NBA Free Agents 2012: Players NBA's Top Buyers Have Sights Set on

Many of the top names have been signed this summer, but the NBA free-agent market still has some attractive talents for buyers this offseason.

Deron Williams is taken, and the top restricted free agents, like Eric Gordon, have offer sheets on the table and are no longer available.

There is still value to be found, though, as many of the guys still available have the potential to make big impacts despite the smallish contracts they will likely receive.

The Beauty of the Bargain Bin

Before last season, Marc Gasol re-signed in Memphis for a max contract of $58 million over four years. Meanwhile, Kris Humphries was languishing in NBA purgatory before the Nets scooped him up with a one-year, $8 million contract. 

Back in the fold in New Jersey, Humphries paid off on the inside for the lowly Nets. He averaged 13.8 points and 11 rebounds in his first full season as a starter, and he was one of just 10 NBA players to average a double-double in 2011-12.

Compare those numbers to Gasol's—14.6 points and 8.9 rebounds per game as a cornerstone of the Grizzlies' future. For nearly half the price, Humphries turned in a very similar level of production.

Speaking of Which...

...Humphries' contract is up and he's back in limbo. This time, however, he has suitors.

The Nets are still interested, looking to lock him up to a multi-year deal as the last piece of their Brooklyn rejuvenation. According to the Star-Ledger, however, the Bobcats are also making a push for Humphries, hoping that Brooklyn concedes to a sign-and-trade.

Either way, Humphries wins. He'll come out of free agency with long-term security, ready to make an impact in the post for a fraction of the price of the Marc Gasols of the world.

Oldie But Goodie

If the Nets do sign-and-trade Humphries, they will receive a substantial trade exception. In that scenario, CBS Sports reports that they will use it to go after a guy like Antawn Jamison.

At age 36, Jamison hasn't been heard from much since becoming a Cavalier. Though his efficiency has declined since going to Cleveland, he missed only one game last year and averaged 17.2 points and 6.8 rebounds per game.

As a veteran big man, he can still contribute for a playoff-caliber team.

That's what the Nets have in mind, but they are not alone. Steve Aschburner of NBA.com believes that the Lakers are also looking at Jamison, while Jamison would also like to finish his career in his hometown of Charlotte if the Bobcats will have him.

Guards for Hire

Aaron Brooks and O.J. Mayo are both young, talented guards who could provide scoring off the bench for a contender. Both have teams talking about them, and yet neither has received an offer as of yet.

Brooks has taken matters into his own hands. The Kings invited him to visit Sacramento, but Brooks invited himself to talk to Rockets management while he was in Houston.

On the other hand, Mayo is regarded as a second option by a number of teams. After losing Ray Allen, Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio tweeted that the Celtics are deciding between Mayo and Courtney Lee. Meanwhile, ESPN's Marc Stein also took to Twitter to report that Phoenix will make a run at Mayo if and when their offer sheet to Gordon gets matched.

Both of these players have shown the ability to score in bunches, and both could contribute if given the minutes to make a difference. Free agency can move at a lightning pace, or it can drag interminably.

But when Brooks and Mayo receive their offers, they will make some bargain-hunting organizations very happy.