For some teams it’s been a bare market

Whirlwindweekwas entertaining, but many franchisesweren’t able to improve their roster

Whether intentionally taking a hit with the hope for future moves in mind, or wheeling and dealing with goals not readily apparent or realized, there were teams that emerged from free agency either going backwards or nowhere at all.

The Knicks somehow managed to go through the whirlwind without a single inexplicable move. They and quite a few other lottery teams did not seem to gain much ground. But the losers in free agency were either teams that hurt the cause, even in just the short term, or were too good to not get better.

Some of this could still change with some helpful free agents still on the market, or with the potential of some teams’ caution to work out. Until then, the offseason and free agency was not kind to a handful of teams.

DETROIT PISTONS

So long: ChristianWood, Luke Kennard, Tony Snell, Khyri Thomas, Justin Patton, Langston Galloway, Thon Maker, John Henson. Welcome: Jerami Grant, Mason Plumlee, Josh Jackson, Delon Wright, Jahlil Okafor, Rodney McGruder, Dzanan Musa, Killian Hayes, Isaiah Stewart, Saddiq Bey, Saben Lee.

The Pistons had a nice haul of solid additions on draft night and then acted as if they are in winnow mode. They helped the Rockets landWood, a better and younger center than they kept. They paid Grant, a fine role player around go-to players, star money. They paid Plumlee, a solid backup center, as if he will put them over the top. That adds up to starting rebuilding by dealing the best young players on the roster. They will have dead money on the books for years and the protections on the pick they owe the Rockets will keep them from being able to deal a first rounder for years, or until it moves to the Rockets.

CHARLOTTE HORNETS

So long: Nicolas Batum, Dwayne Bacon, Willy Hernangomez, Bismack Biyombo.

Welcome: Gordon Hayward, LaMelo Ball.

The Hornets fully committed to a youth movement last season, a wise move that lasted about a month. Hayward is still a fine player, coming off an impressive season when healthy after his terrible injury with the Celtics. But the Hornets not only awarded him with a four-year, $120 million contract, they added to their considerable cost by having to waive-and-stretch Batum’s contract to do it. The best free agent the Hornets have signed since inking Hayward to a restricted free agent deal the Jazz matched in 2014, Hayward should improve the Hornets all the way to not bad. But he, Ball, Devonte’ Graham and last season’s overpriced free agent from the Celtics, Terry Rozier, all need the ball in their hands to be their best. So much for the plan.

SACRAMENTO KINGS

So long: Bogdan Bogdanovic, Kent Bazemore, Harry Giles III, Alex Len.

Welcome: Hassan Whiteside, Frank Kaminsky, Tyrese Haliburton, Robert Woodward II, Jah’mius Ramsey.

There was solid logic behind not matching Bogdanovic’s contract, especially considering Haliburton fell to the Kings in the draft. But Bogdanovic was too valuable an asset to lose for nothing. And if the Kings ever did find a taker for Buddy Hield with an acceptable deal, having Bogdanovic on board would have paid off. Though adding Whiteside is a nice save, the failure of

the previous regime to pick up the fourth-year option on Giles’ contract led to the Kings losing him, too. Similarly, the bloated contracts new GM Monte McNair inherited likely contributed to letting Bogdanovic walk. Losing Bogdanovic hurts, especially considering there had been a sign-and-trade agreement with the Bucks that would have brought in Donte’ DiVincenzo. McNair is playing the long game with a rebuild which makes sense. That doesn’t mean watching Bogdanovic leave doesn’t hurt.

TORONTO RAPTORS

So long: Serge Ibaka, Marc Gasol, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.

Welcome: Aron Baynes, Alex Len, Henry Ellison, De’Andre

Bembry, Malachi Flynn.

Things could work out for the Raptors. They often do. In the shortterm, however, they took a step back. Though the Raptors locked up Fred VanVleet, they let Ibaka and Gasol head to Los Angeles, largely to be in position to chase the big free agents of 2021. Baynes should ease some of that pain. Chris Boucher might be ready to fill a larger role. But for now, losing the centers from the championship team will leave a mark.

ORLANDO MAGIC

So long: D.J. Augustin, Wes Iwundu, B.J. Johnson, Melvin Frazier Jr.

Welcome: Dwayne Bacon, Cole Anthony, Devin Cannady.

The Magic largely made sure to keep their former Rockets, Gary Clark, James Ennis and Michael CarterWilliams. All three were solid rotation guys. All were wise to keep. But the Magic have gotten too good to have not made a move to move up. Bacon replaces Iwundu but losing Augustin hurts. Mostly, the Magic were treading water, without adding the perimeter shooting they could use. Plenty of other teams, for a variety of reasons, also stood pat. But the Magic have gotten good enough to have been more aggressive to get better.

Steve Gonzales / Staff photographer Gordon Hayward decided not to re-sign with Boston, instead agreeing to a $120 million, four-year deal with the Hornets.