(CBS.sportsline.com) Ten breakout FAs (note: Little Luke)

http://cbs.sportsline.com/nba/story/9590054/3

Headed for a breakout: Ten free agents to watch
Aug. 7, 2006 By Tony Mejia CBS SportsLine.com Staff Writer

Quick, what are your thoughts on Phoenix's Raja Bell?

Good player, no? Sound defensively, Clutch on offense.

What did you think of him entering last season?

Well ...


Speedy Claxton averaged a career-high 12.3 ppg last season with the Hornets.
Every year, a free-agent pickup you'd shrug your shoulders at winds up breaking through, putting himself on the map. Last year, Bell and the Lakers' Smush Parker made noise in their new homes, serving as the bar-setters for this season's crop of potential breakout signings.

Bell, in addition to taking his feud with Kobe Bryant to soap-opera status, became a player so highly regarded by peers that his name was mentioned as a potential future All-Star during an informal poll of them. The veteran shooting guard is the reigning poster boy for making the most of an opportunity.

Many, including me, scoffed when the Suns plucked him to serve as the potential replacement for Joe Johnson, but he rose to the challenge. While Bell might not be as versatile as Johnson is, he proved to be a standout defender and dependable scorer, quickly endearing himself to the Suns fan base.

Someone is bound to follow in Bell's steps, carving out an enhanced reputation and a level of success beyond any they've experienced. Among the recent signees, here are the 10 leading candidates to make the most of their new surroundings:

1. Speedy Claxton, Atlanta: My odds-on favorite to get his shine on is Claxton, a strong, lightning-quick point guard who is finally being handed the reigns of a team. At 28, he's sufficiently seasoned to handle it.

There's a reason Joe Johnson and coach Mike Woodson were so ecstatic at Claxton's introductory press conference. They know what he can bring. Claxton is a scorer, penetrator and defender yet to reach his full potential. He has battled injury woes, and there's no telling how far along he'd be had he not torn an ACL in his rookie season with Philadelphia.

He has bounced around since, winning a ring with San Antonio in 2003 and then toiling for Golden State and New Orleans over the past three seasons. Claxton became a valuable part of the rotation in both stops, occasionally starting and receiving significant minutes as a pace-changing reserve, but he has never been handed the keys. Although Johnson is undeniably the man in Atlanta, Claxton will be running the show.

"Now I can spend my time playing off the ball, and I think I'm going to be more effective," Johnson said of how Claxton makes the Hawks better. "Now I think we can have one of those big improvements."

The Hawks have unsuccessfully tried to plug the hole at the point before with unheralded acquisitions like Brevin Knight and Tyronn Lue, but this signing is going to pay dividends. Claxton's quick hands and philosophy of constantly pushing the ball fits right in with what Atlanta likes to do, applying pressure and playing at a fast tempo. At $25 million over four years, Claxton didn't exactly come cheap, but I like the gamble. The organization's foresight should be rewarded with another increase in wins as Speedy finally cements his rep as a legitimate NBA-caliber starting point guard.

2. Nazr Mohammed, Detroit: Mohammed had his moment in the sun during the Spurs' championship run in 2005, coming over in the midseason in one of New York's dumber moves over the past few seasons. Mohammed eventually stepped in for Rasho Nesterovic, held his own against the Pistons and emerged as an asset all postseason, earning his ring.

Last year, as the Spurs looked to match up better with Dallas, Mohammed was phased out of the rotation, left on the bench as an afterthought throughout the Western Conference semifinals. You could sense his frustration, and the likelihood he would be out of town.

Coincidentally he ends up in Detroit, the same team he helped put down in his brightest moment. He'll have plenty of spotlight now. He's replacing icon Ben Wallace.

Despite the fact he cut his teeth in New York and prepped at Kentucky, Mohammed has historically been more comfortable being behind the scenes doing the dirty work. That fits right in with his role in Detroit, except for in this particular situation -- because of the role he inherits -- dirty work takes center stage.

Maybe his inactivity last year will be motivation enough to make the most of his opportunity. The Pistons shelled out $30 million over five years for him to help ease Big Ben's loss, and if Mohammed can step up and average 10 points, 10 boards, block a few shots and hit a few free throws, he'll gain national props for his work. If he falls short and the Pistons decline, he'll join Flip Saunders among those to blame.

3. Darius Songaila, Washington: He averaged a career-high 9.2 points per game with Chicago last season despite limited shots and is steadily improving. Having honed his skills in Europe for a few years following a strong career at Wake Forest, Songaila is entering only his fourth season and has landed with a team that badly needs his inside scoring.

The Bulls, acquiring Wallace and P.J. Brown, went in another direction. Their loss becomes Washington's gain.


Who is a better pick up?
Detroit's Nazr Mohammed
Atlanta's Speedy Claxton
Indiana's Marquis Daniels
Lakers' Vladimir Radmanovic
Washington's Darius Songaila



Brendan Haywood and Etan Thomas are going to get minutes and concentrate on boards and blocking shots, but Songaila's role is going to be to help create space for Washington's explosive scorers. As the Wizards' top offensive big man, he'll get plenty of touches, and provided he can defend and rebound at least decently, should see tons of minutes.

His signing went fairly unnoticed, but by handing him a five-year deal worth $21 million, you can tell Washington is counting on him to play a major role. Don't be surprised to see him averaging double-figures in points despite the firepower around him.

4. Marquis Daniels, Indiana: Daniels has been all about proving people wrong since he went undrafted in 2003. He impressed the Mavericks enough to earn a six-year, $38 million extension before last season, but injuries and some sloppy play led to decreased minutes.

Indiana acquired him in a trade, so he's not exactly a free agent, but based on the contract the Pacers are taking on and the number of years remaining, he becomes their investment. Essentially, he becomes a big part of the Pacers' rebuilding project. An integral part.

"We’re very happy to have Marquis join our team," said Pacers president Larry Bird, "He can play multiple positions and brings things to our team we didn’t have. He's athletic, long and very skilled."

Regardless of whether Al Harrington becomes a part of Indiana's roster, Rick Carlisle will find minutes for Daniels, who instantly becomes the team's most versatile player. He can play three positions, which, given the team's injury history, should prove invaluable.

As a result he should get major minutes, so it's on him to work hard, fill up the stat sheet and continue quieting doubters. He has to work on his jumper and start making better decisions with the ball, but the talent is there. Based on where he's gotten to this point, securing a future by proving he belonged, you can imagine the hunger is there.

5. Vladimir Radmanovic, L.A. Lakers: It's no secret Radmanovic wanted to secure fame and fortune during this free-agency period. He declined a six-year, $42 million extension from Seattle before last season, dreaming of larger pastures and more bread. After a frustrating first half in which he felt the Sonics were sabotaging him, Radmanovic was shipped to the Clippers, where he enhanced his profile thanks to a long postseason run.

Not that it mattered. He was playing right under the Lakers noses.

From one L.A. team to the other, Radmanovic took to the lure of playing with Kobe Bryant and for coach Phil Jackson over the Clippers' continued rise. He'll get plenty of opportunities to knock down open shots, probably will end up in the starting lineup at small forward and hopefully live up to the promise that made him a lottery pick in 2001.

He didn't get the payday he was after, signing for a reported five years, $30 million, but it's hard to top playing alongside Kobe in terms of getting noticed. He'll get his minutes, particularly if he delivers his end of the bargain and helps extend the floor.

6. Fred Jones, Toronto: Over the past two seasons, while Indiana dealt with suspensions, injuries and internal drama, Jones played a major role in helping the team keep its head above water. Despite measuring only 6-feet-2, Jones has done whatever has been asked of him, be it using his athleticism to crash the boards and defend small forwards, getting after it on the break or knocking down shots from outside.

He figures to play a similar role in Toronto, rounding out a wing rotation that also features Morris Peterson and second-year swingman Joey Graham. With T.J. Ford running the point, expect to see a lot of Jones at times when the Raptors pressure the ball and look to run teams, literally, out of their building.

At the very least, Toronto is excited to have a former slam dunk champion back in-house. He'll be a better fit than John Salmons, who opted out of a potential deal.

7. Jorge Garbajosa, Toronto: Don't be surprised if Garbajosa is more effective than top pick Andrea Bargnani as an NBA rookie. That might not be what the Raptors are hoping, but it's a decent possibility given their age difference. Bargnani has significant strides to make and will one day be very good, but Garbajosa is what he is -- a tough, skilled European, perhaps the Spanish version of Argentina's Andres Nocioni with a better jumper.

Garbajosa, 28, has won tons of accolades in his home country and has still been overshadowed by phenom Pau Gasol and a number of hot-shot guards who haven't particularly panned out in the States. His grit and savvy separate him. You're going to like him.

8. Dan Dickau, Portland: After a forgettable year in Boston, Dickau will be asked to contribute again as the backup to Jarrett Jack with the Blazers. Dickau made the most of his opportunity in New Orleans in 2004, and although he has a tendency to be streaky and erratic, he's also capable of brilliant play.

A gym rat, he'll earn minutes from Nate McMillan if he's active enough on defense to be effective. This is a chance to resurrect his career.

9. Francisco Elson and Jackie Butler, San Antonio: Only NBA die-hards would know the names of these guys, the candidates to start alongside Tim Duncan whenever the Spurs opt to utilize a true center. They're the Spurs' low-priced replacements for Mohammed and Rasho Nesterovic, a clear indication they will look to go small and dictate matchups come the postseason.

But what happens until Robert Horry awakes from him season-long slumber? Surely, the Spurs are going to play a five every once in a while to relieve the pressure on Duncan.

Elson has started before, providing decent if marginal results in Denver amid last year's myriad injuries. Butler, an undrafted project once considered a top prep center, has potential that could develop quickly given the situation he has fallen into.

10. John Lucas, Houston: The summer league standout looks like he'll stick with the Rockets this time, proving perseverance pays off. Another player who went undrafted, Lucas has been working with his father and others on elevating his game. He was the primary reason for the Rockets' unbeaten run in Las Vegas, and should finally be able to break into the league and get some minutes. He's a good story.