2009's Best NBA Free Agents

After every season in the NBA there are some players whose contracts run out. When this happens, each player has the option of trying to make a deal with their former team, or they can declare free agency. If this person does declare free agency, he can be signed by any team who has enough money or roster space to satisfy his needs.

The most famous free agents before this next upcoming season are listed for you. Some of these players are very talented, and worth being signed, but others are on their way out of the league and into retirement.

Kobe Bryant

In the very slight chance that Kobe Bryant does not get resigned by the Los Angeles Lakers, many teams will be praying to be able to sign him.

There are many reasons that make him so appealing to NBA team owners, including his leadership, scoring, playmaking ability, and most importantly, his will and power to win.

He could transform a team from last place, to a championship team with only the feeling of his presence. Since there is no chance that the Lakers will pass on him, then teams like the Thunder and the Clippers will have to suffer another horrible season at the bottom of the standings.

Ben Gordon

Ben Gordon is an amazing player who has had to suffer on a losing Bulls team for way too long.

Aside from this year, the Chicago Bulls have not played well enough to even have a glimpse of a championship. In a time where there are no injuries on the team, he is forced to come off the bench, when he could definitely have a greater impact by starting.

He is one of the best shooters in the NBA, and could make a big shot from any spot or angle on the court. He would be a great fit for the Orlando Magic, who are losing their star shooter, or the New Jersey Nets who are in desperate need of a starting shooting guard.

If any team is blessed enough to have him on their team, then maybe they can win a more close battle games this upcoming season.

Shawn Marion

Shawn Marion is a powerful forward with the ability to rack up a significant amount of hype on the offensive or defensive end of the floor.

He is most definitely on the decline in his career, and his stats have been decreasing over the last few years, but he can easily be an important role player on any team that is in desperate need of one.

He could play a solid three or four position, grabbing a significant amount of offensive rebounds, which would currently be the best part of his game.

He would be a great fit for the Los Angeles Lakers, unless they sign Lamar Odom. He would be able to take his place, and even improve the numbers that were put up by Odom in the regular season, and in the playoffs.

Carlos Boozer

Carlos Boozer is an extremely talented big man whose contract just ran out with the Utah Jazz, and most likely will not be resigned.

He can grab any rebound that comes his way, and is very active on the offensive end of the game. Averaging about 16 points and 10 rebounds per game this year ranked him among the top forwards in the league. He deserves to be signed by any team with an absence in talented power forwards, and who has the necessary requirements to sign him.

He would fit in perfectly with the New Orleans Hornets, because he would be able to effectively run the pick and roll with Chris Paul any time he wanted to. This would drive teams crazy, forcing them to try to prevent this play, and allowing the shooters such as Morris Peterson, to have open threes from the wings.

Paul Millsap

Paul Millsap is a recently blooming role player, with the ability to provide key attributes from the bench. He can provide a spark off the bench, and double digit rebounding totals daily.

Although he is young player, he is mature beyond his years, which he expresses every time he steps on the court. Any team that needs a rebounder who does not desire lots of money, can definitely use a player like Millsap.

Averaging 13.5 points and 8.6 rebounds per game this last year, Millsap really deserves to be a on a prime time team getting some major minutes.

Allen Iverson

Unlike most of the other upcoming free agents this year, Allen Iverson is not a wise investment.

He has been on the decline in his statistics, and his overall ability in the last three years, including significant drops in points, and assists per game. His will to win has also been decreasing, and this has been effecting more than just his statistics, but more importantly his effort on the court, and in practice.

He does not fit in well with any team, because he does not bring any significant quality to the table, and can not be any type of role player effectively.

Marvin Williams

Marvin Williams is a young forward who is a wise investment for any team.

Specifically, teams that do not have any players who bring in a nice combination of rebounding, scoring, and play-making ability. Last season he solidly averaged about 14 points, and six rebounds per game, which is pretty decent for a rebounding role player at the three position.

If he is not re-signed, he would be a great fit for the Golden State Warriors. He would be able to keep up with their fast paced running game, and can also grab a bunch of rebounds for them.

Ron Artest

Ron Artest is an underrated basketball superstar who is also greatly under-appreciated. He is a lock-down defender who can completely transform an offensive based team, to a defensive based team with the lurking of his presence on the team.

He is gifted on both sides of the floor, which was expressed by his 17 points, three assists, five rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game last year.

He would definitely be worth the money for any team, and would be a great fit for the Cleveland Cavaliers, or the Miami Heat, because he could help them defensively, and could even start if they need him to.

Trevor Ariza

Trevor Ariza is a young and an exciting player of the future. He is now considered a role player, but it should be believed that he can become a star in the future.

His statistics last year were not very significant, but he has shown that he can take over a game when his team is not doing so already. Even though he is on a championship team now including superstars such as Kobe Bryant, he has won many games single-handedly with his explosiveness off the bench.

Even though he is on a team that runs many set plays, he seems like he would be interested to play in a run and gun offensive style.

Teams that offer this kind of offense include the Golden State Warriors, the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Portland Trail Blazers, and soon to be the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Jason Kidd

Jason Kidd, like Allen Iverson, is a player who is not worth the investment.

His statistics, including his playmaking ability, has gone down the drain, leaving Kidd with an undeniable presence on any team, no matter how bad a team has been in the past. His stats this past year have shown some talent, but he has just not sustained his star status throughout the last couple years, including a drop every year.

No team deserves to have this man carrying them down. He does deserve a lot of respect for what he has done in the past, but he will deserve to lose this respect if he does not retire within the next two years.