NBA Free Agency 2012: Power Ranking the 10 Most Athletic Players

The 2012 offseason will be full of all different types of free agents.

From legitimate superstars to pure scorers to defensive specialists, the pool of 2012 free agents is full of players who are going to be able to meet the needs of various NBA teams.

One of the more undervalued aspects of free agents, though, is the athleticism that they bring to the team. This year, more than most, there are a number of players who are not only ridiculously athletic, but also able to step in and be a productive member of the team that signs them.

Ahead is a list of the 10 most athletic players available in free agency this offseason. 

10. George Hill, RFA, $3.1 Million Qualifying Offer

George Hill sneaks onto this list because he's one of the more unassumingly athletic players in this year's free agent pool. 

The 6'2'', 180-pound point guard plays like he's 6'6'' and 220 pounds, and that's what makes him such a special player.

As seen in the video, Hill can get to the rim and finish with some serious authority when he needs to, and aside from his ability to dunk like he's a 6'8'' small forward, Hill also brings his athleticism to every aspect of his game.

Whoever ends up with Hill for the 2012-13 season is getting one of the youngest and most athletic point guards in the game. 

9. Gerald Wallace, UFA

Gerald Wallace will be 30 years old when the 2012-13 season starts, but that doesn't mean that he's not among the most athletic free agents available.

Wallace is known for being a lock-down defender and one of the more physical players on the offensive side of the ball. That's because he's also freakishly athletic.

If there are questions about whether Wallace can still raise up, those questions should be answered after watching the video included here.

Whoever gets Wallace this offseason will be getting a veteran player who's much better than his NBA career shows, and they'll also be getting one of the most athletically-gifted small forwards in the game. 

8. Eric Gordon, RFA, $5.1 Million Qualifying Offer

If there were any doubts that Eric Gordon would return from his knee injury without the athleticism that used to define his game, they were certainly put to rest after this smooth dunk.

Gordon is one of the most athletic players in the NBA, even after his free agency, and that's why there will certainly be a number of teams that make a qualifying offer for the star shooting guard. 

The way that Gordon is able to slash into the paint and finish at the rim aptly displays his athleticism time and time again.

What makes Gordon such a special player, though, is that he doesn't rely on his athleticism to make him a dominant player. Instead, he uses it to accent his already dominant skills. 

7. Randy Foye, UFA

It might seem odd to find Randy Foye's name on a list of athletic players, but the more you watch him, the more you'll see just how impressively athletic he really is.

Foye actually looks smaller than his 6'4'', 213-pound frame shows, but even at 6'4'', he's impressively athletic for his size.

Watching him go up against Serge Ibaka and slam it on him is quite a sight to behold.

After an impressive performance in the playoffs, there will be a lot of interest in Foye and his talents at the shooting guard position. Whoever lands him will be getting a competent wingman, and one of the more athletically gifted free agents this offseason. 

6. Jeff Green, UFA

Jeff Green will be making his return to the NBA this upcoming season after sitting out the 2011-12 season after undergoing heart surgery. That's good news for Green, and for teams looking for an athletically-gifted wingman who's able to run the floor.

Green certainly will take time to reacquaint himself to the speed and physicality of the game, but once he does, he'll certainly return to being one of the most athletic swingmen in the game.

I mean, anyone who can dunk on themselves and send the ball shooting back through the rim earns a lifetime "athletic card" in my book.

It's going to be exciting to see how Green rebounds after a season away from the game next year. If he relies on his athleticism alone he should be able to make that transition relatively easily. 

5. Shannon Brown, UFA

Ever since Shannon Brown came into the NBA no one has ever questioned his athleticism.

From rim-rattling slams to athletic chase-down blocks, Brown always brings an impressive level of athleticism to the court.

Unfortunately for Brown, that's usually all that he brings to the court. Brown is a one-dimensional player who doesn't bring as much production to the court as teams would like.

With that being said, Brown will get picked up this offseason, and the team that signs him will be getting a player who can excite the crowd every once and while with a high-flying jam that shows off his freakish athleticism. 

4. J.R. Smith, RFA, Player Option

Whenever you see a list of athletic players in the NBA, one of the names that should come to mind is J.R. Smith.

Smith is an incredibly inconsistent shooting guard, and a lazy player on defense most of the time, but that doesn't change that he is one of the most athletic players in the entire NBA.

The way Smith flies through the air is absolutely unbelievable, and it's one of the main reasons why teams are always so enamored with him.

If Smith decides to opt out of the final year of his contract with the Knicks, he will certainly find himself on another NBA roster, and it will be in large part due to the kind of high-flying dunks he's known for. 

3 J.J. Hickson, RFA, $3.4 Million Qualifying Offer

J.J. Hickson is one of the most underrated power forwards in the game. He's also one of the most inconsistent though, and that's what holds him back from taking his game to the next level.

When Hickson harnesses his pure athleticism, he's a very talented and dangerous player.

There's no doubt that Hickson has to work on his game to become a more complete and efficient player, but until he does that his athletic abilities can still take him far.

Whoever ends up with Hickson, whether the Blazers retain him or he finds his way onto another team, there's no doubt that he might end up being one of the steals of free agency this offseason. 

2. JaVale McGee, RFA, $3.5 Million Qualifying Offer

You had to know JaVale McGee's name was going to find its way onto this list. When the word athleticism is used, McGee's name isn't too far behind.

McGee is in the qualifying-offer year of his contract, and while McGee's immaturity will detract some interest, his athletic abilities will all but make up for that.

When McGee isn't throwing down impressive slams, he's wowing fans with his boneheaded plays.

While those plays are absolutely absurd, they're still at least athletic, and that's all that matters for the sake of this article. 

1. Gerald Green, UFA

Gerald Green is hands down the most athletic 2012 free agent.

While he's also inconsistent and underwhelming on defense, there's no doubt that his athletic abilities will be at the foundation of the interest he garners this offseason.

If you're doubting Green's athleticism, just take a minute and watch his windmill, ally-oop dunk that was certainly the dunk of the year this past season.

Green doesn't get as much attention as other players on this list for his athleticism, but if the right team lands him this offseason, he'll hopefully start to get the attention he deserves.