Pivotal NBA Free Agents

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There may not be a lot of major names in this year's free agent pool, but there are a few guys that can make a big impact for a team on the verge.

Rasheed Wallace

The cream of the Unrestricted Free Agent crop. No real introduction or explanation needed here. Former NBA Champion, one of the best offensive big men in the league, a solid post defender—Wallace is perfect for a team a player or two away from a championship push. And with Detroit seemingly heading in a new direction, Wallace should be willing to play elsewhere.

Also, as an aging veteran, Wallace maybe willing to take less to get one more ring. I believe the ideal place for Wallace is Cleveland, but Boston could continue to build it's video game roster by adding yet another All-Star to the squad. Fantastic Four? I think so (at least if Rajon Rondo sticks around).


Ben Gordon

One of the best scorers in the league. A little undersized and will probably demand a little more money than his upside can back up. It's reported that Detroit will offer $11.5 million a year. If so, he should take it; it's undoubtedly the best deal he'll get.

If he's willing to take less I wouldn't mind seeing him as a San Antonio Spur, especially if Manu Ginobli remains the sixth man. Spurs have the contracts to move around if they have to.


Shawn Marion

If he's still the Matrix, he's definitely part three. On a strange decline, he needs to sign to a team that likes to run. And because he decided to hold out in a contract year, he'll be making considerably less than he made in his previous contract. But he can still help.

Wouldn't life be grand if he could just quietly go back to Phoenix and pretend the fallout never happned? Grant Hill and Stromile Swift are off the books, why not?

If he would take a one-year deal to prove himself, I would ship him to New Jersey. Yi Jianlian is not the answer they were looking for and Marion would give them a very crafty backcourt with Vince Carter and Devin Harris.

Marion can still play the four against given teams and when they want to go small and insert Bobby Simmons into the lineup. Brook Lopez, Marion, Harris, Carter, and Josh Boone if he continues to grow, will be a potent starting lineup—granted Marion returns to form.

Anthony Johnson

Huh? What? Yeah. AJ is a stud.

With the clutter at point guard in Orlando, the Magic may not want to match an offer if it's large enough to keep the backup. If anyone noticed during this year's playoffs, the Magic offense ran more efficiently with Johnson at the point than with Alston. In fact, I can almost guarantee the NBA Finals would've been much more competitive had Jameer Nelson not taken AJ's spot.

He's bigger, a better defender, and is better in the lane than Orlando's two guards, just older. He seems like San Antonio's kind of guy but they probably couldn't offer enough money that Orlando wouldn't be able to match.

But the team that NEEDS AJ would be the Hornets. They needed a backup PG all season long and if they can make the numbers work, they can steal AJ from Orlando; at least in a sign-and-trade.


Carlos Boozer

I don't like him. He's going to make more than he should. He's a good player, plays hard, gets numbers, but is not what you need from a PF on the defensive end.

I put him here because his numbers warrant it, but whoever signs him will be the same or worse than they were the year before and won't have the money to change their problems because they signed him to a contract no one will want.

Nicer guy than Zach Randolph, but about the same player. Similar stats, similar impact. Hopefully, Utah let's him go and Millsap gets the nod.

If we've learned anything from Carl Landry and Chuck Hayes' efforts in the playoffs, it's that the small PF's are back. Smile, Charles Barkley, smile. DeJuan Blair, you can smile, too.


Morris Almond

Never had a chance to shine, but the man can shoot. With the acquisition of Kyle Korver (great deal) he was made expendable.

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