'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
NBA Free Agency is a time in which most teams are expected to work towards improving their respective rosters to compete in the upcoming NBA season. While it might seem a straightforward part of the NBA world, some teams have repeatedly proven to not be the most desirable destinations for top free agents.
The LA Lakers, on their side, probably did the best job of revamping their roster in order to contend for the NBA championship in the 2021-22 season. After a year plagued by injuries to their top stars, the LA Lakers brought in Russell Westbrook to try to enhance their star power and be better-suited for a possible NBA Finals appearance.
5 Teams that have not taken advantage of the 2021 NBA Free Agency yet
In the Eastern Conference, the 'super' Brooklyn Nets brought in veteran NBA champion Patty Mills and it could be a big move for a team that will surely look for any chance to increase their depth. The Miami Heat signed Kyle Lowry, while the Chicago Bulls also worked nicely in the East, landing Lonzo Ball and DeMar DeRozan.
In this article, however, we will take a look at those franchises that have not sufficiently utilized the 2021 NBA Free Agency.
Without further ado, let us start.
#5 Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors have struggled to sign the few available names in the 2021 NBA Free Agency, and that was expected. Kyle Lowry was the team's main name in free agency and he signed with the Miami Heat. The move ended Lowry's nine-year tenure with the Toronto Raptors in a sign-and-trade that sent Goran Dragic to Toronto.
The franchise has not landed big names in free agency for a while. Even Kawhi Leonard's arrival ahead of the 2018-19 season only happened via trade and not even an NBA title was enough to entice him to stay.
The Raptors have now signed Gary Trent Jr., ensuring his return to Toronto, but the roster has not really improved. The 2021 NBA Free Agency is the third in a row where Toronto has lost high-profile names that were part of their NBA championship-winning team in 2019.
#4 New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans had one of the most talented and promising rosters in the NBA during the 2020-21 campaign. However, it did not work out and the team eventually missed the postseason with a 31-41 record.
The team is logically constructed around Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, two young players who made the All-Star Game in 2021 and 2020, respectively. However, the Pelicans decided to let Lonzo Ball go in the 2021 NBA Free Agency to the Chicago Bulls, when a playmaker like him would certainly help the two All-Stars on offense. Ball is also a good, intense defender and now finds himself away from the Pels.
They've also tried to solve the void left by Ball by acquiring Devonte' Graham. While Graham can be a good scorer, he is not a playmaker like Ball and his efficiency is a definite concern. He is a 37% shooter from the field, though he shoots 36% from three.
On the bright side, the Pelicans did make one good trade, acquiring Jonas Valanciunas from the Memphis Grizzlies. In doing so, they also managed to off-load the contracts of Eric Bledsoe and Steven Adams.
#3 Philadelphia 76ers
Basically, the entire NBA Free Agency period of 2021 for the Philadelphia 76ers will be dictated by Ben Simmons' situation and a likely trade. If the Philadelphia 76ers can finally solve the Simmons dilemma and acquire value that would make them a contender, they will have had a successful window.
However, they have not yet agreed on a deal regarding Simmons, and the Australian guard has reportedly cut communications with the Sixers organization. Trading Simmons seems to be a sure thing for Philadelphia before the next NBA season, but the team's front office might be asking for too much in return.
While all the attention around Philadelphia seems to be on Simmons, the team have signed Andre Drummond and Danny Green, among others. But the 76ers' management seem to be fully invested in improving the team only through Simmons' trade.
#2 San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs were on the verge of reaching the NBA Playoffs last season, but they fell in the NBA Play-In tournament against the Memphis Grizzlies and saw their season end.
In the 2021 NBA Free Agency, some important pieces in Gregg Popovich's team were available for the rest of the team. Players like DeMar DeRozan, Patty Mills and Rudy Gay have already chosen to leave San Antonio.
The Spurs might continue to struggle in free agency as they have not landed a big name since LaMarcus Aldridge joined in 2015. They've been described as a potential landing spot for Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons, and they have acquired various draft assets to put together a good combo.
However, the Australian's situation has not been resolved yet, as the Sixers are reportedly looking for a huge package in exchange. They are also rumored to be waiting for Damian Lillard's situation with the Portland Trail Blazers to be resolved.
#1 Portland Trail Blazers
Damian Lillard has reportedly been unhappy with the Portland Trail Blazers since their run in the 2021 NBA Playoffs ended. Lillard himself addressed the media after reports of him asking for a trade, and clearly said that the team needed to improve for the upcoming campaign.
If Lillard was unhappy before the 2021 NBA Free Agency started, the situation seems to be getting even worse as the Blazers have not been big players in the off-season. The team has missed out (if they even took a swing) on several names that would've definitely helped their cause for next year if they wanted to keep Lillard happy. Moreover, they have not been active on the trade market either.
Signing Norman Powell to return to Portland was usually indicated as something that could've caused the Blazers to trade C.J. McCollum. This would have helped them improve other areas within the team, with Powell playing the shooting guard position. However, nothing regarding McCollum has been reported yet.
Powell signed a five-year, $90-million deal with the franchise and is one of four confirmed deals for Portland in NBA Free Agency. Others include Tony Snell, Cody Zeller and Ben McLemore.
Is that enough to keep Lillard? Or are the Trail Blazers preparing for a blockbuster trade that includes Lillard and Ben Simmons? We will have to wait awhile to find out.
Also Read: Which is the most expensive NBA team as of August 2021?
Guess the Lakers players!
