NBA Free Agents 2012: Analyzing the Impact That Stars Will Have on New Teams

While many of the big names in free agency this year—Deron Williams, Gerald Wallace, Roy Hibbert, Eric Gordon and Kevin Garnett, to name a few—have either confirmed or seem likely to stay with the same team, a few stars have already announced they are on the move.

Which begs the question: How effective will these players be on their new teams?

You have questions, I have opinions. Let's take a closer look at some of the biggest names who switched allegiances this summer thus far.

Steve Nash, Los Angeles Lakers

Finally, the Lakers have the point guard the team so desperately needed.

Nash is a great fit in Los Angeles. His creativity and ability to smoothly run an offense will ensure that bigs Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum stay involved. His veteran presence and resume will ensure that Kobe Bryant doesn't bristle when the offense runs through him less frequently.

Fewer Bryant isolation plays in Los Angeles equals more wins for the Lakers. And hey, Nash can still score a little bit, too, which will keep defenses plenty occupied with all of the Lakers weapons.

The Lakers hit the jackpot with the sign-and-trade with Phoenix that brought them Nash. They are now one of a handful of teams with legitimate championship odds.

Ray Allen, Miami Heat

The rich get richer.

As if the NBA champions weren't already formidable enough, they now add Allen, who remains one of the league's most dangerous three-point shooters and is still a very solid defender. Plus, Dwyane Wade doesn't have to worry about doing battle with Allen any longer, who has always played very tough defense against D-Wade.

Also, the Heat brought him in on the cheap and took him away from the Celtics. That's a win in itself.

Allen will look very nice as the Heat's sixth man, coming off the bench to give the team a perimeter scoring threat, veteran presence and another solid defensive player. It's hard to imagine a better fit for them in this free agent class.

Jason Terry, Boston Celtics

Jesus Shuttlesworth makes way for the Jet.

Terry isn't an upgrade over Allen in Beantown, but he's not much of a downgrade either. While he doesn't play defense like Allen and he's not as dangerous from beyond the arc, he's accustomed to coming off the bench and is still a willing and capable scorer.

And like Allen, he has the clutch gene.

Boston fans will surely be bitter over Allen's departure to the rival Heat. Terry will never replace Allen, but he'll certainly soften the blow of his departure.

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