8 Young Stars of the 2013 NBA Free-Agent Class

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With the 2012 NBA free-agency period all but wrapped up, it's time for the NBA rumor mill to start heating up about the class of 2013.

Next summer's free-agent crew will boast a ton of talent, with Chris Paul and Dwight Howard being atop almost every team's free-agency list.

But there's also a few young guys who could swing a title race down the line. Who are the best young stars about to hit the 2013 NBA free-agent market? Here's a look at eight of the top players.

(Programming Note: We made the cutoff for the word "young" 25 years old.)

Jrue Holiday

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Team: Philadelphia 76ers

Position: Point Guard

Age: 24

2011-12 Stats: 13.5 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 4.5 APG, 43.2 FG%, 14.74 PER

For someone who reportedly thinks he's worth a maximum contract extension (via Yahoo! Sports' Marc J. Spears), Holiday sure looks a lot like a mediocre basketball player.

And mediocre is probably being kind. Holiday's PER actually puts the point guard below the median line, ranking him 147th in the NBA last season.

Barring an unforeseen leap in play or a reality check, the 22-year-old will likely be sorely disappointed come next summer.

Projected Contract: One year, $3.8 million (qualifying offer from Sixers)

Brandon Jennings

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Age: 22

Position: Point Guard

2011-12 Stats: 19.1 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 5.5 APG, 41.8 FG%, 18.46 PER

With Jennings reportedly already doing research on a new big-market home (via ESPN), the young point guard may end up on the move before hitting the market.

Regardless, Jennings comes into a loaded backcourt free-agent class among the best. His numbers have improved so far in each of his three NBA seasons, and there is no reason to think he'll fall off next year.

The 22-year-old is an explosive, shoot-first point guard who can get to the basket in a millisecond. That should net Jennings a contract somewhere just below the NBA maximum, in the $10-12 million per season range.

Projected Contract: Four years, $50 million

Ty Lawson

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Age: 24

Position: Point Guard

2011-12 Stats: 16.4 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 6.6 APG, 48.8 FG%, 19.43 PER

Despite Ricky Rubio's brilliant rookie season performance, Lawson is still the best of the three-point guards the Minnesota Timberwolves drafted in 2009 so far.

As a full-time starter for the first time in his career last season, Lawson emerged as one of the NBA's most efficient young point guards. The 24-year-old former Tar Heel finished this past season 18th in pure point rating and continues to be a matchup nightmare for slower guards.

But the question with Lawson is how much better he can get. As it stands, he's a middle-of-the-road starting point guard. At 24, there is obviously still some room to grow, but not as much as you think.

Lawson is a better player than Jennings at this point, but don't expect him to get as much in free agency.

Projected Contract: Four years, $36 million

Stephen Curry

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Team: Golden State Warriors

Position: Point Guard

Age: 24

2011-12 Stats: 14.7 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 5.3 APG, 49.0 FG%, 21.23 PER

Curry’s haul next offseason will almost completely be contingent on staying healthy. If the former Davidson star can keep his oft-injured ankle healthy, there is little reason for the Warriors to not give their young point guard a maximum contract.

Curry is a brilliant outside shooter, a good athlete and emerging distributor that makes him the perfect point guard for today’s game. He’s also part of a promising young core with shooting guard Klay Thompson and 2012 No. 8 pick Harrison Barnes.

But if Curry has a repeat of last season, where he missed 40 games due to injury, then he’ll likely play out the 2013-14 season with his qualifying offer or take a lesser long-term offer.

For once, I’m betting on the former.

Projected Contract: four years, $61 million

Tyreke Evans

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Team: Sacramento Kings

Position: Point Guard/Shooting Guard

Age: 22

2011-12 Stats: 16.5 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 4.5 APG, 45.3 FG%, 16.48 PER

After coming out on fire as a rookie, scoring 20.1 points per game and winning the NBA Rookie of the Year Award in 2009, Evans has regressed in the past two seasons.

Fortunately for Evans, that's mostly because the Kings strategically moved him off the ball and even forced him into an unwanted small forward role.

Tyreke is still the same explosive leaper and devastating slasher who can break a defense down at any minute. He's also the guy who does it too often.

With his Sacramento future very much in doubt, Evans will likely be headed to greener pastures next summer. The only question is to where and for how much.

Projected Contract: three years, $24 million

James Harden

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Team: Oklahoma City Thunder

Position: Shooting Guard

Age: 22

2011-12 Stats: 16.8 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 3.7 APG, 49.1 FG%, 21.13 PER

Choosing between Harden and forward Serge Ibaka will give the Thunder a vexing decision for the summer of 2013.

Do they choose the sweet-shooting and flair of Harden or Ibaka's top-tier defensive presence in the middle?

If general manager Sam Presti chooses the latter, we may already have a favorite for Harden's services: the Phoenix Suns.

Via Dan Bickley of the Arizona Republic:

Yeah. Of course. I love it [in Phoenix]. My mom lives there still. So that's definitely my second home as far as my comfort level and going to school there. But obviously, I'm with the Thunder right now and what we have is special.

Regardless of where he's playing, the Bearded Man's brilliant postseason play left little question that he's a max player.

Projected Contract: four years, $61 million

Serge Ibaka

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Team: Oklahoma City Thunder

Position: Power Forward

Age: 22

2011-12 Stats: 9.1 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 3.7 BPG, 53.5 FG%, 18.98 PER

Like Harden, there's very little doubt about Ibaka's status as a max contract player.

The First Team All-Defense selection led the NBA in blocks this past season, emerging as possibly the most intimidating defender in the league.

But what sets Ibaka apart is his emerging offensive game. The 22-year-old can stretch out to 15-18 feet and knock down jumpers with consistency—something that seemed impossible when the franchise drafted Ibaka in 2008.

With Oklahoma City far more need of his defense than Harden's offense, Ibaka will surely stay with the Thunder if make the right call.

Projected Contract: five years, $80 million

Andrew Bynum

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Team: Los Angeles Lakers

Position: Center

Age: 24

2011-12 Stats: 18.7 PPG, 11.8 RPG, 1.9 BPG, 55.8 FG%, 23.00 PER

It's hard to believe that Bynum will be just 25 years old next summer.

The longtime Lakers big man is headed into his eighth NBA season and coming off a year where he averaged 18.7 points, 11.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per night and stayed healthy for just the second time in his career.

Those numbers are seemingly good enough to net Bynum a maximum extension with the Lakers, but rampant rumors about L.A.'s pursuit of Dwight Howard have hampered the talks.

If Bynum is in purple and gold on opening night, expect the ink on his extension to be drying by tip-off. But if not, he's likely headed to unrestricted free agency next summer.

Projected Contract: five years, $100 million