NBA Free Agency 2012: Salary Predictions for Top Free Agents on the Market

Although nothing can really happen with NBA free agency until the moratorium period ends on July 11, many teams have agreed in principle to deals sending this player and that one way or another.

Another thing it's done is give us some idea of what the various free agents are worth, as many of the best and many mediocre free agents have tentatively signed deals.

Roy Hibbert and Eric Gordon head the maximum deal department, as they'll get one whether it's from their team or another, which is about what was expected.

In terms of ridiculous deals that seem way too pricey at this point, Gerald Wallace is getting paid $10 million a year for the next four years, Spencer Hawes is making $13 million for two years, Landry Fields is going for $20 million over three years, Omer Asik is getting $25 million over three years and Nicolas Batum is weighing offers that would give him nearly $50 million over four years.

It seems that, as usual, the process of placing value upon young players, veteran players and tall players (so...everyone?) is completely out of whack, which could throw the rest of the free-agency period for a loop.

Still, here's the best glimpse possible at the top remaining free agents and the offers they could receive.

Grant Hill: Two Years, $6.2 Million

Grant Hill is undoubtedly going to help a team. Lucky for whomever that may be, he's probably going to come cheap.

He's old at this point, but that really hasn't been a factor in recent years. Plus, the blood platelet treatment he got can only help him moving forward.

Hill should be able to command the mini-mid-level exception. Teams will probably be wary of giving him a full three-year deal, though, as there aren't many basketball players who have played well into their 40s.

Brook Lopez: Four Years, $47 Million

Brook Lopez is the second-best big man on the market, or at least he's perceived to be.

As a restricted free agent, he's bound to end up back on the Nets if they're going to continue to pursue a trade for Dwight Howard, although some team out there is going to get stupid and offer him a contract not worth his meager rebounding abilities.

Lopez has a refined offensive game, but he lacks much on defense. Still, with the low supply of big men, demand will inevitably rise, meaning Lopez is going to end up the second-highest-paid free-agent big man this year.

O.J. Mayo: Three Years, $23 Million

O.J. Mayo was pursued by the Boston Celtics, which many thought would have been a good fit for the sometimes volatile guard, but he sent out a message that basically took them out of the running.

Mayo was telling everyone that he thought he was worth more than the mid-level exception, and he planned on making more than that.

He is right, by the way. As a dynamic scorer off the bench with the ability to be a young, athletic Jason Terry for the right team, Mayo is a huge asset.

However, it's hard to say whether a team will want to give him a long deal, as his attitude can be shaky at times.

He'll get more money than what the mid-level would have given him, but his contract probably won't last as long.

JaVale McGee: Four Years, $46 Million

JaVale McGee is a puzzling beast at this point.

On the one hand, he's a complete knucklehead who does some incredibly dumb things while on the floor. On the other hand, he seems to be a good kid and is looking incredibly promising.

Last season, the Los Angeles Clippers took a bit of a flyer on overpaying to keep DeAndre Jordan in town, giving him $43 million over four years.

McGee isn't the defender that Jordan is, but he's not a louse on defense by any means, and he's doubly better than the Clips' big man on offense. Look for him to out-earn Jordan.

Tim Duncan: Three Years, $24 Million

Tim Duncan's easiest comparison when seeking a contract should be Kevin Garnett. Duncan is more valuable historically, but at this point in their careers, Garnett is a better player than Duncan.

That being said, Duncan's historical value alongside what he means to the Spurs as a person should get him a decent contract.

He shouldn't make the $11 million a year that Garnett is getting, but he should be able to get a similar three-year deal (they are the same age) so he can finish out his career with the Spurs.

Ryan Anderson: Four Years, $45 Million

Ryan Anderson is all the Orlando Magic have to rely on at this point, and even though they have millions of dollars tied up in salary at this point, there's no way they're going to let him go.

Sure, they should have learned their lesson when they gave Rashard Lewis a nine-year, $99 billion contract (it was around that number, right?) for doing exactly what Anderson is doing now, but this is the NBA, baby! Where ridiculous happens.

For the record, Ryan Anderson is a valuable player for the Magic, and height is worth more than skill sometimes, so I wouldn't hate this contract as much as that Lewis deal they did a few years back.

Ray Allen: Two Years, $6 Million

Ray Allen seems determined to play for a contender, but if he's going to do that, he's going to have to relegate himself to the mini-mid-level exception.

The two teams he's planned on meeting with, Miami and the Clippers, can offer him different contracts, but it's hard to see whether Los Angeles would be willing to give him the full mid-level exception while Miami offers the mini mid-level.

Still, it's going to be strange to see Ray Allen playing for a different team, even if he was just in Boston for a few years compared to his whole career arc.