NBA Free Agency 2012: 10 Impact Veterans Championship Teams Must Target

2012 is a year full of free agents, many of which are veterans. Just because they're vets, doesn't mean they're worth the money. The league minimum changes depending on how long a person has been in the NBA. Unfortunately, most vets won't play for the minimum which affects how many are really worth picking up. Then again, some of them are worth much more to a team than the minimum.

It's the combination of a player's unique skills, how much gas he has left in the tank and the type of contract he's seeking that will determine if he's worth signing.

These are the top 10 veteran free agents teams should target in the offseason.

Lamar Odom

Lamar Odom had an odd, rough season, to say the very least. He demanded a trade from the Los Angeles Lakers, ended up in Dallas and then it all went downhill...sort of. While Odom was emotionally unstable and eventually released from the Mavericks, he was still decent when he played.

This season, Odom averaged 6.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game, which a lot of teams could use. This season was full of close games, and an extra six points would be the difference between a win and a loss. Odom was also Sixth Man of the Year last year, so he's still got a lot of basketball to play.

Odom's recent breakdown may actually work in favor of teams. While he can still play, Odom has to know that he's now considered a liability. He's been in the league for 12 years, which means that the least amount he could get paid next year is $1,352,181. If he'll take something in this range, there are plenty of teams that would be stronger with the addition of Odom. 

Deron Williams

Deron Williams is a player teams will be vigorously courting in the offseason. He's a highly able point guard with six years of NBA experience under his belt. Playing for the New Jersey Nets last year, Williams averaged 21 points, 3.3 rebounds and 8.7 assists. He's one of the best guards in the game right now and would be an asset to any team.

Picking him up could be a problem for some teams, because he'll likely want a lot of money. He made $16.4 million last year and has a $17.8 million player option to stay with the soon-to-be Brooklyn Nets. There's a lot of incentive for him to stay in Brooklyn and help establish a "new" team, but he can also make tons of money elsewhere and help a team make a championship run.

Steve Nash

Steve Nash is old. Now that it's out in the open, we can move on. This was his 15th year in the NBA, and he led the Phoenix Suns to many a victory. He's got experience, drive and is a two time-MVP winner. His biggest criticism is that he has no rings. True, but to get the rings, you need a team around you that is just as dedicated.

Last season, Nash averaged 12.5 points, three rebounds and 10.7 assists. These would be valuable on any team looking for a championship.

Another upside to Nash is that he'll come relatively cheap. His salary has been around $10 million for the last six years, and he can be signed at a similar price—especially if it means the team has a strong chance to win a ring. This season he'll be an unrestricted free agent, and that will surely boost his stock with other teams.

There are reports floating around that Amar'e Stoudemire wants his old teammate to join him on the Knicks.

Andre Miller

After 12 years in the NBA, Andre Miller is still very valuable to any NBA team that wants to make a run in the playoffs. This season was Miller's lowest in average points and rebounds, but it's in the playoffs where Miller shines.

Young guys can get you through the regular season, alright. It's in the postseason where veteran experience and the ability to think quick is essential to winning. Miller is proving this right now in the series against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Miller's career playoff average is 16 points a game, making him well worth the money. This season Miller is getting paid $7.8 million. He's only playing about half the game this season, so teams should be able to pick him up at a slightly lower price.

Chauncey Billups

The only thing better than getting a cheap, valuable veteran is getting one who's coming off nearly a year of rest. Chauncey Billups signed with the Los Angeles Clippers before this season and was a huge asset to them in both leadership and basketball qualities.

He was averaging 14.9 points a game in 30 minutes. However, he suffered an Achilles tear forcing him to sit out for the season. Luckily this wasn't something he suffered from before, but rather a hazard of a shortened offseason.

Billups truly is a "best buy" for any team looking to sign him. His contract last season was $2 million, and he can be had for that or less (due to the injury), which is just above the league minimum. His stats have remained fairly consistent across the board for his entire career, which is a good sign for any team who can get him.

Jason Terry

The former runner-up Sixth Man of the Year is a free agent this year and proved himself last season to be worthy of a contract similar to his current one of $10.7 million. Despite his 12 years in the league, Terry still has a lot of fire and can make plays.

He averaged 13.8 points, 2.3 rebounds and 3.8 rebounds per game. His stat line has remained fairly consistent throughout the years, which is encouraging to anyone looking to pick him up.

Who wouldn't want a guy on their team who believes in his guys so much that he gets the championship trophy tattooed on him before he wins it? That's leadership.

Kevin Garnett

Anyone who saw the last game of the Celtics vs. Hawks finals knows that Kevin Garnett can still play ball, to say the least. In the game that finished off the Hawks season, Garnett scored 28 points, 14 rebounds and had five blocks.

In the regular season, Garnett averaged 16.8 points, 9.8 rebounds and two assists. This shows that the man, regardless of his age, can keep up with the best of them. He's played on the Celtics for the last five years, but this year his contract is up. He's currently making $21.1 million.

While he isn't getting any younger, there's still a strong argument to be made for how much ability he still has. However, this high price tag might be the reason teams with a high payroll will pass, even if he could be that last piece needed to win a championship.

Tim Duncan

Tim Duncan is still one of the best, most experienced big men in the game. He's deadly with a jumper, but can still command the paint. You can see Duncan showcasing his talents in the playoffs on a very strong Spurs team.

Duncan has a ton of veteran experience to bring to the table. He also has multiple championships and can help a team go all the way. Duncan averaged 15 points a game and 11.3 rebounds this season.

These numbers have declined during his career, but very slowly and only slightly. Watching him play makes any team wish he were a part of their roster.

This season Duncan is getting $21.2 million. 

Antawn Jamison

Antawn Jamison has not received the shine he deserves this year. Sadly, he's been locked away on the Cleveland Cavalier's roster giving him very few opportunity's to play on national television. However, he is still one of the very best veteran players in the league and he's up for free agency.

Jamison is averaging 17.2 points and is shooting roughly 40 percent. This is the consistent shooting that many teams need, especially come playoff time. Jamison is currently making $15.1 million.

While he still has a lot of basketball to play in those legs, there is the sense that this contract may be his last, after 13 years in the NBA. This means he'll be looking close at the quality of a team and the money on the table.

Jamison has no championship wins, despite his many accolades, so this is something he'll consider carefully.

Kenyon Martin

Kenyon Martin is one of those players whose stats don't accurately reflect their value. Martin has been in the NBA for 11 years, and even went to play over in China during the lockout. He came back mid-season and signed with the Los Angeles Clippers.

While Martin hasn't been a huge scorer for them, averaging about five points a game, Martin's defense is what makes him valuable.

He signed with the Clippers for $2.5 million this season. Next season he'll be an unrestricted free agent. Any team looking for a boost on the defensive end, should give Martin a long look.