The Forgotten Summer: 2009 NBA Free Agent Rankings

Orlando's Finals appearance is going to thicken Hedo Turkoglu's wallet substantially. Several teams are expected to make a run at this Turkish phenom, many of which believe that he is the missing piece to be a title contender.

Turkoglu, in the prime of his career, is expecting to get an All-Star caliber contract well within the $12 million range. Since the Magic's signing of Vince Carter, don't expect Turkoglu to be back in Orlando.

Due to Turk's ability to handle the ball and be a "point forward," many teams will be looking to add him to their squad and give him a big role in their offense.

He averaged 17 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists, not the best stats of this FA class, but he showed that he can play a big role on a championship caliber team, which is why he is ranked No. 1.

Possible Destinations: Chicago, New York, Portland, and Detroit.

Prediction: Hedo Turkoglu goes to the Portland Trail Blazers. He fits their system really well and due to Portland's PG woes, he can take much of the ball handling duties, perfect to maximize Roy and Aldridge.

Even with a mediocre last season, Carlos Boozer is expected to opt out of his contract and become a free agent come July 1.

Boozer's numbers are significantly down this year due to his injury problems, but if he stays healthy, he can be a major contributor to any team.

Boozer averaged 16.1 points and 10 rebounds last season. Any team would be ecstatic to have that on their roster, not to mention that he was coming back from injury.

Boozer will sign with a good team and if he stays healthy, he will be well worth the money.

His salary was $11.5 million and he will be looking for a long term contract well within the $14 million range.

His ability to be a monster around the basket really serves well for him because many teams are coveting a low post presence who can produce double-doubles night after night.

Possible Destinations- Detroit, Utah, and Chicago (if Gordon bolts).

Prediction: Carlos Boozer will sign with the Detroit Pistons simply because they can offer him the most amount of money and he fits the type of game they like to run: a half-court, defense-first type of game.

In the 2009 playoffs, two players raised their elevation among the NBA stars ladder: Turkoglu and Gordon. Gordon, arguably one of the most dangerous scorers in the league, will be looking to get a All-Star-type contract that will propel him to elite status.

Ben's performance in clutch moments throughout the playoffs will have a multitude of GM's heads turning. Coupled with other pieces, any team that has Gordon on its roster will be certainly guaranteed a playoff berth.

His dynamic ability to put the ball in the basket through shooting and slashing will earn him big bucks for next season.

His salary of $6.5 million this past season will seem like an insult if any teams choose to offer him that this year.

Considering that he turned down the $10 million a year last season, he will be looking to get way more this time around, well withing the $11 million-$13 million range. It's well-deserved, too, I might add.

Possible Destinations: Detroit, New Jersey, and Chicago.

Prediction: Chicago signs him for a long term deal worth about $13 million annually. The Bulls realize that they wouldn't have made it that close to doing anything in the playoffs if it wasn't for Gordon, signing him is on the top of their agenda, they will match any deal.

Ron Artest proved most of the doubters wrong with his performance last season. He averaged 17 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists, and on top of all that, he wasn't a distraction.(except the playoff hairdo).

Ron's big body and defensive capablities will serve well for any team to sign him, plus he can put the ball in the basket.

His defensive tenacity alone has teams interested in getting him for the upcoming year. He can guard anyone on the court and would be a real pivotal piece in a team's structure.

Ron stated he would like to be back with Houston, but won't give them a team discount. His previous salary was $7.6 million a year and he will be looking to get a contract around three years in the $9 million-$10 million range.

With this economy, many teams will hesitate to give him this, but if a team does, he will be well worth it just for the toughness and his willingness to win.

Possible Destination: Detroit, Toronto, Houston, and Portland

Prediction: Ron Artest stays with the Houston Rockets and signs a short term deal worth around $8 million to $9 million a year.

Artest was undermined for the Rockets success and if the Rockets want to continue their playoff run, it's a necessity that they resign him.

Paul Millsap is a young player who has the potential to be a great player in this league.

His rebounding ability and his ability to finish around the basket will get him some looks from other teams, but i don't think he will be going anywhere not named Utah.

Millsap will be looking to make around $7 million-$9 million next season and the Jazz will be happy to pay him that. He will be alongside D Will and Brewer as the staple of the Jazz for many years to come.

Utah is ready to match any offers made to this guy, so teams will try as they might to pry him away from the Jazz, but it will be to no avail because it is almost certain he will be coming back to Salt Lake next year. Certain on one condition...

It is certain he will come back only on one condition: if Boozer opts out.

So if Boozer doesn't, that would put the Jazz in a huge predicament and might hinder this guy from signing back with the Jazz.

Considering all these circumstances, here are the teams that are very well interested in signing young Millsap.

Possible Destinations- Dallas, Chicago, Utah, Oklahoma City, and Detroit.

Prediction- Millsap will resign with the Jazz, even if Boozer doesn't opt out. I think they are willing to pay the luxury tax for this guy.

Trevor Ariza had a breakout 2009 year for the Los Angeles Lakers. He showed that he is a good defenseman, shooter, and slasher. All the qualities for any team to sign him towards the Mid-Level Exception (MLE).

Ariza's numbers for the Lakers where not impressive at all, its what he did outside of the normal statsheet that have teams coveting him. He has a great understanding for the game and can play a remarkable role on any team.

Ariza got paid $1 million a year last season and will be looking to get a deal towards the MLE, a hefty raise from that measly million.

Possible Destinations: Portland, Miami, Detroit, Los Angeles (Lakers)

Prediction: Trevor Ariza will sign with the L.A. Lakers for about $6 million annually. Ariza has no reason to leave a great city like LA and another opportunity for a championship ring.

David Lee, coming off one of his most productive seasons of his career, is chasing a big contract. Although i think he is the seventh best free agent out of this class, he won't have any more success then he does now.

His stat line of 16 points and 10 rebounds might look really impressive on a sheet of paper, but I think only a couple teams take a chance on this guy, he is at best a role player on a good team, not worth what he wants, which is 10 million a year...a very steep price.

The question is though, will teams pay him what he wants? Lee is asking $10 million a year, really expensive for any teams in this economic condition, especially for a potential role player on a good team.

I think ultimately, his best bet is to stay in New York and play in a great city where he is adored by fans.

Possible Destinations- New York, Dallas, Portland, New Jersey, and Detroit.

Prediction- David Lee stays with New York for about $6 million a year. The Knicks don't want to lose this guy, but i think they might if a team gets infatuated with him and offers him an unmatchable contract.

Lamar Odom is coming off a decent season, averaging 11 points and 8 rebounds, great for any supporting role player.

Even though he might get some offers from other teams, I really believe that he wants to stay in LA, at any cost.

Basically, the intent for Odom is "get me whatever money is available after you guys sign Ariza."

This isn't a bad plan. Coming back to the Lakers would benefit him and the organization. He will have a great chance at another ring and to play by Kobe again.

At 29 years of age, he is still in the prime of his career, and will fill important roles on a good team like the Lakers, but he will get significantly less money than his $14 million last season.

Possible Destinations- Lakers, Detroit, and Portland.

Prediction- Odom will sign with the Lakers at the MLE in hopes for a repeat title win.

Allen Iverson is maybe the most underrated player in this year's free agent class. His shooting, handling, and penetrating abilities are really valuable, but it's one disability that has his value down to the ground.

His tenure with the Pistons really hurt his stock and the chance that he will get anything above the Veteran's minimum salary.

The most likely destination for Allen Iverson is Charlotte, getting coached under Larry Brown during his years with the Sixers, it would be the best fit for him.

His stats last year were 17 points and 5 assists, some may ask, Why wouldn't any team want that? Especially for a low salary contract.

The answer is his defensive presence, which is equivalent as a lawn chair on the court. His defensive ability is what is really preventing this guy from becoming any greater of a player and signing with a decent team next year.

I think he will have a major comeback year next year, though it will be under a mediocre team like the Bobcats.

Possible Destinations: Charlotte and Dallas

Prediction: Allen Iverson signs with the Charlotte Bobcats at the minimum veteran salary.

Brazilian center Anderson Varejao proved last year that he is a decent role player and well capable of playing his position very well.

His stat line of 8 points and 7 rebounds is very acceptable, especially considering that he was a back up and not playing as a real offensive option.

Expected to opt out of his contract with the Cavaliers, Anderson will be looking to get a contract above the $6 million threshold.

A few teams will be looking to spend that kind of money on a decent low post presence, but all things considered, Varejao will be bought at the right price, his agent's mentality basically is that he goes to the highest bidder.

Possible Destinations: Dallas, New York, Orlando, and Oklahoma City.

Prediction- Anderson Varejao will sign with the Dallas Mavericks. They are in dire need of a good low post presence who can rebound and be effective. He will be a good fit if he signs there.

Veteran Shawn Marion will be looking to find a new city after coming off a $18 million contract. A handful of teams would like to add a savvy veteran of Marion's caliber to their squad, especially at a chap contract.

Even though Marion is 31, he is very well capable of scoring, defending multiple positions, and being a good leader, all very good qualities if any team was to go out and sign him.

If he does sign with a good team, look for him to have a very productive season where he is a back up or playing a sixth man role.

Possible Destinations: Toronto, Oklahoma city, Utah, and Detroit.

Prediction- Marion signs with Oklahoma City, providing a good back up role behind Durant, and providing great leadership for a very young team.

Coming off a decent season, Jason Kidd will be looking to hit free agency and help a playoff team on their bout of the title.

J. Kidd very well proved that he can lead a team in the playoffs, leading the Mavericks to a round one victory over the Spurs.

Even though Jason Kidd is 36, many contending teams will be looking to add him to their roster.

Kidd wants a multi-year, $9 million annual contract. Expensive yes, but well worth it, especially in a future Hall of Famer like Kidd.

I think the best fit for Kidd is a fast break young team that is athletic and good, AKA Portland Trail Blazers. That ultimately would be the best scenario for Kidd and it would be ideal for the Blazers, considering their PG troubles.

Possible Destinations- Dallas, Portland, Cleveland, and Atlanta.

Prediction- Kidd signs a contract with a team then will be dealt in a sign-and-trade deal with Portland.

Browless sensation Charlie V will be available in a few days. Villanueva, coming off the best season of his career, will be looking for a significant pay raise, but will anyone take a chance on this guy?

I certainly would, he averaged 16 points and seven rebounds, a great supporting role player, perfect for any good upcoming or playoff team. Charlie will be looking to get a deal well in the $6 million range, which I think he will get.

Thanks to the Bucks dealing Jefferson, it saved them enough money to get match any potential deal, which i think they will do.

Possible Destinations- Milwaukee, Cleveland, and New York.

Prediction- He will get signed by Milwaukee because they can match any offer given to him, and since they got Jennings, he will be the main priority sign.

Andersen is the best defensive presence in this whole free agent pool. He is a bundle of energy, his block efficiency is out of this world, and he has the coolest hair (sorry, Varejao).

Chris Andersen isn't much of an offensive presence, but coming off the bench for the Nuggets he proved that he is a very important role player and one of the best blockers in this league.

I think any team would love to have this guy on their squad, especially since he won't demand that much.

Ultimately, I think he will re-sign with the Nuggets, that organization has been nothing but loyal to him and now is the chance for him to repay the favor.

It is certainly interesting where he lands, he has ties to Texas, so maybe he goes to one of the big three. Dallas has certain interest in and it would be the best fit.

Possible Destination- Denver, Dallas, Indiana, Okalahoma City, Detroit, and Miami. Actually i think you could throw the whole league into the interested category.

Prediction- Andersen re-signs with Denver, they really need him as a support player and if he wants a ring, his best chance is with the city that has been most loyal to him.

Raymond Felton is one of the best young point guards on the rise. His ability to shoot, penetrate, and run the point will give many teams incentive to sign this young budding guard.

With a few teams still without a solid point guard, Felton is a great option. He averaged 16 points and seven assists this previous season, a very solid statline for any team to get him.

His salary this previous season was $4.1 million. He will looking to get more this go around, which many teams won't hesitate to give him.

The Charlotte Bobcats expressed interest in keeping Felton, but it would be a tough task for them to accomplish. They lose $10 million every year, and it would only add to their financial woes to match an offer above the MLE.

Possible Destinations- Dallas, Charlotte, Atlanta, and Philladelphia.

Prediction- Raymond Felton stays with the Bobcats, on the condition they trade off some salaries to keep a manageable budget for them to sign him.

Brandon Bass- Solid rebounder, good mid level shooter, and a decent defensive presence. Prediction- Resigns with Dallas.

Ramon Sessions- Athletic, penetrator, good shooter. Prediction- Signs with Dallas, If Jason kidd leaves.

Rasheed Wallace- Experienced, good shooter, decent defender. Prediction- resigns with the Pistons at a low salary.

Stephon Marbury- Decent shooter, defender, passer. Prediction- resigns with the Celtics at the veteran minimum.

Marcin Gortat- Good defender, decent offensive option, good rebounder. Prediction- signs with the New York Knicks at $3 million per season.