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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 /
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Apr 15, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Rajon Rondo (9) during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Trail Blazers 114-98. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Loser: Everyone Connected With Rajon Rondo

I’m cheating a little bit to share the love between Rajon Rondo, Rondo’s former team (the Dallas Mavericks), his former former team (the Boston Celtics) and — most likely — his future team (the Sacramento Kings or Los Angeles Lakers). Let’s start with the Celtics.

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Potential two-way center signs with rival after workout with Golden State Warriors
Potential two-way center signs with rival after workout with Golden State Warriors /

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    • Heading into the offseason, the Celtics were coming off a surprising playoff appearance. It ended in a first round sweep, sure, but the future was bright between Brad Stevens, tons of cap room, Kevin Love rumors and a mountain of stockpiled future assets to trade. General manager Danny Ainge was ready to swing for the fences, but so far all he’s got to show for it is Amir Johnson (two years, $24 million), Jonas Jerebko (two years, $10 million) and Jae Crowder (five years, $35 million).

    The Mavericks have been connected with quite a few big-name free agents, and could quickly turn things around if they land DeAndre Jordan and/or Wesley Matthews, two players they’re seriously in the running for. But what if Mark Cuban strikes out AGAIN in free agency?

    Then there’s the Kings. Sacramento traded Carl Landry and Jason Thompson in a salary dump move with the Philadelphia 76ers, but they had to include Nik Stauskas, a protected first round pick and the rights to swap future picks in TWO other drafts…all so the Kings could make room to sign Rondo. Good God.

    Finally, there’s Rondo himself, who is universally unwanted by every team’s fanbase. His demise may have been overblown, and he could actually fit with the right talent around him so teams can’t force him to shoot all the time, but the Kings and Lakers are not that team. The misery of these fan bases may continue if he joins one of them in California.

    Next: NBA: 50 Greatest Players Of All Time

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