By MARCUS A. HENRY                  July 25, 2001

BIG WINNERS:

Sacramento Kings: Whether or not Chris Webber wanted to re-sign with them doesn’t really matter. The issue here is by re-signing Webber and Doug Christie, and acquiring point guard Mike Bibby from the Vancouver Grizzlies for Jason Williams, the Kings have assured themselves of a long playoff run next season.

Toronto Raptors: Getting Antonio Davis, Jerome Williams and Alvin Williams to return makes this team a perennial contender for the Eastern Conference finals, and may have given the Raptors the edge in the Vince Carter free agent stakes that begin next summer.

Los Angeles Lakers: There should be a law against being this good and this lucky. The signing of shooting guard Mitch Richmond to the veteran’s minimum of $1 million was a stroke of genius. Not only do the Lakers get sufficient backcourt depth, they get a valuable locker room presence and a terrific long-range bomber without having to give up anyone of value.

Portland Trailblazers: With Steve Smith getting up in age and Bonzi Wells coming off a serious injury, the Blazers did a great job in beating the San Antonio Spurs to Derek Anderson. Now if they can only find a way to get everyone some quality minutes.

MODERATE WINNERS:

*Philadephia 76ers: Trading talented young centers Theo Ratliff and Nazr Mohammed for Dikembe Mutumbo didn’t sit well in Philly initially. But the way Mutumbo held his own against Shaq gives the 76ers hope for a return trip to the finals. If the 76ers can find a way to trade Matt Geiger to make room for MacCulloch, the 76ers will move up on this list. Re-signing playoff hero Aaron McKie was a step in the right direction as well. 

*New Jersey Nets: Although they will probably end up overpaying him, signing Todd MacCulloch (6 years $34 million) gives the Nets a legitimate center to team with forwards Kenyon Martin and Keith Van Horn.

BIG LOSERS:

New York Knicks: The Knicks seem to be gluttons for punishment. Signing Allan Houston to a 6 year $99 million deal was one thing, but to give Clarence Weatherspoon $27 million over 5 years is plain ridiculous. Weatherspoon is a nice player, but the Knicks already have a roster full of overpaid forwards playing out of position. Go figure.

San Antonio Spurs: For a team that needs perimeter help they sure have a funny way of showing it. Not only did they let Anderson sign with Portland, they also allowed steady point guard Avery Johnson walk. This is not the stuff championship teams are made of.

MODERATE LOSERS:

Washington Wizards: Although Tyronn Lue proved to be a valuable player for the Lakers, it remains to be seen if he can be a starting point guard in the NBA. Maybe team president Michael Jordan can get Christian Laettner (4 years $21 million) interested in the game again.

Chicago Bulls: Eddie Robinson, 5 years $30 million? Can someone please explain to me what is going on in Chicago?

* The New Jersey Nets signed MacCulloch to an offer sheet that the Philadelphia 76ers have an opportunity to match. It has been widely reported that the 76ers have been shopping C Matt Geiger with the hope of clearing cap room to sign MacCulloch. Due to the complexities of Geiger’s contract the 76ers will probably have to let MacCulloch walk.
 

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