NBA Rumors: Hottest Buzz on Remaining Free Agent Role Players

Don't think for a second that just because the NBA season is barely over a month away that there aren't anymore free agents worthy of note on the market.

Sure, there aren't any Steve Nashs or Joe Basketballs left in the free-agent pool, but plenty of role players are still looking for a new team. In case you weren't convinced by Shane Battier and Mike Miller last June, role players are vital to championship runs.

Or at least that's what I—a mediocre at best basketball player—like to tell myself.

Let's take a look at the most recent buzz around these role players. 

Josh Childress

Remember Josh Childress? The guy with the big afro and awkward jump shot? The one who took a considerable step back after his time spent playing overseas?

Yeah, I don't really remember him, either. 

Playing in his second season after a two-year NBA hiatus, Childress was mediocre for the Phoenix Suns in 2011-12. 

He attempted 0.7 threes per game despite shooting just 16.7 percent from the outside, he averaged just 2.9 points in 14.4 minutes per game (9.8 per 48 minutes. Yuck to nth degree) and didn't do much besides providing solid perimeter defense.

But the Brooklyn Nets are interested (via ESPN's Mike Mazzeo):

"

Source: Josh Childress will meet with Avery and Billy/workout tomorrow #Nets

— Mike Mazzeo (@MazzESPN) September 10, 2012"

It makes sense. 

The Nets filled up their cap space in a hurry this summer, but could still stand to add a capable bench player or two for cheap.

Mehmet Okur

Even in a depleted free agency pool, it would be hard to call Mehmet Okur a top remaining free agent.

When he actually plays, he can stretch the defense from the center position with his three-point stroke, but injuries, a lack of defense and poor production on the glass over the past two years have made him quite undesirable. 

Nonetheless, this is too funny not to mention (via Spanish basketball writer Paco Rabadan):

"

El Madrid ha preguntado por Okur. Le han dicho cifra y directamente han colgado el telefono. Tal cual...

— Paco Rabadán (@pacorabadan) September 10, 2012"

For all of you who slept through Spanish class in high school, Hoopshype (via Pro Basketball Talk) was nice enough to translate:

"

Real Madrid has inquired about Okur. They hung up the phone when told about the money (he was asking for).

"

Imagine Mehmet Okur, a fairly washed up center, trying to haggle with Real Madrid for more money and then being hung up on. Now imagine his face after all of that. Now try not to laugh.

I dare you.

Anyways, even if things don't work out for Okur with Madrid, there's a good chance he still ends up in Europe somewhere. Recently, he has been linked with Turkish squad Galatasaray.

Sorry, NBA. This is a big blow. 

Ben Wallace

Even at the ripe old age of 87 (just kidding, only 38), Ben Wallace can still provide plenty of defense for NBA teams in need of toughness off the bench.

Last year with the Pistons, Wallace averaged 0.8 blocks, 0.8 steals and 4.3 rebounds in just 15.8 minutes per game. In terms of per-minute stats, those numbers really aren't that far off what Wallace has done for his career. 

It was originally announced the big man would retire, but The Boston Globe's Gary Washburn put to rest those ideas on Sunday night:

"

Veteran center Ben Wallace has indicated that he would like to return to the NBA but it likely won’t be with the Pistons, who have begun a youth movement and plan to go with Andre Drummond, Austin Daye, and Jonas Jerebko as their primary big men. Wallace said he was retiring after last season but changed his mind in July and is looking for a deal.

"

This could be a sneaky good pickup for a playoff contender. 

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