4RINGS
06-30-2009, 08:31 PM
By John Schuhmann, NBA.com
Posted Jun 30 2009 9:10PM
As we've seen in the NBA Draft over the years, the best strategy is usually to take the best player available. You never know how draft picks will turn out, so selecting the guy closest to a sure thing, even if you've already got a similar player on your roster, is often the prudent way to go.
In free agency, though, teams pretty much know what kind of player they're getting. Teams have seen what these guys can do and are able to better evaluate what they're capable of and what they can bring to their team.
So the next few weeks will be about finding the right fit, both on the court and on the payroll.
As usual, the positions most in demand are on the frontline. Almost every team could use another big man, and some of the league's best teams are the most in need. Fortunately for them, power forward is the position with the most depth in free agency this summer, even with Carlos Boozer exercising his player option and staying in Utah for another season.
Here are the best free agents available on the market, listed by position.
The status of some of the players listed below may not be determined until Tuesday night, when decisions on team, player and early termination options are due.
Ages are as of Oct. 1, 2009, when training camps open.
Key:
R -- Restricted
PO -- Player Option
POWER FORWARDS
In the Market: Cleveland, Detroit, Orlando, San Antonio, Houston
1. Lamar Odom, L.A. Lakers
Age: 29
Key stats: 11.3 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 2.6 apg
The buzz: We'll see if the Lakers are willing to spend on both Ariza and Odom. If they have to choose between the two, Odom's more likely to stay in L.A.
2. Paul Millsap, Utah (Restricted)
Age: 24
Key stats: 13.5 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 1.8 apg
The buzz: With Boozer back for another year, the Jazz may not be able to hold onto Millsap. The Pistons may be calling.
3. Charlie Villanueva, Milwaukee
Age: 25
Key stats: 16.2 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 1.8 apg
The buzz: Villanueva didn't get a qualifying offer from the Bucks, so teams don't have to worry about them matching whatever deal he signs. Cleveland looks like a good fit, especially if Anderson Varejao leaves.
4. David Lee, New York (Restricted)
Age: 26
Key stats: 16.0 ppg, 11.7 rpg, 2.1 apg
The buzz: To keep Lee, the Knicks will have to eat into their 2010 cap space. So if another team is willing to pay him close to $10 million a year, they may not match.
5. Shawn Marion, Toronto
Age: 31
Key stats: 12.9 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 2.0 apg
The buzz: Offensively, Marion's not the same as he was playing with Steve Nash, but he's still one of the best defenders in the league, able to guard multiple positions.
The Next Five: Anderson Varejao (Cavaliers -- PO), Glen Davis (Celtics -- R), Antonio McDyess (Pistons), Brandon Bass (Mavericks), Channing Frye (Blazers -- R)
CENTERS
In the Market: Detroit, Orlando, San Antonio, Boston, Houston, Dallas
1. Rasheed Wallace, Detroit
Age: 35
Key stats: 12.0 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 1.3 bpg
The buzz: Wallace can still get a good team over the hump, as long as their locker room is in order.
2. Marcin Gortat, Orlando (Restricted)
Age: 25
Key stats: 3.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 0.7 bpg
The buzz: With Tony Battie gone, the Magic can't afford to let the young-and-improving Gortat go.
3. Zaza Pachulia, Atlanta
Age: 25
Key stats: 6.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 0.4 apg
The buzz: He's solid, relatively young and could be a good addition for a playoff team's frontcourt depth.
4. Chris Andersen, Denver
Age: 31
Key stats: 6.4 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 2.5 bpg
The buzz: Andersen's energy and shot-blocking made an impact in the postseason. A lot of teams could use a shot-blocker off the bench, but he is on the wrong side of 30.
5. Ryan Hollins, Dallas (Restricted)
Age: 24
Key stats: 3.2 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 0.7 bpg
The buzz: Hollins is athletic, but it's slim pickings once you get to this point on the list.
The Next Five: Johan Petro (Nuggets-- R), Aaron Gray (Bulls-- R), Rasho Nesterovic (Pacers), Mikki Moore (Celtics), Theo Ratliff (76ers)
Posted Jun 30 2009 9:10PM
As we've seen in the NBA Draft over the years, the best strategy is usually to take the best player available. You never know how draft picks will turn out, so selecting the guy closest to a sure thing, even if you've already got a similar player on your roster, is often the prudent way to go.
In free agency, though, teams pretty much know what kind of player they're getting. Teams have seen what these guys can do and are able to better evaluate what they're capable of and what they can bring to their team.
So the next few weeks will be about finding the right fit, both on the court and on the payroll.
As usual, the positions most in demand are on the frontline. Almost every team could use another big man, and some of the league's best teams are the most in need. Fortunately for them, power forward is the position with the most depth in free agency this summer, even with Carlos Boozer exercising his player option and staying in Utah for another season.
Here are the best free agents available on the market, listed by position.
The status of some of the players listed below may not be determined until Tuesday night, when decisions on team, player and early termination options are due.
Ages are as of Oct. 1, 2009, when training camps open.
Key:
R -- Restricted
PO -- Player Option
POWER FORWARDS
In the Market: Cleveland, Detroit, Orlando, San Antonio, Houston
1. Lamar Odom, L.A. Lakers
Age: 29
Key stats: 11.3 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 2.6 apg
The buzz: We'll see if the Lakers are willing to spend on both Ariza and Odom. If they have to choose between the two, Odom's more likely to stay in L.A.
2. Paul Millsap, Utah (Restricted)
Age: 24
Key stats: 13.5 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 1.8 apg
The buzz: With Boozer back for another year, the Jazz may not be able to hold onto Millsap. The Pistons may be calling.
3. Charlie Villanueva, Milwaukee
Age: 25
Key stats: 16.2 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 1.8 apg
The buzz: Villanueva didn't get a qualifying offer from the Bucks, so teams don't have to worry about them matching whatever deal he signs. Cleveland looks like a good fit, especially if Anderson Varejao leaves.
4. David Lee, New York (Restricted)
Age: 26
Key stats: 16.0 ppg, 11.7 rpg, 2.1 apg
The buzz: To keep Lee, the Knicks will have to eat into their 2010 cap space. So if another team is willing to pay him close to $10 million a year, they may not match.
5. Shawn Marion, Toronto
Age: 31
Key stats: 12.9 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 2.0 apg
The buzz: Offensively, Marion's not the same as he was playing with Steve Nash, but he's still one of the best defenders in the league, able to guard multiple positions.
The Next Five: Anderson Varejao (Cavaliers -- PO), Glen Davis (Celtics -- R), Antonio McDyess (Pistons), Brandon Bass (Mavericks), Channing Frye (Blazers -- R)
CENTERS
In the Market: Detroit, Orlando, San Antonio, Boston, Houston, Dallas
1. Rasheed Wallace, Detroit
Age: 35
Key stats: 12.0 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 1.3 bpg
The buzz: Wallace can still get a good team over the hump, as long as their locker room is in order.
2. Marcin Gortat, Orlando (Restricted)
Age: 25
Key stats: 3.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 0.7 bpg
The buzz: With Tony Battie gone, the Magic can't afford to let the young-and-improving Gortat go.
3. Zaza Pachulia, Atlanta
Age: 25
Key stats: 6.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 0.4 apg
The buzz: He's solid, relatively young and could be a good addition for a playoff team's frontcourt depth.
4. Chris Andersen, Denver
Age: 31
Key stats: 6.4 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 2.5 bpg
The buzz: Andersen's energy and shot-blocking made an impact in the postseason. A lot of teams could use a shot-blocker off the bench, but he is on the wrong side of 30.
5. Ryan Hollins, Dallas (Restricted)
Age: 24
Key stats: 3.2 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 0.7 bpg
The buzz: Hollins is athletic, but it's slim pickings once you get to this point on the list.
The Next Five: Johan Petro (Nuggets-- R), Aaron Gray (Bulls-- R), Rasho Nesterovic (Pacers), Mikki Moore (Celtics), Theo Ratliff (76ers)