NBA Free Agents 2012: Smart Potential Pickups for Playoff Contenders

NBA playoff contenders have holes to fill in their rotations this offseason before they are ready to realize their championship dreams. 

Playoff contenders are probably not looking at star players, but role players are available at every position. These players could fill one distinct role for their new teams, but you can bet it will be an important spot to fill.

Let's take a look at players who should be targeted by playoff-contending teams during the NBA's free-agent frenzy.

Jason Terry

This veteran sharpshooter is receiving interest from multiple teams. The Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Clippers seem to be the two contenders, outside of Dallas, in heavy pursuit.

Terry would be a solid addition for anyone. He told The Dallas Morning News that he will give the Mavericks a chance to match any offer, but we won't know if that's going to happen until a deal is signed. 

Playoff teams always need an extra shooter off the bench. Terry is one of the best sixth-man players in the league, and he would have no problem adapting to the role on a different team. He averaged 14 points per game off the bench last season.

He would be a perfect fit in Boston or Los Angeles. Both teams need an extra option on the perimeter, and he's one of the best available. His proven clutch play and extensive playoff resume make him an interesting candidate for any postseason contender. 

Marcus Camby

According to Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com, Camby has narrowed his list of suitors to six teams. Boston, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Miami and the New York Knicks remain in contention to land the 38-year-old veteran.

Camby wants to win an NBA title at this point. That's really the only option for his career to continue. He would be a perfect addition to Boston or Miami because of their glaring void on the interior. 

Miami added Justin Hamilton in the draft and Boston added Fab Melo, but neither player is a sure thing. Camby's veteran presence and defensive mentality would be an excellent addition to a playoff rotation. He isn't going to give you a lot of minutes or a lot of offense, but he is going to be a leader on the defensive end. 

Camby nearly averages a double-double for his career to go with 2.4 blocks per game. That's not bad for a 16-year veteran. 

Miami and Boston both lack an interior presence. Camby isn't anything more than a short-term fix, but he's a realistic option for both teams at this point. 

Jamal Crawford

Crawford is an immediate offensive spark off the bench for whichever team signs his services. According to Hoopsworld's Alex Kennedy, the Clippers are in advanced talks with the high-volume shooter. 

Last year Crawford averaged 14 points per game. The Clippers really needed another viable option in the backcourt, and Crawford would immediately be that guy. They could start him, but bench production is a valuable asset in the postseason.

Crawford tends to be a bit erratic and tends to take poor shots, but he is a very capable scorer. Adding a player capable of going on a scoring binge in the playoffs is invaluable to any team's success.

The Clippers would benefit, but so would Boston, Philadelphia and Indiana. All of those teams are also mentioned by Kennedy as possible suitors. 

He's a one-dimensional player, but scoring is incredibly important in the playoffs. You can't have too many options, and Crawford is one of the most pure scorers on the market right now.