2011 NBA Free Agents: 10 Most Underrated
Believe it or not, Carmelo Anthony won't be the only free agent come July.
Anthony will likely opt out of his current contract with the Nuggets, as he has made it known he has no interest in remaining in Denver long term. Should he do so, he will become the most sought-after free agent since, well, LeBron James.
Denver could also choose to trade Anthony before the Feb. 24 deadline so they could avoid losing him for nothing.
However, that option became a little less likely with Wednesday's news that the Nets have backed out of the 'Melo sweepstakes. Still, teams like the Knicks, Bulls or Rockets could pull off a trade before the deadline, but they are likely to require that Anthony signs an extension before any trade is made.
Others players, such as Ray Allen and Tim Duncan, could opt out of their current contracts but are highly unlikely to do so with the uncertainty of the new collective bargaining agreement. Combine that fact with the success of each player's respective team, and it adds up to Allen and Duncan staying put.
On the surface, the free agent class of 2011 looks rather thin once you move past Anthony, especially compared to the class of 2010 which included not only LeBron, but also Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade, Amar'e Stoudemire and others.
While this year's class may not have the type of names and star power that last year's class had, there is still value to be found.
The following is a list of the 10 most underrated players who will be a part of the 2011 NBA free agent class.
10. Rodney Stuckey (Restricted Free Agent)
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Now in his fourth year, Stuckey is finally coming into his own with the Pistons. In 2008, Detroit thought enough of Stuckey that it traded fellow point guard Chauncey Billups, who had led the franchise to a championship in 2004.
At 6'5" and 205 pounds, Stuckey has above-average size and strength for his position, which routinely causes mismatch problems for opposing teams. He is a strong defender, averaging over a steal a game in his young career.
Offensively, Stuckey is at his best when he's using his frame to get to the basket. He has improved his scoring output in each of his first three years, averaging 16.6 points a game last season. While not a natural passer, Stuckey has shown the ability to create for others as well.
The downside to Stuckey is his perimeter game. He is only a career 42-percent shooter, including just 26 percent from three. An improvement in this area must be made for Stuckey to reach his fullest potential.
However, at just 24 years of age, there is plenty of time for such an improvement to be made
9. Boris Diaw (Unrestricted Free Agent)
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Few players have the versatility of Diaw, which is what will make him a hot commodity should he choose to decline his player option for 2011 and become an unrestricted free agent.
At 6'8", Diaw is a gifted passer and playmaker. He's averaged 4.0 assists per game for his career, which is remarkable for someone his size.
He has also shown the ability to step outside and knock down shots, currently averaging a three per game this season.
Diaw is the type of player that does a lot of things good, but not one thing great. He struggles to rebound the basketball for someone with his size, averaging only 4.9 for his career.
He also doesn't possess a real natural ability to score. Still, he does enough to be a valuable contributor, and can play in a variety of different roles.
8. Glen Davis (Unrestricted Free Agent)
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Not much was expected of Davis when he was drafted out of LSU in the second round of the 2007 draft. He spent the first three years of his career battling both inconsistency and immaturity, but also proved he could be a productive big man at times.
However, this year has been an entirely different story for Davis. He has finally gotten an opportunity in Boston and hasn't disappointed.
He is averaging 12.5 points and 5.3 rebounds per game in just over 30 minutes a night, and he is one of the reasons the Celtics haven't missed a beat, even though they have been without starting center Kendrick Perkins for the entire season. They have been without Kevin Garnett for a period of time as well.
Davis uses his 6'9", 289-pound frame very well in the paint, and also has very good body control. What he lacks in height, he makes up for in technique.
Still, he struggles to defend players who have a significant height advantage on him. He must also improve upon his career 45-percent field goal percentage, which is pretty poor for someone who spends as much time in the paint as he does.
Although he will never be a big-time scorer, Davis is very effective when he stays within himself. He also has a tremendous amount of playoff experience for such a young player.
7. Carl Landry (Unrestricted Free Agent)
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The theme of undersized power forwards continues.
But don't let Landry's size fool you; he has the ability to be an offensive force. After he was traded to the Kings last season, he averaged 18.0 points per game to go along with 6.5 rebounds. Simply put: he finds ways to score.
He also is a model of efficiency, holding a career 54-percent field goal percentage.
Landry has a continuous motor, never giving up on a play. He seemingly never stops hustling, which isn't something you can say about every NBA player.
Even though he is only 6'9" and 248 pounds, he holds his own defensively as a power forward, and has averaged almost a block and a steal per game for his career.
At age 27, Landry is entering the prime of his career. With his offensive skill set, he could put up big-time numbers if given enough playing time.
6. Aaron Brooks (Restricted Free Agent)
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Brooks took over the starting point guard position for the Rockets last season and didn't disappoint.
Starting all 82 games, he averaged 19.6 points and 5.3 assists per game. He also led the league with 209 three-pointers made, while shooting them at a 39-percent clip.
Brooks proved he had both the scoring ability and the playmaking ability to play either guard position effectively going forward.
Brooks has been dealing with a high ankle sprain for most of this season, but he is still managing 13.1 points per game in just over 24 minutes per game.
At just 6'0", Brooks lacks the prototypical size for an NBA point guard, but his elite quickness will allow him to compete defensively at all times. He also needs to develop a much better shot selection, as he is only a 42-percent career shooter.
Still, any team could use his speed and shooting ability.
5. Wilson Chandler (Restricted Free Agent)
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While most of the credit for the Knicks turnaround has gone to Amar'e Stoudemire, and rightfully so, Chandler's contributions should not be overlooked.
Chandler is averaging 17.4 points and 6.3 rebounds per game this season, and while some of those numbers may be a product of the Knicks system, Chandler also has a very unique skill set.
At 6'8", Chandler creates numerous mismatches at the small forward position. He is deceptively quick, but he can also shoot over defenders when needed.
He is also averaging 1.7 three-pointers made on the season, which is rare for someone with his size.
With the Knicks, Chandler has been forced to guard power forwards and even centers on occasion, due to the team's very small lineup.
He plays out of position on most nights, but holds his own, even averaging 1.4 blocks for the season. However, he is at his best when he can guard other small forwards.
One of the few knocks on Chandler is his consistency. There are times when he has a tendency to disappear, becoming very passive and showing no aggressiveness.
If and when he realizes his full potential, he will take his game to the next level.
4. Jeff Green (Restricted Free Agent)
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When you play on a team with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, it's difficult to be noticed.
The time has come for Green to get some love.
Green averaged 15.1 points and 6.0 rebounds per game last season, and he is putting up very similar numbers again this year.
He has an ideal NBA body for the small forward position at 6'9" and 235 pounds, but also is an exceptional athlete with the ability to get out and run. He has been a perfect fit for the young and energetic Thunder.
Green does need to work on his offensive game as a whole, as he is just a 44-percent shooter for his career.
However, he is capable of stepping outside on the perimeter and knocking down shots. He is a 33-percent career shooter from beyond the arc.
He is quiet and just goes about his business, rarely seeking out attention. But the time has come for Green to get the attention and respect he deserves.
3. Marc Gasol (Restricted Free Agent)
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Finally, a true center makes the list.
And that is only one of the reasons Gasol is, and will be, so valuable.
Gasol stands at 7'1" and 265 pounds, and he is a very intimidating presence in the paint.
In just his third year in the league, he averaged double figures in his first two years and is currently averaging 11.3 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, to go along with 1.6 blocks.
At age 25, Gasol has only scratched the surface of his potential. Athletic big men like Gasol are hard to come by, which is why many teams are likely to be interested, especially teams with a glaring weakness at center.
Gasol would be a perfect fit for a team like the Knicks, should they strike out again in free agency with Carmelo.
2. Jamal Crawford (Unrestricted Free Agent)
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There aren't too many players in the NBA that possess the natural scoring ability that Crawford does.
The reigning Sixth Man of the Year will likely want to move on to a place where he would start, and who could blame him?
In 2007, when Crawford played and started 80 games for the Knicks, he averaged 20.6 points per game, as well as five assists and over two three-pointers a game.
More recently, Crawford averaged 18 points a game last year during his award-winning season, even though he came off the bench in every game he played in.
Crawford is now 30 years of age, so his best years are behind him. He is also only a 41-percent field goal shooter for his career and often times has a very poor shot selection.
Crawford can still create his own shot with the best of them, but at times is almost too selfish, failing to get his teammates involved.
The negatives certainly exist with Crawford, but his scoring ability alone will make him a very sought-after player.
1. Zach Randolph (Unrestricted Free Agent)
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Mr. Randolph is in for a big pay day. What else would you expect for this double-double machine? The guy wakes up with 20 and 10.
Randolph, who made his first All-Star game appearance last season, is making another push to return to the game for the second year in a row. Looking at his numbers, it would be well deserved.
He is averaging 20.0 points and 13.0 rebounds per game this season after averaging 20.8 and 11.7 last year.
Although he isn't flashy, Randolph finds ways to get it done. At first glance, he looks like an undersized and overweight power forward who has no business on a basketball court.
But if you keep watching, you will see a guy who knows how to use his body to get wherever he wants to around the rim. He is an excellent finisher around the basket, and can even step out and hit the mid-range jumper.
There will be some concern over the long-term health of Randolph. He will turn 30 soon, and has been in the league since 2001, which means his body has already endured a lot of wear and tear.
Nonetheless, he has showed no signs of slowing down, and will be an excellent consolation prize for any team that misses out on 'Melo.
Life After 'Melo
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You will notice that some of these guys are restricted free agents, which means there is a chance that they will be retained by their respective teams, although I think some of them will also be changing teams.
The drama surrounding the 'Melo situation could very well last in to the summer if he is not traded.
This list is meant to provide some other names to keep any eye on and see how their situations play out. All 10 of these guys would be solid contributors on any NBA team.
