The NBA's Top 15 Free Agents in 2009

By (Contributor) on June 6, 2009

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 04:  Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives against the Orlando Magic in Game One of the 2009 NBA Finals at Staples Center on June 4, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees th

Much has been made about the 2010 free agency period, dubbing it "The Summer of LeBron". While other players like Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh can opt out of their contracts.

But the 2009 class has plenty of talent in it as well. Here's a list of the top players looking ahead to the summer signing period.

1. Kobe Bryant

DENVER - MAY 29:  Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers posts up J.R. Smith #1 of the Denver Nuggets in Game Six of the Western Conference Finals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Pepsi Center on May 29, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expr

Kobe Bryant has an Early Termination Option written into his contract, and will most likely use it this summer in favor of signing a new contract.

The possibility of Bryant resigning somewhere else seem to be slim, however.

2. Carlos Boozer

SALT LAKE CITY - APRIL 25:  Carlos Boozer #5 of the Utah Jazz shoots in Game Four of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Energy Solutions Arena on April 25, 2009 in Salt Lake City, Utah.  The

Like Bryant, Boozer has the ability to opt out of the final year of his contract, and will most likely do so.

Boozer remains one of the top power forwards in the league, and is one of the most likely candidates to be wearing a different uniform next year.

3. Ben Gordon

BOSTON - MAY 02:  Ben Gordon #7 of the Chicago Bulls heads for the net against the Boston Celtics in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at TD Banknorth Garden on May 2, 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtic

Gordon took a big risk this past season by rejecting the Bulls offer last offseason and opting to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. It might pay off for Gordon who showed this season that he is one of the most dynamic scorers in the league.

The only thing holding Gordon back is that he does little else other than score.

4. Lamar Odom

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 19:  Lamar Odom #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts in the second quarter against the Denver Nuggets in Game One of the Western Conference Finals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on May 19, 2009 in Los Angeles, Californ

Despite his tendency to disappear every other game or so, and remaining a complete enigma among NBA personnel, Lamar Odom is still one of the most unique players to ever play the power forward position—possessing a skill set that can't be matched nightly by any other power forward in the league.

5. Hedo Turkoglu

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 04:  Hedo Turkoglu #15 of the Orlando Magic drives to the basket against Trevor Ariza #3 and Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers in Game One of the 2009 NBA Finals at Staples Center on June 4, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. NO

With his size and ability to shoot the ball from beyond the arc, Turkoglu could have another payday this summer if he decides to opt out of his contract a year early with the Magic.

6. Ron Artest

HOUSTON - MAY 10:  Guard Ron Artest #96 of the Houston Rockets dribbles the ball past Luke Walton #4 of the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Four of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center on May 10, 2009 in Houston, Texa

All his antics aside, Artest has all the tools to be a superstar in the league. He is one of the best defenders in the leauge, and has skill and power on the offensive end. He has expressed an interest in returning to Houston.

7. Rasheed Wallace

AUBURN HILLS, MI - APRIL 24:  Rasheed Wallace #30 of the Detroit Pistons looks across the court in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at the Palace of Auburn Hills on April 24, 2

Sheeds' stock is pretty low right now, and is not likely to return to the Pistons. But Wallace can still shoot the basketball and will continue his career somewhere.

8. Allen Iverson

CLEVELAND - FEBRUARY 22:  Allen Iverson #1 of the Detroit Pistons moves past Mo Williams #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the game on February 22, 2009 at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio.  The Cavaliers won 99-78.  NOTE TO USER: User expres

Like Wallace, Iversons' stock is also low. He has also hinted at the posssibility of retirement if he is not the number one option on the team, after becoming a role player in Detroit late last season.

A .500 team that doesn't draw well may give him a nice check though.

9. Andre Miller

LOS ANGELES - MARCH 17:   Andre Miller #7 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives around Derek Fisher #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers on March 17, 2009 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.  The 76ers won 94-93.   NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges a

Miller, one of the most underrated PGs in the NBA, led a young Sixers squad to playoffs two straight years, and hasn't missed a game in forever.

A borderline contender without a PG could be put over the top with Miller as an addition.

10. Shawn Marion

CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 16:  Shawn Marion #31 of the Toronto Raptors goes to the basket against teammates Emeka Okafor #50 and Gerald Wallace #3 of the Charlotte Bobcats at Time Warner Cable Arena on March 16, 2009 in Charlotte, North Carolina.  NOTE TO USE

Marion has been passed over and shipped along so many times recently, he has to relieved that his free agency has finally come.

11. Trevor Ariza

DENVER - MAY 23:  Trevor Ariza #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers goes up for a shot over teammate Pau Gasol #16 in the third quarter against the Denver Nuggets in Game Three of the Western Conference Finals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on May

Ariza may have earned himself a nice payday with his play on the Lakers.

12. Jason Kidd

DALLAS - MAY 11:  Guard Jason Kidd #2 of the Dallas Mavericks takes a shot against Chauncey Billups #7 of the Denver Nuggets in Game Four of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Center on May 11, 2009 in Dall

Has noticeably lost a step, but remains one of the better PGs in the league.

13. Mike Bibby

ATLANTA - APRIL 29:  Mike Bibby #10 of the Atlanta Hawks drives around James Jones #22 of the Miami Heat during Game Five of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals at Philips Arena on April 29, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Hawks defeated the Heat 106-91. N

His best days are behind him, but he could be a good signing in the right situation.

14. Eddie House

BOSTON - MAY 12:  Eddie House #50 of the Boston Celtics encourages his teamamtes from the bench in the fourth quarter against the Orlando Magic in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at TD Banknorth Garden on May 12

One of the best 3-point shooters in the league.

15. Chris Andersen

DENVER - MAY 29:  Chris Andersen #11 of the Denver Nuggets holds onto the net against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Six of the Western Conference Finals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Pepsi Center on May 29, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User

If I were a GM I'd sign him. Who doesn't love the Birdman?

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