2012 NBA Free Agency: Andre Miller and 20 Under-the-Radar Pickups for Contenders

With Dwight Howard off the market for at least another season and Deron Williams likely choosing between his New Jersey Nets and the Dallas Mavericks (per the New York Daily News), most contenders will have to settle for less flashy free-agent acquisitions come the 2012 offseason.

Fortunately, it might only take a guy like Andre Miller to make a difference for these teams. After all, the best of the best don't need much to get a little better.

Here's a list of 20 players who will be free agents in the 2012 offseason, along with some thoughts about their destinations and the chance of them becoming a missing piece for a contender looking to take that next step.

Marcus Camby, C, Houston Rockets (Unrestricted)

Projected 2012-2013 Salary: $4-5 million

Potential Destinations: Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat

There aren't many contenders that couldn't use a guy like Marcus Camby. He still plays great defense and rebounds with the best of them.

The question is whether the 38-year-old veteran will even continue playing and, if he does, how much of a pay cut he's willing to take in order to win.

The Rockets will probably want to hold on to him if he's amenable. With Jordan Hill traded to the Lakers, the only other experienced center on the roster next season is Samuel Dalembert.

That said, Houston is still a piece or two away from contending, and Camby might prefer to fill Miami's hole in the middle or provide depth to a team that's closer to a title (like Dallas or San Antonio).

Jamal Crawford, SG, Portland Trail Blazers (Unrestricted)

Projected 2012-2013 Salary: $5 million

Potential Destinations: Portland Trail Blazers, Los Angeles Clippers, Minnesota Timberwolves

Jamal Crawford has a much better chance of landing with a solid team aspiring to contend than he does with an actual contender. He gives teams a versatile scorer who can start or reprise his sixth-man role, and he's proven to be consistent over the years.

CBS Sports' Ken Berger reported the Clippers were interested in Crawford earlier this season, and Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski reported he could have ended up with the Timberwolves. Either team could again make a play for him, potentially via sign-and-trade if the cap space isn't there. 

Crawford does have a player option to return to Portland for another season, but at only 32, it's hard to believe he won't opt out and look for a longer deal. 

Baron Davis, PG, New York Knicks (Unrestricted)

Projected 2012-2013 Salary: $2-3 million

Potential Destinations: New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat

Even with Jeremy Lin sidelined, Baron Davis has yet to find much of a rhythm in New York. He's proven that he can still distribute the ball and run an offense, but he's shooting just 34 percent this season and 26 percent from beyond the arc.

You might be thinking a contender would be better off finding a more efficient backup in the second round of the draft, but remember a couple of things. First, Davis is a veteran, and veteran point guards can play important roles even with diminished ability.

Second, it's still too soon to put a ceiling on what he's capable of doing. He came into a shortened season injured, lived through a coaching change and adapted to inconsistent playing time and changing responsibilities. So sure, maybe his shot's a little off.

He could still help someone out. 

Goran Dragic, PG, Houston Rockets (Unrestricted)

Projected 2012-2013 Salary: $6 million

Potential Destinations: Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, Portland Trail Blazers

Goran Dragic has done wonders for his market value while Kyle Lowry has been sidelined with the Houston Rockets.

In his last 10 games, he's averaging 18.3 points, 8.7 assists and 2.2 steals for a depleted Rockets squad that's somehow managed to look better than it has all season. On the one hand, that's a level of production that Houston may be reluctant to part with.

On the other hand, the team is set at the point for the foreseeable future with Lowry, and Dragic may look for a situation where he could start or at least play a more prominent sixth-man role. If the Mavericks lose out on Deron Williams, Dragic could be the starting place for an intriguing "Plan B." He could also provide the cap-strapped Lakers with a nice spark off the bench, but only if Los Angeles arranged a sign-and-trade scenario. 

Meanwhile, Portland certainly needs help at the point and could afford to make a run at a guy like Dragic. The Trail Blazers may not quite be a "contender," but they're a lot closer than their record would indicate. 

Randy Foye, SG, Los Angeles Clippers (Unrestricted)

Projected 2012-2013 Salary: $4-5.5 million

Potential Destinations: Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics

Randy Foye isn't the most exciting free-agent prospect, but he's not a bad find for a good team in need of some depth and long-distance shooting. Foye isn't exactly a star, but he's been a model of consistency over his six seasons and filled in nicely this year in Chauncey Billups' absence.

He might be in line for a better payday, too, were it not for the likelihood the new collective bargaining agreement will make teams more cautious.

For all we know, Foye might end up staying with the Clippers, but that may depend on what Los Angeles decides to do with the newly acquired Nick Young, also a shoot-first 2-guard.

Kirk Hinrich, PG/SG, Atlanta Hawks (Unrestricted)

Projected 2012-2013 Salary: $5 million

Potential Destinations: Atlanta Hawks, Washington Wizards, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers

At this point in his career, Kirk Hinrich is best suited to be a sixth man, even if he has started a few games for the Hawks this season. Still, he has good size for a point guard and remains a capable spot-up shooter.

While there are at least a couple of contenders that may be interested in backcourt depth, Hinrich could probably make more money with a rebuilding team like the Wizards. He'd be the perfect veteran complement to a young team in need of some basketball IQ and locker-room savvy.

George Hill, PG/SG, Indiana Pacers (Restricted)

Projected 2012-2013 Salary: $6 million

Potential Destinations: Indiana Pacers, Boston Celtics, Portland Trail Blazers, New Jersey Nets, Dallas Mavericks

George Hill has some solid point guard skills, but he'll be most attractive to teams looking for a backcourt scorer who can hold his own defensively. He didn't work out an extension with Indiana, but that doesn't mean he won't be back.

Meanwhile, plenty of teams could be on the lookout for a point guard upgrade, and Hill isn't a terrible fallback plan if you're missing out on Deron Williams. He's still on the upside of his career and has developed a winning pedigree in his four seasons with San Antonio and Indiana.  

Grant Hill, SF, Phoenix Suns (Unrestricted)

Projected 2012-2013 Salary: $4-5 million (maybe veteran's minimum if it means a ring)

Potential Destinations: Phoenix Suns, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers

Grant Hill may be at the point where he's better off playing a Shane Battier sort of role off the bench, but this 39-year-old can still play; there's no question about that.

His shooting is off compared to last season, but the shortened season might be taking a toll on those legs. More importantly, he's still a very good wing defender and an incomparable locker-room presence. If the Lakers could find a creative way to acquire Hill, he'd be a nice addition to a struggling core of small forwards.

There's also a good chance he stays in Phoenix, where the famed training staff is a huge plus for aging vets like Hill.

Jordan Hill, C, Los Angeles Lakers (Unrestricted)

Projected 2012-2013 Salary: $5-6 million 

Potential Destinations: Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, Portland Trail Blazers 

If Jordan Hill's projected salary seems high to you, just remember how much money the Los Angeles Clippers ended up showing DeAndre Jordan.

Hill is less proven, to be sure, and he isn't benefiting from the nonexistent playing time he's seeing with the Lakers. He's yet to have anything resembling a breakout season, but he's still only 24.

Los Angeles may try to hold onto him as a long-term project, but teams in need of a young, athletic center might be willing to make the Lakers work for it. 

Josh Howard, SF, Utah Jazz (Unrestricted)

Projected 2012-2013 Salary: $3-5 million

Potential Destinations: Utah Jazz, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets

Much like Grant Hill, Josh Howard could add some valuable depth to teams with need of help on the wing. He's still got a good midrange game, as well as a penchant for grabbing offensive rebounds and playing solid defense.

He won't make a huge impact with his team—in his last two seasons, he's seen a reduced role and averaged in the eight-point neighborhood. Nevertheless, he's settled into that role and could easily help a good team off the bench.

Kris Humphries, PF, New Jersey Nets (Unrestricted)

Projected 2012-2013 Salary: $6-7 million

Potential Destinations: New Jersey Nets, Boston Celtics 

Kim Kardashian may not want him, but that doesn't mean the Nets won't.

Kris Humphries signed a somewhat pricey one-year, $8 million deal with the New Jersey Nets prior to the season, but his consistently solid performance could earn him a long-term deal in a similar dollar range.

Humphries is averaging a double-double for the second year in a row and having his best season yet. He's not the most versatile guy in the world, but he's an excellent rebounder and improved defender. Plenty of teams could use someone like that, especially in his prime.

The problem for Humphries is two-fold: He's a slightly above-average power forward in a free-agent class flush with them (Carl Landry, Ersan Ilyasova, Jason Thompson, etc.), and there are a number of good bigs in this year's draft class.

The need for Humphries' services may suffer accordingly, but he could still help out a good team in the right role—or, he could continue to start in New Jersey.

The Nets could use a strong rebounder next to Brook Lopez. 

Ersan Ilyasova, PF, Milwaukee Bucks (Unrestricted)

Projected 2012-2013 Salary: $7 million

Potential Destinations: Milwaukee Bucks, New Jersey Nets, Boston Celtics 

In his fourth season, Ersan Ilyasova is having his best year with 12.7 points and 8.8 rebounds per game and is in line for a nice raise. According to the New York Daily News, the Nets have shown some interest in acquiring the young forward. You'd have to imagine any team looking to get younger in the paint will take a look.

Without Andrew Bogut to anchor Milwaukee's paint, the Bucks could also be willing to spend some money to keep this guy around.

Ilyasova is more of a mid-range shooter than a legitimate paint presence, so he may not be everyone's cup of tea. Still, his scrappy defense and willingness to take the charge will convince some team he's worth the investment. 

Antawn Jamison, PF, Cleveland Cavaliers (Unrestricted)

Projected 2012-2013 Salary: $4-6 million

Potential Destinations: Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, Golden State Warriors, Charlotte Bobcats 

There's still a good chance that Antawn Jamison winds up back in Cleveland and remains part of the mentoring process Byron Scott's young team desperately needs. If he bolts, it probably won't be to a contender.

Sure, there's a chance a team like Boston could use another spread-4 if things don't work out with Jeff Green, but Jamison is more likely to continue what he's doing now—serving as the token locker-room veteran.

Younger teams like the Bobcats could use the scoring and might be an attractive venue for the UNC alum, and he could always try to sign back on with his old Warriors. 

Jared Jeffries, PF, New York Knicks (Unrestricted)

Projected 2012-2013 Salary: $2-3 million

Potential Destinations: New York Knicks, Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks

Jared Jeffries isn't necessarily due for a huge raise, but his stretch of solid play during the height of Linsanity could get him a few looks. With Amar'e Stoudemire always an injury away from irrelevance, though, New York may not want to lose depth in the middle.

Jeffries doesn't do much except use his length to defend, but that could prove desirable to a defense-first coach like Doc Rivers or Rick Carlisle. Jeffries would be an especially intriguing low-cost option in Dallas if the organization lets go of Shawn Marion and Lamar Odom. 

Chris Kaman, C, New Orleans Hornets (Unrestricted)

Projected 2012-2013 Salary: $7-9 million

Potential Destinations: New Orleans Hornets, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Boston Celtics, Indiana Pacers 

Chris Kaman will out-price most of the contenders' budgets, but teams in need of centers might look to orchestrate a sign-and-trade with the New Orleans Hornets. At one point prior to the trade deadline, the Hornets seemed intent on moving Kaman's expiring contract, only to later keep him in the fold.

Kaman became exponentially more valuable with Emeka Okafor on the sideline, and he's done nothing but help his value over the second half of the season. Plenty of good teams could use a big center with a decent midrange game. 

Look for Kaman to become a consolation prize for teams missing out on Roy Hibbert. 

Carl Landry, PF, New Orleans Hornets (Unrestricted)

Projected 2012-2013 Salary: $6-7 million

Potential Destinations: New Orleans Hornets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat

Unless a contender in need of front-line depth can swing a sign-and-trade for Carl Landry, he's more likely to end up with the Hornets or a similarly middling club.

Landry has averaged over 12 points and five rebounds for his career, but doesn't offer the size or defensive advantages most teams are looking for in a power forward. He could make sense as a sixth man to bring some offense off the bench, but if this season's contract is any indication of the kind of money he wants, Landry will probably probably wind up on a bad team willing to overspend.

Andre Miller, PG, Denver Nuggets (Unrestricted)

Projected 2012-2013 Salary: $4-5 million

Potential Destinations: Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Houston Rockets, Portland Trail Blazers

Andre Miller is already 36, if you can believe it, but he's settled into a nice backup role in Denver that he could repeat with another good team for another couple of years.

Portland might be eager to have a "do-over" after trading Miller for Raymond Felton blew up in its face. If the Rockets don't hang onto Goran Dragic, Miller would be a more than capable replacement.

At this late stage in his career, Miller might be willing to come at a discount for an elite team like the Lakers or Heat. Both clubs could use some point guard depth and veteran leadership.

Brandon Rush, SG, Golden State (Restricted)

Projected 2012-2013 Salary: $4-5 million

Potential Destinations: Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics

There may not be enough of a market for Brandon Rush to make the Warriors think twice about matching other teams' offers, but he could certainly provide some useful depth on the wing for struggling benches in Boston or Los Angeles.

The 26-year-old guard seems to have topped out as a heavily used bench player, but he's easily having his most efficient season and shooting 48 percent (an impressive 44 percent from range).

Rush could probably fit into a team's mid-level exception, giving him a number of options if Golden State elects to pass and preserve its flexibility. 

Jason Terry, SG/PG, Dallas Mavericks (Unrestricted)

Projected 2012-2013 Salary: $6.5 million

Potential Destinations: Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat, New Jersey Nets, Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, Portland Trail Blazers

Jason Terry already told FOX Sports Florida he has some wild ideas about joining the Miami Heat, but it would likely take a sign-and-trade to get him to a team like the Heat or the Lakers. If he's willing to take a deal that fits under the mid-level exception, that might expand his options.

If the Mavericks don't sign Deron Williams, Jet's return becomes more likely. And if Dallas does sign Williams, it's not inconceivable that Terry could trade places and wind up with his old coach Avery Johnson and the Nets.

Whatever happens, Terry can still play and make a big difference for a contender off the bench. He's averaging over 15 points this season and can be dangerous when he heats up.

Jason Thompson, PF, Sacramento Kings (Restricted)

Projected 2012-2013 Salary: $5-6 million

Potential Destinations: Sacramento Kings, Boston Celtics, New Jersey Nets, Dallas Mavericks

Jason Thompson's odds of landing with a contender are slim—unless he can persuade a team with cap space (e.g. Boston or Dallas) to give him a shot, his best chance at a payday probably comes with Sacramento or another young club in the midst of rebuilding.

Given that Thompson's a restricted free agent, Sacramento has the upper hand in retaining him, anyway. He's had a mixed history and infrequent playing time with the Kings, but his length, rebounding ability, athleticism and upside will net him an opportunity to prove himself somewhere.

Still only 25, the 12th overall pick in 2008 certainly deserves the chance. He could become a quality starter before it's all said and done.