NBA Free Agency 2012: Ranking Free Agents Who Will Swing 2013 NBA Title Chase

With the 2012 NBA Free Agency period kicking off in a couple weeks, playoff hopefuls are trying to figure out which players to add for a 2013 postseason run.

This year's free agent class isn't the deepest or most talented in recent memory, but it has several ballers who could shape next spring's playoff picture.

Teams like the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks need to mix things up and become younger in order to remain dangerous in their respective conferences. Other squads like Portland and Phoenix will try to make a big splash and add some marquee talent to their rosters.

The Deron Williams sweepstakes and Steve Nash derby figure to make a huge impact on next season, but who are the other key pieces altering the NBA landscape? 

Check out these rankings of the top free agents who will swing the 2013 title chase.

15. Danny Green

Danny Green was one of San Antonio's many weapons that supplemented the firepower of Tony Parker, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobli.

His outside shooting, fast break skills and defense helped the Spurs steamroll its competition en route to the Western Conference Finals.

But San Antonio's depth and the success of its system makes Green expendable. He isn't a dynamic piece they can't live without, so they will let him peruse his free agent options.

If the Boston Celtics rumors materialize into a serious possibility, Green might end up alongside Rajon Rondo making a deep run in the Eastern Conference bracket.

14. Gerald Wallace

After declining his $9.5 million player option for next season, Nets forward Gerald Wallace will test the free agent market and see if he can find a deal that will lure him away from Brooklyn.

The veteran small forward played only 16 games with New Jersey after being traded from Portland, and he struggled to find his rhythm offensively, shooting a poor 41 percent. But he still managed to score 15 points per game.

His camp has emphasized that there is a distinct likelihood that Wallace will remain with the Nets. So how does this impact the 2013 NBA playoffs?

Wallace's uncertainty will deter other free agents from signing in Brooklyn, thus making other big-market destinations even more desirable.

13. Jason Terry

The Jet is on the downside of his splendid career, so he can't carry a team for stretches like he used to. But that doesn't mean Jason Terry won't be a valuable role player come playoff time next spring.

Are there players who are more clutch than him? Yes, but you can count them all on one hand.

Terry has the championship pedigree, shooting skills and leadership qualities that could tip the scales for the team lucky enough to land him.

Who tops his wish list for 2012-13? The Miami Heat.

12. Ersan Ilyasova

Milwaukee Bucks power forward Ersan Ilyasova could immediately boost the club's playoff picture by re-signing.

The 6'9" native of Turkey has a knack for rebounding and scoring, and he's dependable beyond the arc also. As far as role-playing power forwards go, Ilyasova is one of the most efficient players in the Eastern Conference.

He's been playing at a bargain price ($2.5 million in 2011-12), so he'll soon be landing his prime-of-career payday in the neighborhood of $8 million per year.

What if he's not a Buck? Ilyasova still might make his mark on the playoffs with a team like Phoenix or Boston.

11. Goran Dragic

In his four years in the NBA, point guard Goran Dragic has gone from seldom-used unknown quantity to a legitimate starting-caliber guard.

The Slovenian lefty's unorthodox style keeps defenses guessing and keeps offenses off-balance. In addition to scoring and facilitating, he pesters the opposition's ball-handler, getting 1.3 steals per game as a part-time player.

The Houston Rockets used Dragic off the bench and as a starter in 2012-13. His role in the league should expand, depending on where he signs.

He might wind up running point for a non-contender, but if he does land with a contender, his young legs will help shake up the playoff race.

10. Aaron Brooks (Restricted)

Aaron Brooks is talented and athletic, but if the restricted free agent does re-sign with Phoenix, does that doom the Suns? Does that cement their status as an also-ran?

Brooks is coming off a season in China, where he led the Guangdong Southern Tigers to the Chinese Basketball Association Finals. He scored 21 points per game while overseas.

The speedy floor general is quite capable as a starting guard in the NBA. His per-minute numbers were superb in 2010-11, his most recent year in the league, but he's not conference title or league title material.

His departure to a playoff team as a backup would bolster their backcourt in a big way, but his return to Phoenix would signal a re-tooling year for the franchise.

9. Eric Gordon (Restricted)

After being shipped east to New Orleans as part of the Chris Paul trade, Eric Gordon had an injury-spoiled first year in the Big Easy.

But as one of the best guards in this year's market, the restricted free agent will still command a handsome sum from the Hornets if they want to keep him.

The young combo guard had a terrific 2010-11 campaign for the Clippers, averaging more than 22 points and four assists per game in Tinseltown.

New Orleans will do what it takes to retain their best playmaker so he can work with Anthony Davis to rebuild the franchise.

8. Ray Allen

Sixteen-year pro Ray Allen has lifted each franchise he's played for with shot-making, savvy and leadership. The future Hall-of-Famer now looks to make his mark as a role player in the twilight of his career.

He might be aging, but his conditioning helps him fend off father time better than most veterans. Allen's three-point shooting is still elite, as he actually posted career-best 45 percent shooting from beyond the arc this season.

That's why he'll be a desirable commodity despite being in his late thirties.

If things somehow don't work out for Allen to re-sign with Boston, Miami or Los Angeles could boost their title chances by adding him.

7. Brandon Bass

Since 2012 is a weak free agent class, Brandon Bass stands out as one of the best power forwards in the group.

The explosive seven-year pro had career highs in minutes, points and rebounds during his first year in Boston.

Even though he's exercising his freedom as a free agent, Boston is still his preferred club, and the odds are in the Celtics' favor. That's huge for Rajon Rondo and company, who don't want to slip into mediocrity once the Big Three dissolves.

6. Roy Hibbert (Restricted)

Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert has turned into one of the best true centers in the Eastern Conference.

The 7'2" tower notched 13 points and nine rebounds per game this past season, and he was a monster on the offensive glass in the playoffs.

There are a bunch of teams that could use such stability in the paint (think Washington or Miami), but the likeliest scenario for Hibbert is re-signing with Indiana.

With Hibbert returning and some minor improvements to the rest of the team, the Pacers could be an even more formidable franchise in the 2013 playoffs.

5. Nicolas Batum (Restricted)

Nicolas Batum is a handy player for the Portland Trail Blazers to have, and he could be a key piece to their playoff runs in the future.

The French forward's length and versatility has made him one of the team's most valuable assets, and at 23 years old, he's just entering the prime of his career. With 14 points per game and a Player Efficiency Rating (PER) of 17 in 2011-12, it's easy see why the future is bright for him.

General Manager Neil Olshey will have to fork over a small fortune to hang on to him, as the Blazers get a chance to match the generous offers he'll likely receive as soon as free agency kicks off.

No matter what happens, Batum's wallet is about to get much thicker.

4. Kevin Garnett

Among the Boston Celtics' slew of unrestricted free agents is Kevin Garnett, the feisty forward who impressed everyone with his resurgence during this year's playoffs.

Boston took Miami to the brink of elimination largely because of the Big Ticket's play on both ends of the floor. He was relentless on the glass and shot the ball extremely well.

If the 2013 Kevin Garnett can come close to the 2012 Kevin Garnett, he'll be worth the money teams will offer him this summer.

He had a huge impact on the playoffs for Boston, and he'll have nearly just as much influence next year.

3. O.J. Mayo (Restricted)

One of the better bench scorers in the NBA, O.J. Mayo is the second-highest paid shooting guard of the 2012 free agency class.

During his four years at Memphis, Mayo had varying levels of success and effectiveness. He started every game his first two years in the league, and then played primarily as a reserve for the next two.

His contributions off the bench were great, but for a highly-touted prospect like Mayo, 11 or 12 points per game is somewhat of a disappointment.

Mayo, a restricted free agent, has to find the team that can utilize his talents best and tap into the potential that made him the third overall pick in the 2008 draft.

2. Steve Nash

At 38 years old, Steve Nash only has a couple years of high-caliber hoops left in him, so he wants to spend them with a title contender.

The two-time MVP has been the most efficient and productive point guard of the last decade, and there are several suitors out there who would love to welcome him aboard. He could substantially reshape the playoffs, depending on who he ends up with.

The three Western Conference destinations that make the most sense for Nash are Phoenix, Dallas and Portland. Each team needs an upgrade at the point and is just a couple pieces away from playoff competitiveness.

If he's not completely limiting himself to contenders, squads such as the Nets and Raptors are waiting for him on the east coast. 

1. Deron Williams

As the best guard in the 2012 free agency, Deron Williams is garnering interest from some of the NBA's finest franchises.

The Nets' dynamic guard took on more of a scoring role this year as opposed to last, but he still dished out 8.7 assists per game-- not bad for a guy who's also scoring 21 per game.

Williams could drastically alter the complexion of the 2013 NBA title chase. If he stays with the Nets in Brooklyn, he not only helps the club move closer to the playoffs, but he shakes up the point guard shuffle out west.

Speaking of the west, his two most likely spots are his hometown Dallas or Los Angeles with the Lakers. He could bring the Mavericks back to their 2011 championship form or launch Kobe and LA back into the title mix.

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