Free Agency Winners And Losers: Brooklyn Nets Win, New York Knicks Lose

This has been a wild week around the New York/New Jersey sports scene with free agency in full swing for both the NBA and the NHL. Here is a look at the regional winners and losers thus far, including both teams and players.

Winners

Brooklyn Nets -- The Nets went out on a limb in 2011 and traded for Deron Williams, hoping they could convince him to go to Brooklyn with them in 2012 and be the cornerstone of a revitalized franchise. Mission accomplished. Plus, the Nets added All-Star shooting guard Joe Johnson. Even if they don't find a way to bring Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard to Brooklyn for next season the Nets are winners. They still have MarShon Brooks, Brook Lopez and Gerald Wallace and they should be an exciting, playoff-caliber team.

Deron Williams -- Ended up with a five-year, $98-million contract from Brooklyn. Plus, he gets to be the cornerstone of a franchise that is obviously seriously committed to putting talent around him and trying to win. Oh, and then there is all the endorsement money that will come his way in the New York City market.

Jeremy Lin -- The Knicks played a dangerous game with their young point guard and money-making machine, allowing him to test free agency and consequently letting other NBA teams set the market for him. Now, the Houston Rockets have made Lin a back-loaded three-year, $31-million offer that the Knicks will likely be forced to match, but will cripple them long term when it comes to salary cap and luxury tax restrictions.

Zach Parise -- Left the New Jersey Devils to go home for a 13-year (yes, 13-year!), $98-million contract with the Minnesota Wild. So, today the star left wing and former Devils captain is very happy, and very, very rich.

Martin Brodeur -- After having been a member of the Devils organization since being drafted by New Jersey in 1990, Brodeur dipped his toes into the free-agents waters this offseason. He emerged with what he really wanted all along, a two-year deal with the Devils that ensures that the future Hall of Fame goaltender will retire with New Jersey.

Gerald Wallace -- Affer the Nets acquired Wallace from the Portland Trail Blazers last season, surrendering what turned out to be sixth overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, the Nets had little choice but to keep Wallace. The veteran small forward opted out of his Nets' contract and, with their hand forced, the Nets overpaid to keep the 11-year veteran, handing him a four-year, $40-million contract.

Landry Fields -- The shooting guard who can't shoot (46 percent last season, just 25.6 percent from three-point range) was a big-time beneficiary of the battle for Steve Nash. More to cripple the Knicks' ability to complete a sign-and-trade for Nash than because they really wanted Fields the Toronto Raptors -- who also wanted Nash -- gave Fields a three-year, $20-million contract offer. The Knicks are unlikely to match an offer probably far above what Fields' talents actually deserve.

Losers

New York Knicks -- The Knicks lost out on Nash. They will lose Fields, a young player they like (but not for three years and $20 million). They got sucker-punched by the Houston Rockets with their massive, back-loaded offer to Lin. Plus, they have watched the Nets steal all the buzz and quite possibly become the most exciting NBA team in New York City.

New Jersey Devils -- The Devils did avoid the public relations nightmare that would have occurred if Martin brodeur had signed elsewhere. Overshadowing that, though, is the loss of Parise. The left winger was their captain and second-leading goal scorer in the 2011-12 NHL season. New Jersey will have to pull a rabbit out of a hat to replace him.

New York Rangers -- The Rangers need scoring. They know it, and so does everyone else who pays attention to the NHL. They watched Parise and Ryan Suter both sign with Minnesota. Rick Nash of Columbus is still on the market, but it will apparently cost New York a king's ransom to pry him from the Blue Jackets.

NBA Free Agency: Max Deals For Mediocre Talent (via sbnation)