NBA Free Agents 2011: 7 Teams That Need to Make a Splashy Signing This Summer

One of the many reasons the NBA is currently in a lockout is over issues with the salary cap.

In the next collective bargaining agreement, the owners want a hard salary cap that sets a strict limit on the money teams can spend on player salaries, while the players want a soft cap, similar to the one the NBA has used for a number of years where there are loopholes and exceptions that allow teams to spend over the cap.

The next time free agency opens for teams, there are several franchises that will need to make a splashy signing to improve their team.

We're not sure when free agency will open, it could be this summer, or even next summer if the lockout goes into the regular season.

This summer and next summer there are many star players who will hit free agency and draw lots of attention from teams, such as Tyson Chandler and Nene this summer, and possibly Chris Paul, Deron Williams, and Dwight Howard next summer.

Teams may spend money this year, but many may look to save their cash for next year's free agent crop.

However, the uncertainty of how the salary cap will work in the new CBA may make teams more cautious in free agency, because giving out bad contracts may be even more debilitating to a franchise, especially if there's a hard cap.

Let's look at seven teams that need to make a big signing when free agency opens up.

Nicholas Goss is an NBA and Oklahoma City Thunder Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter for NBA news and analysis.

Milwaukee Bucks

The Milwaukee Bucks have a bit over $6 million in salary cap room this summer, and they need a shooting guard.

Michael Redd has missed many games over the last few seasons die to injuries, and a perimeter shooter would be a great addition for them.

The Bucks drafted well last month by selecting Tobias Harris of Tennessee and Jon Leuer of Wisconsin, so a veteran to add to a mostly young roster would be a good idea for free agency as well.

Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns have almost $9 million in cap space this summer, and finding Steve Nash's future replacement and a true center are two primary needs.

Nash won't be in the NBA much longer, and the Suns currently have no one that can step into the point guard role and lead the team for the future.

Since All-Star forward Amare Stoudemire left in free agency last summer they haven't found a physical big man to replace him.

Robin Lopez and Channning Frye are good players, but they are not intimidating or effective scorers in the paint.

Golden State Warriors

The Golden State Warriors biggest need this season is the same as it's been for a long time, get a good center.

The Warriors haven't been an intimidating team in the paint for a long time, and a legitimate center who can play defense would help them out tremendously.

Free agent centers Nene of the Denver Nuggets and Tyson Chandler of the Dallas Mavericks are two potential targets for the Warriors.

If Golden State decides to finally trade shooting guard Monta Ellis this summer, they will have even more cap space to work with.

Minnesota Timberwolves

Since Kevin Garnett was traded to the Boston Celtics in the summer of 2007, the Minnesota Timberwolves have been among the NBA's worst teams.

Not only have they drafted terribly since trading Garnett, they haven't made smart free agent signings.

They signed center Darko Milicic to a long term contract that pays about $6 million a year, which is one of the worst contracts ever because Milicic is perhaps the biggest bust in draft history.

This summer the T-Wolves have almost $10 million to spend, and center and shooting guard are two positions of need.

They are a very young team, so finding a veteran player to come in and mentor the young players, especially young point guard Ricky Rubio who is finally coming over to the U.S. after playing his first professional seasons in Spain.

Detroit Pistons

After making the Eastern Conference Finals six times in the 2000s, the Detroit Pistons are now in rebuilding mode.

Last year was a complete mess in Detroit, as many veterans couldn't get along with the coaching staff and some players wanted out of town.

The Pistons have almost $10 million in cap space this summer, and need a lot of help.

Veteran guards Rip Hamilton and Rodney Stuckey, as well as veteran forward Tayshaun Prince could be on their way out of town this summer, so finding a perimeter defender and a shooter are Detroit's biggest needs.

Convincing someone to come to a team who is rebuilding and has little chance of making the playoffs could be a tough sell for Pistons general manager Joe Dumars to make.

Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets have lots of talent heading into the 2011-12 season, and they may even trade some of their young talent for an established star.

Either way, having over $10 million in salary cap space is a good luxury to have. 

The Rockets have two big needs, center and point guard.

Yao Ming is unlikely to return to Houston with his lingering foot injuries, and Jonny Flynn hasn't shown he can be a good starter in the NBA.

The Rockets have the trade assets and cap space to create a nice roster next season and make a return to the playoffs.

Los Angeles Clippers

The Los Angeles Clippers have about $13 million in salary cap space this summer, and already have a talented team led by 2011 NBA Rookie of the Year Blake Griffin.

The Clippers will have to re-sign center DeAndre Jordan who is a restricted free agent this summer, who blossomed into a good center last year who has unbelievable athleticism.

The Clippers don't have a lot of depth in the frontcourt, so signing Jordan is a top priority.

Finding a veteran forward and a really good perimeter defender are two other priorities for the Clippers.