The five biggest winners of NBA Free Agency 2013

Houston Rocktes head coach Kevin McHale (L) and Dwight Howard hold up his new jersey during a press conference on July 13, 2013 in Houston, Texas. (Getty Images)

1) Houston Rockets

Notable additions: Dwight Howard, Aaron Brooks, Omri Casspi, Reggie Williams, Francisco Garcia (re-signed), Marcus Camby

Notable losses: Carlos Delfino

One year ago, Daryl Morey swung for the fences. After the NBA rejected a trade deal that would have brought Pau Gasol to the Rockets, Morey cleared the farm for a shot at bringing Dwight Howard down south.

The Rockets’ General Manager let go of the improving Goran Dragic, traded the impressive Kyle Lowry while amnestying Luis Scola, who had become one with the franchise after playing for the Rockets his entire time in the NBA.

When D12 bolted for Los Angeles, Morey’s dream seemed shattered. Then the James Harden trade happened. With “the Beard” churning up an All-Star season in Houston, the Rockets went into the playoffs with help from Jeremy Lin and Omar Asik.

This year, Morey finally got his wish. They got the big fish, the alpha male of the free agency, Dwight Howard. With Howard coming on board to help the franchise which already has a well-oiled functioning core of players in Harden, Lin, Asik and Chandler Parsons, the NBA has its new monster.

The addition of Marcus Camby lends years of experience to the team, while the likes of Reggie Williams and defensive minded Francisco Garcia gives the team some real depth. The complete Houdini act was completed when Hakeem Olajuwon came on board as an assistant coach to the team.