NBA Free Agents 2012: Analyzing the Best Backcourt Players Available

With so much chaos during the NBA offseason, there are some backcourt free agents remaining worth strong consideration.

Nate Robinson is great example, after playing in 51 games for the Golden State Warriors during the 2011-12 NBA season. Robinson, however, is not alone in the market, as solid talent resides elsewhere.

Let's see who joins Robinson as the best available backcourt free agent waiting for another opportunity.

Delonte West

The best thing about Delonte West is his versatility—which is why it's no surprise the Dallas Mavericks are considering West's return, per Tim MacMahon of ESPN Dallas.

From one perspective, Delonte can contribute as the point guard or shooting guard and, if needed, be an everyday starter to count on.

Last season he started 33-of-44 games played in Dallas and logged 24.1 minutes during the regular season. Also, West averaged 9.6 points per game, which was his second-highest over the past five years.

Possessing excellent court awareness and the ability to drive the lane, West gives a defense much to worry about. Whether it's knocking from downtown or inside the arc, West can also be a menace at drawing fouls.

Shooting 88.6 percent from the line in 2011-12, free throws are arguably the best attribute West brings to a team—not to mention he can play reliable defense. Averaging 1.3 steals and 2.3 rebounds per game isn't bad for a perimeter role player.

During his second NBA season (2005-06), West displayed what he can do when being an everyday starter, with 4.6 assists, 1.2 steals, 4.1 rebounds, and 11.8 points per game (71 starts, most of career).

O.J. Mayo

Right now O.J. Mayo is one of the more sought-after free agents remaining.

According to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports:

"

Free agent G OJ Mayo getting interest from Lakers, Chicago, Phoenix and Dallas and hopes to make decision in next 10 days, source tells Y!

— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) July 14, 2012"

To that end, the young shooting guard does bring a lot to the table in the backcourt. Having spent his first four seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies, Mayo has averaged 15.2 points, 1.1 steals and 3.3 rebounds per game.

Now, it should be noted that Mayo's production the past two seasons has slightly declined compared to his first two. Also, Mayo started 163 games between 2008-09 and 2009-10 before receiving only 17 starts in 2010-11 and zero this past year.

Obviously, part of that is attributed to logging roughly 12 less minutes per game, as well. Still, Mayo has the potential to develop more and become a consistent starter. Having connected on at least 40 percent from the field throughout his career, Mayo's marksmanship is a great equalizer for anyone needing offense.

Randy Foye

Last week, Randy Foye was drawing interest from multiple teams, according to Ken Berger of CBS Sports.

Regardless of what happens, though, the large amount of interest is no surprise when it comes to Foye. He's been a solid player throughout his career and was a key component of the Los Angeles Clippers last season.

Starting 48-of-65 games played, Foye averaged 11 points, 2.2 assists and 2.1 boards in getting almost 26 minutes per game. Foye also connected on 85.9 percent of his free throws and was 39.8 percent from the field.

During his first postseason, Foye played respectably well with 7.5 points, two rebounds and 1.5 assists, while logging over 26 minutes per game. On a more impressive scale, he also started each of the Clippers' 11 playoff games while shooting 39.2 percent from the field and 84.6 percent from the line.

Certainly more of an offensive-oriented played, Foye has the experience to be an everyday starter or a great contributor off the bench.

Shannon Brown

The 2011-12 NBA season was somewhat of a breakout performance for Shannon Brown.

Averaging career-bests in points (11), rebounds (2.6) and minutes (23.7) per game, Brown also shot a new career-high (36.2 percent) from beyond the arc. Additionally, he started 19-of-59 games played for the Phoenix Suns.

While with the Los Angeles Lakers, Brown's biggest impact came during the 2009-10 season with 8.1 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists while logging 20.7 minutes per game. And after another decent year in L.A., Brown kept the consistency improving to the Suns last year.

Now, Brown is still a work in progress, but his ability to score and be a solid perimeter rebounder pays dividends. Provided that he goes to a team with a strong point guard, we'll only see Brown develop even more and continue to improve his instincts.

There's a lot of potential to be had in Brown, and when you include his postseason experience, he can be a reliable role player at the very least.

Nate Robinson

Alas we've made it to Nate Robinson, who is also one of the NBA's most fun players to watch.

He's a better all-around player than given credit for, and Robinson's supreme level of athleticism makes him a tough player to oppose. With the Golden State Warriors last season, Robinson averaged 23.4 minutes per game and started nine times.

Despite playing in a rather limited role, Robinson still accounted for 11.2 points, 4.5 assists, two rebounds and 1.2 steals per contest. If anything, his quick acceleration and explosiveness makes him a great backcourt player.

He doesn't turn the ball over too often and presents a solid jumper (42.4 percent from the field last season) to score when needed. More impressively, Robinson's best season came in 2008-09 with the New York Knicks.

There, Robinson appeared in 74 games (starting 11) and logged 29.9 minutes per while scoring 17.4 points, recording 3.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.3 steals and shooting 43.7 percent from the field. That production alone just goes to show how much of an impact Robinson can make as a starter or role player.

Whichever team lands this guy will see gratitude in the form of effort each moment on the floor.

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