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 /

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Apr 13, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New Orleans Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry looks on during the second half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Timberwolves won 144-109. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

Loser: New Orleans Pelicans

When a bunch of teams have plenty of money to spend, there is always that one team that makes rather perplexing decisions on what to do with their money. The New Orleans Pelicans were one of those teams on the first day of free agency.

The first thing they did on Friday, was give $52 million to Solomon Hill and followed it up with giving $34 million to E’Twaun Moore. Both of those players are hard workers and fine enough, but neither are worth a combined $86 million, new market or not.

To put it in perspective, the Pelicans spent $86 million on two guys who combined to barely score over 11 points a game last year.

Yes, they’re hard workers and should be good additions to the Pelicans roster, but neither of these guys are moving the needle one iota in the Western Conference. For $86 million, a team better get players that can move the needle.

When the time comes for the next CBA and owners want an amnesty provision, these are going to be a couple of deals that are looked back upon that led to a bailout. Four points a game gets a player $52 million now.

Next: Winner: Utah Jazz

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