Topsy Turvy NBA Free Agency, Who is the Next Big Name to Get Signed?

Now that Baron Davis has agreed to sign with the Clippers for an estimated $65 million. Who are the big names left in free agency?

I can think of four right off. One is the Clippers Elton Brand, who was expected to re-sign with the Clippers. But since Golden State offered him $100 million, he has had some second thoughts.

And while he was mulling over the Warriors offer, Philadelphia has supposedly made a very lucrative offer to Brand’s agent. Hmm? I guess it pays just to sit around and ponder things over.

Meanwhile, the Clippers are pondering things over as well. Before they signed Davis, they never realized how popular Brand was. Now they are having second thoughts. Why not see if they can work out a sign-and-trade deal for Brand?

Stay tuned as the drama unfolds.

Next we have the ever popular Josh Smith. Those busy Sixers are after Smith as well. Just in case Brand doesn’t agree to their offer. But Atlanta isn’t likely to let Smith go anywhere, not without a fight.

A great low-post defender and shot-blocker, there are no doubt a number of teams that would love to add this soon-to-be All Star to their roster.

Finally, we have James Posey. The Celtics want to keep him but only for a year or two. No long term contract.

A number of teams are willing to sign him to a longer term contract. One of them, the Lakers, can only offer him the mid-level exemption. And only if they don’t use their MLE to sign Sasha Vujacic and Rony Turiaf.

Another team that would like to have Posey back besides Boston is Houston, where he played during the 2002-2003 season and averaged 9.3 PPG and 4.8 RPG.

Houston, however, really wants Corey Maggette, the fourth big name in remaining in free agency. Maggette, who opted out of his contract with the Clippers on Monday, is being courted by the San Antonio Spurs and the Orlando Magic.

It is obvious how Maggette, the Clippers leading scorer this past season, could be a benefit to all three teams. In San Antonio he could start at small forward, which would allow Manu Ginobili to continue his role as the sixth man. In Orlando, he would blend in well with Dwight Howard and Rashard Lewis and in Houston with Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady.

Even if the Rockets don’t get Maggette, Posey can be a big help to them on the defensive end.

So, there you have it. The four big names still remaining in this summer’s free agency. Who will go where?

Experts seem to think that Brand will remain with the Clippers, Posey will go to Houston, Maggette will wind up in San Antonio, and Josh Smith will stay in Atlanta.

We shall see if they are right.