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 23, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) reacts during the fourth quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

Loser: Dallas Mavericks

No one is ever going to feel bad for a team for striking out on free agency, but the Dallas Mavericks have been on the precipice and close to signing so many top free agents, that you have to feel bad for them.

This is a franchise that has gotten spurned and fallen short of landing good players, yet they always seem to persevere on the court. Mark Cuban runs one of the most stable organizations in the NBA and one of these days he is going to finally be rewarded for going to the well and coming up dry so many times.

This year, the Mavericks looked at one point to be favorites for Hassan Whiteside and Mike Conley. With the Mavericks trying to remain competitive in Dirk Nowitzki’s final years, they wanted to assemble a team that could compete for a while.

Instead, both of those players ended up back with their original teams and Nowitzki still hasn’t re-signed with the Mavericks. The Mavericks have a lot of money to spend to get to the floor and there still plenty of options available, but it’s hard not to be disappointed.

It’s a first-class organization and they keep falling short. They are due some good luck sooner or later.

Next: Winner: Detroit Pistons

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