2012 NBA Free Agency: Ranking the Best Fits for Available PGs

The 2012 NBA free agent market is being handled, fittingly, by ball-handlers.

Steve Nash is heading to Hollywood while Deron Williams makes the move to Brooklyn with the Nets. But much is still uncertain in the point guard field, and a handful of teams are still vying for a top-tier set-up man.

Let's take a look at the best landing spots for the league's available one-guards.

Jeremy Lin

Jeremy Lin took the sporting world by storm this winter, rising to Tebow-esque national prominence after leading the New York Knicks to a remarkable seven-game winning streak. His promising 2011-12 campaign was cut short by a lingering knee injury.

Lin's alarmingly-high turnover rate and his suspect defense are reasons for concern, but he's shown flashes of brilliance as a facilitator and a lane scorer. Lin's penchant for assists fits in a system with established mid-range and low-post offense. The incumbent Knicks seem to make a lot of sense.

Many think that Lin's best fit lies in Houston, but the Rockets' shifting, unset lineup is not conducive to Lin's continuing transition to major minutes. With fewer established scorers and no true center, Lin would have to create more of his own offense in Houston.

Lin was successful as a platoon point guard with Baron Davis and Mike Bibby. As point guards Goran Dragic and Kyle Lowry make their way out of Texas, Lin would benefit from the security that newly-inked Knick Jason Kidd would provide. The Rockets can offer a slightly larger contract, but staying in the Big Apple is the ostensible way to go for "J-Lin."

Best Fits Among Noted Suitors:

1. New York Knicks

2. Houston Rockets

Aaron Brooks

After spending a year overseas, Aaron Brooks is joining in on this summer's free agent frenzy. He's gone overlooked in many media outlets but stands to improve any given offense.

Phoenix made a qualifying offer for the fifth-year pro, but returning to the Suns doesn't seem to make much sense here. Brooks received minimal playing time in his 25-game stint in the desert, and Phoenix's newly-stocked backcourt will eat away at potential minutes.

The Rockets are reportedly interested in landing Brooks as well, and should Houston lose out on the Jeremy Lin sweepstakes, this is an excellent fit. While there might be a bit of an overlap between Brooks and shooting guard Kevin Martin, the Rockets are an upstart team who are seeking out an offensive tempo.

Brooks isn't much of a facilitator, and as mentioned previously, whoever eventually mans the one in H-Town will be called upon for more shots.

There have been mumblings over Brooks joining the Trail Blazers. Brooks would provide an instant punch to Portland's offense and could split time with Damian Lillard at the one.

Could the Mavs snatch Brooks and fill their open one spot? Dallas has a lot of holes to fill, but with Dirk Nowitzki in place, Brooks would have at least one go-to guy. He'd also be able to create more of his own offense.

Best Fits Among Noted Suitors:

1. Houston Rockets

2. Dallas Mavericks

3. Portland Trail Blazers

4. Phoenix Suns

Ramon Sessions

Sessions was the odd man out in Los Angeles Wednesday. Per ESPN Los Angeles, the Lakers are no longer pursuing the fifth-year point guard.

Sessions had a nice season in purple and gold, averaging over 12 points and six dishes per game. Thus far, there have been no notable suitors for him, but as the dust settles with Jason Kidd's departure from Dallas, the Mavs will likely look Sessions' way.

The Mavericks run an offense predicated on perimeter prowess and forward Dirk Nowitzki's paint play. Sessions shot an astounding .486 from behind the arc last season and could be a great facilitator for Nowitzki.  

Looking toward potential landing spots, Sessions makes sense in Toronto or in Houston, two teams that have ardently pursued point guards this summer. The Raptors have an established mid-range scorer in Andrea Bargnani, and Sessions could back up incoming point guard Kyle Lowry.

Houston's roster continues to be torn apart, and there are plenty of minutes up for grabs as the Rockets continue to search for a point guard. There could be interested here if they lose out on Lin.

Best Potential Fits:

1. Dallas Mavericks

2. Houston Rockets

3. Toronto Raptors

D.J. Augustin

Augustin is a restricted free agent, and Charlotte made their qualifying offer. But if Augustin strikes a big offer elsewhere, the 'Cats may not match it given the horde of guards occupying their backcourt.

There hasn't been much noise made about the former Texas standout. Augustin has continued to improve as a distributor and has averaged nearly 11 points per game through his four-year career.

A bevy of possible fits remain. Augustin could make sense splitting time with Jeff Teague in Atlanta, or he could fit in with Miami as a viable bench player. A New Orleans native, Augustin works with the Hornets as well.

Best Potential Fits:

1. New Orleans Hornets

2. Charlotte Bobcats

3. Atlanta Hawks

Raymond Felton

The Knicks were the clear-cut favorites to land Felton, but with the surprising signing of Jason Kidd, that goes out the window.

Felton now remains without a vocal suitor, but plenty of teams could use his services as desperation starts to sink in for Houston and Dallas.

After spending time in faster systems like New York, Denver and Portland, Felton could fit with the younger Rockets. However, Houston's roster continues to dissolve, and with dozens of potential trades on the horizon, Felton belongs with Dallas.

A career .412 shooter, Felton doesn't overpower by creating his own offense. Rather, he belongs in a more established system like Dallas who keep their veteran presence in tact despite losing Kidd.

Best Potential Fits:

1. Dallas Mavericks

2. Houston Rockets

3. New Orleans Hornets