It is still mid-July, and there are many more NBA moves to be made, many more paydays and strange discounts to go around. Lance Stephenson reminded us of that this morning. But it feels like we went through so much already. We have to stop and take stock.
Let’s inhale.
Then exhale.
Man, this summer’s free agency is crazy.
In a couple of days, we will take a look at which teams have been the biggest winners and losers thus far in free agency. But right now, which players are the biggest winners and losers?
Let’s get all the negative vibe out first, so we can really cherish the return of royalty to its rightful place in Cleveland, where order and joy have been restored amongst the citizenry, and where there is hope of ending a half century’s worth of misery.
Here we go:
THE LOSERS
Josh McRoberts: Dear Josh must have been dancing and singing when he agreed to terms with Pat Riley for $5.3 million per to play alongside LeBron James. He took a slight pay cut so he would play for the Eastern Conference favorites. But then “Decision II” came down and reshuffled the deck. The pass-and-shoot mobile big is suddenly a rebuilding piece for a fringe playoff team.
McBob will now share the locker room with a grumpy old chief who goes by the name of Dwyane Wade and he will most likely be doing so for way longer than the two years Wade just opted out of. Oh and don’t worry, we did not forget about Wade’s place on this list.
Eric Bledsoe: He came into this offseason expecting a max deal but right now is the mix of being the best player 
not to get any love. What’s the worst thing that can happen to a restricted free agent in the offseason? Not getting a new contract, right? Wrong! The worst that can happen is not getting a new contract while your team stockpiles your position.
Intentionally or not, the Suns are dropping Bledsoe’s market value with every point guard they add to their roster. With the acquisition of Isaiah Thomas, they have three point men other than Bledsoe (Dragic, Thomas and rookie Tyler Ennis). That’s point guard mini-camp. Bledsoe can only hope Phoenix will give some indication of exactly what the plan is, or he could find himself stuck in an awkward position. His market is cooling down because money is drying up.
Anthony Morrow: C.J Miles. got $18 million for four years. Jodie Meeks is getting $19 million for three. Avery Bradley got $32 million for four. Morrow, a better shooter than all of them, got $10 million for three. And if that price is not low enough, you should know that this was the second largest free agent deal in OKC’s history to the immortal Nenad Krstic receiving $15 million for three years. That says more about the Thunder than it does Morrow, a deadly shooter and great locker room presence. .He would be a steal at that cost in any other offseason, but this year? With the paydays some of these role players are getting, Morrow got robbed in broad daylight. Sam Presti must have hypnotic powers.
Lance Stephenson: I hope we all learned our lesson here. You cannot blow into The King’s ear while in a contract year. “Born Ready” just missed the All-Star Game and led the league in triple-doubles, so he figured a max contract should be in place by now. But the Pacers didn’t budge off their offer of $44 million for five years, and no one else was willing to go higher despite Stephenson’s competitiveness and two-way skill set. Hornets owner Michael Jordan was willing to hand out more money for a shorter commitment, so Stephenson wound up with $27.5 million for three years, with Charlotte holding an option on the final year.
Dwyane Wade: We are not ranking here, and this bodes well for Wade, who had a cruel end of the season trumped by a more cruel offseason. LeBron leaving had to sting a bit; that must have been a hell of a plane ride. After playing just 54 games in the regular season and looking a very old 32 in the Finals, Wade officially turned from “Flash” to “Flashes”, as Jalen Rose put it. He struggled to keep up, and everyone knew that everyone knew. Wade opted out of $42 million over two years and re-signed for $31 million over two, losing eight figures.
THE WINNERS
LeBron James: It doesn’t really matter whether you think James became a better person, or better at handling the media. What does matter is how huge his return to Cleveland is, and how its ripple effects will impact every facet of the NBA. This will shape the identity of the league going forward.
Amid the drama, LeBron also made the right basketball choice, along with the redemption that followed the SI essay. James is going to play with three other top overall picks, a young fresh core that has much less pressure to win right now. Unless, of course, the Cavs figure out a way to land Kevin Love, which could make them favorites to win it all.
Regardless, LeBron is the clear-cut winner of this offseason, both on and off the court. And when the best player in the world wins, the NBA wins.
Channing Frye: No one can ever be sure what Orlando GM Rob Hennigan is up to. We can guess he sees their newly acquired stretch-4 as a good value at $32 million for four years, and a somewhat movable contract in case Frye doesn’t fit in the puzzle.
The Magic aren’t necessarily winners, because Frye is their highest-paid player and one of their few veterans among an extremely promising but frighteningly young team. Frye has a quick and accurate jumper, especially at his position, and he may help unlock the potential of Victor Oladipo, Aaron Gordon and Evan Fournier.
But Frye is definitely a winner. Just over a year ago, his entire future was in doubt due to a heart issue. Now he is set for the next four years.
Gordon Hayward: Offered $48 million for four years by Utah last summer, Hayward and his agent felt he could 
get more. They were right, Hayward emerged as Utah’s best player and as a restricted free agent received a four-year, $63 million max offer from Charlotte, which the Jazz matched.
Most players don’t play chicken with the extension on their rookie contract. Hayward did, risking injury as well as being exposed on a horrible team. His bravery was rewarded as he finished the season as one of only five players who averaged 16-5-5.You can argue whether he is worth that kind of money, but that’s the restricted free agent market – you must overpay for chance to steal a player from his team. Well played, Gordon.
Shaun Livingston: Like Frye, another “feel-good” story. Last season, he made it all the way back from a gruesome, career-threatening knee injury, finding a niche on the Nets and saving their season by making it possible to shift to small ball after Brook Lopez went down. Money actually became an issue for the Nets this summer, and Livingston’s best offer likely would come from somewhere else.
Golden State offered the midlevel exception for three years, and Livingston accepted his first multi-year deal since his rookie contract. He fits beautifully on this roster, which is deep in shooting but can really use his passing and 
defensive length. His versatility could be big for a team looking to take a step in the crowded Western Conference.
Jeremy Lin: Lin’s career is a real-life version of a teenage comedy summer movie: the humble, shy Harvard grad that somehow always finds himself in the craziest of situations. Everything kind of happens to him, and he often looks as shocked about it as we do.
In the last two-plus years, he has gone from an unknown benchwarmer to a phenomenon in media capital New York to a coveted free agent to a teammate of Dwight Howard to a teammate of Kobe Bryant in Hollywood, helping the Lakers rebuild.
The only way to go from here is to have Jeremy save L.A. from a zombie attack. If Lin ever decides to do an autobiography, I’m sure people will start reading books again.
(ALSO FROM OREN LEVI: LOOKING AHEAD TO THE 2015 NBA DRAFT)
Oren Levi is a 27 die-hard NBA fan, and an amateur scout and writer. Follow him on Twitter.
It’s too bad there are people here trolling and pretending to be Heat fans. I mean, they can’t possibly this dumb, right? It has to be a joke? Some of them even thought Sheridan wrote this article. I mean, it’s not hard to read a byline, right?
Morrow isn’t a loser. He can’t play defense and isn’t a good ball handler. All he does is Shoot.
Livingston should have received a bigger contract. He received only 13 million guaranteed over 3 years. His 3rd year was only 3 million guaranteed. Had Livingston stayed with Nets, he could have received over 10 M guaranteed and be guaranteed lots of playing time. He also would have been eligible for the Early Bird after 1 more year with Nets.
Wow… I didn’t think there were many Miami fans left after Lebron decided to take his talents to Cleveland. Let’s put the fandom aside and look at this rationally. Yes, Josh McRoberts lost on this deal. He had the same deal with Charlotte and opted to go with Miami because he THOUGHT he was going to be playing with the best player in the world. It didn’t happen. So, he lost. Hence, being in the loser category. Wade lost because he opted out a deal and ended losing $11 million in the process. It’s simple math. I don’t see hate or any bias here in this article, just a few Miami fans who are obviously upset because Lebron does what he always done. Yes, the Heat are an on the fringe playoff team. Chill out. Enjoy the season.
Can u stop with that crap, it really is getting old. Miami possibly has more true fans than wherever you are, yes we have plenty of idiot fans but doesn’t mean we don’t have real fans. Stop talking trash about us when you have no idea how passionate a good portion of our fanbase is. It’s another defense mechanism u guys use against us because of your envy. Envy our last 4 years and we will continue to be competitive. U are a jackass loser and your argument is getting old! # 305tilidie #heatnation
I live in south Florida, there are few Heat fans here, actually, there are more Bulls and Knicks fans. It’s just sad how delusional Heat fans are, how could they not see this coming ? LeBron left Cleveland worse than he left the Heat, but the Heat faithful trashed Cleveland fans back then, now the shoe is on the other foot. After booing the Heat in the finals why would LeBron thank the fans?
Dude your probably from West Palm if you say there are more Knicks and Bulls fan. You obviously haven’t been in Little Havana, Little Haiti, Liberty City, Hialeah, Wynwood, North Miami, etc. the real hoods in my city where Botox isn’t allowed so before you talk that BS won’t you come pay us a visit and you’ll see what our colors are. Oh yeah give us some time to trade in our Lebron Jerseys…..lol. Crickets…..
I purposely left out who “my team” was because it has no bearing on the comment i made. I don’t envy the Heat. My team is one of only four teams that had won over 200 games in the past four years and has six championships under their belts. But like I said in my initial comment, let’s put fandom aside and look at it rationally. But you can’t because you thought the comment was based off of some jealousy. Cmon, really?? But I’m not here to compare who’s team is better in recent memory. The facts are: The Heat are worse off this year than they were last year. They lost the best player in the world (currently) so what makes you think they are a better team? This article isn’t a Heat bashing article. It’s just facts. Enjoy the season.
Brian, I have no problem with the fact that we are not gonna be nearly as good, it just sucks for the true heat fans that we have go thru this unfair fan bashing, I’m sure u would be upset as well with all u possibly invest In Ur team with everything u invest I to your team.
That’s exactly our point, he’s not basing this BS list off of money gained or lost he’s basing it whether these players get to play along LBJ. Why is Lebron a winner he’s not making more money, ” it’s just good for the NBA” give me a break. He has the right to choose where he plays, but our issue is he F’ed over a lot of his friends in the process, have the guts to say that your leaving don’t let your friends make a sacrifice and then bail without at least giving them a warning. So we know that he F’ed over his buddies and the City of Cleveland, are we even.
All of you Heat Fans are Garbage, when you stole Lebron James you were jumping for Joy, without Lebron James the Heat will not win to more champiobship and go 4 straight times to the Final.., WITHOUT Lebron Miami Heat would not even make it in the conference final. Bosh is a pure shit player, the Heat are a bunch of old men and the Bulls or Pacers will DESTROY the Heat. Fuck all Heat Fans
Wouldn’t you be jumping for joy if lebron joined your team you moron? Do you remember 2006 when the heat won the championship? oh without lebron james!! lebron hasn’t won without wade or bosh an i doubt he will. I loved lebron on the heat but he left, i still give Heat a good shot this year. Bulls or pacers are you serious? DRose hasn’t even showed he can play, when was the last time we saw highlights of him? Pacers just lost lance a key part to their play and hibbert sucks, do you know what you’re talking about? I’d like to see who your team is cause you sure haven’t made it to the finals four years in a row!! bahahaha
Get a grip heat fans, he isn’t calling them losers, just losers on the contracts they got. I’m not sure what games you guys were watching in the finals but Wade and Bosh didn’t do a damn thing, and now we’re supposed to believe they are contenders? The Heat as currently constructed are at best a 7th seed, this is reality. Also Sheridan didn’t just guess 50-50, he flat out knew, the Heat fans were too blind to see it coming.
Even this version of Miami is better than Charlotte, and McRoberts got long term money with no state taxes. I see the Miami hatred from this site didn’t leave town with LeBron.
Why is everyone applauding LeBron for jumping ship and taking the easy way out AGAIN. Came to Miami in 2010 with two other superstars in their prime to win a ring because he was unable to win in Clev. On a roster full of players he hand picked and blamed management for not inking enough talent then leaves Miami because he feels like wade and bosh are getting older and can’t carry as much of the load anymore so he takes the easy way out and heads back to Clev. A team that has had 3 #1 over all picks the past four years but is stacked with a bunch of unproven young talent that has yet to make the playoffs since he left. If anything Sheridan should be applauding Pat Riley and all his roster moves because without LeBron we will be a playoff team and be competitive in the weak east unlike clev was. Miami was a winning culture before LeBron and we will prove we can win without him.
The reason he left dip stick is to raise his baby girl in akron his HOME to return HOME and play with a very talented and young cleveland team that has as much star potential as your team has in the next 10 – 15 yrs and to play with the best young point guard in the game today kyrie irving who just commited to cleveland with a 5 year 90 million dollar contract and what would he have in a miami a beat up has been in wade a long necked piece of crap that con only play the post and shoot threes then again he’s not tht good from three so yes he would come back to cleveland. Welcome HOME lebron.
Calling the Heat a “fringe playoff team” and Dwyane Wade a “grumpy old chief” are insulting to a great player and a great oragnization. By the way, congratulations on getting the LeBron scoop by taking the 50/50 guess on the cavs. Lucky guess fraud
Chandler Parsons was a winner
Apparently the 3 Heat fans came across this article and decided to comment all at the same time. You guys are sensitive.
3….that is a lot of fans for the Heat now
Everyone riding in to defend the honor of the Heat needs some perspective. D Wade is a great player, but to not acknowledge that he’s lost both money and championship opportunity from this is silly.
Loser in this sense simply is a way of saying that Wade has lost a lot from where he was two months ago, not an indictment on him as a human being.
Your right DWade lost money, but only because Lebron didn’t have the decency to let a so called friend know he was leaving all along. In a perfect world I’d bill Lebron James to cover what he lost he sure as hell is a big part to blame. And I admit he hasn’t played as great as he’s capable of last year, but I also have the utmost confidence that he is very capable of returning to a 20ppg type stats. Well just have to wait and see.
The Hating of the Heat franchise mind boggles me Sheridan. Losers to what? They Haven’t Even Laced Them Up Yet And Your Saying All Is Bad On The Heat front. Riley can still build this franchise again. Wade will prove you and everyone else wrong that he still has it.
Sheridan is a jack ass if he thinks Chris Bosh didn’t win. He got 30 mil more than what he was about to get, and will still be in the playoffs. The Heat will be a top 5 seed in the east.
No one are seeing that this guy its a looser Miami hater? is obvious that this guy is writing just a plenty of BS comments just to get attention…. bad pblicity its a good publicity.
By the way Sheridan: good move guessing that LBJ play. jeje 50/50% chance to win or loose it.
Great article chris!!
Sheridan you are a hack. Are you on crack by saying the Heat are a marginal playoff team? Gotta say that made me giggle a little. Anyone that thinks the Heat will fall of that much need to”get a grip” and anyone that thinks Lebron to Cleaveland makes them the favorites needs to take a deep breath and put down the kool-aid. Seriously the guy had Wade, Bosh, ray Allen, etc… and still had a tough time making it happen. Who on the Cavs is better than Bosh? Outside of Lebron obviously. Who on the Cavs is better than Wade or Deng. And don’t say Irving cause potential doesn’t equal better by default.
Sheriden hoops has made themselves look like idiots the last month. Dumb article just wrong
Mcroberts didn’t take a paycut, hornets offered the same exact deal. You call him a loser for picking the city of Miami over Charlotte ? You hate on d wade but he’s still better than kemba and to also play along bosh deng and a team that’s been to the finals last 4 years I wouldn’t call him a loser, you just seem so biased and don’t know the facts. You shouldn’t be allowed to write anymore you heat hater this article was trash
This is so biased and unprofessional. It feels like everyone is more happy to stick it to Miami than see Lebron go to Cleveland. Jealousy is a terrible thing and can tear people apart. But it’s all good, Miami will be back and never question the heart of a champion. D Wade has 3 rings, he deserves more respect than that. We may not win the east next year but we are a top 4 team. You think this team will allow that to happen? They are gonna have to rip the east crown out of their hands. Not saying we win east but we will be in the conversation. Get your head out of your you know what and get that hate out of your writing. #hatersgonehate #Heatnation #mediaGarbage
What a classless unprofessional article. Not since the Detroit Bad Boys has a championship team been so utterly disrespected by the NBA media. Remember 4 years ago, when LeBron left your beloved Cav’s, he was the villain and Miami was only guilty by association. Now he’s the ‘chosen one’ and the commentators can’t help but be giddy about it and bash Miami every chance they get. Well LeBron came and went, but we’re still here. Don’t fool yourselves into thinking we won’t be back on top. We have the best city and recruiters in the league, and now that the LeBronites are back in Cleveland, you’ll see that we’ve got the best fans too. Go HEAT!! HeatNation!
Lebron James a winner?? Ur just a Cleveland guy urself and how dare you insult Dwayne Wade like that and he won three championships not two like LeBron! Get a life!
You are totally biased in your article, for one it’s obvious your one of a million Miami Heat haters in this world. By placing DWade and McRoberts as losers is pure garbage. It’s apparent that money wasn’t a criteria for being either a loser or winner, just pure hatred and thinking that what Lebron did was admirable ( to who?) and a smart basketball decision shows your ignorance. I hope as next season develops you’ll have the decency to stand up and say you were wrong. But if this article is any indication of your character I doubt it. If we end up sucking I will admit it, but never stop loving my city and it’s basketball team. #HeatNation4Life
Heat are a fringe playoff team? Are you serious? In this wide open Eastern Conference? And McBob got under paid? Come on. If anything he got paid just right including a state with zero income tax.
You are naive if you think Dwyane Wade lost. He’ll make up that money he lost. He gets to be the man in Miami again, whether or not he can successfully deliver, which I think he will. He is a three-time champ, 10 time all-star, and a future hall of famer. Nothing left to prove, but will still prove you wrong this year. Take that shit elsewhere bud..