The latest NBA free agency period began Sunday, with teams and players now able to discuss deals during the moratorium period.
However, fans hoping for a quick turnaround were sorely disappointed as the period began at 6 p.m. ET.
Some popular names reportedly transferred teams, but this was not the opening day experience of years past.
Let’s break down the first day of free agency with five winners and losers:
Winner: Victor Vembanyama
All the talk about the San Antonio Spurs last season focused on their lack of a needle-moving point guard. That void appears to have been addressed for the time being, with Chris Paul set to join the team following his release from the Golden State Warriors at the start of free agency.
Hours after clearing waivers, Paul reportedly agreed to a one-year, $11 million contract with San Antonio, where he’s likely going to start alongside Victor Wambayama. Vembanyama has already shown great potential in his debut season, but playing alongside a playmaker of Paul’s caliber could help him reach new levels.
Paul may no longer be in the running to win his first ring, but he still has an important role to play in Texas.
Loser: Los Angeles Clippers Starpower
The Clippers’ marriage to Paul George is almost over. The star wing is open to interest from other teams, with the Philadelphia 76ers reportedly top of the mix.
Los Angeles on Sunday reportedly extended James Harden to a two-year, $70 million deal, while also signing Kevin Porter Jr. to a two-year deal (with a player option) and Derrick Jones Jr. to a three-year deal. The deal was agreed. $30 million annual deal.
All this ended the George-Kawhi Leonard tandem in Hollywood, which resulted in continued disappointment and no appearances in the NBA Finals. Unless the Clippers manage to land another star, they won’t be as strong next season.
Winner: Orlando Magic Defense
A surprise opening day move saw the Magic agree to terms with wing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. The deal is reportedly worth $66 million over three years, which seems like an overpayment. But quality 3-and-D wings are extremely rare in the NBA, and Caldwell-Pope brings experience as a two-time champion.
His fit with Orlando is pretty obvious: He’ll be the second guard in the lineup alongside Jalen Suggs, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero and Wendell Carter Jr. Orlando posted the third-best defense in the league last season, so head coach Jamahl Mosley has another quality player to step up a few levels.
The reported move is also a major blow to the Denver Nuggets, who will likely have to replace Caldwell-Pope’s impact internally. If so, they would also take a few steps down in overall depth, which hurt them at times last season.
Loser: Silent
The lack of moves was arguably the biggest headline of the day. Following the news of Paul’s waiver and Harden’s new deal with the Clippers, the next step the Boston Celtics made was to retain backup big man Luke Kornet.
Other reported moves include the Dallas Mavericks agreeing to a three-year, $27 million deal with wing Najee Marshall, Andre Drummond planning a return to Philly and Jonas Valanciunas signing with the Washington Wizards on a three-year, $30 million deal. Intend to join.
Names with uncertain futures still on the market include George, Klay Thompson, Tobias Harris, DeMar DeRozan, Isaiah Hartenstein, Gary Trent Jr. and Buddy Hield.
Winner: Philadelphia 76ers
One of the Sixers’ primary weaknesses last season was a lack of quality depth. They addressed some of these early in the first day, with Drummond’s move and agreeing to a one-year deal with veteran shooting guard Eric Gordon.
Drummond’s role primarily as a rebounding big has revitalized his value, while Gordon averaged 11 points per game on 44/38/80 shooting splits last season for the Phoenix Suns.
They reportedly agreed to re-sign Kelly Oubre Jr. to a two-year, $16.3 million deal after a solid first season with the franchise.
But there’s still a lot to do, as Hield, Harris, Nicolas Batum, Kyle Lowry, Robert Covington, De’Anthony Melton and Cam Payne have all hit the open market.
And pairing George with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey will certainly be important, so they’re on the right track.
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