Hoops Habit
Fansided

NBA: The Biggest Winners And Losers Of Free Agency Day 1

By Gerald Bourguet

Dec 20, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) is guarded by New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) during the first half of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) is guarded by New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) during the first half of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
10 of 11
Next
NBA
Mar 14, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) shoots past New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) during the second half of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Trail Blazers defeated the Pelicans 111-103. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

Winner: Max-Level Players

Speaking of outrageous offers, just because they’re justified by the level of elite talent we’re talking about, it has been admittedly disorienting getting used to the sheer mass of money that’s being thrown at star players. Anthony Davis and the New Orleans Pelicans will make NBA history with the league’s biggest contract ever: five years, $143 million. At age 22, the Brow signed a contract worth $145 million. At age 24, I don’t have $145 in my wallet.

Davis wasn’t the only one who agreed to a staggering extension. Jimmy Butler (five years, $95 million), Goran Dragic (five years, $90 million), Kevin Love (five years, $110 million), Tristan Thompson (five years, $80 million), Kawhi Leonard (five years, $90 million), Draymond Green (five years, $82 million) and Damian Lillard (five years, $129 million) are all living large now, and this is just the first season of a three-year leap up the NBA pay scale.

What’s scary is LeBron James, LaMarcus Aldridge, Marc Gasol, Dwyane Wade, DeAndre Jordan, Wesley Matthews, Greg Monroe Enes Kanter, Tobias Harris and Monta Ellis still haven’t agreed to deals yet. Brace yourselves. Mass splurging is on the horizon.

Next: Loser: Everything Rajon Rondo