NBA free agents: Class of 2011 It's never too early to look a year ahead - especially for Knicks fans. With the "Big 3," LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, all saddled up to head down to South Beach this season, here's a look at 2011's NBA free agent class. Compiled by Bobby Bonett. 1. CARMELO ANTHONY, SMALL FORWARD Denver Nuggets Think the Knicks, Bulls, Nets and Clippers aren't salivating at the opportunity to score Anthony next summer? After the "Big 3" all chose Miami, Anthony takes over as the biggest offseason prize next year. He's supplemented by a supporting cast of free agents that is deeper than in 2010, but between Anthony's ability to score and his marketability, he'll be the ultimate catch. Early termination options 2010 stats: 28.2 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 3.2 APG, 22.2 PER 2. TONY PARKER, POINT GUARD San Antonio Spurs Parker is aging, he's injury prone, and he has a tendency to go from red-hot to ice-cold. But considering the depth in height next summer, Parker's prowess as a point guard that can pass and score will make him invaluable. He may choose to stay in San Antonio, but with the emergence of George Hill, Gregg Popovich may choose to push him out the door. Unrestricted free agent 2010 stats: 16.4 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 5.7 APG, 16.4 PER 3. TIM DUNCAN, POWER FORWARD San Antonio Spurs Duncan leaving San Antonio would be like Patrick Ewing leaving New York, Gary Payton leaving Seattle or Michael Jordan leaving Chicago. Wait a second ... For all of the talk surrounding Duncan's loyalty to San Antonio, he may choose to look elsewhere for the end of his career. He's accomplished all he can accomplish with the Spurs, and may look for another challenge. Still, he isn't a lock for free agency next year. He has an ETO, and may not exercise it, instead staying with San Antonio in 2011-12. Early termination option 2010 stats: 17.9 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 3.2 APG, 24.7 PER 4. MARC GASOL, CENTER Memphis Grizzlies Pau Gasol's brother won't be known as Pau Gasol's brother much longer. The Grizzlies' center has steadily progressed in the middle, evolving into one of the best big men in the game. With improvement next year he may be the best big man available in the 2011 class. Still, he will only be a restricted free agent, and if the Grizzlies are serious about building a contender, they will match any team's offer. Restricted free agent 2010 stats: 14.6 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 2.4 APG, 19.3 PER 5. YAO MING, CENTER Houston Rockets Can a 7'6 center bounce back from what was originally viewed as a career-ending foot injury? Yao's worldwide appeal can spell big profits for a team that signs the center. Additionally, just a couple seasons ago, Yao was the premiere post presence in the league. He'll have to prove next year, though, that he is healthy again, and can match up with younger bodies, including Andrew Bynum and Dwight Howard. Unrestricted free agent 2010 stats: DNP (injury) 6. ZACH RANDOLPH, POWER FORWARD Memphis Grizzlies You look at the numbers, and you wonder why Randolph won't be the guy scoring the biggest 2011 contract. The All-Star stats didn't come as a huge surprise in 2010 - it was more the manner in which Randolph put them up, quietly and with serious character. If Randolph has truly evolved into a reliable post presence - on- and off-the-court - he'll be a big pickup next year. Unrestricted free agent 2010 stats: 20.8 PPG, 11.7 RPG, 1.8 APG, 21.2 PER 7. AARON BROOKS, POINT GUARD Houston Rockets Who? If you haven't heard of Brooks, or haven't seen him play yet, you won't be in the dark much longer. Brooks is one of the best up-and-coming point guards in the league, with an outstanding ability to score. In a high-pace offense, Brooks is a natural match. If he can improve his passing a bit, he'll be as attractive to some teams as Parker. Don't be surprised if the Rockets prevent him from jetting town. Restricted free agent 2010 stats: 19.6 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 5.3 APG, 16.0 PER 8. DAVID WEST, POWER FORWARD New Orleans Hornets The second half of Chris Paul's pick-and-roll combo, West is an athletic big man and a reliable scorer. He's been a consistent force since coming into the league, and will play the role of a David Lee or Carlos Boozer next year - a consolation prize to some of the other big men available. West will likely exercise his ETO if Paul leaves town, as the Hornets appear content with entering rebuilding mode. Early termination option 2010 stats: 19.0 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 3.0 APG, 18.9 PER 9. JAMAL CRAWFORD, SHOOTING GUARD Atlanta Hawks When Joe Johnson's contract was questioned by pundits, one of the main complaints was that Crawford was truly the Hawks' go-to-guy. Not afraid to take the last shot, and a threat to score 40 or 50 points, Crawford is the Eastern Conference's Manu Ginobili. He'll likely leave the Hawks in favor of a payday, and perhaps a starting shooting guard position. Unrestricted free agent 2010 stats: 18.0 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 3.0 APG, 18.4 PER 10. NENE, CENTER Denver Nuggets The artist-formerly-known-as-Hilario FINALLY stayed healthy in 2009-10, playing and starting in all 82 Nuggets regular season games. Keep in mind, though, that prior to last year's perfect attendance, he played more than 64 games just once in the previous five seasons. He's an average rebounder, but a big body that some teams might take a chance on. Considering the potential depth of big men in next year's class, though, he may not exercise his ETO. Early termination option 2010 stats: 13.8 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 2.5 APG, 18.9 PER 11. CARON BUTLER, SMALL FORWARD Dallas Mavericks Butler's stock may be the most volatile of next year's class. He's shown he can score 20 and grab seven boards a night, but also saw his numbers slip a bit last year. Considering he started in Washington in a hectic situation, and was then dealt to a new team, he still put up solid numbers. If he returns to his 2007-2009 form, he'll be a catch next year. Unrestricted free agent 2010 stats: 16.3 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 2.1 APG, 13.7 PER 12. TAYSHAUN PRINCE, SMALL FORWARD Detroit Pistons Prince is one of two defensive specialists (Shane Battier being the other) available next summer. Unlike Battier, he brings a limited offensive game to the table as well. With the Pistons franchise in shambles, he could choose to go to a contender and play a Bruce Bowen-type role - (very) occasional scorer that always marks the other team's top player. Unrestricted free agent 2010 stats: 13.5 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 3.3 APG, 16.0 PER 13. JASON RICHARDSON, SMALL FORWARD Orlando Magic For all Richardson did last season, his lasting mark may have been the block heard 'round the world. On a breakway, Richardson opted to try to throw down a 360-degree jam. He was stuffed from behind by a trailing LeBron James. Richardson is an electric scorer, and can get hot from the field, but he sometimes chooses flashy over smart, which will scare a few suitors away. Unrestricted free agent 2010 stats: 15.7 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 1.8 APG, 16.6 PER 14. JEFF GREEN, SMALL FORWARD Oklahoma City Thunder The Thunder's decision with Green next season will be interesting. Considering the postseason emergence of Serge Ibaka and James Harden waiting on the bench, Green may be expendable. If he's affordable, they'll definitely look to keep Green - who can score and is above-average for a small forward on the glass - around. However, a team with some money might try to lure Green away. Restricted free agent 2010 stats: 15.1 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 1.6 APG, 13.8 PER 15. ANDREI KIRILENKO, POWER FORWARD Utah Jazz Are Kirilenko's best days behind him? AK-47 hasn't been fully healthy in quite some time, causing a dip in his yearly averages the past couple of seasons. He'll be worth a flier in free agency considering his ability to be a playmaker, but he won't be among the NBA's elite free agents. Unrestricted free agent 2010 stats: 11.9 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.7 APG, 18.2 PER 16. GREG ODEN, CENTER Portland Trail Blazers In three NBA seasons, Oden has played 82 games. When he's on the court, he has looked elite. He's raw as a scorer, but is a terrific rebounder and can play defense. The problem is getting Oden on to the court. He's battled injury-after-injury, and a team won't want to make a big investment on him, regardless of his potential, considering the risk with Oden, and the depth of big men in free agency. Oden will probably stay in Portland. Restricted free agent 2010 stats: 11.1 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 0.9 APG, 23.1 PER 17. SHANE BATTIER, SMALL FORWARD Houston Rockets Limited offensively, but lock-down defensively, Battier is the piece that contenders will want to secure to take the next step. He is arguably the next Ron Artest - without the off-court issues - and may get signed to start at small forward and mark an elite player on the opposing team, or to come off the bench and cause havoc in the second- and third-quarters defensively. Unrestricted free agent 2010 stats: 8.0 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 2.4 APG, 11.1 PER 18. MICHAEL REDD, SMALL FORWARD Milwaukee Bucks Redd is several years removed from his elite seasons at this point. Still, if he can get healthy, he has good range, and can serve as a go-to scorer on an average team. If Redd bounces back next year, he'll land somewhere for decent money. If he doesn't, his only shot at a big payday is a desperate contract from a team with money. Unrestricted free agent 2010 stats: 11.9 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 2.2 APG, 12.1 PER 19. MO WILLIAMS, POINT GUARD Cleveland Cavaliers With LeBron, Williams, at times, looked like a stud point guard. However, at times, Williams also looked mediocre. Without LeBron, will he ever be able to show his flashes as a top-10 point guard? Williams will be playing with a very shallow supporting cast next year, and may have to serve as the Cavs' No. 1 scoring option. If he succeeds, he has Aaron Brooks-payday potential. If he doesn't he'll probably stick in Cleveland another year. Early termination option 2010 stats: 15.8 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 5.3 APG, 16.1 PER http://www.newsday.com/sports/...-1.2092537?qr=1
How could Newsday leave out Clipper center DeAndre Jordan... DJ will be a restricted free agent. Here's what this Clippersblog had to say about DJ... -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Will DJ be a restricted free agent? He will be.... People get confused on this with players who weren’t first round draft picks; there are very specific rules that govern first round picks, and everyone is so used to those that they forget or misunderstand the rules as they apply to others. If the Clippers extend a QO to DeAndre, he will be an RFA. Since DJ makes so little, the QO will be small, so it’s a no-brainer to extend it. Any player with 3 or fewer years of experience is restricted. First round picks, as I mentioned, have there own rules that make them RFA’s after 4 years (again, provided there’s a QO and also provided other options were exercised along the way). But the RFA rules apply to all players with 3 or fewer years, regardless of draft position. Also, because he’s been with the Clippers for 3 full seasons, the team has full Bird rights on him, meaning they can exceed the salary cap to re-sign him. Since his QO is so low, this could actually be significant. The Clippers can retain his rights, conceivably use cap space to sign another FA without DJs salary eating too much of their cap since the QO will be low, and then still re-sign him over the cap. That’s what the Heat did with Joel Antony this summer. Them's the breaks... If he signs an offer sheet early, then the Clippers would have to get something done with another FA within the seven days if they wanted to do this. I don’t want to overemphasize this possibility. It is probably not a major consideration…. with a new CBA looming, the cap numbers will change, and the rules could even change. Not to mention that FA signings are going to be delayed greatly by the labor dispute. Even if we assume a structure like the current one, it probably won’t matter much. The Clippers probably won’t be significantly under the cap as it stands now – not without making a deal to get salary relief on either Baron or Kaman. If they’re not more than the mid level under the cap then it essentially doesn’t matter at all to cap flexibility. They can sign DJ and then sign a FA to the MLE over the cap, or they could sign an FA, and then sign DJ over the cap. Either one works. So unless they come up with a lot of cap space, it doesn’t matter. IF however they do end up with significant cap space, this could come into play. http://www.clipsnation.com/2011/1/6/1918808/is-dj-restricted-fa
Noone is gonna give Redd squat. His career is pretty much over. Jeff Green is very attractive option out of that list. Young atheletic player who hs a bright future. I also see Duncan saying with the re-emergence of the Spurs as a power. Parker to the Knicks is no certianty anymore with the way Felton is balling right now. Gasol is going to attract alot of suitors and hopefully we can offer him a contract that can entice him. I can see the Thunder who have a few bucks under the salary cap to throw around would make a huge play for him. Prince will probaly latch onto a Lakers or a Magic type team for one last run at his second championship ring. He is having a career year. He might not be on the list, but the way Tmac is balling a few contenders will offer him a significant role as a 6th man next season.He wants to be close to Houston maybe the Mavs or Denver if they lose Anthony.
First of all, I find it funny that the article keeps mentioning the "depth" of big men in the FA class but only Nene is the only viable one on the list. Yao Ming/Greg Oden/TD/Marc Gasol are either RFAs or injured. David West is a tweener and Randolph has cancer/headcase problems. Secondly, I'd try to get Jason Richardson or Jamal Crawford on that list. Both of those guys are extremely underrated and extremely efficient scorers.
This is a wish list because 90% of those players are going to resign with their current teams, especially the stars. The only one who isn't is Carmelo obviously but he's pretty much a lock for Jersey or NY.
i think crawford is on the way out too. he wanted an extension didn't get it. i think crawford, gasol, randolph, nene brooks are the ones that might change teams. if the rockets pull off some miracle and sign anthony with the likes of crawford, gasol and possibly brooks. WOAH. or even if they let brooks walk, paul to walk on over the year later? i think we can make it happen because there isn't dominance in the west after the next three years. all the young talent moved to the east, s its pointless to see paul and anthony trot on over and beat themselves up in the playoffs and then get to the finals and play blake griffin. I think paul and anthony both want to dominate year round and hopefully theyll see the west and houston is the place to go.. don't be shocked if you see the lakers make drastic roster changes in the off season too. after their fourpeat came to an end early on, they rebuilt with malone, payton and briefly rodman. theyll bring in some names even if its temp to get rid of players who cost them the ring. paul a laker would be amazing. paul with the magic would be deadly.
I rather have Nene than Gasol. Other than those two the only guy of that list I'd have interest in is Jason Richardson, if Morey were to trade Kevin Martin. Parker signed an extension, Crawford is a chucker.
Marc Gasol is the only free agent on this list worth shelling out interest to, and he will come at a hefty price tag. Possibly close to max level deal. The only question is, will Memphis match, or sign and trade? AB's stock is down significantly and should be able to be resigned at a much lower price tag than this last offseason. Unless he comes back super solid the second half of the season, he should be resigned by Houston with a MLE or slightly higher deal. Everyone else should be resigning with their current teams or become irrelevelent like Redd/ Oden/ Yao.
Marc Gasol is the best fit for the Rockets. He is relatively young and healthy and is a true center. He will never be a star, but he is in the top 1/3 of starting centers. I may take a flier on Oden, his upside is huge and he is young.... but after T-Mac and Yao I have to think that the FO is gun-shy.
What? Isn't Newsday supposed to be a legit source? Parker got an extension, and he's second on this list? Whoa.
TP re-signed and no one of note, possibly save Z-Bo, is worth discussing as movable. And Z-Bo brings (a load of) baggage along with (a load of) game.
