the same reason. None of LeBron, James Harden, Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook or Paul George has added a new superstar teammate to raise the ceiling of their potential rival teams; the gap is wider now.

Cautions: It remains to be seen how much Cousins ​​will come out of an Achilles tendon rupture that could spread it for half of the season. Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston are one year older; If the Warriors do not hold the restricted free agent Patrick McCaw, and if rookie Jacob Evans is not an immediate contributor to plug-and-play rotation, they could be a little thin on the team. ;wing. Even typing these potential gaps feels ridiculous, though. The dominant NBA dynasty has tightened its grip on the league, bending the muscles of its culture and consistency to ensure that 29 more teams will enter the next season forced to fight the lingering belief that no matter what. they do, they play for the second. 19659016] LOST: HOUSTON ROCKETS

In all fairness, it is perhaps more an incomplete than a solid L; there is still a lot of summer, and GM Daryl Morey is not inventive when it comes to looking for ways to improve. At the present time, however, the combination of reloading the Warriors and Houston's internal uncertainty seems to have dropped the Rockets by one step.

More

Holding CP3 alongside the MVP Harden title makes sure that the Rockets will continue to boast first tandem playmaking and remain one of the league's elite offenses for at least the next years. In doing so, at a cost of $ 160 million over the next four years, it includes the terribly frightening proposition of paying a 6-foot guardian who suffers injuries, or $ 85.6 million for his 35- and 36-year-old seasons. . This is a risk that the Rockets had to take to continue to shoot the title in the first round of Harden; it's still a risk, and an obstacle that significantly hampers their ability to create a competitor after the next two years, while Paul and Harden alone will be able to earn more than $ 82 million. (One imagines that a tight financial future could play a role in the seemingly slow negotiations between the Rockets and the starting center / restricted free agent Clint Capela.)

<p clbad = "web-atom-canvas" text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm "type =" text "content =" Losing Trevor Ariza, a vital multi-positional defender and 3-point shooter tailor-made for the way the Rockets I wanted to play Golden State, on a big one year contract with Phoenix, it hurts … Many have not done anything to fill his minutes and bring back Gerald Green (a reserve super helpful, but I would be wary of expecting much more in a larger role) and bringing in the first-defense (and maybe only) backup point guard Michael Carter-Williams hurts too, and if the great answer to the three is a Carmelo Anthony redeemed … Well, if this exchange would make Houston significantly better, considering both ends of the floor, is a very open question. "data-reactid =" 114 "> Losing Trevor Ariza, a vital multi-position defender and a three-point shooter tailor-made for the Rockets wanted to play Golden State, at a big one-year deal with Phoenix hurts Many have not done anything to usefully fill in his minutes in addition to bringing back Gerald Green (a super useful reserve, but I would fear to expect much more in a larger role) and to bring the defense – first (and maybe) – Williams hurt, too, and if the great response to the three is a Carmelo Anthony redeemed … well, if this exchange would make Houston significantly better, considering both ends of the floor, is a very open question.

With Paul back in the fold, if the Rockets bring back Capela (and, ideally, Luc Mbah has Moute for the minimum), they probably enter the season to finish second in the West.But in May, they were e n agreement with eventual champions, pushing Golden State to seven games, losing double-digit points in games 6 and 7, and missing a historic number of 3-pointers in the deciding game to come a timid win of the finals. Now, it looks like they're back to watching the Warriors, even though they're still a little closer than everyone else.

WINNERS: OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER

<p clbad = "canvas-atom canvas- text Mb (1.0em) Mo (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "When Sam Presti traded for Paul George, the former star of the Indiana Pacers really did it He wanted to end up with the Lakers, as he had long represented, but LA did not Did not, OKC did, and George obviously saw enough things that he liked in his new digs to decide to get back on 4. A $ 137 million contract to keep the core of one of the four intact seeds, which may seem little, but it's much better than the alternative. "data-reactid =" 117 "> When Sam Presti traded for Paul George , the former star of Indiana Pacers really wanted to end up with the Lakers, as he had always represented. But LA did not go looking for it, OKC did, and George visibly saw enough in his new recruits to decide to walk away with a $ 137 million four-year contract to keep the deal intact. core of a seed. This might not seem like a lot, but it is much better than the alternative.

More

As I wrote in the wake of the agreement, in re-signing George, "Oklahoma City is far from a disaster scenario. – lose George without the financial means to replace his contributions, looking down The luxury tax anyway, and maybe have to think about exploding everything while shopping [Russell] Westbrook – and stayed on the good track for consistent contention. "This alone does not guarantee anything; as well as the salary and tax savings on luxury will be, nor will find a way to separate from Anthony and his $ 27.9 million contract. (As clumsy as the fit was last year, the Melo 's starting liners filled with Melo still blew the opponents' doors.)

<p clbad = "canvas" atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mo (0) –sm Mt (0.8em) – sm "type =" text "content =" But by blocking the core of Westbrook-George-Steven Adams, bringing back Jerami Grant on a triennial agreement, $ 27 million and taking a leaflet on the distressed badets center Nerlens Noel, Presti doubled on an identity defined for OKC – athleticism, length and size everywhere, with all built on the creation of his two All-Stars and a spin-off, Physical Defense led by Andre Roberson, who has returned to health, and we'll see if this base is strong enough to return to the controversy at the conference finals and how much time owners will be ready to spend luxury tax checks. So much, however, Oklahoma City knows that it can still build around two stars, rather than just one, that's not nothing. data-reactid = "139"> But by blocking the core of Westbrook-George-Steven Adams, bringing back Jerami Grant on a three-year, $ 27 million contract and taking a leaflet on an badet in Nerlens Noel center distress, Presti doubled over an identity defined for OKC – athleticism, length and size everywhere, with everything built from the creation of its two All-Stars and a teeming physical defense led by once again in good health Andre Roberson. We'll see if it's a solid enough base to go back to the final-conference level, and how long the property will be ready to write luxury tax checks if that's not the case. For now, however, Oklahoma City knows that it can build around two stars again, rather than just one. This is not nothing.

More

LOST: ISAIAH THOMAS

<p clbad = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mo (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = " text "content =" Sixteen months ago, Thomas was a star with an average of under 30 points and six badists per game for a Boston Celtics team rivaling LeBron's Cavs He was a thunderbolt All-Star of a scorer, he did not hide his belief that when he finally reached the unrestricted free agency in the summer of 2018, potential contenders will "know that" They have to bring the Brinks. "" Sixteen months ago, Thomas was a star with an average of under 30 points and six badists per game for a Boston Celtics team competing with the LeBron Cavs . number 1 of the Eastern Conference. He was an All-Star crush of a scorer; He did not hide his belief that when he finally reached the unrestricted free agency in the summer of 2018, future suitors "would know that they had to pull out the Brinks truck".

And then he collided with Karl-Anthony Towns, and he continued to play, and his sister died in a tragic car accident, and he continued to play, and his hip did not never been right. And then Kyrie Irving wanted to get out of Cleveland, and the Cavs wanted a lottery game in case of an emergency in return, and Danny Ainge was not so sure of that hip.

So Isaiah was leaving for Ohio, where all of this could go wrong. So Isaiah went to Los Angeles, where he was showing flashes of his former productivity, but continued to struggle to find his shot, his brilliance and his pace before getting the hip operation which he hoped would He would not need it, dumping him into the market as a playmaker from just under 30 who needs to dominate the ball to be efficient, who has to score in clusters for worth it, and who needs to be protected on the defensive side – a The word was that Thomas had begun to gain interest as an interim response for an Orlando Magic team equipped with fat but light men in the backcourt . But that was before the agreement of three teams this weekend that landed Jerian Grant in central Florida to save DJ Augustin, who apparently indicated the end of any interest that they could have had in the computer services. And now … I mean …

Commitments back with any of his previous five teams would seem unlikely. Among the teams still having space available, Atlanta has Trae Young and Dennis Schroder, Chicago seems committed to Kris Dunn and Cameron Payne (or, at least, not committed to spending for a potential upgrade), and Dallas to Dennis Smith Jr. ., Luka Doncic, JJ Barea and perhaps restricted free agent Yogi Ferrell. Maybe a team that has not yet used its mid-level exception decides to take a pamphlet on Thomas to see if it can come back to what it was there is just a season. But it's almost impossible to see it make a lucrative, multi-year deal, and in July, if even mid-level offers do not arrive, you wonder if Thomas might consider restarting overseas for a while. year. restore its value before trying to go back

<p clbad = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mo (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text "content =" It would still have been unthinkable a year ago, but when things start to collapse, they can collapse quickly, leaving even popular heroes wondering what struck them and how to get back on their feet. "data-reactid =" 168 "> That, again, would have appeared unthinkable even a year ago. But when things start to crumble, they can collapse quickly, leaving even the popular heroes wondering what struck them and how to get back on their feet

WINNERS: INDIANA PACERS

< p clbad = "canvas- atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "While everyone was losing their heads about LeBron heading west, PG not heading west, what's going on with Kawhi Leonard and how a just God of basketball would allow warriors to continue to get it! Kevin Pritchard somehow quietly and in fact Fashion has made that the most pleasantly surprising team of last year has been better. data-reactid = " 170 "> Whilst everyone lost their heads about LeBron heading west, PG and not heading west, that does it happen with Kawhi Leonard? Kevin Pritchard has shown a little calm and in an impeccable way that has helped to make the team the most pleasantly surprising of last year.

More

<p clbad = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mo (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "Indiana a suffered losses in the rotation – Lance Stephenson to the new look LeBrons, intriguing young Glenn Robinson III in Detroit, Al Jefferson to China – but brought back higher priority options Thaddeus Young, Bojan Bogdanovic and Darren Collison [19459007ThePacersarenowusingtheirfinancialflexibilitytobringthreeotherstrongpotentialcontributors:#39;attaquantDougMcDermottsuruncontratdetroisansetl&#39;escouadeTyrekeEvansetlecentrederéserveKyleO&#39;Quinnchacunsurdespactesd&#39;unan"data-reactid="191">Indianaasubidespertesdanslarotation-LanceStephensonaunew-lookLeBronsintrigantjeuneGlennRobinsonIIIàDetroitAlJeffersonàlaChine-maisaramenédesoptionsplusprioritairesThaddeusYoungBojanBogdanovicet Darren Collison . The Pacers then used their financial flexibility to bring three other potentially strong contributors: forward Doug McDermott on a three-year contract, and Tyreke Evans squad and reserve center Kyle O. Quinn each on pacts of one year. After a few tough seasons in Sacramento, Evans bounced back with a brilliant campaign in Memphis last season, scoring 39.9 percent of the top three in his career, while posting a career turnover rate as low as possible. an effective playmaker for the Grizzlies. He could be a central substitute for Victor Oladipo, who is sometimes the star playmaker's partner.

<p clbad = "web-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8 em) – sm" type = "text" content = "McDermott had trouble keeping a advanced position in the pros and does not offer much beyond shooting and ground spacing, but he offers 40% of his 3 points over four seasons of the NBA If Nate McMillan can find as much success in completing his game as he did with Bogdanovic last season, they could form a quality dubbed discretely in third place. "Data-reactid =" 193 "> McDermott struggled to defend his position before in the pros and did not offer much beyond shot and ground spacing, but he bid, drilling 40% of his 3 pointers over four seasons of the NBA. If Nate McMillan can find as much success in completing his game as he had done with Bogdanovic last season, they could form a discrete double of quality at these three points.

O & # 39; Quinn may be angry on the inside. and a bit too daring to try to do theater, but at short notice he is a ravenous bouncer, a dynamic enabler and a quality rim protector that should be placed behind (and maybe, sometimes, alongside) Myles Turner and Domantas Sabonis

<p clbad = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mo (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "Like last season, the Pacers will go like Oladipo, especially at the attack, but if Turner can keep his promise of being five in the race, if the recruiter Aaron Holiday can play a role in the backcourt, and if TJ Leaf can Taking a step forward in the void of the second unit, Indiana looks like the rare East Conference team that is just a kind of pretty well everywhere .The names do not cut you off not the hair back, but the cuts seem solid and the depth seems strong.In a remixed East, this might be enough in There are more than 50 wins and a good playoff series – not only this year, but for the next. "Data-reactid =" 195 "> As was the case last season, The Pacers will go as Oladipo goes, especially at the attack, but if Turner can keep his promise as a stretch-five, if the goalkeeper Rookie Aaron Holiday may win a role in the backcourt, and if the great second-hand man TJ Leaf can step forward in the emptiness of the second unit, Indiana looks like the rare team in the conference. That's just good enough everywhere The names do not cut your hair back, but In a remixed East, this might be enough for more than 50 wins and a nice playoff series – non seulement cette année, mais aussi pour les prochaines,

LOSERS: PHILADELPHIA 76ers

Plus

Après une saison de 52 victoires, l&#39;une des courses les plus énergiques et revigorantes de toute équipe ressuscitée dans la mémoire récente derrière l&#39;excellence sans faille de Joel Embiid et Ben Simmons, les 76ers, si rien d&#39;autre, a tenu le coup. Oui, ils ont perdu le tir des additions vétérans du médium Ersan Ilyasova et Marco Belinelli, mais ils entreront dans la saison prochaine avec Nemanja Bjelica à la place de l&#39;ancien (à un prix inférieur) et Wilson Chandler à la place du dernier (fondamentalement) tout en ramenant également départ tir de garde / entretoise de plancher intégrale JJ Redick et centre de sauvegarde défensive solide Amir Johnson. Philly ne s&#39;est pas blessé avec ces mouvements; Rien à propos de ce que les Sixers ont fait dans la première semaine de juillet pour empêcher leur mouvement vers l&#39;échelon supérieur de la compétition de l&#39;Est, à condition que Embiid et Simmons continuent à s&#39;améliorer au cœur de l&#39;alignement de Brett Brown. Markelle Fultz peut retrouver son chemin vers les sauts de saut

<p clbad = "toile-atome toile-texte Mb (1.0em) Mo (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = " text "content =" C&#39;est juste … est-ce que ressemble à une sorte de retour décevant pour ce que beaucoup avaient projeté comme un été potentiel pour les Six, n&#39;est-ce pas? Aucune réunion (réelle) de LeBron Pas de mouvement significatif sur un accord de Kawhi, car tout le monde garde sa poudre sèche pour voir comment les choses se pbadent à San Antonio, juste en arrière de l&#39;équipe de l&#39;année dernière, mais avec quelques pièces supplémentaires ronde choix Zhaire Smith plus le 2021 premier tour que les Sixers ont obtenu de Phoenix en échange de Mikal Bridges o n soirée de brouillon; gardien de recrue Landry Shamet; Le contrat expirant immédiatement échangeable de Chandler, si le besoin s&#39;en faisait sentir, pour que le trésor de la guerre soit géré par celui qui devie ndrait le prochain directeur général de Philadelphie. "Data-reactid =" 219 "> C&#39;est juste … se sentir comme une sorte de retour décevant pour ce que beaucoup avaient projeté comme un été potentiel de faire-ou-pause pour les Sixers, n&#39;est-ce pas? Pas de réunion de Paul George.Non (réel) réunion LeBron.Non motion significative sur un accord Kawhi, Alors que tout le monde garde son sang-froid pour voir comment les choses se pbadent à San Antonio, l&#39;équipe de l&#39;année dernière, avec quelques pièces de plus ajoutées, le choix de première ronde Zhaire Smith et le premier round 2021 des Sixers exchange for Mikal Bridges on draft night; sharpshooting rookie guard Landry Shamet; Chandler&#39;s immediately tradable expiring contract, should the need arise — for the war chest of badets to be managed by whoever winds up being Philadelphia&#39;s next general manag er.

That’s not necessarily a bad thing, and with plenty of cap space available for next summer, it certainly doesn’t preclude the Sixe rs from being involved in any conversation to be had about a disgruntled star looking for a new home or a free-agent-to-be looking to make a splash on the 2019 market. But with extensions for Embiid and Robert Covington kicking in this year, Dario Saric becoming extension-eligible next summer, and the option-year cap hits for former No. 1 picks Simmons and Fultz rising fast, the Sixers they won’t have a ton of financial flexibility forever.

Right now, this is just a bit of a swing-and-a-miss in Philly’s first crack at “star-hunting.” If they can’t find another way to land one before the year’s out, though, they could strike out on the pursuit all together.

<p clbad="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="More NBA coverage:" data-reactid="222">More NBA coverage:

<p clbad="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="– – – – – – –" data-reactid="227">– – – – – – –

<p clbad="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Dan Devine is a writer and editor for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter!" data-reactid="228">Dan Devine is a writer and editor for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter!

<p clbad="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Follow @YourManDevine" data-reactid="229">Follow @YourManDevine

<p clbad="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="More from Yahoo Sports:
• Huge brawl erupts between players, officials at youth basketball game
• Phil Mickelson calls himself on obscure rule violation at The Greenbrier
• Dwight Clark’s ashes buried next to famous goal post from ‘The Catch’
• Mexican club mocks Neymar in hilarious halftime contest
" data-reactid="230">More from Yahoo Sports:
• Huge brawl erupts between players, offi cials at youth basketball game
• Phil Mickelson calls himself on obscure rule violation at The Greenbrier
• Dwight Clark’s ashes buried next to famous goal post from ‘The Catch’
• Mexican club mocks Neymar in hilarious halftime contest