2013 NBA Free Agents Who Swung Their Value During NBA Playoffs

The 2013 NBA playoffs have been a stage. The top players in the game have been spotlighted on national television and competed their hearts out for a championship.

However, only one team walks away happy from the playoffs, so many individuals are playing for something else. 

There were a host of guys competing in this year's postseason that were playing out the final year of their contracts. Now that they've been eliminated from the playoffs, it could quite literally be the end of their era on a particular team. 

Entering the 2013 free-agent pool puts these players in an interesting position. Because of their regular season, they were afforded more games and a bigger stage to prove themselves for that next deal. When they sign somewhere this summer, a lot of the details of the contract will be a result of what took place this spring.

For some, that is a great thing, as they rose to the occasion in the playoffs and forced those contracts to increase in both compensation and duration. For others, it may not have been the best possible route. After a great regular season, one could be set up nicely for negotiations. Crumbling in the playoffs or hitting a simple cold streak could cost them millions.

Whether they are saving the tapes from the 2013 postseason or burning them, the way they played is sure to swing their future contracts in some way.

Nate Robinson

Previous Contract: One Year, $1.15 Million

The last time Nate Robinson was this relevant, he was dunking over Spud Webb in a meaningless exhibition contest while playing for the losing New York Knicks.

Things are a bit different now, as Robinson has been on four other teams since then. He found a home with the Chicago Bulls this past season on a one-year, minimum contract. He was brought in as a deep reserve to play behind Derrick Rose and Kirk Hinrich.

Then came the 2013 postseason, where nobody took advantage of an opportunity quite as well as Robinson did. In just his third trip to the playoffs, and first with real playing time, Robinson was amazing.

With Rose and Hinrich sidelined, he averaged 16.3 points and 4.4 assists while leading the Bulls to a Round 1 upset over the Brooklyn Nets. After playing very well in all 82 games during the regular season, Robinson raising his game another level wasn't even fathomable until a few weeks ago.

Playing on a minuscule contract, Robinson poured in 27 points and nine assists in the Game 1 defeat of the Miami Heat in Round 2. In the triple-overtime Game 4 against Brooklyn, he put up 34 points in just 29 minutes of action.

Unfortunately, with the Bulls teetering on the edge of the luxury tax, Robinson's play probably made it so they won't be able to re-sign him. Of course, if all goes to plan with Derrick Rose's return, they won't have a spot for him anyway.

Projected Contract: Three Years, $10 Million

David West

Previous Contract: 2 Years, $20 Million

David West's postseason ended prematurely of where he would've liked. Despite that Game 7 loss to the Miami Heat, it was an impressive stretch of interior dominance that is sure to net him some dough this offseason nonetheless.

West was paid pretty well this past season, earning $10 million. Then he went and out-played the contract. It was the perfect year for him to revert back to his New Orleans Hornets skill set, as he formed an incredible frontcourt pairing with Roy Hibbert. 

That isn't something the Eastern Conference runners-up will want to let go this offseason, so the Indiana Pacers will be ready to pay up. 

West's negotiations can hinge on the highlight reel of defensive plays he made protecting the paint against the Atlanta Hawks, New York Knicks and Miami Heat. His offense, 15.9 points per game, was also a huge reason for Indiana's success.

Unfortunately, West is approaching birthday No. 33. That will make it tough for him to earn a long-term deal. However, given his production during their last two playoff runs and what his presence has meant to Hibbert's development, they have to try and keep him around.

Projected Contract: Three Years, $40 Million

J.R. Smith

Previous Contract: Two Years, $5.7 Million (Year 2 Player Option)

J.R. Smith was flying high entering the postseason. He had just submitted his best statistical season and earned the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year award for it.

Smith's 18.1 points and 5.7 rebounds per game off the bench were a major reason the New York Knicks had such a successful regular season. Smith was a perfect secondary scorer next to Carmelo Anthony on the second-place Knicks. 

Unfortunately, then came a swift elbow to Jason Terry's jaw and somehow, Smith went cold. After a 6-of-12 Game 3 in the opening round, he didn't sniff 40 percent during any individual game thereafter. He finished out the postseason averaging 14.3 points on 33.1 percent shooting. He was an abysmal 27.3 percent from beyond the arc. 

Smith just couldn't find the range anymore, and the Knicks suffered badly as a result. Mike Woodson couldn't find an answer to replace his production, and Anthony caved under too much responsibility. The Knicks were eliminated in six games by the Indiana Pacers. 

All those dollars that Smith was set to rake in this summer thanks to his fresh new award and career year will now be a tad more hesitant. If Smith decides to opt out of his current contract, that big deal he was hoping for may not be there anymore.

Given the Knicks current cap situation, it's unclear whether they'll still be able to afford his new salary.

Projected Contract: Four Years, $25 Million

Marco Belinelli

Previous Contract: One Year, $1.96 Million

Marco Belinelli was really just an afterthought signing by the Chicago Bulls late last summer to fill out their depleted bench. There wasn't much of a bidding war going on for the mediocre journeyman of now four teams in six NBA seasons.

Then the Bulls' rash of injuries happened and Derrick Rose just never came back. When Tom Thibodeau was literally out of options trying to buy a bucket here and there, Belinelli came through. He averaged 11.1 points per game in just his second postseason ever.

While attempting to eliminate the Brooklyn Nets in Games 6 and 7, Belinelli came up big with 22- and 24-point games, respectively. Though he was pretty well guarded against the Miami Heat in Round 2, he got off his share of quality threes. Belinelli hit on 34 percent of them during the playoffs.

With Luol Deng and Derrick Rose coming back healthy next season, it will be tough for the Bulls to keep Belinelli around after the solid year and great postseason he had. The suitors that weren't there a year ago may now be more willing to bust out the checkbooks.

Projected Contract: Three Years, $12 Million

Jarrett Jack

Previous Contract: Four Years, $20 Million

One of the most underrated trades in recent years brought Jarrett Jack to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for Dorell Wright.

In his first year with the Warriors, Jack became a fan favorite and a valuable weapon off the bench. He provided excellent scoring punch when either Klay Thompson or Stephen Curry were on the sideline.

Jack's 12.9 points per game in the regular season ballooned to 17.3 during the postseason, as he shot a fantastic 50.6 percent from the floor. Jack was also good for 4.4 rebounds and 4.7 assists while getting to the line four times a game.

That postseason performance helped elevate the Warriors beyond first-round fodder and into serious second-round contention. He scored 20-plus in six of 12 games and was held to single-digits just once.

He proved enough to be considered for a starting role somewhere in the NBA. That won't be in Golden State, though, where the Warriors have a starting backcourt set for the foreseeable future. Unless Jack wants to continue being a backup, he'll be looking elsewhere this summer.

Projected Contract: Three Years, $22 Million

Carl Landry

Previous Contract: Two Years, $8 Million

While the Golden State Warriors haven't lost Carl Landry yet, they may have to deal with him in free agency a year sooner than they'd like.

The reserve power forward who stepped up big in the playoffs holds a $4 million player option for next season. Given how well he played in the postseason and how desirable his position is, he may opt out and go for a longer deal.

Since the Warriors are still bogged down with the contracts of Andris Biedrins and Richard Jefferson for one more year, it will be difficult for them to retain Landry and Jarrett Jack.

When David Lee went down with a torn hip flexor early in the first round, the Warriors were in trouble. Luckily, Landry stepped in and played very well to ensure the team didn't falter. He scored 11.8 points per game on 52 percent shooting. Landry chipped in 5.2 rebounds and hit 73.1 percent of his 4.3 free throws per game.

Even with a slight decline in minutes, due to the small-ball necessity of playing against the Denver Nuggets, Landry's performance increased from the regular season. If he wants a longer deal now, he will be on the open market before long. If he waits a year, the Warriors will have a lot more free space to re-sign him.

Projected Contract: Three Years, $18 Million

Brandon Jennings

Previous Contract: Four Years, $10.17 Million

Remember the short-lived talk about Brandon Jennings as a potential max-contract guy? Those aspirations went right out the window after the 2013 playoffs.

Jennings willed the Milwaukee Bucks to a playoff spot in the weak Eastern Conference, eyeing the postseason as his chance to make some free-agency dollars for the summer. However, four quick games later, Jennings might have been better off in the lottery.

On top of his team being embarrassed by the Miami Heat, Jennings shot only 29.8 percent from the field for 13.3 points. His assist and rebounding numbers also went way down in the first round. He hit just 21.4 percent of his seven threes per game.

Still, Jennings will probably be opting out of his $4.5 million player option for next season. He will still be one of the more attractive point guards on the market, but the deal he wants may not be the one he gets, and he'll have the postseason to blame for that.

On top of that, if he wishes to get out of Milwaukee, this could make it more difficult. The Bucks hold his rights as a restricted free agent, so they can match any other offer he signs. Their matching becomes far more likely the less the deal is worth.

Projected Contract: Four Years, $50 Million

Kevin Martin

Previous Contract: Five Years, $53 Million

Kevin Martin actually fit in pretty nicely for the Oklahoma City Thunder this past season, filling James Harden's former role.

It is no secret that he was overpaid, but the Thunder appeared to make it work. Then the Russell Westbrook injury happened, and the team needed more offense. Martin was unable to step up after that incident, maintaining the even keel he had all season. 

More than anything, this has helped the league see him for what he truly is: an above-average scorer that brings little else to the table. After his big five-year deal expired, he will finally be paid as such.

Martin was a solid filler all year, hitting 42.6 percent of his threes and averaging 14 points per game. Then came the playoffs, and his field-goal clip dropped to 38 percent overall and 37 percent on threes. Martin scored the same with or without Westbrook in the lineup.

Oklahoma City will more than likely have the room to pay him this offseason, but after that mediocre postseason performance, they may not want to.

Projected Contract: Three Years, $16 Million

Tony Allen

Previous Contract: Three Year, $9.45 Million

When the Memphis Grizzlies signed Tony Allen as a free agent three years ago, they had an idea of what they were getting. By year three, they had already gotten more than they paid for.

Allen was a major part of the most successful regular season in Grizzlies history. Then he elevated his game even more in the playoffs. 

Allen posted 10.3 points and 6.1 rebounds per game in the postseason, both improvements over his regular season. He also chipped in his usual incredible defense and two steals per game.

He was huge in shutting down the Los Angeles Clippers and then played Kevin Durant about as well as anyone could. Come contract negotiation time this summer, Allen will have a lot of leverage from this recent run. Those back-to-back First Team All-Defense awards won't hurt, either.

The major issues are that teams don't regularly dole out big bills for defensive specialists. Allen will also turn 32 years old in the middle of next season.

Projected Contract: Three Years, $17 Million

Chris Andersen

Previous Contract: One Year, $540 Thousand

Whenever it does actually begin, the offseason for Chris Andersen is sure to be fascinating.

Outside of his nice NBA Finals bonus, the contract he is playing on is mere pennies considering what he means to the Miami Heat right now. That is perfect for the Heat, given how much money they have tied up in stars, but will it continue to work for Andersen?

Assuming he continues his hot play into the finals and the Heat win another championship, he has to have some dynamite leverage entering free agency. The fans love him in Miami, and he is exactly the type of energy big they need for this team. 

Unfortunately, the Heat are treading dangerously with luxury-tax dollars, and signing Andersen to anything substantial could cost the team much more in the tax.

There are obvious possibilities, and most hinge on Ray Allen, Mike Miller or Shane Battier choosing to retire and sacrificing their considerable contracts. That would free up plenty of money to re-sign Andersen.

Otherwise, he must take a discount to stay in Miami, because there are a great many teams kicking themselves for not bringing him in midseason.

Projected Contract: Two Years, $5 Million