You might have heard…this Summer’s free-agent crop is going to be one of the best of all time. Of course, we’re all familiar with the headliners: LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Amar’e Stoudemire, Joe Johnson, Carlos Boozer, Dirk Nowitzki, David Lee, etc. But the talent doesn’t end with these players, and teams who aren’t able to land one of these marquee names will have plenty left to pursue to improve their teams. Let’s take a look at some of the second-tier players who will be available this offseason:
Ray Allen (Unrestricted) – Allen is aging, but as last night’s record-setting (eight three-pointers) outing demonstrates he is still one of the premier shooters in the game. If it weren’t for the abundance of talent and unselfish team-concept that Boston has in place, Allen would likely still be putting up All-Star numbers and be considered to be a prized free agent. I’ve always dreamed of the damage that Allen could do in the run-and-gun system in Phoenix – it sure made Joe Johnson and Quentin Richardson look better-than-advertised. You know that a Steve Nash and Ray Allen backcourt could be a thing of beauty.
Luis Scola (Restricted) – Does your team need a physical power-forward with solid low-post skills and a sweet mid-range jumpshot? Scola certainly could fit that bill. While Yao Ming has been out, Scola has often had to match up with much bigger players, and has done so admirably. He has great big-game experience from his international play, and is the type of player who doesn’t back down from anybody. Scola is also solid on the glass, and would make a great addition to most teams’ frontcourt. You will, however, have to put up with his long, wet hair if your team acquires him – but that’s a small price to pay.
Rudy Gay (Restricted) – While it’s rumored that Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley will do what he has to do to keep Rudy Gay in Memphis, he will be a prime target for many teams this off-season. He is a high-impact wing player who is nearly “go-to player” status, but won’t demand nearly as much money as the solidified stars in the league. There have already been rumblings that the Minnesota Timberwolves will make a hard run at acquiring the high-flying Gay. If your team needs a boost in scoring help, they could do worse than adding this 20 ppg stud.
Jermaine O’Neal (Unrestricted) – It wasn’t all that long ago that Jermaine O’Neal was one of the premiere centers in the league. Nagging injuries have slowed down O’Neal considerably, even frequently sitting out of games due to swelling in his knees. Although he is a shell of his former self, the fact of the matter is that truly versatile and talented big men are a rare commodity in this league. If O’Neal can stay even remotely healthy, he can be a boost to a team. He does a little bit of everything in the paint, and can even step out to mid-range a bit. He’s averaged just about 13 points and 7 rebounds per game in each of the last four seasons, and I think those are numbers you can expect to see him continue. At just 31-years old, he still has some tread left on the tires.
John Salmons (Early Termination Option) – Salmons was one of the key difference-makers in the Milwaukee Bucks’ remarkable season this year. Filling the big (injury-riddled) shoes of Michael Redd isn’t an easy task, but Salmons did it in stride. In fact, after the Bucks acquired Salmons, Milwaukee finished out the season with an impressive 22-8 record. He not only gave them an added scoring punch, he also improved their perimeter defense – a surefire way to get on the good side of coach Scott Skiles. Given how high his stock is right now, Salmons will almost certainly opt out of his contract in search of a more lucrative deal. While the Bucks will make a push to keep him, they’ll have to decide how they envision Salmons fitting into their long-term goals, and then decide what he’s worth to them.
Al Harrington (Unrestricted) – The whole New York Knicks free-agent situation is cloudy at best until they find out if they’ve got the goods to lure LeBron James to the Big Apple. Only then will New York know how much money they have to work with to resign any of their ten unrestricted free agents. Among them is Al Harrington, who has the capability to be a source of instant offense in the right system. He’s been a consistent scorer for most of his career, often taking advantage of slower forwards or defenders who can’t check him on the perimeter. Although he averaged nearly 18 ppg this season, he took on more of a bench role and could be looking to be a more integral part of a team.
Kwame Brown, Darko Milicic, Adam Morrison (Who Cares?) – I just thought I’d point out that any of these gems could be had for the right price. It’s your team’s chance to snag a former #1, #2 or #3 draft pick for pennies on the dollar. Milicic still holds one of my favorite NBA moments of the last five years. Who knows, maybe they have some untapped potential left in them? In all seriousness, I’d love to see Morrison get a fair shot at things, but I’m not holding out much hope.
Here’s the full list of upcoming free agents. What player are you hoping ends up on your team?
