Top 10 NBA Free Agents Of 2010

The phrase "Summer of 2010" has become part of the NBA fans' and Bleacher Report world.

Teams such as the New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls, and New Jersey Nets are a few teams that are trying to clear up cap space to sign big impact players that would be available in the offseason.

With that in mind, let’s take a look ahead at the free agent crop of 2010.

10. Nate Robinson

Nate Robinson, one of NBA's shortest players standing at 5'9", is an extremely agile player who is very young and can be a very good point guard on any team he plays for.

He is currently a three-time Sprite Slam Dunk Champion. In the early half of the 2009-'10 season, Robinson was removed from the rotation for 14 games, and dropped 41 points off the bench against the Hawks.

This performance was the best for the decade. He also scored 13 points against the Wizards in seven minutes.

With Nate's ability to score, and his young age, he can be a big player to sign in the summer of 2010.

Projected 2010-11 Team: Toronto Raptors.

9. Al Harrington

Even though Al Harrington has bounced from five different teams and is almost at the prime of his career in the NBA, he continues to prove that he can still shoot from mid-range and long distance.

He can still be effective on a team who dominates the mid-range and three-point stats.

Projected 2010-11 Team: Re-sign with Knicks.

8. Paul Pierce

If Pierce were younger in the summer of 2010, he‘d be higher on this list. Realistically, he’s unlikely to be available because the last year of his deal is worth $21.5 million, and he’s not going to find that kind of money elsewhere.

No one would want a 33-year-old shooting guard when there are plenty of top shooting guard prospects with better legs than Pierce. He'll be likely to stick around with Garnett and Allen.

Projected 2010-11 Team: Re-sign with Celtics.

7. Carlos Boozer

Boozer elected to play out the final year of his contract because he found out last summer that his market value didn’t meet his expectations.

Boozer is a great fit as a sidekick, so it wouldn’t be at all surprising if he landed in Miami, New York, or New Jersey. It’s highly unlikely that he stays in Utah since the Jazz just made a big commitment to Paul Millsap, who has a very similar skill set.

My Projected 2010-11 Team: New Jersey Nets.

6. Dirk Nowitzki

Nowitzki’s reputation has taken a bit of a dip over the last couple of seasons, but he’s still averaging 24 ppg, 7.7 rpg, and a .395 three-point percentage.

The Mavs are committed to him, so it’s going to be tough for Dirk to turn down the $21.5 million if the two sides are unable to reach an agreement on an extension by this summer. I don’t see Dirk leaving Dallas anytime soon.

My Projected 2010-11 Team: Re-sign with Mavs.

5. David Lee

David Lee's free agency all depends on the decision of LeBron James. Lee was a restricted free agent this past summer and ended up signing a one-year deal to stay with the Knicks.

His camp was looking for a deal averaging $8-$10 million per season, but it quickly found that the market wasn’t willing to bear that. He led the league in double-doubles in the 2008-09 season, and he continues to drag the disappointing Knicks as he improves at the center role.

He was also selected to the 2010 All-Star game. He can be a threat wherever he lands.

My Projected 2010-11 Team: All depending on LeBron James. If LeBron comes to NY, Lee can be on his way to the Warriors. If LeBron doesn't, we can see Lee back in a NYK uniform.

4. Joe Johnson and Amare Stoudemire

The Hawks raised some eyebrows when they traded future Most Improved Player Boris Diaw and two first round draft picks to the Suns for Joe Johnson.

Johnson has proved to be a great scorer, and a big threat to other teams for the Atlanta Hawks. It’s likely that Atlanta will do everything possible to retain him, as he’s the biggest reason the team is making its return to the playoffs this season.

Given his age, scoring ability, versatility and three-point accuracy (39 percent) he will be highly valued in the summer of 2010.

Stoudemire is a little bigger and stronger than Bosh, but their numbers are almost identical. Stoudemire is two years older, far more injury-prone, and isn’t as good of a defender. If the Knicks aren't able to get Bosh, Amare could be a great fit for the NYK.

Joe Johnson 2010-11 Team: Chicago Bulls Or New York Knicks.

Amare Stoudemire 2010-11 Team: Detriot Pistons Or New York Knicks

3. Chris Bosh

Chris Bosh is one of the best big men in the NBA right now behind the likes of Dwight Howard. Everyone in New York is talking about a LeBron-Bosh combo, and we could well see this All-Star make his way in the big city.

But Toronto has showed that it is willing to spend and help Bosh's career by signing Hedo Turkologu.

My Projected 2010-11 Team: New York Knicks, re-signs with Raptors, moves to New Jersey Nets.

2.Dwayne Wade

Although Wade is known as injury-prone, he can be very effective when healthy. His proneness to injuries will not degrade his free agency value.

Although he isn't a great three-point shooter, he is known to shoot all around the court. He's also a great dunker.

This summer, Wade will be seeking a max contract, and can well re-sign with the Heats, as they are also looking to add a big man to help Wade.

My Projected 2010-11 Team: Re-signs with Heats, moves to New York Knicks or Chicago Bulls.

1. KWAME BROWN!

Just joking.Kwame Brown is the biggest bust of the NBA modern era.

1. LeBron James

No doubt that LeBron James is the golden boy of the summer free agency class of 2010.

Every team is in a hunt for the king itself, the best player in the NBA right now (I'm ready for the Kobe-LeBron war).

The Cavs have signed Shaq, Anthony Parker, and Jamario Moon, and they are re-signing Anderson Varejao to help LeBron land his championship ring to keep the king in Cleveland.

If LeBron does not make it to the finals (again), we could see the LeBron era in Cleveland end, with a lucky team gaining a huge opposition this summer.

My Projected 2010-11 Team: Re-sign with Cavs, New York Knicks, New Jersey Nets.

Other Honorable Mentions

Yao Ming, C
Tracy McGrady, SG
Shaquille O’Neal, C
Richard Jefferson, SF
Michael Redd, SG
Josh Howard, SF
T.J. Ford, PG
Tyson Chandler, C
Ray Allen, SG
Marcus Camby, C
Raymond Felton, PG
John Salmons, G/F
Allen Iverson, G
Nate Robinson, G
Al Harrington, F
Travis Outlaw, SF