2012 NBA Free Agents: Veterans Who Need to Go Ring-Chasing
The big prize of the 2012 NBA free-agent class will be Deron Williams. The New Jersey Nets guard decided back in March that he would not be exercising his one-year contract option, according to the New York Daily News.
After Williams, there's something of a drop-off in this year's free-agent class. There are some intriguing players, to be sure, but there are also a lot of unspectacular players and a few veterans who don't have much left to give.
There are, however, some veterans who still have a lot to give. They should keep playing, and they should look to land with teams that will be in the championship hunt next season. After years and years of faithful service, these veterans owe it to themselves to go ring-chasing.
There are five players in particular who come to mind.
Note: ESPN.com has a full list of free agents for both this year and next year.
Tim Duncan
I'm just playing. Tim Duncan has done enough, and he certainly has enough jewelry.
Andre Miller
Andre Miller has been around for a long time, but this season was a new experience for him. He's used to being a starter, but he entered Wednesday with just seven starts in 64 games.
That's going to be Miller's lot in life if he chooses to continue playing after his contract is up with the Denver Nuggets. He still has a lot to give, but not as a starter.
And that's fine. Any team looking for a guy who can come off the bench and dish the rock around is going to be interested in the 36-year-old Miller. He won't offer much in terms of scoring, but that's always been the case with Miller. He's a pass-first, shoot-second guard.
Miller would be a good veteran presence on a young team. I, for one, wonder if the Oklahoma City Thunder could give him a look, as they stand to lose veteran point guard Derek Fisher this offseason. Miller would be a nice change of pace from Russell Westbrook.
Michael Redd
This season was a success for Michael Redd, and I say that simply because he was able to stay healthy for the first time in a long time.
Redd wasn't able to log too many minutes with the Phoenix Suns, but he was able to play in 51 games. The last time he played in that many games was in 2007-2008.
Obviously, Redd is no longer the impact scorer that he once was. However, he can still shoot, and shooters will always have a home in the NBA. A team looking for a knockdown shooter to bring off the bench should take a look at Redd, though any team that signs him will definitely have to be careful not to test his knees too much.
Maybe it's a little too obvious, but Redd strikes me as a good fit for the Dallas Mavericks. They stand to lose a lot of players to free agency this offseason. Since they have a bit of a soft spot for veteran guards who can shoot, maybe they'll give Redd a look.
Tracy McGrady is yet another guy who has had to overcome injury problems in his career. But just like Redd, McGrady settled into a nice bench role with the Atlanta Hawks this season.
To date, McGrady has gotten into 51 games, usually only playing 15 to 20 minutes a pop. He's definitely not the explosive athlete he used to be, but he can still handle the rock and he can still put it in the basket.
McGrady could choose to retire, but he should be encouraged enough by the season he's had to keep playing. While I won't rule out him re-upping with Atlanta, the best option for McGrady is to go around and shop his services to clear championship contenders.
The Los Angeles Clippers stand to lose a couple guards to free agency, including aged veteran Chauncey Billups. Perhaps they'll be interested in bringing in McGrady.
Antawn Jamison
Antawn Jamison said (via NBA Fanhouse) last January that this season could be his last. He's had a long career, and goodness knows he's been through a lot.
This is what Jamison had to say after the Cleveland Cavaliers' loss to the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night, via Tom Withers of the Associated Press:
"Antawn Jamison said he won't be coming back to Cleveland next season. "It’s time for me to move on as well."
— Tom Withers (@twithersAP) April 26, 2012"
I won't blame Jamison if he decides to call it a career, but after all he's been through, I think he owes it to himself to take one last shot at winning a championship.
Besides, Jamison showed this season that he still has plenty of gas left in his tank. He's started every night and he's averaging better than 17 points per game. Not many 35-year-olds can claim to have done the same.
If Jamison chooses to shop his talents around, there will be interested parties. I wouldn't rule out a reunion with LeBron James in Miami.
Steve Nash
Steve Nash probably played his last game ever in Phoenix on Wednesday night—at least as a member of the Suns, anyway.
Nash could re-up with the Suns this offseason, but he shouldn't. The Suns had their chances to win a championship, and they couldn't get it done. If Nash wants to win a ring, he needs to head elsewhere.
Nash is pretty old at 38, but my guess is that he still has a few good years left in him. He should take advantage of those years by heading to a star-studded team that he knows is going to contend.
I think you know which team I'm talking about—you know, the one in South Beach.
