NBA Free Agents 2010: The 10 Best Bargains So Far

What we are looking at here are the best bargains as far as value for your dollar, in this past NBA free agent period.

We judge value by how much the player is used to getting paid, and what you expect to get out of them for that money.

So technically since Lebron could have made much more, the Heat got him for a bargain.

But since I might end up visiting Cleveland some day, I'll keep him off of the list.

Here we go...

No. 10: Udonis Haslem, Miami Heat

Haslem is going to make around $7 million next year, which isn't bad since he'll be a back up.

But the big story is that he signed a five-year deal Monday worth around $20 million, and left more than $10 million on the table, chosing to re-sign with Miami, instead of going to play for the Dallas Mavericks or Denver Nuggets.

Wow. That is loyalty.

No. 9: Jermaine O'Neal , Boston Celtics

I know a lot of people are going to scoff at this, but considering that Jermaine O'Neal has been making over $20 million the last few years, the fact that the Celtics could get him for a third of that is a pretty good bargain.

And with word coming out that Kendrick Perkins is out until December, and since Rasheed Wallace is retiring, O'Neal will be very valuable.

No. 8: Tony Allen, Memphis Grizzlies

I have to admit, I'm kind of tough on the Memphis GM Chris Wallace. I'm sure he's a nice guy and there has to be a reason he keeps his job, so God Bless him.

But usually when his name comes up, it is because of the Gasol trade, or more recently, for vastly over-paying and bidding against himself for the rights to Rudy Gay.

But he did something really well this offseason. He stole Tony Allen from the Celtics, and though they won't admit it now, it hurt.

And he did so for only $3 million a year. Great job, Chris!

No. 7: Ronnie Brewer, Chicago Bulls

Whether Brewer starts or plays behind Korver, he will get big minutes, and since he's 6'7" he'll also come in for Luol Deng when he is tired or injured.

So getting a good on-ball defender, who can play two positions, and get close to 10 points a game, all for under $5 million bucks, is a bargain.

This is especially true with the way teams were throwing money around.

No. 6: Steve Blake, Los Angeles Lakers

Kobe's Lakers, just like Jordan's Bulls before them, never really needed a point guard. Sure, they'd take one if someone had a spare, but between Kobe, Fisher, and Odom, the ball always ended up where it needed to go.

But now Kobe and Fish have significant miles on them.

So a smart, veteran point guard, who can distribute the ball and figure out the triangle offense is just what the Zen master ordered.

And if you can get him at $4 million a year?

Priceless.

No. 5: Kyle Korver, Chicago Bulls

Korver is a sharp shooter. And that is something that the Bulls need desperately.

Deng hits the mid-range shot when he is healthy and Rose likes to drive and slash more than he likes to shoot from deep.

Furthermore, Heinrich is gone, so Korver has a perfect spot waiting for him every time Rose drives and kicks it.

And at $5 million a year for three years, he should be higher up on this list.

No. 4: Raja Bell, Utah Jazz

Raja Bell was coveted by every team that has designs on winning next year's title. Who wouldn't want a small forward/shooting guard who is a defensive stopper?

He spurned bigger name teams to sign with the Jazz.

It may not seem like it, but for $5 million a year, he is definitely a bargain.

Plus he takes a really happy picture. I think he's smiling.

No. 3: Matt Barnes, Los Angeles Lakers

Matt Barnes was being wined and dined as much as Lebron.

Well maybe not that much, but at least three title contenders wanted him badly.

When the Lakers got him, the rest of the league pretended they didn't care, but it was a big coup for them.

And at less than $2 million a year, they get a guy who started for Orlando last year.

No. 2: Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Miami Heat

You can be sure that the Heat will use Big Z more than Cleveland used him last year. He will give the new Big Three quality minutes in the middle and also contribute low post scoring.

And by the way, they signed him for less than a $1 million.

That is totally bargain-bin prices.

No. 1: Shaquille O'Neal, TBD

Ha! I gotcha!

You thought I had Wade at No. 1. And yes, he is quite a bargain at less than $15 million a year, when the Heat could have super-maxed him.

But no, I am talking about the Diesel.

By signing him, you get the MDE—Most Dominant Ever. You get a big man with four rings.

You get a proven center who will play for the mid-level exception (I think).

You get the funniest player in the league, and you get a player with a platinum rap album.

Do you know how many guys in the league would kill to go platinum?

And because no one has offered him a contract, I'm sure he'll be on his best behavior, and even humble.

If TO can get a contract, Shaq should!

Someone, anyone?