NBA Free Agents 2012: Predicting the Biggest Steal at Every Position

With the way the modern NBA free-agency period goes (rotation players being paid like starters, starters being paid like All-Stars and All-Stars being paid like they own the team), it may seem impossible for any player to be stolen as a free agent. However, savvy organizations and general managers have always found ways to grab the perfect player at the perfect price.

A great free-agent signing can be the difference between waiting for lottery balls and making the playoffs and can push a No. 7 or No. 8 seed into championship contention. It always seems that there are players at every position that are undervalued and end up making surprisingly big contributions down the stretch of the season.

Though this summer's free-agent crop does not have much star power, save for Deron Williams, there are several players available who could have GMs looking back with regret over not signing them when they had the opportunity.

Let's take a look at one player at every position that could prove to be a major steal when all is said and done.

Point Guard: Andre Miller

2011-2012 Stats

9.7 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 6.7 APG, 1.0 SPG, 43.8 FG%, 21.7 3P%

Throughout his career, Andre Miller has been one of the most underrated point guards in the league. His lack of athleticism sticks out compared to some of the younger, quicker guards, but his court vision and playmaking are absolutely top-notch.

After being a starter for the bulk of his career, Miller played the role of sixth man for the Denver Nuggets last season. He backed up Ty Lawson but also spent plenty of time on the court alongside him. He provided the young, athletic Nuggets with a veteran presence on the court and in the locker room.

In addition, he gave their offense a completely new dimension; he provided the team with some quality half-court execution and was able to post up smaller point guards.

In the postseason Miller elevated his level of play, averaging 11.3 points and 5.6 boards per contest while connecting on a staggering 57.1 percent of his three-point attempts. Still, after losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in seven games, it is unlikely that Miller will be back in Denver next season.

He is more than capable of being a starting point guard for a team like the Chicago Bulls, which could use an established presence at the point while Derrick Rose recovers from his ACL tear.

At age 36 many see Miller as a declining veteran, but his game, which is predicated on using his high basketball IQ to read defenses and make the proper play instead of pure athleticism, can still be effective for years to come. He may not be able to run a fast break as well as he used to, but Miller's ability to run his team's offense and score the basketball when necessary makes him a great addition to any ballclub.

Miller will likely not receive many big offers, but a team that can sign him to a reasonable two-year, $10 million deal would find itself with one of the steals of free agency.

Shooting Guard: Alonzo Gee

2011-2012 Stats

10.6 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.3 SPG, 41.2 FG%, 32.1 3P%

After spending time toiling in obscurity with the Washington Wizards and San Antonio Spurs, Alonzo Gee came to Cleveland and was a revelation for the Cavaliers during an otherwise extremely bleak period. Now, with the team's future looking bright, Gee is a free agent and still will not likely earn the paycheck he deserves.

In a league dominated by quality wing players, Gee stands out for his athleticism and physicality. He can play effectively in the paint, as evidenced by several highlight-reel dunks during the course of the season, and has proven that he can make an impact crashing the glass from the perimeter.

Though he is a decent three-point shooter and can space the floor well at times, Gee's real strength is defense. He is a very physical guard who bodies up and can guard both on the perimeter and in the post. He would be a great addition to a team looking to add a defensive force that can cover both the 2 and 3 positions.

He is the kind of gritty player that is always willing to make hustle plays on the court, and his ability to switch seamlessly between shooting guard and small forward would provide any team with some nice roster flexibility.

Sam Amico of Foxsportsohio.com reports that the Cavaliers are looking to match any offer made to the promising young swingman, and they would be wise to do so. Gee, still relatively unproven, will not be fielding huge offers but could be a major pickup for a team looking to add depth, defense and strength on the perimeter.

Small Forward: Grant Hill

2011-2012 Stats

10.2 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 2.2 APG, 0.8 SPG, 44.6 FG%, 26.4 3P%

After seeing much of his prime lost to a series of injuries, Grant Hill's reemergence with the Phoenix Suns has been well documented. Once one of the league's most injury-prone stars, Hill was revitalized in Phoenix, proving to be extremely durable and a true difference-maker on the defensive end of the court.

Now nearly 40 years old, Hill is still capable of playing solid minutes and will likely look to either retire with the Suns or join the roster of a championship contender. Despite his age, Hill is still an excellent pickup because of his conditioning, defensive presence and the simple fact that he is a high-character veteran and the kind of player every team should have in its locker room.

In a slightly reduced role, say 20 to 25 minutes per game, Hill could be used to guard the opposing team's best perimeter scorer, as his relentlessness and high basketball IQ help him to make his man have to work for every point he scores. He might not be able to keep up with a Kobe Bryant for 40 minutes a night, but he could certainly be an impact defender for a championship team in need of some perimeter toughness.

Offensively, he works extremely well without the ball in his hands, running off picks and slashing to the basket to create scoring opportunities. He had a very down shooting year last season, but he is typically a decent outside shooter and can help to stretch the floor. Hill can be the recipient of drive-and-kick passes and knock down the open looks that are created.

On top of what he can do on the court, Hill is one of the most revered players in the league and would be an excellent influence for young players. One potential location for him is Oklahoma City, where he would back up Kevin Durant at small forward but also log time alongside him and play a bit of 2-guard in a bigger lineup.

Though his body has started to wear down again, a team could certainly get great value out of signing him to an inexpensive one- or two-year deal.

Power Forward: J.J. Hickson

2011-2012 Stats

8.4 PTS, 6.2 RPG, 0.8 APG, 0.6 BPG, 46.7 FG%

While those numbers may not be particularly impressive, one must remember that Hickson spent the majority of this season buried on the Sacramento Kings bench, barely playing 18 minutes a game. Once he was waived and signed by the Portland Trail Blazers, Hickson proved to be a revelation.

In 19 games he averaged 15.1 points and 8.3 rebounds while shooting 54.3 percent from the field. With LaMarcus Aldridge injured, Hickson filled in admirably, being a dominant force on the inside both scoring the basketball and attacking the glass.

The Blazers hold his Bird rights, but even so he could end up being one of the major steals of free agency if a team can lock him up for a reasonable price.

Hickson is an extremely athletic power forward at 6'9". He runs the floor hard, can establish good post position and has the strength to hold his own against both forward and centers. He does not have the most polished game, but he is extremely efficient and effective. 

In addition, Hickson is a phenomenal offensive rebounder, notching 3.5 per game while in Portland. He relentlessly hits the boards, making multiple efforts in order to get his team easy points on putbacks. Plenty of NBA teams need quality big men that can absorb contact and play physical basketball in the paint, but Hickson's short tenure with the Kings may turn some ballclubs off him.

Teams like the Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors that are looking to add size will likely throw offers at Hickson, but really any team in the league would benefit from adding a young frontcourt presence that can make an impact on both ends of the court.

Though he's due for a significant pay increase over the $2.3 million he earned last year, there is no question that he is one of the more underrated power forwards in the league and will make a great addition to any team.

Center: Greg Stiemsma

2011-2012 Stats

2.9 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 0.5 APG, 1.6 BPG, 54.5 FG%

After failing to catch on to an NBA team after graduating from Wisconsin, Stiemsma spent several years honing his game overseas before finally catching on with the Boston Celtics.

Initially expected to play very sporadically, Boston's frontcourt depth issues earned Stiemsma some consistent regular-season minutes, and he proved to be a fearsome defensive force for the Celtics.

Though he played just 14 minutes per game, Stiemsma made his presence felt as a shot-blocker. He knew when to rotate over and help a teammate and could recover when his man beat him and still contest the shot. Today's NBA lacks shot-altering big men, and the fact that Stiemsma was able to make such an impact defensively in limited time on the court bodes well for his future.

In addition, though he is not the strongest center in the league, he was willing to make multiple efforts in the paint and around the basket in order to keep the ball alive and grab tough, contested boards. He provided solid post defense and would body up to opponents in order to keep them from getting good position near the basket.

The Celtics will look to retain his services, but any team that needs frontcourt depth would be wise to put a call in about the 6'11" big man. He doesn't have the best set of post moves, but he has a decent face-up game and midrange jump shot that makes him a legitimate pick-and-pop threat.

Despite playing inconsistent minutes in the playoffs, Stiemsma is due for a significant increase over his $762,000 salary last season. It would be a little leap of faith for a team because he hasn't played a ton of NBA basketball, but Stiemsma can be an excellent change-of-pace defensive big man off the bench and would be able to make an impact on any roster in the league.