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2019 NBA Free Agency: Winners and losers from Day 1

By Daniel Lubofsky

OAKLAND, CA - JANUARY 27: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors and Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics during the game on January 27, 2018 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - JANUARY 27: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors and Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics during the game on January 27, 2018 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Losers: Golden State Warriors

The Golden State Warriors always seemed destined to lose Kevin Durant come June 30, but that doesn’t make the sting of what is now a reality hurt any less. His departure, even on a ruptured Achilles tendon, signals the end of a dynasty that took home three NBA championships in the span of four seasons, including five straight Finals appearances.

Assuming Klay Thompson returns at full strength after his torn ACL in the Finals, the Dubs don’t find themselves as dominant as in years past. The rest of the league has caught up to them in the talent department, with a number of teams forming their own respective dynamic duos or new Big 3s.

Even if that weren’t the case, the accumulated beatdown Golden State has taken over the last five years is something no other organization has had to deal with. Durant was a safety net of sorts, a player who tipped the scales of talent so far in the Warriors’ favor it helped negate whatever fatigue they may have had. Without him, competing at a high level will require another gear they may no longer be able to reach.

Golden State managed to rebound nicely with a sign-and-trade that brings in D’Angelo Russell from the Nets, but the move seemed more like a last-ditch effort to acquire any sort of compensation for an all-time talent walking out the door.

D-Lo is coming off his first All-Star campaign, and it’s hard to envision a scenario where a guy getting paid $117 million comes off the bench — once Klay returns from his torn ACL. How Steve Kerr manages to play those two alongside Stephen Curry is a puzzle that doesn’t seem to have an ideal answer.

In order to execute this unique trade, the Warriors were forced to unload the contract of Andre Iguodala to the Memphis Grizzlies along with a protected first round pick.

With so many questions surrounding their future, general manager Bob Myers is doing his best at getting creative with the circumstances presented in front of him. After loading up the backcourt far beyond any the league has ever seen and bidding farewell to a key piece of three championships, the Warriors’ dynasty, for all intents and purposes, appears to be officially over.