NBA Free Agency 2012: 5 Free Agents Who Will Impact Their Teams the Most

NBA free agency is in full swing.  There are big names out on the market right now and even bigger names on the trade block, including Dwight Howard and Josh Smith.

Although this free-agent season isn't as strong as it has been in years past, there are still some superstars available for teams in need.

And while these big names may just be staying with their current teams, there is a possibility that they could be on the move.  These are my top-five free agents available this offseason.

Roy Hibbert

Roy Hibbert can be described with one word—beast. He is your stereotypical NBA center. He stands 7'2" tall and has an outstanding wingspan.

He was an All-Star for the Indiana Pacers this past season and has improved his stats every year he has been in the NBA. He's just 25 years old, and he's only going to improve on his 12.8 points and 8.8 rebounds per game.

He is tall enough where he should be able to grab at least 10 boards a game, but nine a game is nothing to ignore. The Pacers must match Portland's offer of four years, $58 million in order to keep the big man.  Whichever teams ends up with Hibbert will have a solid center for years to come.

Ray Allen

Ray Allen is an NBA veteran and has been on a good team, Boston, and not-so-lucky team, the Seattle Sonics.

He could be considered the best three-point shooter in NBA history, and that may not even be a question.

It's true, Allen's numbers are not what they used to be. He averaged 14.2 points a game last year despite having the best three-point percentage in his career at 45.3 percent.

His possible destinations include the Clippers, Heat and Celtics (per ESPN). His career may be winding down, but he is still a valuable contributor and can be the spark that any team can use.

Deron Williams

Deron Williams may be the best point guard in the NBA behind Chris Paul.  He can score, he can pass and he has tremendous strength for a point guard.

He can take the ball to the rack with the best of them and shoot from distance with ease.  He is currently considering re-signing with the Brooklyn Nets after they traded for All-Star shooting guard Joe Johnson to help him out (from ESPN).  They are also currently in talks with superstar center Dwight Howard.

The Nets are doing everything they can to keep the star point guard, and they should do everything they can.  He can turn a franchise around—and that's exactly what the Nets need.

Steve Nash

Steve Nash is one of those once-in-a-generation type of players.  He is an assist machine and basically makes everyone around him better.

Nash averaged 12.5 points and 10.7 assists per game last season, proving to the entire league that he still has it.  He's entering his 17th year in the NBA and is still a hot commodity in the free-agent market.

ESPN reports the New York Knicks are currently pursuing the veteran point guard, hoping he could be the glue to hold together the Amare and Carmelo duo while teaching Jeremy Lin. 

The Knicks should pursue even harder because they could be a championship favorite with him at the helm.

Eric Gordon

Eric Gordon is one of the best young talents in the NBA. He could be a part of something special happening in New Orleans in the upcoming years.

According to ESPN's Chris Broussard, Gordon is in discussions with the Indiana Pacers, Phoenix Suns and Houston Rockets. If he were to re-sign with the Hornets, Gordon will be a part of one of the better young teams in the NBA with Anthony Davis and Austin Rivers as his teammates.

Gordon is just 23 years old and has proved to be one of the best young scorers in the league. Although he doesn't have impressive assist or rebound numbers, he is still a player that many teams have their eye on.

The team that gets Gordon will have a solid scorer for years to come.