NBA Free Agents 2013: Swingmen Who Can Be Difference-Makers for Contenders

The initial few days of the 2013 NBA free-agency period has been a non-stop thrill ride of big signings and blockbuster trades.

Many of these transactions have involved players at the swingman position, as the versatile guard/forward who plays on the wing has become a staple of the modern game.

Despite some of the marquee names—Andre Iguodala, Tyreke Evans and Tony Allen, to name a few—getting locked up for the long term, there are still a handful of top-tier talents available on the open market.

Let’s take a look at some of these swingmen and—if they are fortunate enough to land with one—how they could impact contending teams. 

Josh Smith, Detroit Pistons

J-Smoove was arguably the top swingman available this summer, as the veteran forward is still in the prime of his career and capable of being a great second or third option on a championship roster.

The Detroit Pistons inked him to a four-year, $56 million deal, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports.

The 27-year-old holds career averages of 15.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.1 blocks and 1.3 steals in 34.1 minutes per game.

At 6’9”, 225 pounds and possessing tremendous athleticism, Smith is capable of guarding both perimeter players and big men with equal efficiency.

He’s a smart and ambitious defender that has developed significantly on that end since coming into the league back in 2004.

However, Smith tends to fall in love with the jump shot and is notorious for taking long, inefficient twos and inconsistent three-pointers.

Should Detroit head coach Maurice Cheeks get Smith to play in the post and have him motivated to work down there on a nightly basis, great things are on the horizon for this new Detroit Pistons star.

The Pistons are at least one season away from contending for more than a No. 8 seed in the East, but Smith will be integral to the rebuilding process in the Motor City.

Andrei Kirilenko, UFA

Kirilenko made his triumphant return to the NBA last year with the Timberwolves, proving he hasn’t lost a step on the way to 12.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 block per game.

The 6’9”, 235-pound swingman has been tasked to do it all during his 11-year career in the Association. He’s been up against the best offensive talent that the league has to offer and constantly finds a way to use his long arms and quick feet to stay a step ahead of his man and limit his output.

If a squad is going to be anything more than an NBA Finals pretender, it needs at least one stopper like AK47 that can shut down the likes of LeBron James and Kevin Durant.

Given his ability to play lockdown defense and also contribute in other aspects of the game—including three-point shooting, facilitating and rebounding—a contender would be foolish not to give this 32-year-old Russian a look.

Corey Brewer, UFA

Brewer is an intriguing talent that has bounced around the league since being drafted back in 2007, but found a way to contribute at almost every stop.

The former T-Wolves, Dallas Mavericks and Denver Nuggets member holds career averages of 9.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.3 steals per game.

He had one of his best outings in the Mile High City during the 2012-13 campaign, appearing in all 82 games—coming off the bench in 80—to deliver 12.1 PPG and spark the second unit’s offense.

The former Florida star has the sheer size—6’9”, 188 pounds—to stifle almost any small forward he will go up against. Brewer can also slide down to the 4 in certain scenarios, allowing his club to play small ball when the situation calls for it.

While Brewer isn’t going to be a starter for an NBA Finals-winning organization, he is an elite-level reserve that will be able to log significant minutes during a playoff run.