NBA Free Agents 2012: Ranking Remaining Players on the Market

As NBA free agency season winds down, some talented players are still on the market looking for a new team.  It's understandable, seeing as how the market set some high price tags this year.  But in some cases, certain players just seem to be waiting for Godot.

Take Delonte West (pictured), for example.  He has built a fine career being a solid shooter, but he remains unsigned.  My theory is that his one-sided game and unpredictable behavior may be scaring some teams off.

Nevertheless, he is talented and should find a contract soon, as should these other players.

No. 10: Jordan Hill

Hill was drafted eighth overall back in 2009 and, based on his career numbers thus far, he looks like a bust.  Yet, we shouldn't be so quick to write him off because, since coming to the league, he has only averaged 14.6 minutes per game in seasons spent with the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers.

In fact, his time with the Lakers is the reason he should get a multi-year deal for next season.  Whenever Hill got significant playing time, he did fairly well.  In the team's second-to-last game of the season, a double-overtime victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Hill played 35 minutes and scored 14 points while pulling down 15 rebounds and blocking three shots.

He has good size at 6'10", 235 pounds and, for a team looking for a tough big man to play significant minutes off the bench with the occasional start thrown in, Hill is the man.

No. 9: Nate Robinson

Robinson may be small at 5'9", 180 pounds, but he plays with the tenacity and determination of someone much bigger.  For his entire career, he has been a solid presence off the bench both as a defender and a shooter.

Last year, in a bench role for the Golden State Warriors, the former Washington Husky averaged 11.2 points per game and shot 36 percent from beyond the arc.  His shooting touch is good, and last year he started picking his shots more conservatively—never a bad thing.

Oh, and let's not forget that his dunking abilities are absurd.

No. 8: Delonte West

Playing for the Mavericks last year, West started 33 of 44 games as a shooting guard.  As his position dictated, all he did was shoot.  He averaged 9.6 points per game on 35 percent three-point shooting.

West is definitely good at what he does, but his behavior can be unpredictable, as he suffers from bipolar disorder.  Still, teams in need of a solid shooting should roll the dice on West because when he's on, he is on.

No. 7: Courtney Lee

Since being drafted into the NBA in 2008, Lee has made a name for himself as a solid bench scorer.  In Houston last season, he averaged 11.4 points per game and shot an astounding 40 percent from long range.

Recent reports suggest that the Boston Celtics are interested in bringing Lee aboard to take Ray Allen's place.  Seeing as how he is turning into an accurate long-range shooter just like the future Hall of Famer, this could prove to be a great investment.

No. 6: Shannon Brown

Brown is a shooter, so he felt right at home playing for the fast-paced Phoenix Suns.  In 59 games, mostly coming off the bench, the former Michigan State Spartan averaged 11 points per game and shot 36 percent from three-point land.

As he searches for his next contract, Brown needs to find a team that's going to let him do what he does best: shoot the lights out.  Whether he re-signs with Phoenix or finds a new team, he's not going to be a big producer unless his duty is solely to score points.

No. 5: Carlos Delfino

Argentina's own Carlos Delfino carries a high injury risk but is great on both ends of the floor when healthy.  Not only is he a solid three-point threat, but he is the most annoying kind of pest when playing defense.

Playing for the Milwaukee Bucks last year, he averaged nine points per game on 36 percent three-point shooting and also averaged 1.5 steals per game.  It is unclear as to where he'll play next year, but one thing is certain: Whichever team lands him will get a lot tougher on defense.

No. 4: JaVale McGee

McGee is a restricted free agent and, according to Eric Freeman of Yahoo! Sports, the Denver Nuggets have offered him a five-year, $50 million deal.  The dominant center has opted to wait, as he feels he can get a bigger deal.

This is typical McGee. He often has an issue paying attention on the floor and, thus, his numbers aren't as mind-blowing as they could be.  At 7'0", 252 pounds, he averaged 11.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game last year.

Those numbers aren't bad, but McGee has the skills that he could score and rebound in much greater numbers if he just kept his head in the game more often.  That said, I suggest that he take Denver's offer and lock in, for the team can go nowhere but up if he's fully focused.

No. 3: Leandro Barbosa

Brazilian sharpshooter Leandro Barbosa may not be putting up the same numbers he did playing for Mike D'Antoni, but his skills from behind the three-point line are unquestionable.  Splitting last season between the Toronto Raptors and Indiana Pacers, he averaged 11.1 points per game and shot 38 percent from long range.

That said, Barbosa at least has some value as a solid bench shooter.  He's only 29, so a three-year deal isn't out of the question.

No. 2: Randy Foye

Since being drafted out of Villanova in 2006, Foye has established himself as one of the best shooters in the league as well as someone who plays on pure heart and determination.  He's a bit undersized and chubby for his position at 6'4", 213 pounds, but his numbers speak for themselves.

Foye stepped into the starting shooting guard's role for the Los Angeles Clippers last year and averaged 11 points per game while shooting 39 percent from downtown.  Not only is he great at what he does, but his positive attitude is something coaches dream about.

That said, it should only be a matter of time before he signs somewhere.

No. 1: Carl Landry

At 6'9", 248 pounds, Landry is a big body who can work well under the basket.  Coming off the bench for the New Orleans Hornets last year, he averaged 12.5 points and 5.2 rebounds in just over 24 minutes per game.  Just imagine the numbers he could put up as a starter!

Yet, Landry probably won't get that opportunity next year.  As of now, reports suggest that the former Purdue Boilermaker could be headed to the Golden State Warriors, where he would probably back up David Lee. Still, considering how much help the Warriors need on defense, Landry would be a welcome addition.