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Most Coveted Impending Free Agents
While the 2011-12 season has yet to begin, today we are going to take a very early look at the free agency market for next summer. Many general managers have already begun to live in fear as the uncertainty of the open market may prohibit them from retaining their star players while others have already put a pin in the current season and are salivating at the opportunity to poach future cornerstones of their organization. It will be an uneasy time for all, but exciting nonetheless. Now, let's take a closer look at the early free agent rankings.
- An absolute no brainer tops the list in King James. LeBron is most versatile player in the league, boasting elite talent in every aspect of the game along with great size and superior athleticism. With the inability of the Mavericks to surround their superstar with talent, the team may look to cash in huge in a trade before letting LeBron leave them high and dry for nothing. Whether he moves by trade before the deadline or not, he’ll surely be testing the free agent market next summer and there will be no shortage of suitors.
- While he may not be the top impending free agent, Chris Paul is no second fiddle. CP3 is the cream of the crop right now at the point guard position (with others gaining quickly). Paul finds himself in a similar situation and his pal, LeBron, with the Hornets seemingly unable to give him a full supporting cast. He forms a dynamic backcourt duo with Joe Johnson but is it enough for CP3 to commit more of his career to Charlotte?
- Entering the market in our third spot is definitely the most intriguing option in superstar sharp shooter, Stephen Curry. The former #1 pick is coming off of his rookie deal and will look to break the bank. He’s improved every season and looks poised to make a run at the MVP award. Steph is several years younger than our top two options and is definitely the sexiest producer in this class of free agents. A higher turnover rate and slightly less impressive defense is all that keeps Curry from climbing higher on this list, but neither of those things will deter suitors.
- Damn, this list just will not drop off as we slide Kemba Walker in at four. Kemba definitely sits at the table with the elite point guards of the league and could be on his way to sitting at the head of that table. He’s not the devastating scorer that is Curry, but is sneaking up quickly on CP3. His improvement in decision making with the ball has accelerated his development tremendously and made him a player that any GM would love to build around. The Grizz may be able to make a little noise this season, but will it be enough to keep Kemba in Vancouver long-term?
- Finally at the number five spot, we have our first big man of the class. There’s no question that there are a lack of elite big men in the league, which catapults the value of Al Jefferson to another level. In a normal summer, Al would be right at the top of the list list but King James and the insane wave of young guards have knocked him down a few pegs. The only knock on Jefferson’s game is his rim production over his career. That won’t stop anyone from giving him a blank check, as the 26 year old is right near the top of the list for big men.
- Now we enter the second tier of impending free agents with Derrick Rose. Rose’s career is off to a great start, the only knock being constantly compared to the other elite guards in his draft class. He’s still young and well rounded, but coaches need to help develop his defense to reach elite status. Fortunately for the Spurs, Derrick is a very loyal guy and they’ve got talent on the roster to keep them competitive in the West. I doubt he reaches the market, but if he does opt for a new challenge he’ll be a more than satisfactory consolation prize for teams that swing and miss on the top free agents.
- Another point guard stands out in the seventh spot with veteran floor general, Deron Williams. Williams is the polished version of Rose but slots just under him purely based on age and the potential to keep improving. Deron has been shopped this off-season, but remains in Denver for now. The Nuggets just recently acquired Dirk Nowitzki, perhaps to show their commitment to winning to Deron, but will it be enough? Might Deron look for a shorter term deal to bridge the gap to the exploding salary cap and try to cash in big again as he enters his 30s?
- It’s Dame Time in the eight hole. Lillard has had a rather underwhelming start to his career, but the talent is there. The biggest struggle with Dame is that he’s a shooting guard but thinks he’s a point guard. If he can develop in his correct role, he’ll be well on his way to stardom. His carelessness with the ball will be his biggest detriment moving forward and will likely hamper his career if he insists on being a point guard. Either way, he’s going to get paid because guys like this don’t grow on trees and GMs will not mind taking the risk. The Celtics are building something special and it will be interest to see if Dame hangs around to see it through.
- Next up is big bad Roy Hibbert. Hibbert is well traveled in his young career and I can’t quite put my finger on why that is. He’s become more valuable every season and with continued development could enter star status among centers. His size makes him unique and he’ll be a coveted man come next summer. Perhaps the team that needs him most? The Atlanta Hawks, who have went all in on trying to threepeat. The Hawks have lost bird rights on several key players due to salary issues and have an aging core. Roy would keep them young and give them stability moving forward.
- Coming in at the tenth spot, which many consider a bit low, is JR Smith. JR is well on his way to becoming an elite wing player. He can score at will and also cleans up on the boards. The Blazers just signed his running mate, Baron Davis, to a long term deal and will look to do the same with Smith. If Smith does seek a new team, there will be plenty of interest as he represents the new wave of wing players to replace the aging McGradys, Kobes and Pierces of the league.
- Next up in not quite a guy to build around, but definitely a key piece to any organization attempting to win the championship. That man is Pau Gasol, who may have lost a step on the offensive end but stands out as a tenacious defender and shot blocker. He’s on the wrong side of 30 but has several high quality seasons in front of him. In a wild effort to bring in more talent under the hard cap, the Pacers forfeited bird rights on Gasol, making it likely that the former defensive player of the road moves on from Indiana next summer. He’ll definitely be looking to chase a ring when finding a new home.
- Similarly to Gasol, Paul Pierce’s bird rights were also forfeited for salary cap purposes by the Atlanta Hawks. Pierce is starting to show signs of slowing down, but he still produces at a high level. There are rumors that he may even retire at seasons end if the Hawks are able to win their third championship in a row. If he does decide to give it another go, we suspect a team will offer him a chunky short term deal that will likely see him later flipped to a contender.
- Luis Scola is next up on our list, and he will be a very attractive piece to say the least. There are whispers that he may wait to see what Kemba does before committing to the Grizzlies. Scola is getting older but is still one of the best rebounders in the league. His rim protection is average at best but he makes up for it by getting in the passing lanes and forcing turnovers. Luis falls into the category of players that are considered “final touches” to a contender. He will be highly sought after on the open market.
- Scarcity if big men shoots Eddy Curry into the fourteenth spot on the list. Curry is strong down low and an efficient scorer in the paint. He gets a little sloppy when trying to do too much and doesn’t hustle enough for rebounds, but he’s still a damn solid center. I’m not sure teams will throw max offers at Eddy but he’s going to make a good chunk of change. The Nets have a good team and will look to retain his services at the end of the season but could have trouble with the hard cap.
- Rounding out our top fifteen is Mr. Fundamental, Tim Duncan. Duncan is in the twilight of his career but it still a very productive big man. He really does it all out there and will definitely find a starting job if he decides to come back another year. The Hawks also forfeited bird rights on Duncan which guarantees he’ll hit free agency if he doesn’t retire and any team would be happy to have him.
- An honorable mention to the list is Slovenian point guard, Goran Dragic. The 25 year old had a strong offseason plan that has vaulted him into competition for the starting spot in Atlanta. He’s yet another player that the Hawks forfeited bird rights on and may be that special somebody for a franchise that may not be able to break the bank for a starting point guard. It’ll be interesting to see how the Hawks use him this season but I’d definitely look for him to be in a new jersey come next summer. If he can get minutes and flourish, teams will line up for his services. If he’s purely a backup, teams may be more hesitant.
While the 2011-12 season has yet to begin, today we are going to take a very early look at the free agency market for next summer. Many general managers have already begun to live in fear as the uncertainty of the open market may prohibit them from retaining their star players while others have already put a pin in the current season and are salivating at the opportunity to poach future cornerstones of their organization. It will be an uneasy time for all, but exciting nonetheless. Now, let's take a closer look at the early free agent rankings.
1. LeBron James SF 26 6’10” 250 A B A- A- C+ B
- An absolute no brainer tops the list in King James. LeBron is most versatile player in the league, boasting elite talent in every aspect of the game along with great size and superior athleticism. With the inability of the Mavericks to surround their superstar with talent, the team may look to cash in huge in a trade before letting LeBron leave them high and dry for nothing. Whether he moves by trade before the deadline or not, he’ll surely be testing the free agent market next summer and there will be no shortage of suitors.
2. Chris Paul PG 26 6’0” 195 C+ A- A+ A- C C
- While he may not be the top impending free agent, Chris Paul is no second fiddle. CP3 is the cream of the crop right now at the point guard position (with others gaining quickly). Paul finds himself in a similar situation and his pal, LeBron, with the Hornets seemingly unable to give him a full supporting cast. He forms a dynamic backcourt duo with Joe Johnson but is it enough for CP3 to commit more of his career to Charlotte?
3. Stephen Curry PG 23 6’5” 210 C+ A B+ A-C- C
- Entering the market in our third spot is definitely the most intriguing option in superstar sharp shooter, Stephen Curry. The former #1 pick is coming off of his rookie deal and will look to break the bank. He’s improved every season and looks poised to make a run at the MVP award. Steph is several years younger than our top two options and is definitely the sexiest producer in this class of free agents. A higher turnover rate and slightly less impressive defense is all that keeps Curry from climbing higher on this list, but neither of those things will deter suitors.
4. Kemba Walker PG 21 6’2” 204 C+ A B+ A C B
- Damn, this list just will not drop off as we slide Kemba Walker in at four. Kemba definitely sits at the table with the elite point guards of the league and could be on his way to sitting at the head of that table. He’s not the devastating scorer that is Curry, but is sneaking up quickly on CP3. His improvement in decision making with the ball has accelerated his development tremendously and made him a player that any GM would love to build around. The Grizz may be able to make a little noise this season, but will it be enough to keep Kemba in Vancouver long-term?
5. Al Jefferson C 26 6’10” 289 A- D+ D A- A- C
- Finally at the number five spot, we have our first big man of the class. There’s no question that there are a lack of elite big men in the league, which catapults the value of Al Jefferson to another level. In a normal summer, Al would be right at the top of the list list but King James and the insane wave of young guards have knocked him down a few pegs. The only knock on Jefferson’s game is his rim production over his career. That won’t stop anyone from giving him a blank check, as the 26 year old is right near the top of the list for big men.
6. Derrick Rose PG 23 6’3” 220 B B A B- C- C
- Now we enter the second tier of impending free agents with Derrick Rose. Rose’s career is off to a great start, the only knock being constantly compared to the other elite guards in his draft class. He’s still young and well rounded, but coaches need to help develop his defense to reach elite status. Fortunately for the Spurs, Derrick is a very loyal guy and they’ve got talent on the roster to keep them competitive in the West. I doubt he reaches the market, but if he does opt for a new challenge he’ll be a more than satisfactory consolation prize for teams that swing and miss on the top free agents.
7. Deron Williams PG 27 6’5” 220 B- B+ A B+ C C
- Another point guard stands out in the seventh spot with veteran floor general, Deron Williams. Williams is the polished version of Rose but slots just under him purely based on age and the potential to keep improving. Deron has been shopped this off-season, but remains in Denver for now. The Nuggets just recently acquired Dirk Nowitzki, perhaps to show their commitment to winning to Deron, but will it be enough? Might Deron look for a shorter term deal to bridge the gap to the exploding salary cap and try to cash in big again as he enters his 30s?
8. Damian Lillard PG 21 6’3” 215 B- A B- B D B
- It’s Dame Time in the eight hole. Lillard has had a rather underwhelming start to his career, but the talent is there. The biggest struggle with Dame is that he’s a shooting guard but thinks he’s a point guard. If he can develop in his correct role, he’ll be well on his way to stardom. His carelessness with the ball will be his biggest detriment moving forward and will likely hamper his career if he insists on being a point guard. Either way, he’s going to get paid because guys like this don’t grow on trees and GMs will not mind taking the risk. The Celtics are building something special and it will be interest to see if Dame hangs around to see it through.
9. Roy Hibbert C 24 7’4” 290 B C- D+ A- B- C
- Next up is big bad Roy Hibbert. Hibbert is well traveled in his young career and I can’t quite put my finger on why that is. He’s become more valuable every season and with continued development could enter star status among centers. His size makes him unique and he’ll be a coveted man come next summer. Perhaps the team that needs him most? The Atlanta Hawks, who have went all in on trying to threepeat. The Hawks have lost bird rights on several key players due to salary issues and have an aging core. Roy would keep them young and give them stability moving forward.
10. JR Smith SG 26 6’8” 245 B+ A- C B C C
- Coming in at the tenth spot, which many consider a bit low, is JR Smith. JR is well on his way to becoming an elite wing player. He can score at will and also cleans up on the boards. The Blazers just signed his running mate, Baron Davis, to a long term deal and will look to do the same with Smith. If Smith does seek a new team, there will be plenty of interest as he represents the new wave of wing players to replace the aging McGradys, Kobes and Pierces of the league.
11. Pau Gasol C 31 7’2” 270 B- C+ B- A B+ C
- Next up in not quite a guy to build around, but definitely a key piece to any organization attempting to win the championship. That man is Pau Gasol, who may have lost a step on the offensive end but stands out as a tenacious defender and shot blocker. He’s on the wrong side of 30 but has several high quality seasons in front of him. In a wild effort to bring in more talent under the hard cap, the Pacers forfeited bird rights on Gasol, making it likely that the former defensive player of the road moves on from Indiana next summer. He’ll definitely be looking to chase a ring when finding a new home.
12. Paul Pierce SF 34 6’9” 235 B B+ C- A- C+ C
- Similarly to Gasol, Paul Pierce’s bird rights were also forfeited for salary cap purposes by the Atlanta Hawks. Pierce is starting to show signs of slowing down, but he still produces at a high level. There are rumors that he may even retire at seasons end if the Hawks are able to win their third championship in a row. If he does decide to give it another go, we suspect a team will offer him a chunky short term deal that will likely see him later flipped to a contender.
13. Luis Scola PF 32 6’9” 261 B D+ F+ B+ A C
- Luis Scola is next up on our list, and he will be a very attractive piece to say the least. There are whispers that he may wait to see what Kemba does before committing to the Grizzlies. Scola is getting older but is still one of the best rebounders in the league. His rim protection is average at best but he makes up for it by getting in the passing lanes and forcing turnovers. Luis falls into the category of players that are considered “final touches” to a contender. He will be highly sought after on the open market.
14. Eddy Curry C 28 7’0” 295 A- D+ F+ A- B- C
- Scarcity if big men shoots Eddy Curry into the fourteenth spot on the list. Curry is strong down low and an efficient scorer in the paint. He gets a little sloppy when trying to do too much and doesn’t hustle enough for rebounds, but he’s still a damn solid center. I’m not sure teams will throw max offers at Eddy but he’s going to make a good chunk of change. The Nets have a good team and will look to retain his services at the end of the season but could have trouble with the hard cap.
15. Tim Duncan C 35 7’1” 270 B C- D- B+ A- D
- Rounding out our top fifteen is Mr. Fundamental, Tim Duncan. Duncan is in the twilight of his career but it still a very productive big man. He really does it all out there and will definitely find a starting job if he decides to come back another year. The Hawks also forfeited bird rights on Duncan which guarantees he’ll hit free agency if he doesn’t retire and any team would be happy to have him.
Most To Gain.
Goran Dragic PG 25 6’3” 190 C A- B+ A- C- D
Goran Dragic PG 25 6’3” 190 C A- B+ A- C- D
- An honorable mention to the list is Slovenian point guard, Goran Dragic. The 25 year old had a strong offseason plan that has vaulted him into competition for the starting spot in Atlanta. He’s yet another player that the Hawks forfeited bird rights on and may be that special somebody for a franchise that may not be able to break the bank for a starting point guard. It’ll be interesting to see how the Hawks use him this season but I’d definitely look for him to be in a new jersey come next summer. If he can get minutes and flourish, teams will line up for his services. If he’s purely a backup, teams may be more hesitant.
