NBA Rumors: Latest Buzz Surrounding Top Remaining Big Men
As the number of available free agents whittles down in the NBA this summer, there are still some big men on the market who can make an impact next season.
While everyone is focused on what Dwight Howard is thinking at any given moment, some teams are quietly on the verge of adding some stabilizing pieces to their frontcourts.
Here's a look at three intriguing big men still on the market and where they may ultimately land this summer.
Note: Rankings based on a combination of what a player brings to a team now and down the line.
3. Greg Stiemsma, C
Greg Stiemsma played surprisingly well last season for being undrafted out of Wisconsin. He was a capable backup for the contending Boston Celtics and drew rave reviews for his defensive play.
If he had played enough to qualify, he would have led the NBA in defensive rating (90), the estimate of points allowed per 100 possessions by a player. In the playoffs, he had a defensive rating of 93.
On top of that, Stiemsma averaged 1.5 blocks in just under 14 minutes per game in the regular season, proving to be a legit threat defensively in the paint.
Darren Wolfson of ESPN 1500 reported on Tuesday that the Minnesota Timberwolves had a good chance of stealing the restricted free agent away from Boston, given the Celtics are over the cap.
2. Jordan Hill, PF/C
Jordan Hill finally began realizing his potential last season with the Los Angeles Lakers.
The No. 8 overall pick of the 2009 NBA draft was a good rebounder for the Lakers, averaging 4.4 rebounds in 11 minutes per game in the regular season and 6.4 boards in 18 minutes per game in the playoffs.
Remember, Hill is still just 24 years old and could blossom into a legitimate threat on the glass moving forward.
Darren Wolfson of ESPN 1500 reported that the Minnesota Timberwolves could also steal Hill away from the Lakers. Adding Stiemsma and Hill would be a great way to bolster their frontcourt for relatively cheap.
1. Carl Landry, PF
Carl Landry isn't going to "wow" anyone on defense. He doesn't have great length, struggles on the boards for his size and averaged a miserable 0.71 defensive plays per game last season (steals + blocks + charges), per Hoopdata.com.
But if you are looking for offense, Landry still has plenty at 28 years of age.
Landry averaged 12.5 points on 50 percent shooting last season for the New Orleans Hornets. He also shot nearly 80 percent from the free-throw line. That's probably why, despite Landry's defense, he had a respectable PER of 18.2, per Basketball-Reference.com.
Interestingly enough, the Golden State Warriors have been linked to Landry, per Marcus Thompson of Bay Area News Group. Sure, they need a backup to David Lee at power forward, but you would think they'd add a defensive-minded player.
Follow me on Twitter. We can talk about the NBA together.
