2012 NBA Free Agents: Top 5 Players Heading for Open Market
NBA free agency: that time of year when superstars depart for greener pastures or, more appropriately, bigger, more attractive cities.
This year's 2012 free-agent class offers plenty of star power, from point guards to scorers to big men. Whoever lands these five free agents is going to be mighty happy.
As for the New Jersey Nets, good luck this offseason.
5. Brook Lopez, C
Brook Lopez is a true seven-footer, and he's shown when he's not been limited by injuries that he can be a high-scoring big man who blocks shots. He isn't as good a rebounder as you would hope, but he's a guy any team wouldn't mind plopping on its roster. He's averaged at least 18.8 points in each of his past three seasons in New Jersey.
4. Eric Gordon, G
A sharp-shooting guard who has proven to be a pesky defender, Eric Gordon averaged 20.6 points and 1.4 steals in nine games this season with the Hornets while shooting 45 percent from the floor before going down to injury. He's injury prone, but he's a player any contender would love to have.
3. Ersan Ilyasova, PF
You get the feeling that Ersan Ilyasova is just beginning to realize his potential. Despite limited minutes this season, he blossomed into a very good player. He averaged 13.0 points and 8.8 rebounds this season while shooting 49 percent from the floor and 45 percent from downtown.
Per BehindTheBuckPass.com: Going back to the 1979-1980 season (when the three-point line was added), Ilyasova is the only player to shoot 48 percent or better from the field, 44 percent or better from three-point range and grab at least 16 percent of available rebounds when on the court in a single season. He put up big numbers despite averaging just 27 minutes this season for the Bucks.
2. Steve Nash, PG
Steve Nash may be 38 years old, but he is still playing at an All-Star-caliber level. He averaged 12.5 points and 10.7 assists this season despite being on a Phoenix Suns team without a lot of talent. Beyond his ability to make everyone around him better, he's still one of the most efficient point guards in the game, shooting 53 percent this season. Contenders are going to line up for his services this offseason.
1. Deron Williams, PG
Deron Williams is not only an excellent facilitator, when he's in a groove he's virtually unstoppable offensively. He averaged 21.0 points and 8.7 assists this season despite being on the lowly New Jersey Nets. The Nets could potentially lose both Williams and Lopez to free agency, and Williams would be a good fit with the Dallas Mavericks. Mark Cuban has been known to throw some money around.
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