NBA Free Agency 2012: Predicting the Next Player to Be Signed at Every Position

With the 2012 NBA free agency market reaching its saturation point, there are very few viable free agents for teams to choose from.

Of the talented players left, most started the period with hopes of a nice payday only to be stifled by the marketplace. That should lead to many short-term deals for the top-tier as they will attempt to pump up their value in a new home.

Which players are closest to finding that new home? Here's a look at the most likely guys to sign at each position. 

Point Guard: Nate Robinson

2011-12 Stats: 11.5 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 4.5 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.0 BPG, 42.4 FG%

Most Likely Destination: Golden State Warriors

Thankfully, Robinson avoided tragedy at a Rucker Park shooting (per Yahoo! Sports) and can continue concentrating on finding an NBA job for next season.

And if Warriors coach Mark Jackson has his way, Robinson shouldn't have to look too far (per Marcus Thompson).

Jackson is seemingly a big fan of the energy Robinson brings off the bench and hopes to bring the point guard back next season. With the suitor market pretty quiet for KryptoNate, he might just want to jump at that offer before it gets pulled.

Shooting Guard: Jodie Meeks

2011-12 Stats: 8.4 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 0.8 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.0 BPG, 40.9 FG%

Most Likely Destination: Los Angeles Lakers

Hoopsworld's Alex Kennedy has reported that no deal is imminent between the Lakers and Meeks, but discussions are ongoing behind the scenes. 

And with the Lakers frontcourt all but established coming into next season, grabbing Meeks could be the final piece to the puzzle.

The 6'4" guard is a little undersized for his position, but has a sweet stroke and awareness defensively that can only help out LA in limited minutes.

The limited minutes portion is paramount. Meeks started 50 games this past season for the Sixers and struggled, mainly because he's nowhere near an NBA starter. But if the Lakers deploy Meeks correctly, Meeks could become a valuable bench asset. 

Small Forward: Alonzo Gee

2011-12 Stats: 10.6 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 41.2 FG%

Most Likely Destination: Cleveland Cavaliers

Talks between the slashing small forward and the Cavaliers are ongoing with Gee accepting the team's qualifying offer starting to look more likely by the day (per Jason Lloyd).

There also hasn't been much interest across the league for the 25-year-old swingman, leaving the Cavs essentially negotiating with themselves.

The lack of interest seems just fine with Gee though, as he told the Cleveland Plain Dealer Thursday he wants to stay with the Cavs.

Power Forward: Carl Landry

2011-12 Stats: 12.5 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 0.9 APG, 0.3 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 50.3 FG%

Most Likely Destination: Golden State Warriors

With Charlotte Observer reporter Rick Bonnell reporting that it's "unlikely" that the Bobcats pull off a sign-and-trade for Landry, the Warriors have undoubtedly taken over the pole position.

The Warriors have been interested in Landry throughout the free agency process and the 26-year-old power forward seems to think Golden State is the best possible situation (per Marcus Thompson). 

All that's seemingly preventing this marriage is finding price level that both sides can agree upon.

Landry's balky knees have been a red flag for many teams and should prevent anything more than a short-term commitment. But Landry is one of the few talented free agents remaining so his price could go up if a team gets desperate.

Regardless, Landry's ability to stretch the floor fits perfectly with the Warriors young core and makes this too perfect of a match to fall through.

Center: Darko Milicic

2011-12 Stats: 4.6 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 0.6 APG, 0.3 SPG, 0.9 BPG, 45.4 FG%

Most Likely Destination: Miami Heat

With Milicic sitting on a pot of amnesty gold from the Minnesota Timberwolves, the 27-year-old center will likely command just the veteran's minimum from a contender this offseason.

That should come as nothing short of a gift for the Miami Heat who are in desperate need of a defensive post presence after losing Ronny Turiaf to the Los Angeles Clippers.

And as luck would have it, the once long list of Milicic suitors has dwindled, leaving the Heat as perhaps a "default" option for Milicic (per Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel). 

Landing Milicic would be a nice late-offseason coup for Miami, as relying on Joel Anthony as little as possible can only help. But, more importantly to fans of stupid trivia, signing Darko would give the Heat four of the top five picks in the 2003 NBA draft.