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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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Jan 10, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks president Phil Jackson addresses the media before the start of game against the Charlotte Hornets at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /

Loser: New York Knicks

If the Raptors are the Suns of the East, it’s only fitting to continue the analogy and introduce you to the New York Knicks, A.K.A. the Lakers of the East! Like the Lakers, the Knicks have a good deal of cap space and the history of a prestigious franchise to entice free agents, but they just can’t get anyone to commit. Also like the Lakers, the Knicks failed to sign anyone on Day 1.

The good news is that unlike the Lakers, quite a few of their major targets are still in play. Realistic options like Greg Monroe, Arron Afflalo and Robin Lopez are still available for the time being (UPDATE: Monroe signed with the Milwaukee Bucks early on in Day 2). But here’s a newsflash for Phil Jackson: holding onto the faint hope of seducing LaMarcus Aldridge or DeAndre Jordan is one way to make sure this team is just as terrible in 2015-16.

If the Knicks were smart, they’d come to terms with a less flashy option like Lopez, who’d be a rim protector for a porous defense. New York needs talent, but even signing Greg Monroe to a super inflated deal is out the window now.

Next: Winner: On To The Role Players!