Predicting Final Landing Spots for Best Remaining 2013 NBA Free Agents

And then there were a few.

Most of the NBA's big names have already signed on for next season and beyond, but there remains a handful of available players capable of making a sizable impact.

Now that the more high-profile situations have been resolved, dominoes will begin to fall in the form of the leftovers.

Not to say that those still on the open market aren't worth a franchise's time or money. Some of them are.

Those who remain, though, are victims of a dried-up well. Teams aren't prone to investing large amounts of money in players that have yet to juggle other (serious) offers nearly a month into free agency (sorry, Brandon Jennings).

Organizations are at the point where they're looking to fill out their rosters and round out rotations. Neither description is too glamorous, but that's the point. Player values are downplayed this late into the summer as teams look to secure a bargain or two.

Where will this year's crop of free-agency leftovers end up?

The players would like to know even more than we do.

Nikola Pekovic

Age: 27

Years Experience: 3

Last Team: Minnesota Timberwolves

Free-Agency Status: Restricted

2012-13 Per-Game Stats: 16.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.8 blocks on 52 percent shooting

You're not going to be reading Nikola Pekovic's name here much longer.

The Timberwolves have already tendered the restricted free agent an offer worth $50 million over the next four years, according to Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski, and team owner Glen Taylor has stated that Pek will still be in Minny next season.

Once the two sides iron out the remaining details (money) of Pek's new deal, he'll have a pen in hand, ready to sign. Nothing out there suggests that the T-Wolves and their big man aren't close to being in agreement, and the thought of another organization swooping in to steal him this late in the game is comical.

Expect Pek to remain in Minnesota, much to the delight of the franchise itself and anyone who's a fan of big men that can both score and rebound in excess, and view shot-blocking as optional.

Prediction: Pek re-signs with Timberwolves

Antawn Jamison

Age: 37

Years Experience: 15

Last Team: Los Angeles Lakers

Free-Agency Status: Unrestricted

2012-13 Per-Game Stats: 9.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 0.4 steals and 0.3 blocks on 46.4 percent shooting

Antawn Jamison can still score.

It wasn't too long ago that he he averaged 17-plus points per game with the Cleveland Cavaliers during the lockout-truncated 2011-12 campaign. Donning purple and gold in Los Angeles didn't suit him well last season, and his health is an issue, but he can still rack up points.

To date, Jamison has received interest from the Washington Wizards and Clippers. Most recently, Woj reported he and the Clips were nearing a one-year deal.

Nothing appears imminent right now, and after Los Angeles signed Byron Mullens, one has to imagine Jamison isn't headed there.

Washington could use a scorer off the bench, and it's not implausible to see Jamison considering the Bobcats either. But, the 37-year-old could sign on with a contender who can give him playing time.

Thus, I give you the Nuggets.

Denver has had a brutal offseason, and if it wants to remain competitive in the West, it needs to replace some of the playmaking, rebounding and scoring that left with Andre Iguodala. Jamison can satisfy two of those needs (rebounding and scoring) and could possibly be had for the veteran's minimum.

Don't sleep on this one.

Prediction: Jamison winds up with Nuggets

Gerald Henderson

Age: 25

Years Experience: 4

Last Team: Charlotte Bobcats

Free-Agency Status: Restricted

2012-13 Per-Game Stats: 15.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.0 steal and 0.5 blocks on 44.7 percent shooting

Gerald Henderson isn't going anywhere.

Per Woj, the Bobcats have explored sign-and-trade scenarios involving the volume-scoring shooting guard, but I imagine most teams are wary of committing long-term money to anyone coming out of Charlotte.

Interested franchises have to wonder if he is really this good or is merely the product of a bad team.

Answers will vary, but the question's existence will prevent the Bobcats from receiving adequate value in return for his services and likely limit the amount of cash another team is prepared to hand to Henderson.

Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer writes that the 'Cats remain committed to reaching a resolution with their second-leading scorer. Whether that comprises them convincing him to sign for what they're or offering, or him simply returning for the qualifying offer they already extended him doesn't matter.

Henderson is staying right where he is.

Prediction: Henderson remains with Bobcats

Greg Oden

Age: 25

Years Experience: 2

Last Team: Portland Trail Blazers

Free-Agency Status: Unrestricted

2009-10 Per-Game Stats (last active season): 11.1 points, 8.5 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 0.4 steals and 2.3 blocks on 60.5 percent shooting

Even though he hasn't played in nearly four years, the Greg Oden sweepstakes are actually a thing. And the New Orleans Pelicans may win it all.

According to Steve Kyler of Hoopsworld, New Orleans may be prepared to offer Oden a two-year contract worth as much as $3 million annually. Previously, ESPN's Marc Stein pegged the Spurs, Heat, Sacramento Kings and Dallas Mavericks as suitors as well.

On Monday, Stein, along with Jeff Goodman, reported that staff members from the Pelicans, Heat and Kings will watch Oden work out this week as he gets closer to a decision on where he'll sign.

The Pelicans present an intriguing option because of their reported willingness to go two years deep with their investment. New Orleans may not be the ideal situation for him to jump into, but the stability it seems ready to guarantee is a valuable commodity for an oft-injured big man who hasn't played since December of 2009.

Money aside, the Heat would be a good fit. They may not offer as much money as the Pelicans or other interested teams, but the expectations in Miami will be low.

Attempting to revive what most consider a dead career, pressure-free standards are more important than a few dollar signs or year's worth of work.

Prediction: Oden signs with the Heat

Gary Neal

Age: 28

Years Experience: 3

Last Team: San Antonio Spurs

Free-Agency Status: Restricted

2012-13 Per-Game Stats: 9.5 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.4 steals and 0.0 blocks on 41.2 percent shooting

Gary Neal seems like the type of player the Bucks would just be itching to overpay. That said, he's not going anywhere.

With Marco Belinelli headed to San Antonio, the Spurs may not have as pressing a need for Neal's high-scoring ways. Should he receive an offer that significantly exceeds the $1.1 million he was slated to make next season, it wouldn't be surprising if the Spurs declined to match it.

Previously, Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times reported Milwaukee had interest, and Marc Berman of the New York Post wrote that the New York Knicks were making a play for him as well. Like so many other free agents, Neal's issue remains unresolved, and the longer he stays on the market, the less likely it is he fields a lucrative offer.

Belinelli's presence certainly clogs up San Antonio's backcourt rotation a bit, but given how often Manu Ginobili is injured and how talented a scorer Neal can be, Gregg Popovich can and will find a spot for him.

If Neal doesn't find a better deal elsewhere, that is. Which he most likely won't.

Prediction: Neal stays with the Spurs

Mike Miller

Age: 33

Years Experience: 13

Last Team: Miami Heat

Free-Agency Status: Unrestricted

2012-13 Per Game Stats: 4.8 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.4 steals and 0.1 blocks on 43.3 percent shooting

One team's amnesty casualty is another team's sharp-shooting savior.

Since being amnestied by the Heat, Mike Miller has received plenty of interest from around the league. According to ESPN's Marc Stein, the Denver Nuggets have now emerged as one of the favorites to land his services, along with the Memphis Grizzlies and Oklahoma City Thunder.

Miller appeared in just 59 games for the Heat last season, and has battled injuries for the last few years, but he presents little risk for a contender in need of an additional scorer.

Through the Eastern Conference and NBA Finals, Miller shot 58.3 percent from behind the arc, emerging as one of the Heat's most consistent long-ball assassins for the better part of the postseason. He also played some inspired defense during the latter half of the finals against the San Antonio Spurs.

Miller is well-aware that he has won two straight championships and is highly valued in the playoffs. His preference is to join a contender. Of the three teams projected to have the best chance at signing him, only one can provide him with a similar opportunity to what he had in Miami.

Hint: It's not Memphis or Denver.

Prediction: Miller syncs up with the Thunder

Lamar Odom

Age: 33

Years Experience: 14

Last Team: Los Angeles Clippers

Free-Agency Status: Unrestricted

2012-13 Per-Game Stats: 4.0 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.7 blocks on 39.9 percent shooting

Lamar Odom is still valued for his versatility.

The forward has had problems scoring consistently since he left the Los Angeles Lakers, but few players can effectively defend/play nearly all five positions the way he can.

With the Los Angeles Clippers last season, he rebounded at a rate of 10.7 per 36 minutes. Someone who can crash the glass as frequently as he can, in limited playing time, should be able to find a home soon.

Following a roster overhaul of sorts, the Clippers didn't appear as if they would bring back the 14-year veteran. Sources told ESPN Los Angeles' Arash Markazi, however, that their next move may be to re-sign him.

Playing time will be scarce in Los Angeles. Odom would be lucky to log 10 minutes a night.

But he is comfortable in Hollywood. Compounded with the fact that his stint in Dallas may deter other teams from making a serious run at him, assuming he'll remain in Los Angeles just makes sense.

Prediction: Odom re-ups with the Clippers.

Mo Williams

Age: 30

Years Experience: 10

Last Team: Utah Jazz

Free-Agency Status: Unrestricted

2012-13 Per-Game Stats: 12.9 points, 2.4 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.2 blocks on 43 percent shooting

Mo Williams' free-agency vaunt has proved confusing.

First, it seemed as if he wasn't going to sign with a team who wouldn't start him. Then, Alex Kennedy of Hoopsworld reported that he would consider taking a pay cut to join a contender like the Heat or Spurs.

So which is it?

Most of his career has been spent starting, and he would obviously welcome the opportunity to remain in the same role moving forward. Starting point guard jobs are a rarity in the NBA right now, though, as a majority of teams are set at the one.

Accepting less money to play for a contender remains a viable option, but it's unclear which championship-caliber squads would have interest.

Williams can play on or off the ball, which allows him to fit into a number of different schemes.

If the Pistons had more cap space after signing Josh Smith, they would present an interesting fit. Same goes for the Nuggets. Provided the Philadelphia 76ers weren't akin to starting Michael Carter-Williams right away, they too could use the scoring punch Mo injects.

All three situations would be long shots at this point.

One team to keep an eye on is the Bucks. I could see them attempting to turn Williams into what J.J. Redick was supposed to be—a volume-scoring spark off the bench capable of serving as a secondary playmaker.

With O.J. Mayo, Luke Ridnour and Brandon Jennings already in tow, bringing in Williams can be construed as overkill. But Ridnour's contract comes off the books next season, and Jennings could leave now or, more likely, after next season. 

Signing Williams gives the Bucks insurance against what happens next season and beyond. It also gives them another scorer, and we know how much they love those.

Prediction: Williams joins the Bucks

Brandon Jennings

Age: 23

Years Experience: 4

Last Team: Milwaukee Bucks

Free-Agency Status: Restricted

2012-13 Per-Game Stats: 17.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.1 blocks on 39.9 percent shooting

Given the tumultuous start to his career, it's befitting that Brandon Jennings has yet to find a home.

Rumors have run rampant since he entered restricted free agency. The latest batch of musings had the Detroit Pistons interested in a sign-and-trade, but Joe Dumars, the Pistons' president of basketball operations, vehemently denied the rumor. 

All we know for sure is that Jennings is demanding $12 million annually, a pay day he's not worth and most definitely shouldn't receive.

Lining his pockets with more money than the Golden State Warriors gave to Stephen Curry just doesn't seem right. Because it isn't.

At his best, Jennings is an inefficient volume scorer who still hasn't proved he can run an offense. That type of production is not worth eight figures annually, hence his continued availability.

The Journal Sentinel's Michael Hunt astutely points out that the Bucks and Jennings may have to stick it out together for another year. With Luke Ridnour in the fold, Milwaukee seems prepared to move on from Jennings if it has to, but accepting the qualifying offer and spending one more season in Wisconsin is the only way the restricted free agent can have complete control of his own destiny.

It's also the only way he can drive up his stock enough in order to actualize the compensation he seems to be seeking.

Full disclosure: Part of me believes he'll wind up with the Pistons, who are pining for a point guard. Dumars may have deflected questions regarding their interest, but if Rajon Rondo proves unattainable from the Boston Celtics, Jennings is a point man they could pick up on the cheap via a sign-and-trade.

Mostly, though, I see Jennings returning to Milwaukee for another season without signing a new contract. Doing so is the only way he'll have the power he thinks he has now, but really doesn't.

Prediction: Jennings stays with the Bucks

Nate Robinson

Age: 29

Years Experience: 8

Last Team: Chicago Bulls

Free-Agency Status: Unrestricted

2012-13 Per-Game Stats: 13.1 points, 2.2 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.1 blocks on 43.3 percent shooting

UPDATE: Monday, July 22, at 3:47 p.m. ET by Dan Favale

According to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports, the Nuggets will sign Robinson using their bi-annual exception, which is worth a shade over $2 million.

Robinson's deal with Denver will span two years and is worth approximately $4.03 million, per Sam Amick of USA Today. The second year of the deal is a player option.

---End of update---

Entering the dog days of free agency, Nate Robinson still hasn't officially found a home, which is beyond perplexing. 

Exhibit A: 

Player	PTS	ASTS	REBS	STLS	FG%	3P%	PER
Player X	18.2	1.8	3.0	1.2	45.0	42.6	16.0
Player Y	18.5	6.2	3.2	1.5	43.3	40.5	17.4

Player X represents the per-36 minute stats for Kevin Martin, who will receive close to $30 million from the Timberwolves over the next four years. Player Y is of course Robinson, who will likely be forced to sign a deal worth at or around the veteran's minimum.

Height plays an issue obviously, but Robinson is being continuously undervalued.

Aggrey Sam of CSN Chicago says that there have been nibbles of interest from the Nuggets, Bucks, Wizards and Lakers, in addition to the Bulls. The Knicks also had interest, though they can only offer the veteran's minimum.

Nothing substantial (i.e. beyond the veteran's minimum) has presented itself, leaving Robinson to wallow in unemployment well into free agency.

This is becoming a regrettable reoccurring theme for the veteran, albeit undersized, combo guard, and it's hardly a reflection of how valuable he was to the Bulls come playoff time.

I remain of the mind that Robinson might get a raise, and perhaps even a multi-year deal this time around, though neither of those are guarantees. 

No matter the terms, Robinson will realistically be signing for far less than he's actually worth, most likely with a contender. 

Things could always change, but don't expect them to.

Prediction: Robinson ends up with the Nuggets

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