*Fan Submission by Jack Bolesta of College Park. Follow him on Twitter @jackbolesta.*
The NBA regular season is over and as the playoffs unfold, more and more team’s seasons will be ending. With that, franchises and players are going to have to start thinking about there future and how they plan on spending it. Teams need to decide whom to make deals with, along with whom to put on their roster; while players (free agents) must begin deciding where they want to play basketball in the coming years. Here is a list of the best available free agents at each of the 5 positions, that teams have a chance of obtaining and should keep their eyes on (though there is also a list of top free agents that we should expect to resign with their current team).
Point Guard:
Brandon Jennings (Milwaukee Bucks) – Though the Bucks made the 2013 playoffs and Milwaukee is allowed to submit a qualifying offer to restricted free agent Brandon Jennings, I believe Brandon is looking for a new spot to play ball. He would be a nice fit in Utah with Mo Williams being a free agent this year and possibly not returning.
Mo Williams (Utah Jazz) – The Jazz fell short and missed the play offs this year, they continue to build their roster around a young core. They were unable to trade Mo Williams, meaning they will be looking for a new starting Point Guard next season.
Nate Robinson (Chicago Bulls) – Though Nate loves playing in Chicago, he could be playing ball in a new uniform after this summer. With the expected return of Derrick Rose next season, there might not be room for Nate Robinson. The Bulls should focus on re-signing shooting guard Marco Belinelli before Nate Robinson.
Eric Maynor (Portland Trailblazers) – The Portland Trailblazers have reported they are likely to let Eric Mayor become an unrestricted free agent. Damian Lillard, Rookie of the Year, has increased his numbers playing along with Maynor. He believes he will be a better match elsewhere and the team will let him walk because they not will match a high contract offer. Toronto could be a very likely landing spot.
Shooting Guard:
J.R. Smith (New York Knicks) – Smith is the recent winner of the Sixth Man of the Year Award and his current contract holds a player option. He is allowed to invoke the option by June 30th and if he does he will remain in New York for one more year. Since Denver, Smith has been playing with Melo, but could look for a change in scenery if the Knicks do not go as far in the playoffs as they expect. Oklahoma City should consider adding the shooting guard and fulfill the role void since James Harden’s trade.
Marco Belinelli (Chicago Bulls) – The Chicago Bulls need to act fast and keep this guard, with a deadly jump shot. Belinelli is overlooked, as most European players are. If the Bulls do not keep Belinelli some team will be improve their shooting greatly at a decent cost.
Monta Ellis (Milwaukee Bucks) – Monta Ellis’s current contract has an Early Termination Option and beliefs are Ellis will exercise his right to invoke that option. He is a great shooter and player that has not made a strong run in the playoffs. Ellis will be looking to sign with a powerhouse and some of the top teams in both conferences will offer good money to push for a ring. If Smith were to opt out, Ellis is a good replacement for the Knicks.
J.J. Redick (Milwaukee Bucks) – This long time hated basketball player gets overlooked for his ability to shoot the ball. It was questionable why the Bucks took J.J. seeing as they already had shooters Monta Ellis, Brandon Jennings, and Mike Dunleavy. Redick has been a good addition though to the Bucks bringing over NBA Finals experience. With the Buck’s two biggest super stars looking at free agency, the Buck should act fast in re-signing the shooter from Duke University, though many teams will probably be looking to find room to fit Redick into their lineup.
Small Forward:
Josh Smith (Atlanta Hawks) – It was surprising that Atlanta was not able to trade Smith before the deadline, and he will most likely not return next season. He would be a nice fit in Brooklyn, a destination he seems to have his eyes on. The best fit for Josh Smith though would be the Boston Celtics alongside with KG; when Rondo returns the Celtics will be drastically better and with the addition of Josh Smith, the Celtics would have a great chance at making it to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Paul Pierce (Boston Celtics) – While Kevin Garrnett wants to die in green, it is unsure if Pierce will be playing by the side of KG come next season. Boston needs to rebuild their team, and sooner than latter. Not going after Pierce would open some salary room to sign some players that they can hold onto and become faces of their franchise. As well, Pierce has openly state that he plans to “test free agency”. Where he will go? That is a very interesting question. He will only be perusing teams that are contenders, as he chases another ring. He could bring a lot of experience to a team in Los Angeles, weather Clippers or Lakers, that is an idea I can entertain.
Courtesy: Bleacher Report
Andre Igoudala (Denver Nuggets) – The Denver Nuggets will need to pay attention to their star Igoudala, as they have been very successful in the post-Carmelo era and a good way to ensure a return to the playoffs is bringing him back. Though, Igoudala has openly stated that he will forego his final year of his contract will the Nuggets and test free agency this summer. It may be unrealistic but he would be a nice addition in Washington, playing along side John Wall. The Wizards need more strength at the small forward position.
Metta World Peace (Los Angeles Lakers) – The Lakers need to keep an eye on the very unpredictable Metta World Peace. He has always been a great basketball player even though he brings baggage to teams. Over recent years, he has done very well with the Lakers but is very unpredictable and he is not ruling of opting of his final year. A lot of teams will try to approach Metta World Peace; he can provide a lot of help with some teams. Where he would go? That is something we will need to wait for.
Hedo Turkoglu (Orlando Magic) – Turkoglu is a good player that can shot the ball proficiently. He was arguably the piece that helped keep the Magic together for their Finals run a couple years back. Turkoglu plans on pursuing free agency. It would make a lot of sense for both parties if he were to end up with the Blazers in Portland.
Power Forward:
David West (Indiana Pacers) – David West has been a solid piece playing power forward in Indiana since they signed them. So far this season, he has proved this year that his knee is fully repaired and this summer he will be a very valuable free agent. The Pacers should pursue resigning him but he would be a solid fit in Washington. The Wizards need forward strength and West could become a face of the Wizard’s franchise with Beal and Wall.
Tyler Hansbrough (Indiana Pacers) – Hansbrough is a restricted free agent and the Pacers have the opportunity to match an offer from another team but its unsure if they are willing to match a high-end deal. Hansbrough has great potential to be an all-star starter. Any team in the rebuilding process would be fortunate to grab Tyler Hansbrough from the Pacers.
Center:
Zaza Pachulia (Atlanta Hawks) – Zaza is a decent role player and many teams could use an extra big man and in free agency a team could get him for a reasonable price. His future can be uncertain because Zaza suffered an Achilles ankle injury this year and a lot of teams will take that into consideration.
Cole Aldrich (Sacramento Kings) – Aldrich is another big man that many teams wouldn’t mind having on their rosters. Sacramento is in a rebuilding stage and their franchise decisions have been confusing ever since they traded away their most recent no.5 draft pick, Thomas Robinson. The Kings are close to being sold and going through completely new changes.
Dwight Howard (Los Angeles Lakers) – Dwight Howard has been a non-stop topic of discussion this season; along with his team, the Lakers. The Lakers should pursue Dwight Howard very hard into resigning with them. Though, they also should have pursued Phil Jackson as their current Head Coach, not Mike D’Antoni. Dwight is very unpredictable as of late and will l test free agency to the fullest. Many teams would love to have the superstar Dwight Howard in their starting five. There are a few teams that Dwight could end up with: Brooklyn Nets, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavilers or return to play ball in Los Angeles.
Prediction of Players Expecting to Re-sign With Current Franchise:
Point Guards:
– Chris Paul (Los Angeles Clippers)
– Mario Chalmers (Miami Heat)
– Jarrett Jack (Golden State Warriors)
Shooting Guards:
– Kyle Korver (Atlanta Hawks)
– OJ Mayo (Dallas Mavericks)
– Ray Allen (Miami Heat)
Small Forward:
– Chandler Parsons (Houston Rockets)
– Mo Williams (Utah Jazz)
Power Forward:
– Andray Blatche (Brooklyn Nets
– Elton Brand (Dallas Mavericks)
– Rashard Lewis (Miami Heat)
– Antwan Jamison (Los Angeles Lakers)
– Al Harrington (Orlando Magic)
Center:
– Niko Pekovic (Minnesota Timberwolves)
– Emeka Okafor (Washington Wizards)
– Chris Anderson (Miami Heat)
