NBA Free Agency 2012: Acquisitions with the Biggest Immediate Upside

This summer has been a busy one in terms of NBA free agency, and after the many signings, I'd bet that multiple teams are beyond excited going into next season. For the first time in what seems like decades, teams went into free agency looking to improve themselves and not just sign players on impulse.

By bringing in players with an immediate upside, a better future has been insured for some franchises.

One move that sticks out, in my opinion, is the Miami Heat bringing in veteran sharpshooter Ray Allen.  This may not seem like much of a signing, as the team is fresh off a championship and already has its legendary Big Three, but trust me: Allen is going to put Miami in a prime position to repeat as champions.

Similarly, the Knicks have also had a productive offseason, and as a fan of them, I can't wait for the season to start. Of course, let's not forget about the other signings teams made that will immediately pay off.

No. 5: Marcus Camby, New York Knicks

At first glance, this may seem like the Knicks doing their best New York Yankees impression and signing an old veteran for way too much money. While I may not disagree with that opinion—Camby is 38 years old and not worth $13 million over three years—this signing will still pay off for the Knicks.

Yes, Camby is nearing the twilight of his NBA career and is often injured, but he still averaged nine rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 22.9 minutes per game for the Houston Rockets and Portland Trail Blazers last year. As a backup to starter Tyson Chandler, he'll probably be getting close to that number of minutes off of the bench, as coach Mike Woodson relies on depth as well as his starting five.

More importantly, this is Camby's second stint with the Knicks, so he knows what the fans expect of him. His first go-around with the team was when it used a defensive approach. It is moving back in that direction under Woodson, and defense is the former UMass Minuteman's specialty.

Thus, the fans will not be disappointed with his performance.

No. 4: Courtney Lee, Boston Celtics

The Celtics found themselves in need of a starting shooting guard with the departure of Ray Allen and the injury to Avery Bradley, so GM Danny Ainge went out to the free-agent market and brought in some clutch help. He signed excellent shooter Courtney Lee for four years and $21.5 million in a sign-and-trade with the Houston Rockets.

Lee has good size for his position at 6'5" and 200 pounds, and though he only averaged 11.4 points per game last year, he is still just 26 years old and due for a breakout year. More importantly, like his predecessor Ray Allen, he is a phenomenal three-point shooter, having shot 40 percent from long range last season.

Sure, the money may seem a bit much for him, seeing as how he has primarily been a bench player for most of his career, but Lee's passion and determination to win are why he'll be a tremendous success in Boston. Once he learns Doc Rivers' system, it could very well be as though Allen never left.

No. 3: Goran Dragic, Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns are a team used to playing a fast-paced game, with lots of high scoring thanks to explosive shooters. Dragic is just that, having played in Europe for five years prior to joining the NBA in 2008. This summer, he signed for four years and $34 million.

Dragic has been a backup for most of his career, though, so some of you may be questioning just how well he can do in a run-and-gun system.

He will do exceptionally well in Phoenix, having spent the first two-and-a-half seasons of his career there playing behind Steve Nash. Save for the fact that he had a superb mentor in Nash, Dragic will also provide an instant spark for Phoenix in that he already showed that he can be a fast-paced point man with Houston last year, having taken over for an injured Kyle Lowry in March.

Over the last two months of the season, the 6'3" Slovenian averaged 16.9 points, 7.5 assists and 1.8 steals while shooting an incredible 48 percent from the floor—numbers very similar to the ones Phoenix fans grew used to seeing from Nash. Like his Canadian mentor, Dragic is a team player and drives to the basket just as well as he shoots from long range.

The Suns' new point guard will help with a smooth transition into a new era, which I like to call "Enter the Dragon."

No. 2: Ray Allen, Miami Heat

Allen may seem old at age 37, but he is still one of the most dangerous shooters in the NBA. On top of that, he is still capable of playing starter's minutes. That said, it is interesting that he chose to go to the Miami Heat to be a sixth man rather than searching for a starting job.

Still, the former UConn Husky will flourish as a sixth man for the Heat, who desperately need some help off the bench even though they just won a title. In 34 minutes per game for the Celtics last year, Allen averaged 14.2 points per game while shooting an incredible 45 percent from downtown.

Now that the team is moving in a different direction—less pressure will be placed on the shoulders of LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade—Allen makes the Heat all the more dangerous, and if other teams plan on winning it all this coming season, they may want to consider double-teaming this great shooter.

In the blink of an eye, Allen could very well ruin another squad's championship plans.

No. 1: Steve Nash, Los Angeles Lakers

Ever since Nick Van Exel was traded back in 1998, the Lakers had been hurting for a true starting point guard. Nothing against Derek Fisher, who was a fine leader on the floor, but his greatest strength was his three-point shooting, and all too often, he opted to let Kobe Bryant run the offense instead of utilizing all targets.

Yet, going into next year, the Lakers will have the ultimate point man running the show after GM Mitch Kupchak went out and signed the incredible Steve Nash to a three-year, $27 million deal. If you ask me, the Lakers are going to find themselves back in the NBA Finals thanks to this move.

Not only is Nash an incredible leader, but he is still one of the best at his position despite being 38 years of age. Playing for the Phoenix Suns last year, the two-time MVP averaged 12.5 points and 10.7 assists while shooting an incredible 53 percent from the field and 39 percent from three-point territory. He can thus make the Lakers a well-rounded team, as they will no longer have to rely on Bryant to shoulder most of the load. Nash's willingness to score and ability to spread the ball around will also get everyone else on the team involved and make the Lakers one of the deepest squads in the NBA.

Don't let the age fool you. Nash is still more than capable of being one of the best. If he is that with the Lakers, perhaps he will finally win his first ring.