NBA Free Agents 2011: Predicting the Landing Destination for the Top 12 Forwards

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Sadly, we're still in the midst of a nasty NBA lockout and it doesn't look like we'll have basketball until January (or not at all this year).

If things get pushed back that far, brace yourselves for a free agency period more fast and furious than the exciting one we've witnessed from the NFL over the last couple weeks.

Here are the top 12 forwards who will be on the market and where they might land...

 

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Grant Hill

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He's almost 39, but Grant Hill may have one more good year left in him.  In 80 games last season, he averaged 13.2 points and 4.2 rebounds a game.

If Phoenix is determined to give Nash one more year, I expect them to sign Hill to a small one-year deal.

Tayshaun Prince

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There are a couple teams who could use a veteran small forward like Prince, but it looks like Joe Dumars is intent on retaining the former All-Star.

I expect him to sign for more money than he's worth at this point in his career in Detroit.

Jason Richardson

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Technically, Richardson is a shooting guard, but he can slide over and play the other wing position as well.

His outside shooting and general scoring ability would really help the Bulls.  Last season, he hit 189 threes and shot 40 percent from that range.

Caron Butler

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Caron Butler should be Dallas's No. 2 concern in free agency this year (after Tyson Chandler, of course).

Even if he never returns to his previous form, he'll be a valuable commodity off the bench as another guy who can take a little offensive pressure off Dirk Nowitzki.

Shane Battier

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Like Jason Richardson, Shane Battier can play both wing positions and will provide solid outside shooting to whoever picks him up.

Like many others on this list, I see Battier staying put.  Memphis will make good use of his top-notch defense and veteran leadership as they develop into a borderline contender next year.

Andrei Kirilenko

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Kirilenko's numbers have dipped a bit the last few seasons, but he's still a versatile defender who can make things difficult for opposing 2s, 3s and 4s.

As possibly the best Russian player in the league, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Russian-owned New Jersey Nets make a run at Kirilenko.  They need a small forward and he'd be a huge upgrade over Travis Outlaw.

Kris Humphries

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Kris Humphries was one of the most underrated players in the league.  When he finally got a chance to be the man at power forward (after the Derrick Favors trade), he averaged 14 points and 15 rebounds a game in March.

New Jersey will re-sign him to play with Brook Lopez and have a young frontcourt loaded with potential.

Carl Landry

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After David West takes off, the Hornets will look to retain Carl Landry to fill his shoes full-time (he did so fairly well at the end of the regular season and into the playoffs).

Jeff Green

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Jeff Green should be a pretty good-size piece of the Celtics future.  If they retain him (and I expect they will), the transition from Paul Pierce will be more seamless.

Green is a talented, athletic and versatile forward who can give Boston minutes at both forward positions next year.

If the Celtics sign Dwight Howard in 2012, the trio of Rajon Rondo, Green and Howard could be legitimate title contenders for years.

Wilson Chandler

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Chandler is another forward who can play both wing positions.  He scored at a great rate in New York and Mike D'Antoni's uptempo system, and showed some promise in Denver as well.

The Nuggets may re-sign him, but I could also see teams like the Clippers (if they miss out on Andre Iguodala via trade), Bulls and Knicks going after him.

Thaddeus Young

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The vastly underrated Thaddeus Young could instantly make a lot of teams better (including his own 76ers if Doug Collins would play him).

Last year, he averaged 12.7 points and 5.3 rebounds in just 26 minutes a game.  That works out to an average of 17.6 points and 7.3 rebounds per 36 minutes.

He can play both small and power forward, gets to the rim well and brings athleticism to defense.  He'd be a perfect fit for the Los Angeles Clippers at small forward, but I think Philadelphia will re-sign him.

David West

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It doesn't make much sense to me, but a lot of people think David West may be on his way to the Pacers this year.

They'd be a lot better off going with the emerging Tyler Hansbrough, but something about this mid-range jump-shooting, coming-off-a-torn-ACL power forward entices them.

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Andy Bailey is on Twitter  Follow @_Andy_Bailey