2012 NBA Free Agents: Key Role Players That Must Get Re-Signed

Depth for any team at any level of any sport is imperative to have a chance at success. Delonte West is one of the best examples right now in the NBA, as the Dallas Mavericks need a quick turnaround for the 2012-13 season.

West averaged just over 24 minutes per game for the Mavs with 33 starts last season. He was vital to Dallas' backcourt rotation and started three of its four postseason games.

Along with West though, there are other solid players who play key roles to their respective lineups. So, let's take a look at those who standout that need to be re-signed.

Nate Robinson: PG, Warriors

One of the better yet underrated point guards in the game, Nate Robinson started nine games and played in 51 for Golden State last season. There, Robinson averaged over 23 minutes and 11 points per game while shooting 42.4 percent from the field.

Defensively, the Warriors really need Robinson as they allowed an average of 101.2 points per game during 2011-12. Robinson averaged two boards and 1.2 steals per contest which is impressive considering his size and position.

Golden State ranked No. 28 in rebounds, so Robinson has to remain for next season if the Warriors want to contend for the postseason. The offense has a supreme amount of potential with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and David Lee, but depth and talent on defense is also needed.

Robinson has the quickness and court awareness to shutdown and blanket off the ball, which will pay dividends toward the end of each half where possessions become vitally important.

Jonny Flynn: PG, Trail Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers are Jonny Flynn's fourth NBA team in just three seasons, so he still has yet to find the right home.

Well, Portland has that potential as Flynn produced more for the Blazers than his second season with Minnesota and the beginning of the 2011-12 season in Houston. Getting on the floor over 15 minutes per game in Portland, Flynn averaged 3.8 assists (second most of career) and 5.2 points in 18 games played.

Certainly that is not overly dominant production, but it is enough to keep the Blazers effective, and his assist average was second on the team. Since Portland doesn't have that explosive offense to score over 100 per game, dishing the rock around is needed to control the game tempo.

Flynn brings that off the bench, and the Blazers can rely on him to feed Jamal Crawford, J.J. Hickson and LaMarcus Aldridge to spread a defense out.

Boris Diaw: Forward, Spurs

Although he played in just 20 regular season games for San Antonio, Boris Diaw made a profound effect on the Spurs' frontcourt rotation.

We know Tim Duncan is the man, but he's also 36 years old and the paint won't be getting any less physical. Diaw has the quickness and dependability to produce down-low, as he connected on almost 59 percent of his shots from the field during the regular season in San Antonio.

As for the 2011-12 postseason, Diaw has been a consistent starter and has logged an average of 25 minutes per game. A rebound force thus far in the playoffs (5.5 per game, second on the team), Diaw fixed his free-throw woes and has put down over 71 percent from the line.

Since Gregg Popovich took over in the late 90s, the Spurs have arguably been the NBA's most consistent team. Boris Diaw's proven to be a complete player during his career, and San Antonio's dominance will continue with him in supporting the frontcourt off the bench and as a starter.

Delonte West: Guard, Mavericks

Only turning 29 years old before next season, Delonte West got back on track last season in Dallas after a disappointing end in Cleveland and second stint in Boston.

A consistent marksman from the field, West shot 46.1 percent last year for Dallas which turned out to be the second-best production of his career. The man also averaged 9.6 points per game, the most for West since the 2008-09 season in Cleveland.

Averaging just over 24 minutes per game in the regular season, West could be the main man at shooting guard for the Mavs as Vince Carter is 35 years old. Instead of being the occasional starter, West should be on the court more consistently, so Dallas can get back to being a top 10 offensive team.

Last year the Mavs ranked No. 19 averaging under 96 points, as compared to 2010-11 where they were over 100 (ranked No. 11). To elongate the careers of Jason Kidd and Dirk Nowitzki, West has to get retained for next season.

John Rozum on Twitter.