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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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Mar 30, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) shoots over Phoenix Suns center Alex Len (21) at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports /

Winner: Phoenix Suns

Look, the odds are still against the Phoenix Suns to land LaMarcus Aldridge. It wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest if Aldridge got a good night’s sleep, woke up in the morning and realized, “Wait, what am I doing? The San Antonio Spurs want me!” But the fact that general manager Ryan McDonough came out of nowhere and made the Suns — a team that’s been irrelevant in landing a big-name free agent since Steve Nash in 2004 — contenders for LMA is remarkable.

It started with secretly landing Tyson Chandler on a four-year, $52 million deal. That seems like a lot of money and a lot of years for a 32-year-old center, but Chandler will provide veteran leadership for a team that badly needed it last season and be a great mentor for Alex Len, who is only 22 years old and can come off the bench until he’s ready to surpass his mentor. Plus, if anyone can keep Chandler healthy and effective, it’s the Suns’ warlock training staff.

But McD also locked in restricted free agent Brandon Knight to a five-year, $70 million deal, which could look like a bargain down the road. The Suns will have cap space to work with in the future and their young core is locked in. Getting Aldridge would make them one of the best teams in the West, but even if they fail, Phoenix is suddenly relevant again.

Next: Loser: The Lakeshow