NBA Free Agency 2012: Who Could Transform a Team

The 2012 NBA free agency period is in full swing. Some free agents around the league have already fallen into place while others still weigh their options moving forward.

Admittedly, this year's free agent class was weaker than in years past, but there are still plenty of players who could make a lasting impact by transforming the franchise they choose to sign with.

Here's a ranking of players in the 2012 free agent class who could shift the outlook of a team with their presence.

7. Roy Hibbert, C, Indiana Pacers

Roy Hibbert is a restricted free agent this summer coming off an expiring contract with the Indiana Pacers, so the chances that he'll play for any team other than Indiana next season are remote at best. The Pacers can simply match any offer to keep him around.

Even so, that doesn’t change the fact that Hibbert could transform a team with his presence.

In a league where true centers have been a dying breed in recent years, Hibbert is one of the few who can prove to be a huge difference maker.

Hibbert has had a slow transition to the NBA from a statistical standpoint, but he’s improved yearly and could be poised for a breakout year. His 12.8 points, 8.8 rebounds and two blocks per game last season were all career-highs.

Hibbert is a difference maker on both ends of the court. If the 7’2” big man can build on the games he had this postseason (including a 19-point, 18-rebound, five-block effort against the Miami Heat), he’ll be a cornerstone for a franchise moving forward.

6. Tim Duncan, PF/C, San Antonio Spurs

Watching Tim Duncan change uniforms this summer after spending all 15 of his professional seasons in San Antonio would be like watching Steve Nash put on a Los Angeles Lakers uniform.

Alright, so that analogy can either be seen as fantastic or ridiculous, but as a Suns fan, I can tell everyone in San Antonio to count their blessings.

I certainly don’t see Duncan leaving, especially not to join a division rival like Nash did, but regardless, Duncan is one of the few NBA players who could transform a franchise’s outlook even at an advanced age.

Duncan is a proven winner and the greatest power forward to ever play in the NBA. Any team in the league would be lucky to add him even in his twilight years, but don’t expect him to leave San Antonio.

Kevin Garnett’s three-year $34 million deal to remain a Boston Celtic will probably be the deal Duncan’s agent starts the bidding at.

5. Kevin Garnett, PF, Boston Celtics

Kevin Garnett has already signed on to remain a member of the Boston Celtics on a three-year $34 million deal, but don't overlook the fact that KG can still transform the team's outlook moving forward (even at the same age as Duncan).

Earlier this offseason, Garnett was actually contemplating retirement, according to Christopher Gasper of the Boston Globe. If you wrap your head around that thought for a moment, just think how drastically different the Celtics would look next season.

With KG back for another championship run, the C's are legitimate title contenders. If he decided not to come back, they'd be looking at rebuilding.

Garnett brings a toughness matched by few players around the NBA. His presence in the locker room rubs off on everyone around him which brings a winning culture.

It appears as though the Celtics are getting the band back together for a shot at another championship run.

4. Jeremy Lin, PG, New York Knicks

Not only can Jeremy Lin transform a team on the court with his stellar play out of the point guard spot, but he can also transform the culture of an organization because he's such a polarizing figure.

In the land of sports, few people are more popular nation-wide than Tim Tebow. Well, when "Linsanity" took over, Lin actually rivaled the popularity of Tebow.

Even if Lin were to take his talents to a new team and play poorly, the decision to bring him in couldn't be seen as a negative.

Lin is one of the most marketable athletes in the NBA today. The guy sells jerseys, T-shirts and most importantly, tickets.

Fan bases all over the country would pay to see Lin play. Yes, Lin can transform a team's play on the court, but he also helps financially by creating a marketable product.

Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports has reported via Twitter that Lin has agreed to a four-year $28.8 million deal with the Houston Rockets. Even so, Rockets fans can't celebrate.

According to ESPN's Marc Stein via Twitter, a source close to the situation said the New York Knicks are prepared to match "any offer on Lin up to one billion dollars." It appears as if he'll be back in the big apple next season.

3. Steve Nash, PG, Los Angeles Lakers

Look at how weird the title of this slide looks.

As a Phoenix Suns fan, I had a difficult time typing out "Steve Nash, PG, Los Angeles Lakers," but that's the reality now (unless of course this is some sort of nightmare, and if that's the case, please wake me).

Anyway, even a 38-year-old Nash can still transform a team at the twilight of his career.

The clear evidence of this are the two MVP trophies he earned by turning the Suns franchise around when he was let go by the Dallas Mavericks. Even last season, Nash was able to lead a mediocre team of role players to a .500 record barely missing the playoffs.

Nash makes everyone around him better and gets the best out of his teammates.

If Kobe Bryant (the most selfish player in the NBA) can co-exist with Nash (the most unselfish player in the NBA) out on the court, the Lakers could have something special.

2. Eric Gordon, SG, New Orleans Hornets

Eric Gordon is an all-star caliber guard who gets the nod over Steve Nash on this list because he's 23 years old, and Nash will turn 39 in early February.

Where Nash is a short-term help, not only can Gordon change the outlook of an NBA franchise for the present, but at 23, he can also help rebuild a team well into the future.

Gordon has reportedly signed an offer sheet with the Phoenix Suns, which would pay him the max salary over four years at $58 million.

Because Gordon is a restricted free agent, the New Orleans Hornets can match the offer to keep him alongside Anthony Davis and Austin Rivers moving forward. However, Gordon has reportedly said that Phoenix is where his heart is, according to Paul Coro via Twitter.

If the Hornets decide that Gordon would just be unhappy playing in New Orleans, they can let him walk or match the Suns' offer and explore a trade afterward.

1. Deron Williams, PG, Brooklyn Nets

After months of being the most talked about free agent in this year's class, Deron Williams decided to re-sign with the new look Brooklyn Nets instead of joining Dirk Nowitzki, Mark Cuban and the Dallas Mavericks.

With D-Will on the roster, the Nets are serious title contenders for next season. If they failed to reel him in for the foreseeable future and lost him to Dallas, the Nets would be a poor man's version of last year's Atlanta Hawks (given the Joe Johnson trade).

Williams is one of the top four point guards in the NBA today, so it's no surprise that his presence could drastically change the outlook of an NBA team.

If Brooklyn can gain team chemistry and stay healthy throughout next season, they could emerge as a threat to the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat out of the east.