NBA Free Agency 2012: Restricted Free Agents Looking for Greener Pastures

For many NBA free agents, being a restricted free agent isn't a bad thing—if you want to stay with your current team, that is.

But for some players who actually want to get out of town, being a restricted free agent is a big problem. Even if a player wants to move and have other teams interested in his services, his current team has the right to match any offer he receives.

The free agent class of 2012 lacks star power, but it's excellent in depth. There is a good group of second and third tier talent who will be looking for a new payday—and some players are just looking for a change of address.

Let's take a look at some NBA restricted free agents who are probably hoping their current team will let them walk.

D.J. Augustin

First off, I know DJ Augustin said he loves the Bobcats and wants to stay, according to Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer. I just don't believe him.

Charlotte is coming off the worst season in NBA history, and they even brought in his replacement last year when they drafted Kemba Walker. If he stays, he'll be relegated to backup status fairly quickly.

Augustin could get more playing time and more wins elsewhere, and I can't see the Bobcats breaking the bank to keep him.

Brook Lopez

Let me set a condition first: If Brooklyn manages to bring back Deron Williams and Gerald Wallace, as well, then I think Lopez will be completely happy to return to the Nets.

But if they lose Williams? Say goodbye to Wallace as well, and then Lopez is left with Marshon Brooks as his best teammate if he returns.

If Williams walks, expect Lopez to be praying the Nets don't retain him—but they will. 

O.J. Mayo

It's surprising that Mayo has lasted this long in Memphis. After almost being traded last season, it's obvious that he isn't a key to their future.

Mayo is a talented offensive player with less-than-desirable defense and would fair well as a third option on a team with a superstar or two. After spending two seasons on the Memphis trading block, you better bet Mayo is ready to move on.

The Grizzlies won't likely let him leave for nothing, though, so expect a sign-and-trade to happen. 

Ryan Anderson

With Dwight Howard likely on his way out, I don't buy into Anderson's desire to stay in Orlando, according to Josh Robbins of The Orlando Sentinel. He is best when there is a beast in the post to draw defenders away and allow him to sink threes and catch long rebounds. Without Dwight, I expect the reigning Most Improved Player to take a big dive statistically. And I bet the wise Anderson knows this and wants nothing to do with a rebuilding situation in Orlando.

The Magic can match any contract he signs, but unless they swap Dwight out for some immediate win-now talent (Andrew Bynum, perhaps?) keeping Anderson may not be worth the cost for them. He's an excellent role player—one of the best in the league—but without that superstar to draw attention, his value isn't quite as high.

Landry Fields

You can't expect that the Knicks, who'll be stressed enough to pay Jeremy Lin big bucks this year, will be all that focused on retaining Fields.

Fields' value to New York shot up once Baron Davis and Iman Shumpert both injured themselves, but if the Knicks guards are completely healthy, Fields isn't anything more than a good bench player.

He'll have a better chance to showcase his talents elsewhere, where he can get starting minutes and won't be stuck watching Carmelo Anthony iso on possessions.