NBA Free Agents 2012: 10 Players Who Would Be Foolish to Re-Sign

As the 2012 NBA free-agency period closes in, players from all around the league will have to weigh their options carefully to put themselves in the best situation moving forward.

Some free agents will opt for a location where they will get the most playing time. Others will search for a landing spot where they can make the most money next season and beyond. In addition, several free agents will target the team that gives them the best chance of winning a championship ring.

With that said, some NBA free agents would be foolish to return to the team for whom they played last year. Whether that’s because their former team does not appear to be a playoff contender, cannot pay them the money they deserve or there is simply too much uncertainty with that team, some players in the free-agent pool may not be back to their old locker.

Here are 10 NBA players who would be making a mistake by re-signing with their current team.

(Note: This list will look to avoid restricted free agents, because their current team has the ultimate say in whether they will return or not.)

10. DeShawn Stevenson, SG, Brooklyn Nets

Following a season in which DeShawn Stevenson was a key role player on a championship team in Dallas, his production on the court was in absolute free fall with the New Jersey (Brooklyn) Nets.

In 51 games played this past season (30 starts), Stevenson averaged a measly 2.9 points and two rebounds per game.

As if that was not bad enough, Stevenson shot just 28.5 percent from the field, 28.3 percent from three-point range and 56.3 percent from the charity stripe. It's as if the "Monstars" stole his talent prior to the season.

After a paltry year from a statistical standpoint, it would be surprising to see Stevenson back with the Nets in their move to Brooklyn next season.

Stevenson needs a change of scenery to try and get his mojo back, but there is one key factor at play that may keep him in Brooklyn.

Stevenson is actually good friends with teammate Deron Williams (via NY Daily News).

If the Nets hope to keep D-Will in town (and trust me, they do), they may need to bring back his buddy Stevenson to make sure he makes a happy transition.

Even so, Williams and Stevenson have their friendship from their mutual Dallas connection, which is not a good sign for Nets fans.

9. Josh Howard, SF, Utah Jazz

After a first-round playoff sweep at the hands of the mighty San Antonio Spurs, the Utah Jazz will likely look to make some improvements to their current roster to make a deeper playoff push for next season.

It’s doubtful that those improvements start by re-signing Josh Howard.

Howard is another NBA player who may need a change of scenery after his paltry postseason performance this year. In four playoff games (three of them starts), Howard averaged 3.8 points on just 29.4 percent shooting to go with 3.5 rebounds per game.

Howard may not garner as much playing time next season in Utah anyway, as the Jazz will look to develop Gordon Hayward and Derrick Favors.

At 32 years old with diminishing skills, Howard could bring a veteran presence to a contending team as a role player. As for his days in Utah, however, both parties would be better off if they decided to part ways.

8. Jordan Hill, PF/C, Los Angeles Lakers

Jordan Hill was acquired by the Los Angeles Lakers from the Houston Rockets in exchange for Derek Fisher and a first-round pick.

Hill impressed in limited time with the Lakers, which does not bode well for the Lakers’ chances of re-signing the big man.

In eight regular-season games with the Lakers, Hill averaged 4.7 points and 4.4 rebounds per game in just 11.7 minutes per contest. He was certainly an efficient player when he was out on the floor.

Hill can use that productivity as a springboard to a lucrative contract this summer, which hurts the Lakers' chances of bringing him back.

The Lakers currently sit at more than $30 million over the salary cap. As a result, they can only sign free agents to the “mini” mid-level exception of about $3 million.

It’s certainly possible that the former University of Arizona Wildcat earned more than that by his play, even with the admittedly small sample size.

If Hill intends to sign a contract that will provide him with the biggest financial gain, that likely will not be with the Lakers.

7. Chris Kaman, C, New Orleans Hornets

The fact that Chris Kaman would be foolish to re-sign with the New Orleans Hornets should not come as a shock, considering the team was trying to trade him throughout last season without success (from The Times-Picayune).

After the trade that sent both Emeka Okafor and Trevor Ariza to the Washington Wizards in exchange for Rashard Lewis, the Hornets will be in the market for some frontcourt depth. However, Kaman would be a fool to make himself a part of that conversation.

The Hornets are a lock to take Anthony Davis with the first overall selection in Thursday’s draft, so Kaman’s play time is guaranteed to take a big hit if he sticks around.

In addition, the Hornets are still going to struggle to make the playoffs (or even be .500).

Outside of Eric Gordon (a restricted free agent, so the Hornets likely will match any offer extended to him), Jarrett Jack and Davis, the Hornets do not have many pieces at their disposal to make them a playoff team.

Kaman is at the tail end of his career, but the former All-Star can still get the job done.

In 47 games played last season, Kaman averaged 13.1 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game. There are plenty of contending teams in the NBA who would love to add his services moving forward.

6. Marcus Camby, C, Houston Rockets

Marcus Camby was shipped away from the Portland Trail Blazers last season to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Jonny Flynn, Hasheem Thabeet and a second-round pick.

Mark Berman of Fox Houston is reporting that the Rockets intend to retain Camby moving forward, which makes sense given the recent trade rumors surrounding Sam Dalembert (per HOOPSWORLD).

Nevertheless, Camby is currently 38 years old. The Rockets are more than a few tweaks away from becoming a championship contender, so if Camby wants to compete for a title, he would be smart to sign elsewhere.

Camby would probably have to take a pay cut to play for teams in championship contention, but at his advanced age, I’m not sure if that will bother him.

The 16-year NBA veteran has been in the league since 1996, but he can still offer teams great rebounding and shot-blocking numbers.

He only played in 19 games for the Rockets last season, so loyalty may not be a factor when he decides which team to play for next season.

5. Antawn Jamison, F, Cleveland Cavaliers

The now-36-year-old Antawn Jamison had another great season with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The veteran out of North Carolina averaged 17.2 points and 6.3 rebounds per game.

He did not shoot for a great percentage (just 40.3 percent from the field), but it's not easy to find that type of scoring output from an NBA forward (Jamison ranked 15th in the NBA in scoring last season out of all forwards).

Jamison is another veteran entering the twilight of his career, so staying with a Cavs team that may not even make the playoffs next season probably is not in Jamison’s best interest.

Jamison has been arguably one of the most overpaid players in the NBA for a while now, so maybe he will take a pay cut for a chance to win a championship ring.

4. Jamal Crawford, SG, Portland Trail Blazers

Earlier this year in a game against the Phoenix Suns, Jamal Crawford reportedly told Suns head coach Alvin Gentry and Suns announcer/former player Eddie Johnson that he “needs to be here in Phoenix” next season, according to a tweet by Jon Bloom.

Admittedly an act like that won’t endear you to your current teammates or coaches, so I think that Crawford already punched his ticket out of Portland.

Whether or not Crawford ends up with the Suns next season is a mystery, but it certainly appears as if it is time for the 32-year-old, trigger-happy guard to find a new home.

3. Grant Hill, SF, Phoenix Suns

Grant Hill will be 40 years old next season, but he does not yet have plans to retire.

Hill has been rejuvenated in Phoenix due to the Suns’ amazing training staff led by head athletic trainer Aaron Nelson. Contrary to the norm, Hill has been incredibly durable and is playing at a high level as a result.

Not everything Hill does shows up in the stat sheet though. Hill consistently guarded the opposing team’s best player (Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul, etc.) and did an amazing job (he should have made the NBA All-Defensive team in my opinion).

I can see why Hill would want to return to the Suns, considering they have been able to keep him healthy, he seems to love the area and he may not want to make yet another career move.

However, if Hill stays with the Suns, his chances of winning a championship ring are near zero.

If Hill wants to win a title before his career comes to an end, he would be better off bolting to a team in championship contention.

He may care more about his situation in Phoenix than winning, but Hill deserves a ring before it's all said and done.

2. Deron Williams, PG, Brooklyn Nets

Now that I’ve upset every Brooklyn Nets fan in existence, hear me out.

ESPN's Marc Stein reports Deron Williams has narrowed down his team search to two options: Brooklyn or Dallas.

At this moment, the Nets roster is far from set in stone. Nearly every player from last season’s roster is set to become a free agent due to an expiring contract.

Among those free agents are starters Brook Lopez, Gerald Wallace and Kris Humphries.

At this juncture, it would be foolish for D-Will to re-sign with the Nets purely based on the uncertainty of the team.

If Williams were to sign on with the Nets right now, he would be leading the charge with MarShon Brooks and Johan Petro.

Williams would be smart to wait and see the full the picture of what the team will be in Brooklyn before he makes his decision.

However, even after that situation becomes clear, I think that playing alongside Dirk Nowitzki in Dallas is a better state of affairs for D-Will if he wants to win right away.

1. Steve Nash, PG, Phoenix Suns

Unfortunately for Phoenix Suns fans, Steve Nash is currently in a no-win situation should he return (literally).

The Suns still couldn’t muster a playoff spot even with Nash leading the charge and playing fantastically at age 38. It shouldn’t come as a shock considering the team was Nash and 11 role players, but anything seems possible with the two-time MVP at the helm.

If Nash decides to re-sign with the Suns, there are two huge factors that would hurt his image.

1. Nash has already been offered a two-year $20 million deal to remain in Phoenix (per HOOPSWORLD's Alex Kennedy). This deal is far more lucrative than he will find with a contender elsewhere, so if he stays, critics will say he is only in it for the money (not an image Nash wants).

2. The Suns are a bad team. Short of hypnotizing the New Orleans Hornets into letting Eric Gordon leave for Phoenix and picking up more pieces, they won’t even be a playoff team, let alone a championship contender. If Nash returns to a bad situation in Phoenix, critics will say that Nash shies away from competition and would rather be seen as the loyal NBA martyr (also not a good image, although pity is underrated).

Anyway, Nash would be foolish to return to a Suns uniform. Regardless of whether he does or not, he has already solidified himself as a Suns legend (maybe the best Sun ever).

If he leaves, fans in Phoenix would be upset, but they wouldn’t blame him for chasing a ring.