NBA Free Agency 2012: 7 Cities No Established NBA Players Want to Land

Nowadays, in the era of free agency, unhappy superstars and superteams, franchises have to be desirable destinations in order to compete.

Destination cities tend to be bigger markets, like New York and Los Angeles. This increases the gap between the haves and the have-nots in the NBA.

Not only do the bigger-market teams have more cash to spend, they also attract established veterans without trying.

If you're a small-market team like the Charlotte Bobcats, you might as well not even try to woo big-name free agents. The only way you can improve your team is through the draft. And being the most inept NBA team in the history of the league doesn't help matters either.

Here are seven cities no player with any clout wants to play for.

Charlotte

Unless Michael Jordan announces that he's coming out of retirement, there's no reason for any player of consequence to want to play for the Bobcats.

In a small market where college basketball is the biggest (and sadly, best) show in town, the Bobcats do themselves no favors by stinking out the joint every night. No veteran wants to be part of a rebuilding process that looks like it has no hope of succeeding.

Milwaukee

If you're an NBA vet, why would you want to go to Milwaukee?

It's cold, half the people you talk to think it's in Minnesota and not Wisconsin, and playing alongside Monta Ellis and Brandon Jennings, you'll be lucky to get a shot in edgewise.

Cleveland

The Cleveland area's own native son, LeBron James, bolted as soon as he had the chance. The way Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert reacted to his departure must give pause to any player thinking of signing with the Cavs.

Cleveland is the most tortured sports city in America. Nothing good will come of playing there.

Joakim Noah sums it up nicely.

Sacramento

Don't make the mistake of confusing Sacramento with San Francisco.

Yes, they are both in Northern California, but one of these two cities is among the finest in America. The other is maybe among the finest in its own county...at best.

The Kings' recent youth movement is yet to pan out, even with some very talented players like Tyreke Evans and DeMarcus Cousins on the team.

There aren't enough shots to go around to keep everyone happy, and coaches don't last very long. Plus, the franchise is a perennial threat to pack up and leave town.

That's not the stable situation an NBA vet is looking for.

Toronto

Few established players want to relocate their families north of the border. Plus, the Raptors have been rebuilding for years and have absolutely nothing to show for it.

Between being situated in a foreign country and having no track record, Toronto is not a destination city for elite players in the league.

Detroit

Though the Pistons have historically been one of the foremost franchises in the NBA, recent times have not been kind to Detroit, both within the context of the league and otherwise.

The cautionary tales of Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva should serve as lessons for established veterans considering a move to the Pistons.

Three years ago, both Gordon and Villanueva signed rich free agent deals with Detroit, looking to take their promising careers to the next level in featured roles. Now they're both afterthoughts on a team that finished next-to-last in its division. The two combined to make just half as many starts last season as the illustrious Jason Maxiell.

Golden State

Luol Deng got some good news earlier when the Bulls promised the All-Star forward that he will not be dealt to Golden State.

That said, the Warriors are the franchise with the best chance of boosting themselves into the "destination city" category.

The franchise is in the midst of a culture change. New ownership, new management and a new coach equals a new direction by the bay.

One of the most rabid fan bases in the league and an upcoming move to San Francisco doesn't hurt its appeal either.