2012 NBA Free Agents: Best UFAs Available at Each Position
The 2012 NBA free agent market isn't as loaded as the 2010 market was, but isn't as bad as 2011 either. It could get a lot better once we know for sure what Deron Williams and Andrew Bynum's status will be.
Williams holds a player option to become an unrestricted free agent. He seems ready to test the market, but until June 30, nothing is official. Thus I didn't include him in this list, as he would have clearly been the choice as the top unrestricted point guard.
Bynum is in a similar case, but the difference is that the Los Angeles Lakers hold the option to allow Bynum to become an unrestricted free agent. The Lakers would be nuts to let Bynum walk, but we'll have to see what happens.
The Lakers' big man has said, he'll play for anyone, but he wants to be a Laker. Bynum would clearly be the best center on the unrestricted market, but his status is unknown as well.
With those two situations clarified here are the best players, at each position, that will definitely be unrestricted free agents this offseason.
Point Guard - Steve Nash
Nash just turned 38 years old, but he did have a productive season in Phoenix this past year. He averaged 12 points and almost 11 assists per game for a bad Suns' team.
There are several teams that could use his services, and the New York Knicks' name has come up as usual. Nash would be a great floor general in New York, and he could possibly help the team sort of out its offensive mess. But the Knicks won't be alone in their pursuit of Nash.
He keeps himself in great shape, and his playmaking ability would be an asset to most teams.
Teams in need: Knicks, Bulls, Mavericks, Pacers, Nets, Blazers, Lakers, Magic
Shooting Guard - Nick Young
Many people would say Ray Allen in this situation, but age has finally caught up to Jesus Shuttlesworth. Allen turns 37 years old in July, and he's coming off a year that saw him average his lowest scoring total since his rookie season.
That leaves the Clippers' Young.
He is 6'7", athletic and he can shoot the three. Young is only 26 years old, and he averaged 17 points per game in 2010-2011, and 16.6 in Washington this season before being traded to the Clippers.
He can be a little undisciplined in his shot selection, but he is a solid player who could start for most teams.
Teams in need: Bulls, Clippers, Pacers, Nets, Blazers, Grizzlies, Suns
Small Forward - Grant Hill
The SF position is the weakest of all free agent markets. It would get a slight boost if Gerald Wallace chooses to become a free agent, as he also holds a player option.
As it stands now Hill is the best SF available. He will turn 40 in October, so any deal would likely be a one-year-deal. Though injuries have been a problem for him in the past, he has been pretty healthy over the past five seasons. He averaged 10 points and 3.5 rebounds per game this season, but he did miss 17 games.
Hill still has great versatility, he plays hard and is a solid defender. A contender would love to add him for depth and experience.
Teams in need: Heat, Celtics, Knicks, Hawks, Bulls
Power Forward - Kevin Garnett
This is clearly the best position for unrestricted free agents: KG, Tim Duncan, Kris Humphries, Kenyon Martin and Carl Landry are all completely free after this season. I give KG a slight edge over Duncan at this point, but Duncan probably isn't leaving San Antonio anyway.
If he did, it would likely be to retire, not to go to another team.
Garnett's career seems revived playing center in Boston, but alongside the right center he would still be a great get at PF. The Nets seemed to have shown some early interest, but there will be other suitors, not to mention it's possible the Celtics will want him back.
Garnett averaged 15.8 points and 8.2 rebounds per game this year, and he's still a solid defender. He is playing very well in the postseason to boot.
He just turned 36 years old and he could easily get a nice two-year deal.
Teams in need: Celtics, Nets, Mavs, Lakers, Blazers, Heat
Centers - Chris Kaman
Kaman is an underrated big man. He produces anytime he gets starters minutes. He plays solid defense, rebounds and can score around the basket. He was left to rot in New Orleans this past season after being a part of the Chris Paul-trade, but he'll be able to pick his destination now.
He averaged 13.7 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game for the woeful Hornets. Kaman will get plenty of interest from teams in the league looking to add a solid and dependable big man.
He's only 30 years old so he could still offer a team three or four good seasons.
Teams in need: Celtics, Heat, Blazers, Rockets, Mavericks, Magic
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