NBA Free Agency 2013: The 25 Most Attractive Players on the Market

While fans of the teams left in the chase for the Larry O'Brien Trophy are still far too busy to think about the 2013 NBA free-agency period, the rest of the Association's fanbases should already be starting to decide which players they covet most. 

Even though this free-agency class has earned a rather lackluster reputation, there are still plenty of stars on the market. Franchise-changers and quality role players are both present, although the latter is significantly more commonplace. 

As an important note, I'm including unrestricted free agents, restricted free agents and players with player/team/early termination options in this article. If you have the potential to be a free agent—excluding guys like Paul Pierce who could be bought out—you're eligible here. 

These are the guys that you want to sign during the offseason. Land a few of them, and you're going to be in good shape for the 2013-14 season. 

25. Matt Barnes

Last Team: Los Angeles Clippers

Age: 33

Position: SF

2012-13 Per-Game Stats: 10.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.8 blocks, 1.0 steals, 15.57 PER

Type of Free Agency: Unrestricted

Matt Barnes can be a frustrating player at times, largely due to his penchant for excessive contact and trying to make too much happen on the basketball court. But he's become an undeniably effective one as his basketball career continues to progress.

It's strange to think about, given the 33-year-old tag next to his name, but Barnes is still improving and might be squarely within his prime now. All it took was the tantalizing combination of opportunity and confidence, something that was provided to him in spades by the Los Angeles Clippers during the 2012-13 campaign. 

Barnes will never be a premier offensive player, but he can fill quite a few roles for whatever team he latches on with. He's a great defender who makes up for his lack of lateral quickness with unrelenting hustle and effort, and he runs the court well while attacking the glass with a vengeance. 

24. Carl Landry

Last Team: Golden State Warriors

Age: 29

Position: PF

2012-13 Per-Game Stats: 10.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.4 blocks, 0.4 steals, 17.60 PER

Type of Free Agency: Player option

Carl Landry will never blow you away with his athleticism, but he's a skilled big man who thrives despite spending the vast majority of the game below the rim. 

The bench big man for the Golden State Warriors garnered some serious Sixth Man of the Year consideration early on in his first season with the Dubs, and while he declined as the year progressed, he still played at a high level. Golden State would not have been nearly as successful without his consistent production off the pine. 

Unless he chooses to opt out of his contract, Landry is owed $4 million during the 2013-14 season. And given his production, he'd be limiting his earning potential if he doesn't. 

23. J.J. Hickson

Last Team: Portland Trail Blazers

Age: 24

Position: C

2012-13 Per-Game Stats: 12.7 points, 10.4 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.6 blocks, 0.6 steals, 19.71 PER

Type of Free Agency: Unrestricted

J.J. Hickson entered his first full season with the Portland Trail Blazers as an enigmatic big man, but the mystery was solved as the year progressed. While he's not a dominant force on the inside, he's well worth starting throughout the season. 

The 24-year-old's 19.71 PER is a product of a number of things: his talent, his role as a minor offensive option for Rip City and his relative lack of playing time. Basically, it says that Portland used him perfectly. 

Ask Hickson to become more of a featured offensive player, and he'll play worse. Play him more, and he'll play worse. 

But if you treat him as a solid defender who plays with energy and dominates on the boards, acting as though most offensive contributions are just gravy, you'll maximize what you can get out of the N.C. State product.

Portland is looking to glean more from its center position, but a lot of teams would be happy just to gain Hickson's solid contributions.

22. J.J. Redick

Last Team: Milwaukee Bucks

Age: 28

Position: SG

2012-13 Per-Game Stats: 14.1 points, 2.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 0.1 blocks, 0.5 steals, 14.74 PER

Type of Free Agency: Unrestricted

During the 2012-13 season, J.J. Redick was used perfectly by the Orlando Magic and then tragically mishandled by the Milwaukee Bucks. 

Before I delve into the reasons, just take a look at the per-36 numbers, courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com: 

	Points	Rebounds	Assists	Blocks	Steals	FG%	PER
Orlando Magic	17.3	2.7	5.0	0.1	0.7	45.0	16.1
Milwaukee Bucks	15.4	2.3	3.4	0.4	0.2	40.3	11.9

Across the board—with the exception of rejections—Redick was far better with the Magic than the Bucks. That's largely because Orlando allowed him to handle the ball and make decisions.

With the Bucks, Redick was confined to a bench role, coming off the pine to spell either Brandon Jennings or Monta Ellis. And when he entered the game, he was treated as a spot-up sharpshooter, not a playmaker.

Redick should get some serious consideration for a starting spot at the 2, and asking him to fill a bench role would be a mistake unless the team is making him the featured player from the second unit.  

21. Jose Calderon

Last Team: Detroit Pistons

Age: 31

Position: PG

2012-13 Per-Game Stats: 11.3 points, 2.4 rebounds, 7.1 assists, 0.1 blocks, 0.8 steals, 18.80 PER

Type of Free Agency: Unrestricted

It's amazing how seamlessly Jose Calderon transitioned from the Toronto Raptors to the Detroit Pistons. For a player who thrives because he displays such great vision and chemistry with his teammates, there wasn't much of a drop-off when he switched squads in the middle of the season. 

Calderon immediately meshed with his new running mates, and that's important going into his free-agency foray.  

The Spanish floor general has such stellar instincts that he can immediately thrive in whatever role he's thrown into. Add in his efficient shooting, and it's easy to see why he'll be a coveted and underrated target during the offseason. 

Calderon isn't a sexy name, but he's an attractive option.

20. O.J. Mayo

Last Team: Dallas Mavericks

Age: 25

Position: SG

2012-13 Per-Game Stats: 15.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 0.3 blocks, 1.1 steals, 14.00 PER

Type of Free Agency: Player option

O.J. Mayo convinced many that he was the NBA's next big thing when he started the 2012-13 season on fire from the outside. In fact, his perimeter shooting was so hot that saying he was "on fire" might be doing him a disservice. 

The problem was that it was in no way sustainable. Instead, it was a fluke created by a small sample size. 

Mayo is a solid marksman, but he's not the best shooter in the league, and he struggled to coexist with Dirk Nowitzki once the big German returned and took away from his ball dominance. 

While the 25-year-old proved that he's worth more than the $4,200,900 he's set to make in 2013-14 if he doesn't opt out of his contract, the end of his first campaign with the Dallas Mavericks showed that teams must temper their expectations. 

19. Kevin Martin

Last Team: Oklahoma City Thunder

Age: 30

Position: SG

2012-13 Per-Game Stats: 14.0 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.1 blocks, 0.9 steals, 16.09 PER

Type of Free Agency: Unrestricted

The 2013 postseason didn't do wonders for Kevin Martin's stock.

When Russell Westbrook went down with a season-ending knee injury, K-Mart was given an incredible opportunity. He was the man who needed to step up and become more of a facilitator while maintaining his scoring numbers. 

Well, that didn't happen, and the Oklahoma City Thunder couldn't advance past the second round of the playoffs. 

Martin is fantastic in the role that provides him with the most comfort: scoring, and doing little else. He'll never be a great defender, instead focusing all of his energy on using his unorthodox jumper and drawing contact as he drives toward the basket. 

Ask him to do much more, though, and it'll backfire. 

18. Tony Allen

Last Team: Memphis Grizzlies

Age: 31

Position: SG

2012-13 Per-Game Stats: 8.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.6 blocks, 1.5 steals, 13.26 PER

Type of Free Agency: Unrestricted

Tony Allen is a case study in extremes. 

He's one of the league's worst offensive backcourt members, and he's virtually incapable of scoring unless he's shooting the ball at the rim with no one there to contest his shot. In fact, that's the only time he should ever be letting fly.

However, Allen is also a premier defender out on the perimeter. Unless you're in the Andre Iguodala camp, you should view Allen as the league's best guard at filling that role. It's why he's a member of the All-Defensive First Team.

Often, defense gets swept under the rug, when in reality, it's half the game. Allen may be a defensive specialist, but why exactly is that so much worse than being an offensive specialist? 

It's not, which is why Allen is ranked so aggressively here. 

17. Jarrett Jack

Last Team: Golden State Warriors

Age: 29

Position: PG

2012-13 Per-Game Stats: 12.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 0.1 blocks, 0.8 steals, 15.93 PER

Type of Free Agency: Unrestricted

Jarrett Jack proved that he's more than just a backup point guard during his time with the Golden State Warriors. 

The floor general has been one of the most underrated players at his position for a while now. He didn't get enough credit for the job he did replacing Chris Paul on the New Orleans Hornets, then he failed to secure a starting role and thrived in relative obscurity for the Dubs. 

Until the playoffs. Then his stock soared as he started to take over games and play in crunch time.

Jack may display a frustrating tendency to play hero ball and call his own number far too often, but don't let that outweigh all the positive offensive traits that he brings to the table. He might have made a number of negative plays down the stretch in the postseason, but those only looked bad because Jack had gotten the Dubs into a position where those possessions actually mattered. 

16. Manu Ginobili

Last Team: San Antonio Spurs

Age: 35

Position: SG

2012-13 Per-Game Stats: 11.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 0.2 blocks, 1.3 steals, 19.05 PER

Type of Free Agency: Unrestricted

Manu Ginobili's age is going to be the primary deterrent during his upcoming free-agency adventure. 

That said, the Argentine shooting guard is one of those players who you just can't picture in a different jersey. Seriously, try it. You probably can't produce an image of Ginobili wearing any NBA jersey other than a black-and-silver one, and I don't blame you. 

The 35-year-old might have more value with the San Antonio Spurs than he'll hold with any other team. He's clearly on the decline, unable to stay healthy for long periods of time while failing to play as efficiently as we've come to expect. 

But even that may be a bit fluky because we're not dealing with an incredibly large number of games in the analysis. 

Manu still brings a lot to the table, though. He's a creative mastermind with the ball in his hands, and his passing skills are not something to be trifled with. 

Ginobili can provide a lot of positives, even at 35 years of age. It's just more important than ever to manage him correctly and not overplay him.

15. Andrei Kirilenko

Last Team: Minnesota Timberwolves

Age: 32

Position: SF/PF

2012-13 Per-Game Stats: 12.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.0 blocks, 1.5 steals, 17.67 PER

Type of Free Agency: Player option

Andrei Kirilenko could choose to opt out of his contract and pursue a spot on a team guaranteed to contend rather than continuing to play for a squad with plenty of unrealized potential. The Minnesota Timberwolves hope that's not going to happen, though. 

AK47 doesn't get much national attention, but he's an incredibly productive and versatile player who contributes in ways that both do and don't show up in the box score. His leadership and experience are quite valuable, but so too are his across-the-board contributions on both ends of the court. 

The Russian forward is a fantastic defender, capable of shutting down players on the blocks or out on the perimeter. And while he might not have a potent jumper, he can do just about everything else on the more glamorous end of the court. 

If Kirilenko does opt out, he's going to get a lot of attention from the contending teams hoping to add the piece that pushes them over the top. 

14. J.R. Smith

Last Team: New York Knicks

Age: 27

Position: SG

2012-13 Per-Game Stats: 18.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 0.3 blocks, 1.3 steals, 17.67 PER

Type of Free Agency: Player option

Before J.R. Smith forgot how to shoot during the New York Knicks' ill-fated postseason run, his stock was sky-high. Coming off the Sixth Man of the Year award, he was sure to be paid if he opted out of his contract with N.Y. 

Smith should still seek more money, but he's going to have to temper his expectations now that everyone has been reminded of his true identity.

The mercurial 2-guard is an enigmatic player who plays solid defense and rebounds the ball well while specializing in the scoring department. However, he has no conscience whatsoever and can either shoot a team into or out of a game. 

If Smith stayed put, he'd be one of the bigger bargains in the league. At the moment, the 27-year-old is scheduled to make just under $3 million during the 2013-14 season.

13. Tyreke Evans

Last Team: Sacramento Kings

Age: 23

Position: PG/SG/SF

2012-13 Per-Game Stats: 15.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 0.4 blocks, 1.4 steals, 18.16 PER

Type of Free Agency: Restricted

I'd love to see what Tyreke Evans could do in a non-toxic situation, but the Sacramento Kings still ultimately control his destiny. No matter how large an offer sheet he signs during the offseason, the Kings as-of-yet-unnamed general manager can match the offer and retain his services. 

In the right situation, Evans has the tools to be a dominant force out of the backcourt. He's quite adept at getting to the rim and finishing the play, even though defenses recognize that they have no need to respect his jumper. 

If Evans ever developed a consistent—just consistent, not even potent—shot from the outside, the sky would be the limit. Given his ability to dominate a game physically, it's not hard to see why he'll be such an attractive free-agency option. 

12. Nikola Pekovic

Last Team: Minnesota Timberwolves

Age: 27

Position: C

2012-13 Per-Game Stats: 16.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 0.8 blocks, 0.7 steals, 20.26 PER

Type of Free Agency: Restricted

Nikola Pekovic was the Minnesota Timberwolves' most consistent player during the 2012-13 season; a campaign that was plagued by injuries from start to finish. 

The big man is a physically imposing presence on both ends of the court, and he's not afraid to use that physicality to his advantage. As his career progresses, he'll continue to develop technical skills, but he's still more of a bull-in-the-china-shop type of player. 

Pek is a fan favorite in Minnesota as well. Given his on-court contributions and off-court popularity, it's tough to envision him fleeing the 'Wolves for a warmer locale. 

11. Jeff Teague

Last Team: Atlanta Hawks

Age: 24

Position: PG

2012-13 Per-Game Stats: 14.6 points, 2.3 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 0.4 blocks, 1.5 steals, 16.82 PER

Type of Free Agency: Restricted

Jeff Teague might want to forget about the Atlanta Hawks short-lived playoff experience in 2013, but general managers analyzing him over the summer certainly won't. He couldn't shoot the ball against the Indiana Pacers, and his offensive decision-making was poor at best. 

However, let's not allow that to trump a fantastic regular season from the Wake Forest product. From start to finish, he was a vastly improved player in firm control of the Hawks' offensive sets. 

Teague runs pick-and-rolls quite adeptly, and his developing jumper makes him into much more of an offensive threat. Coupled with his pesky defense, that offensive ability should make him an intriguing target for every team out there in search of a new floor general. 

That said, Atlanta needs to bring him back if the Hawks can't pull off the pipe dream of landing Dwight Howard and Chris Paul. He's been a crucial part of their success and should continue to play a large part going forward. 

10. Monta Ellis

Last Team: Milwaukee Bucks

Age: 27

Position: SG

2012-13 Per-Game Stats: 19.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 0.4 blocks, 2.1 steals, 16.30 PER

Type of Free Agency: Player option

Monta Ellis has an $11 million player option for the 2013-14 season with the Milwaukee Bucks, and that's more than he'll make if he cuts his ties and seeks a fresh start on a new team. However, he may still do exactly that because he hasn't seemed too happy with the Bucks. 

Ellis loves controlling the ball, and playing alongside Brandon Jennings hasn't allowed him to do so quite as often as he'd like. 

If he doesn't exercise the option and does become a free agent, any general manager offering him a contract should tell him that he's strictly banned from shooting the ball behind the three-point arc. Ellis fancies himself a marksman, but he's a below-average shooter who would be much more successful focusing his energy both on making plays for teammates and getting to the rim.

9. Brandon Jennings

Last Team: Milwaukee Bucks

Age: 23

Position: PG

2012-13 Per-Game Stats: 17.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 0.1 blocks, 1.6 steals, 16.20 PER

Type of Free Agency: Restricted

The southpaw point guard, believe it or not, is still only 23 years old, and he's got plenty more unrealized potential left in the tank.

Brandon Jennings is a scorer first and foremost, but he proved that he's got some passing skills to boot. There were lengthy periods during the 2012-13 season in which the floor general displayed his inner John Stockton and racked up double-digit assist totals.

Those also coincided with successful periods for the Bucks in general. Draw your own conclusions. 

We could see a situation similar to Eric Gordon and the New Orleans Hornets unfolding this summer, one in which Jennings wants to leave but isn't able to because he's a restricted free agent and ultimately controlled by the Milwaukee organization.

8. Paul Millsap

Last Team: Utah Jazz

Age: 28

Position: PF

 2012-13 Per-Game Stats: 14.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.0 blocks, 1.3 steals, 19.89 PER

Type of Free Agency: Unrestricted

The number of NBA fans who have never seen Paul Millsap play is truly saddening. Watching the undersized power forward overcome his lack of height on a consistent basis is truly enjoyable. 

The 28-year-old proved that he shouldn't be played much at the 3, but he's a terrific option at the 4. Millsap is always willing to battle it out against bigger big men, and his motor never stops running. Cliche as that may be, Millsap loves doing his best Energizer Bunny impression on a nightly basis. 

The 28-year-old isn't a particularly glamorous target in this free-agency pool, but he's one that can make a significant impact wherever he ends up signing. 

It's just sad that this summer will give him more time in the spotlight than he ever received with the Utah Jazz.

7. Al Jefferson

Last Team: Utah Jazz

Age: 28

Position: C

 2012-13 Per-Game Stats: 17.8 points, 9.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.1 blocks, 1.0 steals, 20.99 PER

Type of Free Agency: Unrestricted

This is where we take the step into the realm of the elites. Al Jefferson kicks off the final tier of free agents in the 2013 class; one populated by just seven players. 

Big Al is an interesting player simply because he's a member of a dying breed. Without possessing the athleticism we're coming to associate with top-notch frontcourt members, Jefferson has still firmly asserted himself as one of the best at his position. 

The reason? That would be his old-school set of back-to-the-basket skills. Jefferson loves going to work on the left block, and, if given time to operate, he'll dominate any player from that position. 

Jefferson has made his living on that left block of the EnergySolutions Arena, but now it's time to lay claim to the same spot in a place other than Salt Lake City. Enes Kanter and Derrick Favors need to play for the Utah Jazz, and Jefferson needs to latch on with a different squad.

6. David West

Last Team: Indiana Pacers

Age: 32

Position: PF

2012-13 Per-Game Stats: 17.1 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 0.9 blocks, 1.0 steals, 20.15 PER

Type of Free Agency: Unrestricted

David West is a physical monster on both ends of the court. I would hate to guard him, and I'm almost certain that anyone matching up against him throughout a game ends up with some serious bruising on their chest after taking a pounding from West's shoulder. 

While Paul George asserted himself as the Indiana Pacers' best player, it was West who thrived under the radar. Whether putting up efficient points or preventing the opposition from doing exactly that, West has been a consistent part of Indiana's success. 

The power forward's eventual salary may be limited by his advancing age, but West has shown no hint of an upcoming decline. If anything, he looks like he's got a lot left in the tank. 

5. Andre Iguodala

Last Team: Denver Nuggets

Age: 29

Position: SG/SF

2012-13 Per-Game Stats: 13.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 0.7 blocks, 1.7 steals, 15.27 PER

Type of Free Agency: Early termination option

If Andre Iguodala does end up using his early termination option and forgoing his second year with the Denver Nuggets, it'll be a business decision. 

Coming off a number of fantastic showings during Denver's short time in the playoffs, Iggy recognizes that he needs to strike now if he wants to earn one more massive payday. A year down the road, he'll be 30 and a bit less appealing to the 30 teams making up the Association. 

That said, Iguodala is in a fantastic spot with the Nuggets, who might have advanced significantly further in the postseason had Danilo Gallinari's ACL remained intact. He's able to thrive as a shut-down perimeter defender who can focus his offensive energy in a number of directions rather than just serving as a go-to scorer. 

What he does with the option remains one of the more intriguing free-agency storylines.

4. Josh Smith

Last Team: Atlanta Hawks

Age: 27

Position: PF

2012-13 Per-Game Stats: 17.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.8 blocks, 1.2 steals, 17.82 PER

Type of Free Agency: Unrestricted

Please note that the following is nothing more than a hypothetical, as I'm in no way suggesting that Josh Smith will end up on the San Antonio Spurs. I'm merely using it as an example. 

With that caveat firmly in mind, let's pretend that Smoove spends the 2013-14 season playing for Gregg Popovich. You know, the same coach who wouldn't stand for Smith's bad decision-making and would immediately bench him if he started shooting long two-pointers. 

Terrifying, right? Smith would finally capitalize on his ridiculous physical gifts and develop into the All-Star we all know he can be. Hell, MVP consideration might ensue. 

Cut to Atlanta Hawks fans sadly shaking their heads. 

In the right situation, Smith can be a truly dominant forward, but it's of paramount importance that he actually finds that right situation.

3. Andrew Bynum

Last Team: Philadelphia 76ers?

Age: 25

Position: C

2011-12 Per-Game Stats: 18.7 points, 11.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.9 blocks, 0.5 steals, 23.00 PER (with Los Angeles Lakers)

Type of Free Agency: Unrestricted

Ah, the curious case of Andrew Bynum. 

The big man appeared poised to become the next dominant post player during his final season with the Los Angeles Lakers, then was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in the Dwight Howard mega-deal and promptly forgot that he was a basketball player. 

Bynum made more headlines for his hairstyles and bowling skills than his actions on the basketball court, although that could be because he spent a grand total of zero minutes on the hardwood. 

Is Bynum going to regain his pre-injury form? Will he play for the Sixers at any point during his career? Do Philly fans even want him back? 

Honestly, we have no idea. 

2. Dwight Howard

Last Team: Los Angeles Lakers

Age: 27

Position: C

2012-13 Per-Game Stats: 17.1 points, 12.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 2.4 blocks, 1.1 steals, 19.48 PER

Type of Free Agency: Unrestricted

Even while dealing with injuries and constant turmoil within the Los Angeles Lakers organization, Dwight Howard was still one of the best centers in basketball during his first—and potentially only—season in purple and gold. 

Despite his balky back and the other fairly legitimate excuses, Howard was a physically imposing presence on defense and a solid offensive contributor. For all the negatives spewed in his general direction, the man still shot 57.8 percent from the field (second only to DeAndre Jordan) and led the NBA in rebounds per game. 

Remember, when healthy, Dwight is easily the best center in the league and a bona fide top-five player. A full offseason could push him right back into that spot. 

You might worry about Howard's attitude, but if you're concerned with winning games, you still want this guy on your squad.

1. Chris Paul

Last Team: Los Angeles Clippers

Age: 28

Position: PG

2012-13 Per-Game Stats: 16.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, 9.7 assists, 0.1 blocks, 2.4 steals, 26.43 PER

Type of Free Agency: Unrestricted

Tony Parker is using the postseason to close the gap between himself and Chris Paul, but CP3 is still the NBA's best point guard. 

If you're looking for a floor general who can do just about everything on the basketball court—except block shots—Paul is your guy. He gets to desired spots on the court with remarkably ease, scores with efficiency and volume (when necessary), makes things easy for his teammates and plays defense well enough to make the All-Defensive First Team. 

Watching Paul play is like watching a masterclass on how to be a successful point guard. And at just 28 years old, he's got a lot of quality seasons and lessons left in him. 

While the Los Angeles Clippers will do everything possible to retain the unrestricted free agent's services, plenty of other teams are chomping at the bit, just waiting for an opportunity to sign the league's third-best player.