It is at this time every year that all you die hard NBA fans begin to scan the bottom of your television screens during SportsCenter, in search of that brief little statement telling you that your favorite team has signed a big free agent. With Vince Carter signing back on with the Nets and Chauncey Billups most likely doing the same with his Pistons, this year's crop loses a bit of talent. But don't lose interest quite yet, because there are still a few gems out there worth picking up:
1. Rashard Lewis, F, Seattle Sonics
Lewis is pretty much the consensus top free agent at the moment, so it shouldn't be surprising that he tops my list. With extraordinary athletic abilities to accompany a fantastic outside shot, Lewis is the kind of offensive weapon every team could use. Keep this in mind: the Sonics just lost sharpshooter Ray Allen to the Boston Celtics, so they're likely planning on re-signing Lewis. However, they made out like bandits at the draft, landing future star Kevin Durant (who also plays forward) and the promising Jeff Green (who also plays forward). As you can see, there are elements working both for the re-signing of Lewis and against the re-signing. My opinion? Rashard Lewis will kick off the 2007-2008 NBA Season wearing some new threads.
2. Gerald Wallace, F, Charlotte Bobcats
You can't just find a player like Gerald Wallace anywhere. Take his 2005-2006 statistics as a prime example: the guy averaged more than two blocks and two steals per game that season. That puts him in the company of, oh, David Robinson, Hakeem Olojuwan, guys like that. I'd say that makes him pretty valuable. Despite being a high-flying athletic beast on offense, Wallace makes a living on the defensive end. He can give a team 15 or 16 points per game, which is nice, but ultimately he will be either re-signed by Charlotte or signed by another team because of his defensive abilities. The Bobcats, who just brought in swingman star Jason Richardson from the Warriors, would be foolish to give up on a young talent like Wallace. Expect Michael Jordan to re-sign him.
3. Mo Williams, PG, Milwaukee Bucks
I am a huge Mo Williams fan. In my opinion, he is the most underrated point guard in the league and could very well become a superstar in the future. He's an excellent passer and scorer, but his rebounding ability makes him exceptionally valuable. He has the all-around game that every team values, and he's not useless on the defensive end. He's young, versatile and has an upside. Can't say much more than that.
4. Andres Nocioni, F, Chicago Bulls
When he's not ramming his head into the floor or crashing into the photographers scattered across the sidelines, Andres Nocioni is a pretty nice player. He's a big guy who can either shoot from the outside of play it tough in the middle. He's willing to do all the things his teammates won't do: dive after loose balls, guard the opposing team's best player, put a body on Dwight Howard in an attempt to grab a rebound. Nocioni is a coach's best friend, which is why the Bulls will probably bend over backwards (okay, not quite) to keep him in Chicago. Shucks.
5. Darko Milicic, F/C, Orlando Magic
Darko? A valuable free agent? Yes. I know that writers love to bring this up at any chance they get, but Darko is still only 22 years old. That makes him a player that coaches can still sculpt into a nice player, and I'm sure every coach in the league wants to give it a try. If properly coached, Darko could turn into a monstrous force down low, both defensively and offensively. Orlando would probably like to keep him with the team, but GMs around the league will be after him in no time. I would love to see my Boston Celtics take a shot at Milicic, simply because he could develop well alongside Al Jefferson and under the coaching of Clifford Ray, who turned Jefferson into the player he is today.
1. Rashard Lewis, F, Seattle Sonics
Lewis is pretty much the consensus top free agent at the moment, so it shouldn't be surprising that he tops my list. With extraordinary athletic abilities to accompany a fantastic outside shot, Lewis is the kind of offensive weapon every team could use. Keep this in mind: the Sonics just lost sharpshooter Ray Allen to the Boston Celtics, so they're likely planning on re-signing Lewis. However, they made out like bandits at the draft, landing future star Kevin Durant (who also plays forward) and the promising Jeff Green (who also plays forward). As you can see, there are elements working both for the re-signing of Lewis and against the re-signing. My opinion? Rashard Lewis will kick off the 2007-2008 NBA Season wearing some new threads.
2. Gerald Wallace, F, Charlotte Bobcats
You can't just find a player like Gerald Wallace anywhere. Take his 2005-2006 statistics as a prime example: the guy averaged more than two blocks and two steals per game that season. That puts him in the company of, oh, David Robinson, Hakeem Olojuwan, guys like that. I'd say that makes him pretty valuable. Despite being a high-flying athletic beast on offense, Wallace makes a living on the defensive end. He can give a team 15 or 16 points per game, which is nice, but ultimately he will be either re-signed by Charlotte or signed by another team because of his defensive abilities. The Bobcats, who just brought in swingman star Jason Richardson from the Warriors, would be foolish to give up on a young talent like Wallace. Expect Michael Jordan to re-sign him.
3. Mo Williams, PG, Milwaukee Bucks
I am a huge Mo Williams fan. In my opinion, he is the most underrated point guard in the league and could very well become a superstar in the future. He's an excellent passer and scorer, but his rebounding ability makes him exceptionally valuable. He has the all-around game that every team values, and he's not useless on the defensive end. He's young, versatile and has an upside. Can't say much more than that.
4. Andres Nocioni, F, Chicago Bulls
When he's not ramming his head into the floor or crashing into the photographers scattered across the sidelines, Andres Nocioni is a pretty nice player. He's a big guy who can either shoot from the outside of play it tough in the middle. He's willing to do all the things his teammates won't do: dive after loose balls, guard the opposing team's best player, put a body on Dwight Howard in an attempt to grab a rebound. Nocioni is a coach's best friend, which is why the Bulls will probably bend over backwards (okay, not quite) to keep him in Chicago. Shucks.
5. Darko Milicic, F/C, Orlando Magic
Darko? A valuable free agent? Yes. I know that writers love to bring this up at any chance they get, but Darko is still only 22 years old. That makes him a player that coaches can still sculpt into a nice player, and I'm sure every coach in the league wants to give it a try. If properly coached, Darko could turn into a monstrous force down low, both defensively and offensively. Orlando would probably like to keep him with the team, but GMs around the league will be after him in no time. I would love to see my Boston Celtics take a shot at Milicic, simply because he could develop well alongside Al Jefferson and under the coaching of Clifford Ray, who turned Jefferson into the player he is today.
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