NBA Free Agency 2011: Yao Ming Headlines a Look at the Year of the Big Men
Yao Ming, Tim Duncan, and the other big men who will possibly be available during the 2011 NBA free agency period must be a little miffed. When it comes to next year, there has been one name at the centers of all the discussion: Carmelo Anthony.
Yes, Carmelo, for the moment, is set to be the big name in next year's free-agent class. But with numerous trades (including the four-team trade talks between the New Jersey Nets, Utah Jazz, Charlotte Bobcats, and Denver Nuggets) it's looking more likely that Melo will find a new team before the start of the season.
Now, who does that leave to be the head of the class of 2011 free agents? Well let's just say there are BIG things still left to come of next year's free agents.
Al Horford (Restricted)
Horford, for his career, has averaged 12.0 PPG, 9.6 RPG, and 1.14 BPG. Those stats don't necessarily "wow" anyone, but when you think that Horford has been playing out of position as a center for the Atlanta Hawks, then those numbers jump off the page a bit more.
Horford will be a restricted free agent, meaning the Hawks will have the right to match any offer he receives from another team.
With the lack of quality big men in the NBA right now, though, will a team try to front-load a contract in an attempt to scare off the Hawks from retaining their man in the middle? We may see this summer, the Hawks have until Oct. 31 to offer Horford an extension.
Kendrick Perkins (Unrestricted)
Perkins has even less impressive stats than Al Horford on paper with career averages of 6.4 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 1.44 BPG. But take a look at his stats from last year: 10.1 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 1.7 BPG. That's while sharing the court with four All Stars in Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Kevin Garnett.
Anyone on the Boston Celtics roster will tell you that Perkins is their force in the paint. If you don't believe me, re-watch Game 7 of last year's NBA Finals. There is a noticeable difference since Perkins missed that game due to a tear in his ACL.
This year Perkins won't be suiting up for the Celtics until midway through the year.
With the Celtics picking up insurance options in Jermaine and Shaquille O'Neal, Perkins will have to work his way back into the lineup. If he can return to form, there are definitely a number of teams who could use an anchor to their post defense come 2011.
Joakim Noah (Restricted)
Another more defensive-minded center in the East, Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah may also end up being a part of the 2011 class if he and the Bulls can't agree on an extension before the Oct. 31 deadline.
Last year, Noah averaged a double-double putting up 10.7 PPG and 11 RPG, for his career he posts averages of 7.9 PPG, 7.9 RPG, and 1.26 BPG.
Noah's importance to the Bulls has been made evident this offseason as they have refused to put him in trade talks for Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony. That says a lot about what the Bulls front office thinks of Noah and, with his production climbing each year, he definitely will be a good center for years to come.
Especially when you consider he is only 25.
Tyson Chandler (Unrestricted)
For his career, Chandler is averaging 8.1 PPG, 8.8 RPG, and 1.38 BPG. Chandler has fallen off the map after two great years with the New Orleans Hornets (10.65 PPG and 12.1 RPG) thanks to the playmaking abilities of Hornets star guard Chris Paul.
This year he plays with another skilled All-Star guard in Jason Kidd, it remains to be seen whether or not he can replicate his numbers with the Dallas Mavericks this year. But if he can and stay healthy—both big "ifs"—Chandler will be sought after next offseason.
Remember, Chandler is only 27 years old and if he can find his game again he will be a great addition to a team in need of a defensive presence in the middle, who has experience, as well as youth.
Nene (Early Termination Option)
On his career, Nene has stats of 11.9 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.27 BPG. He is a reliable post scorer for a Denver Nuggets team who just two years ago challenged the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals.
Nene has proved to be pretty durable, only missing major time in two of his eight seasons (and one of those seasons he was battling testicular cancer).
Nene isn't the greatest interior defender, but he definitely is no slouch in the paint. If he opts out of his contract (which is looking more likely with a Melo trade and the fact that three other key players—J.R. Smith, Aaron Afflao, and Kenyon Martin—will all be free agents after the season, as well) then he too will be a sought after commodity.
Yao Ming (Unrestricted)
Check these career stats out: 19.1 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 1.90 BPG. Wow, easily better than anybody else's on this list.
However, injuries might be the key word when it comes to Yao's career. After playing an outstanding 244 games in his first three years, Yao has played in 237 his past five years. This year, Yao is coming off a foot injury that kept him out all of last season and will limit him to only 24 minutes per game.
His talents can't be questioned, Yao has been one of the premiere centers in the NBA since he came to the league from China. If Yao can prove that he is back and capable of the wear and tear of an 82-game season expect him to field numerous offers in the 2011 offseason.
Marc Gasol (Restricted)
Once considered a throw-in in the most outrageous trade in NBA history, Marc Gasol has made a name for himself in two years. Posting career averages of 13.1 PPG, 8.2 RPG, and 1.32 BPG.
Gasol isn't quite the player his brother is, but that's not necessarily all bad. Pau Gasol has developed a soft identity among many basketball fans, the same can't be said for younger brother Marc. Marc has shown a more physical game with some of the soft touch and post moves for which his brother is now famous.
The Memphis Grizzlies just gave the big money to forward Rudy Gay, are they ready to pay Marc as well? If not, there are many other teams in the NBA that sure would.
Greg Oden (Restricted)
For his "career" (I thought it deserved quotes seeing as he's only played one full NBA season of games in three years), Oden is averaging 9.4 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.43 BPG.
Oden may be the biggest enigma on this list. Drafted first overall in the 2007 NBA Draft, Oden was billed to be the next great big man in the NBA. However, injuries have kept him back from fulfilling that hype—yet.
Oden is still a great rebounder and defensive presence and in the few games he played last season he began to show off somewhat of a refined offensive game as well, which if he continues to develop will be scary for the rest of the league.
Tim Duncan (Early Termination Option)
Duncan is easily the most accomplished player on the list as he is guaranteed an induction into the Hall of Fame when he does retire. Just look at his career averages: 21.1 PPG, 11.6 RPG, 2.29 BPG.
Do I believe Duncan will even make it to free agency next season? No. Do I think that he will play for anyone other than the San Antonio Spurs? No.
Why is he on this list then? Because stranger things have happened in the NBA. Not too many people would have thought LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh would be on the same team in September of 2009.
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