NBA Free Agency: 5 Hot Scorers Who Could Move in Offseason

For a team to win in basketball, they need to score points.  For a team to score points, they need a player (or players) who can be a major offensive threat.  Fortunately, for NBA teams looking to spend some money on offense this summer, there are a few good scorers who could become available.

Take Jamal Crawford, for example.  He's a great offensive spark who is just as deadly off the bench as he is in the starting lineup, and his ability to score both in the paint and from long range doesn't hurt either.

The same can be said for Antawn Jamison, who still has it despite the fact that he'll turn 36 in a month.

Thus, in the celebration of everyone's impending free agency, here are five hotshots who could very well be available come July.

Honorable Mention: Deron Williams

Williams certainly has all of the attributes of a great scorer, but he isn't a pure one.  Rather, he is a scoring point guard.  He averaged 21 points and 8.7 assists last year while shooting 40 percent form the floor for the underachieving New Jersey Nets.

Given how the team has little key talent at the moment and with Dwight Howard opted-in for Orlando next year, chances are that Williams could very well sign with a new team this summer.  Sure, he isn't a scorer by trade, but his offensive output at least earns him an honorable mention.

No. 5: Antawn Jamison

As I mentioned before, Jamison will be 36 soon and chances are his next contract won't exceed two years in length, should he decide to continue his career.  Still, despite getting up there in years (at least by basketball standards), Jamison still has a knack for putting points on the board.

The 6'9" veteran and former North Carolina Tar Heel averaged 17.2 points and 6.3 rebounds for the Cleveland Cavaliers last year, building a great relationship with Kyrie Irving and making a good comeback from an inconsistent 2011 campaign. 

Sure, his overall stats took a dip this year, but Jamison looked a lot more comfortable on the floor and with so many teams needing veteran leadership on top of scoring, he could be a great fit.

No. 4: Jamal Crawford

All in all, Crawford had a disappointing season.  Yet, it wasn't entirely his fault.  He was unhappy in Portland and never fully adjusted to coach Nate McMillan's system, averaging just 14 points on 38 percent shooting.

Still, it should be noted that Crawford was the Sixth Man of the Year in 2010 and averaged 18 points off the bench for the Atlanta Hawks.  Long story short, the guy has proven to be an explosive scorer in the right environment and is still young at 32 years old. 

To pass on him because of one bad year on an underachieving team is not only a stupid decision, but one that is just plain silly.

No. 3: Jason Terry

Jason Terry will be 35 when the new NBA season begins, but he's still a player who can be of insurmountable value to a team's bench.  Not only has he been a phenomenal scoring threat off the bench throughout his career, but his work from three-point land is simply amazing.

He took home the Sixth Man of the Year Award in 2009, when he averaged 19.6 points on 36 percent three-point shooting.  His scoring steadily declined each year after that, but his talent from long-range is undeniable.

More importantly, Terry has something that is valuable in any locker room: championship experience.  He was a key member of the Dallas Mavericks team that won the NBA Finals last year as his clutch shooting played a huge role in the team's victories in the series.

No. 2: Chauncey Billups

Like Terry, Billups isn't getting any younger and will be 36 at the start of next season.  Still, in his brief stint as the Los Angeles Clippers shooting guard this year, he proved to still have the magic touch from long range as he averaged 15 points on 38 percent three-point shooting.  Then, a torn Achilles tendon cut his season short.

Even though Billups is no longer a spring chicken, his skills are undeniable.  He is still capable of playing point guard, has championship experience that could serve to motivate younger players and, most important of all, he can be a mentor to incoming rookies and serve as a positive influence.

More importantly, he can come through in the clutch, thus his nickname, "Mr. Big Shot."

No. 1: Eric Gordon

There's a strong possibility that Gordon will be the most sought-after scorer on the free-agent market this summer, and that's after a season in which he only played in nine games due to injury.  Still, over that stretch, the former Hoosier averaged 20.6 points and his injury problems hurt the Hornets badly.

Still, when he's healthy, Gordon's skills are undeniable.  He has a natural shooting touch and can make shots from any spot on the floor.  Even better, he picks his shots wisely, and his 45 percent career shooting shows it.

He's also just 23 years old, which will surely lure many teams in need of a shooting guard.