2012 NBA Free Agency: Role-Players Every Team Would Love to Grab This Summer

While the 2011-12 NBA season isn't even in the record books yet, that doesn't mean we can't take a look at what the summer of free agency will hold for teams heading into next year.

The 2012 free-agency pool is full of big names such as Deron Williams, Steve Nash, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett and Eric Gordon (restricted), but there are also a lot of role-players who could end up being nice fits for almost any team in the league.

Legitimate contenders in the Eastern and Western Conference are always looking for players who can fit certain roles within their rotations. Whether it's guys who are known for their defensive prowess or guys who can come in and hit clutch shots, role-players are sometimes the most important players on an NBA team's roster.

Ahead is a list of 12 players who will be free agents, most of whom will be unrestricted at the end of the 2011-12 season, and could end up being exquisite role-players for any NBA team in the 2012-13 NBA season and beyond.

Steve Novak, SF

Aside from Linsanity and the newfound coaching of Mike Woodson, a major reason why the New York Knicks are still in the playoff hunt this year is because of the sharp-shooting talents of small forward Steve Novak.

This season alone, Novak is averaging 8.7 points per game in just 17 minutes per game, which has helped him earn an impressive 17.55 PER.

The main reason why Novak will be a highly sought-after free agent this summer is because he fits perfectly into the "sharp-shooter off the bench role," shooting 48.3 percent from the field and 48.2 percent from beyond the arc.

Novak will be a great addition to whichever team signs him this upcoming offseason, as he is one of the deadliest shooters from beyond the arc in the game today.

Fitting Role: Consistent sharp-shooter

Andre Miller, PG

Andre Miller will be an unrestricted free agent after this season, and while he will have just turned 36 years old, there's no doubt he will be a nice addition to whichever team is willing to take a risk on the aging point guard.

Miller is averaging 10.1 points, 6.5 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game, which doesn't necessarily fit into the "role-player" category, but he will undoubtedly find himself coming off the bench as a veteran point guard for whoever signs him this upcoming offseason.

Teams such as the Portland Trail Blazers, Washington Wizards, Charlotte Bobcats and Utah Jazz would be wise to go after Miller, as he would bring instant production to their rosters while still being able to mentor and teach younger talent that those teams have at the point.

Miller probably won't earn himself quite near the $7.5 million paycheck he's earning this year, but whoever signs him will be getting quite a bang for their buck.

Fitting Role: Instant offensive production and veteran experience  

Michael Beasley, PF

Michael Beasley is a restricted free agent, which means the Timberwolves will be able to match any offer he gets, but it's realistic to think Timberwolves would be OK seeing Beasley take his talents elsewhere.

Beasley is a versatile small forward, weighing in at 6'10'' and 235 lbs, which gives him the ability to take advantage of undersized forwards in the league and create mismatches on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball.

In 23.2 minutes per game, Beasley is averaging 11.7 points per game, which is the kind of production that has the potential to make an immediate impact on almost any team in the NBA.

Beasley needs to be more consistent if he wants to truly start earning the money he's getting payed, but if a team like the Lakers or Heat can grab him for the right price, Beasley has the potential to help them turn the corner in their respective conferences.

Fitting Role: Offensive spark off the bench 

Mickael Pietrus, SF

Mickael Pietrus is the definition of a role-player. Pietrus fits into the Boston Celtics system with his physicality on the defensive side of the ball, while still being able to produce at an average pace on the offensive side of the ball. 

While he has the size of a small forward, Pietrus has the versatility in his game to defend shooting guards, which is one of the main reasons why he's such a valuable player in the NBA.

Pietrus is averaging 6.7 points and three rebounds per game, and while that's not incredible production, the fact that he's able to produce at that level while significantly producing on the defensive side of the ball is the reason why he will get picked up this offseason.

The Celtics currently have the third-best defense in the NBA, averaging only 90.7 points per game, and Pietrus' defensive production is a main contributor to that. He will make whoever signs him a happy team, as he'll earn every penny of his paycheck by giving 100 percent on the court at all times.

Fitting Role: Versatile and athletic defender 

Randy Foye, PG

Randy Foye has developed into a productive shooting guard for the Los Angeles Clippers this season, averaging 9.2 points, 2.2 assists and two rebounds per game in replacing the injured Chauncey Billups.

With the Clippers trading for Nick Young just a week ago, it's inevitable they won't be nearly as interested in bringing back Foye after the end of this season.

Foye will hit the free-agency market this upcoming offseason, and his potential upside will be enough to garner the interest of numerous teams around the league. While Foye won't be a starter in the NBA any time soon, he will certainly be a solid role-player who earns minutes coming off the bench for whoever signs him. He will be the kind of instant production off the bench that teams love, which will make him a hot commodity this upcoming offseason.

Fitting Role: Instant bench production 

Shannon Brown, SG

Shannon Brown has had quite the journey in the NBA, playing for five teams in as many years.

The main reason why Brown hasn't found one team to stick with is because of his tendency to be an inconsistent offensive player, while not really performing efficiently on the defensive side of the ball.

This year, though, Brown is averaging nine points and 2.2 rebounds per game in just 20.8 minutes per game for the surging Phoenix Suns. Brown is showing this year that he's figured out how to be a productive and efficient member of an NBA roster, and that's the major reason why teams will go after this role-player in this upcoming offseason.

With the right team and on the right roster, Brown can be a solid role-player by finding ways to contribute to the offensive rotation while also performing on the defensive side of the ball. Whoever signs Brown this offseason will be getting an athletic shooting guard who can make an instant impact on any NBA roster.

Fitting Role: Athletic production off the bench 

Matt Barnes, SF

Matt Barnes is a nasty defender, and he also knows how to score the ball in the limited time he sees on the court with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Barnes is the kind of defender opponents hate to see. He's gritty, he's physical and he gets in opponents' heads whether or not they want him to. That kind of defensive focus will help Barnes be one of the most highly sought-after free agents this upcoming offseason.

In addition to Barnes' defensive abilities, he's also a competent offensive player. In only 21.1 minutes per game this year, he is averaging 7.2 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game, which is the kind of production teams will be looking to add during free agency this offseason.

While the Lakers will undoubtedly look at re-signing him, Barnes will get a wide array of offers from teams looking to add a player who focuses on the defensive side first. Whoever signs Barnes will be getting a solid contributor coming off their bench.

Fitting Role: Tenacious defender and consistent offensive production 

Ray Allen, SG

I know it might seem outlandish to consider Ray Allen a role-player, but at 36 years old, Allen will have to fit into whatever role a team needs from him if he wants to earn a solid paycheck next season.

While Danny Ainge has made it clear that he has no issues with breaking up the Big Three, Boston would be foolish to let Allen take his talents elsewhere. The only problem is that Ainge will most likely not pay Allen the money he deserves since Ainge wants to focus on building for the future.

With that being said, Allen—with an average of 14.8 points per game this season—will be one of the most-wanted free agents this upcoming offseason, and teams will undoubtedly be willing to pay him more than he deserves if he's willing to fit into the role that team needs of him.

Allen fits into the role of being instant offensive production, whether he's coming off the bench or finding himself in a team's starting lineup. Whoever signs Allen this upcoming offseason will be getting a player who can still be a difference-maker on the offensive side of the ball, while being a liability on the defensive side of the ball.

Expect the Heat to be a serious contender to make a move for Allen if they are able to move some overpriced contracts this offseason.

Fitting Role: Instant production and veteran experience  

Omer Asik, C

Aside from Chicago Bulls fans who know his name, Omer Asik is one of the best-kept secrets in the NBA.

Asik only averages 14.1 minutes per game with the Bulls, but he still manages to average 3.2 points, 5.1 rebounds and 0.9 blocks per game. Sure, that production isn't ridiculously impressive, but when you realize that he's only seeing the court for about a quarter per game, you understand that, with the right team, Asik has the potential to be a real difference-maker.

Asik has always been a player with raw potential and athletic talent, but the Bulls have failed to develop that talent, mainly because they have enough talent with Joakim Noah at the center position. Asik will be a hot commodity this offseason because no one really knows how productive he can be if he sees consistent and solid time on the court, which is something that consistently seems to draw the interest of NBA teams.

His potential will earn him a nice paycheck this offseason, and Asik will fit nicely into the role of being a solid center contributor coming off the bench.

Fitting Role: Instant bench production  

Kenyon Martin, PF

Kenyon Martin isn't the same player he used to be, but that doesn't mean he can't still be a productive player in the NBA, so long as he finds himself on the right team.

Martin, who just turned 34 a few months ago, is producing at a relatively consistent level with averages of 5.7 points, four rebounds and 0.8 blocks per game for the Los Angeles Clippers.

While it's feasible that the Clippers could look to re-sign Martin, there's no doubt that he will test the waters during free agency to see which teams need a defensive role-player for the upcoming season.

Martin is a physical defender and a monster on the boards, which will undoubtedly earn him an NBA paycheck for this upcoming season. A lot of teams could benefit from Martin's talents, and there's no doubt he will be a hot commodity this offseason. 

Teams such as the Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks and Orlando Magic could benefit from signing Martin to their rosters, as he would be an instant offensive impact and a force to be reckoned with on the defensive side of the ball.

Fitting Role: Enforcer  

Antawn Jamison, PF

Antawn Jamison is having quite a year with the Cavaliers, averaging 18.3 points and 6.6 rebounds per game with a solid PER of 17.82.

While that kind of production will certainly turn a lot of heads this upcoming offseason, so will the fact that he will be turning 36 years old this summer.

Jamison's free-agency situation will be interesting to watch since his production this past season will undoubtedly gain the interest of a lot of teams who will be willing to pay him too much for the talent they will be getting in return. Teams looking for a veteran forward who knows how to produce at a high level should definitely be interested in Jamison, but there's no reason why any team should even consider paying him more than $10 million per year, especially at his age.

Expect Jamison to get a lot of interest this offseason, but ultimately take less money to join a contender who gives him the best possibility of winning that elusive first NBA championship.

Fitting Role: Veteran leader 

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