NBA Free Agency 2016 Day One: Winners and losers

Apr 25, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle reacts to a call in action against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second quarter in game five of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

2 of 6

Mar 6, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) signals to his team as he dribbles in the first quarter against the Phoenix Suns at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /

Winner: Memphis Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies spent close to $250 million on the first day of free agency. If there was a winner for spending money, the Grizzlies easily took the award on the first day of free agency.

With the Grizzlies looking to keep their core together and build on it, they went out and added free agent Chandler Parsons to a massive four-year deal. If Parsons is healthy, he provides yet another player that is instinctual on the basketball court and can score the basketball.

However, that was not the biggest deal of the day for the Grizzlies, as they signed Mike Conley to a five-year/$153 million contract, which has for the time being made him the highest paid player in the history of the league.

It’s a lot of money to commit to Conley, but it’s a max contract under the new market and someone else was going to give him the max if the Grizzlies weren’t going to do so themselves.

By keeping Conley and adding Parsons, the Grizzlies are ensuring that they’re going to be in the playoff hunt for many more years and the basketball culture in Memphis is going to grow.

The Grizzlies have done everything that they have needed to do thus far and they’re only going to get better.

Next: Loser: New Orleans Pelicans

Home/NBA