NBA Free Agency: One Player from Each Team Guaranteed to Move This Summer
The free agent market won't exactly be the what it was last summer when it rolls around at the end of the season. There will be no LeBron James or Chris Bosh, Joe Johnson or Amar'e Stoudemire.
But there will still be teams with needs and players willing to fill them for the right price. Yao Ming, Caron Butler, J.R. Smith, David West and Zach Randolph will all be unrestricted free agents come summer.
But who is not going to be on the same team next season for sure? Some players will re-sign with their current times while others find new homes.
Here are the free agents most likely to end up on new teams next season.
30. Phoenix Suns: Vince Carter
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Are the Suns really going to pick up that $18 million option?
Vince Carter is 34 years old and, appropriately, his production has decreased significantly over the past few seasons. For his age, he's still very productive. For his price tag, he's not.
Carter is struggling to fit in with Phoenix, with both his field goal percentage and scoring average down since coming over from Orlando in a trade earlier this season.
29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Daequan Cook
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When Oklahoma City acquired Nazr Mohammed and Kendrick Perkins, it acquired two unrestricted-free-agents-to-be. But the Thunder have plans to keep both of those players.
They'll have the cap space to do so, but not making a qualifying offer to Daequan Cook and turning him loose to the free agent market will help make the space.
Oklahoma City acquired its two new big men with the long term in mind. Perkins has already been extended.
28. Philadelphia 76ers: Jason Kapono
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Despite being one of the better three-point shooters in the NBA for the past several seasons, Jason Kapono could be unemployed very soon.
He's set to be a free agent this summer, but could be waived by the 76ers before then. Teams such as Boston or the Lakers could be interested in picking Kapono up for the rest of the season.
Either way, the small forward won't be in Phillly next season.
27. Boston Celtics: Nenad Krstic
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Boston is ultimately going to be displeased with its acquisition of Nenad Krstic. He's a solid player that can fill a role, but Boston needs a stronger defensive presence.
Add to that, the Celtics' growing need at shooting guard and there just won't be room for Krstic on the roster. He's too expensive.
Marquise Daniels is gone via trade. Both Delonte West and Von Wafer will need to be re-signed. Boston will have both Jeff Green and Glen Davis to worry about re-signing as well.
Can Boston fill the roster out adequately?
26. Cleveland Cavaliers: Anthony Parker
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Anthony Parker will be Cleveland's only free agent. Jawad Williams and Leon Powe were both waived.
Cleveland could use Parker's experience and versatile game, but he was on the trade block for much of the season anyway.
The Cavs will have rookies to pay and make roster space for next season with two unprotected first-round picks.
25. Dallas Mavericks: DeShawn Stevenson
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Caron Butler loves Dallas and Dallas loves Butler. The Mavericks will re-sign him, probably at a hometown discount. J.J. Barea would be smart to take whatever deal the Mavs offer—it's unlikely that any other team will give him the playing time he's gotten in Dallas despite having proven his value.
DeShawn Stevenson is the odd man out. Peja Stojakovich will get a solid offer, with owner Mark Cuban viewing him as a key ingredient to one more title push.
Stevenson is already struggling to get minutes with Butler out with injury. There just won't be room for him.
24. New York Knicks: Anthony Carter
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Unfortunately for Anthony Carter, he was a throw-in in the Carmelo Anthony trade to make the numbers work. The Knicks will use him for now, but Toney Douglas is the future back-up point guard for that team, at least for the immediate future.
Carter is in his 12th season. He's had a great career, and any team looking for a little veteran stability to help the back court should make an offer.
23. Utah Jazz: Kyrylo Fesenko
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Kyrylo Fesenko hasn't developed the way that Utah hoped he would when they acquired him from Philadelphia in 2007.
He has imposing size but lacks finesse or any offensive game beyond open dunks. He struggles with foul trouble despite limited minutes.
Utah finally gets a chance for a clean break with Fesekno.
22. Los Angeles Clippers: Jamario Moon
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The Clippers could pick up its $3.19 million option on Jamario Moon for next season, but Donald Sterling wouldn't have any of it.
He'd actually be right.
The Clippers picked up Moon for the eventual cap space. They're going to use it. DeAndre Jordan's contract is up, and he'll be more expensive now.
21. Indiana Pacers: Mike Dunleavy
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Mike Dunleavy definitely contributes for the Indiana Pacers. He scores 11.2 points and grabs 4.8 rebounds in 28.6 minutes per game.
But I can't see the Pacers bringing him back. He made $10.5 million this season. Will he be willing to take a pay cut?
Indiana can replace Dunleavy with its first-round draft pick.
20. Charlotte Bobcats: Kwame Brown
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Michael Jordan should cut ties with his failed draft pick yet again. Kwame Brown has become serviceable, but he is the Bobcat most likely to be on a new team next season.
Joel Przybilla will be first in line for a new contract. Morris Peterson is already gone. Brown could get a new deal, but there may be a team out there willing to give him a raise.
19. Chicago Bulls: Brian Scalabrine
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The Bulls are set up very nicely with Derrick Rose, Carlos Boozer, Joakim Noah and Luol Deng under contract at least through next season. To have your best four players under wraps and still be in good cap position is a rarity.
But Noah gets a $7 million raise next season, squeezing the cap space the Bulls now enjoy. Brian Scalabrine has been used sparingly by the Bulls. Maybe Boston and its adoring fans can get him back.
18. Detroit Pistons: Tayshaun Prince
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At this point, would Tayshaun Prince even consider re-signing with Detroit if he could get a contract anywhere else? I don't think so. And he can get a contract somewhere else.
The Pistons need to look to the future and the expiring contract of Prince helps them do that. He was already on the trading block for much of the season. The Pistons are done reminiscing about their championship days from several years ago.
17. San Antonio Spurs: Chris Quinn
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San Antonio doesn't need Chris Quinn to sit on the bench and wait for mop-up minutes. With Tony Parker and George Hill manning the point guard position, Quinn isn't a necessity, even at less than $1 million per season.
The Spurs can find back court depth in the draft if they believe they need it. Manu Ginobili and Gary Neal fill out a terrific foursome at guard.
16. Washington Wizards: Josh Howard
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Josh Howard has become a cautionary tale. A phenomenally talented player that once played at a near-all-star level, Howard has fallen into a backup role with one of the worst teams in the NBA.
But Howard still has the potential to be a difference maker for a team looking for a boost. He'll find a home next season, but not with Washington.
15. Portland Trailblazers: Greg Oden
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The oh-so fragile Greg Oden needs a fresh start. Portland needs a clean slate to work with. The two must part ways.
Oden can't even live up to the expectations once laid upon him for the Trailblazers. He must find a new home and repair his injury-derailed career.
Maybe Oden is the next Grant Hill, simply prolonging the success of his career by saving his body now. Hill, however, did give us good years before injuries slowed him down.
14. Milwaukee Bucks: Earl Boykins
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Earl Boykins is still a spark plug player that is averaging the most points he has since he played twice as many minutes in 2006-2007.
The Bucks, however, will likely pick up their option for Carlos Delfino. They have a decision to make on Michael Redd, who is obviously a more important player for Milwaukee to bring back.
13. Miami Heat: Mike Bibby
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Mike Bibby signed with his third team in about a week when he bought out his Wizards contract to join the Miami Heat.
This move doesn't help the Heat with its problems. Miami will get to see this over the remainder of the regular season and abbreviated stay in the playoffs. The Heat will then realize it doesn't want to bring the veteran back next season.
Miami is better off beefing up its front court.
12. Memphis Grizzlies: Marc Gasol
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He's not his brother, Pau, but Marc Gasol has game too. Memphis will do what it can to keep both him and Zach Randolph, but that doesn't seem realistic.
Plenty of title contenders who are looking for more size will go after Gasol, raising the price tag higher than the Grizzlies can afford.
Could the Gasols team up in Los Angeles?
11. Minnesota Timberwolves: Eddy Curry
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Eddy Curry went to Minnesota with no expectation to play, the Timberwolves have no intention of playing him.
Curry provides one thing for the T-wovles: cap space. $11 million of it.
Minnesota should find itself in the free agent market at the end of the season, and Curry should find himself in the unemployment line. Is any team willing to take a risk on him at this point?
10. Golden State Warrior: Vladimir Radmanovic
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Golden State needs some more size to play alongside David Lee, and Vladimir Radmanovic isn't the long term answer. The 6'10" Yugoslavian has performed well for the Warriors but doesn't provide a dominant presence that Golden State needs to be taken seriously.
Thanks to Troy Murphy buying out his contract, Golden State will enjoy cap space to go after some size. Can the Warriors lure the likes of Zach Randolph if Radmanovic is gone to give space?
9. New Jersey Nets: Dan Gadzuric
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Dan Gadzuric is already discussing a buyout with the New Jersey Nets after arriving in a trade at the deadline from Golden State. Gadzuric's 6'11" frame—and six fouls per game—could be a valuable asset to several teams.
Maybe the Miami Heat will continue picking up late-season free agents. The addition of Gadzuric would make more sense than that of Mike Bibby.
8. Toronto Raptors: Julian Wright
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Julian Wright is still looking to break out in the NBA after nearly four seasons of role-playing. Toronto won't be the place where Wright will find an increased role, if he ever does.
With his contract up and his production minimal, Wright will be hoping for a new team to pick him up this offseason.
7. Houston Rockets: DeMarre Carroll
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DeMarre Carroll shouldn't bother getting comfortable in Houston. He won't be there long.
Now, the question here is whether or not the Rockets decide its worth it to roll the dice on Yao Ming for a lesser price. Ming could very well be looking for a new place to rejuvenate his career.
Carroll is decidedly on the outs after the season.
6. Los Angeles Lakers: Joe Smith
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Playing for 13 teams in 16 season couldn't have been fun for Joe Smith. He obviously loves playing the game and securing a paycheck for it.
But the Lakers aren't going to bring him back next season. He's not participating, and the team needs to look for legitimate help at forward.
Smith may just retire at this point, unless his goal is to play for every franchise. He's almost halfway there...
5. Atlanta Hawks: Jason Collins
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Jason Collins, simply put, is a seven-footer that provides six fouls and a body in the paint. That is the extent of his production this late in his career. Truthfully, that's been his purpose throughout his career.
Atlanta doesn't need to bring back the 32-year-old. It needs to enjoy the minimal flexibility that Collins' expiring contract provides it.
The Hawks have a slight reconstruction facing them, making that little bit of extra money helpful. Atlanta has stated that it wants desperately to bring back Jamal Crawford.
4. Sacramento Kings: Samuel Dalembert
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$12.2 million. 6.8 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. Seriously?
Samuel Dalembert must giggle every time he cashes his paychecks. It truly pays to be seven feet tall.
Dalembert was a large part of trade rumors this season, as teams not only eyed his expiring contract but his length. Dalembert will find a new team for a lower price tag next season.
3. Denver Nuggets: Kenyon Martin
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The Denver Nuggets have publicly discussed their hopes of re-signing both Nene and J.R. Smith. But they have been mum about re-signing Kenyon Martin.
Martin is an exciting player that will be an attractive free agent to many teams as long as he's willing to take a significant pay cut.
As a veteran in search of a ring, he should be.
2. Orlando Magic: Jason Richardson
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Orlando has the second-highest payroll in the NBA thanks in great part to Jason Richardson's $14 million contract. The Magic needs some breathing room to restructure itself into a true championship contender.
If Orlando lets Richardson walk as well as Earl Clark, it can start to flirt with the idea of a free agent signing. But it's unlikely the Magic will be able to get what they really need, which would be a Zach Randolph or a David West.
Maybe Kenyon Martin would be a solid fit.
1. New Orleans Hornets: David West
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Is David West going to choose to return to New Orleans when he stands to earn $5 million more somewhere else? Hmmmm. It's just a gut feeling but I think not.
West has outperformed his contact in New Orleans, making just under $8.3 million this season. The Hornets are stealing a nightly double-double threat at that price.
West is going to land a juicy, long term contract by opting out of his final year in New Orleans.
