NBA Free Agents: Role Players Each Club Would Love To Grab This Summer
The NBA free-agent class of 2011 isn't as nearly as spectacular of that of 2010 or 2012.
We aren't looking at a whole lot of franchise-changing free agents. A lot of guys are going to be contributors, whether from off the bench or as third or fourth options being starters.
Here is a list of some guys every team in the NBA should consider making roster space for.
There are no major superstars, but if you could manage to pry them away from their current team, your team is going to be much better.
Jamal Crawford
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Jamal Crawford is a type of guy teams should want coming off their bench.
He's kind of a poor man's Jason Terry, but he can run the point, play the two and, depending on the matchup, play a little three as well.
His defense isn't the greatest in the world.
Well, to be frank, it is straight pitiful.
That is a major liability and why he has to come off the bench. Crawford is best suited to fill it up and fill it up in a hurry.
A lot of teams could use a big-time scorer off the bench. Crawford's from Seattle, so he's a good guy.
Glen Davis
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Every team needs a big man who is scrappy, works his ass off on defense, has a decent jump shot and is a big-time team guy.
Glen Davis is the heart and soul of the Celtics bench. He can fill in as a starter and can play starter minutes.
He has major championship experience and has played in more big games for a guy his age than anyone else in the NBA not named Rajon Rondo.
Kurt Thomas
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He could probably retire at any time, but Kurt Thomas has a goal of playing for every team in the league.
He's the master of the cheap expiring contract of a veteran who does a lot of great things in the locker room. Thomas loves to take the toughest big on the other team on any given night.
He could start, come off the bench or probably even sit in a rocking chair and whittle ya something fierce.
This is the type of veteran leadership most teams look for.
He can produce a little on offense, too.
Anthony Parker
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Anthony Parker is primarily known for his defense and his pretty hot sister. Most still can't figure how she ended up with her current husband.
I'll let you guys think over that last part for a second before we continue.
Parker does play defense. He can occasionally knock down a three and allegedly is a pretty good leader.
And he has a hot sister.
We're just going to move on. Can't get over the whole Candace "situation."
Tyson Chandler
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I've had a man crush on Tyson Chandler ever since he came into the league. He is the first guy I trade for in "2K" games. I run my offense through him and always control him on defense.
A guy gets within 15 feet, he get Chandler in his face.
It's kind of how it is in real life, too.
Chandler is the backbone of the Dallas defense and he never takes a single defensive possession off. He gets his teammates fired up and he rebounds like a moth...we'll just stop there before I get fired.
You know what I mean and you know you'd pump your first a couple times if Tyson Chandler ended up on your team.
Shane Battier
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You'll never see a man work as hard as Shane Battier on both sides of the ball every possession.
The man can score around 12-16 a night, can play off the bench and still has enough miles in his legs to start.
Battier is still a solid defender and is a leader on the floor and in the locker room.
I'd love to have a guy like Shane Battier on my team. There is so much he can do on and off the court.
Okay, that's about all the good I can say about a guy who went to Duke.
Don't expect me to say anything positive about Kyle Singler. Ever.
Matt Barnes
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I love Matt Barnes.
He is a very feisty defender. He can score when needed and he provides a level of toughness most players can't.
The big thing I love about Matt Barnes is that he never takes a play off and he gets offended when his teammates do.
I heard rumblings of how he tried to tie Baron Davis to a treadmill once. I don't know if that's true, but I assume it until proven otherwise.
Zach Randolph
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About five years ago Zach Randolph was considered a disease. One more false move and he was going to be playing with Stephon Marbury in China.
Randolph has turned himself into a model teammate and league employee. He's also a guy who can step right into the starting four spot and give you a hard 25-15 every night and play defense to the best of his ability.
Randolph has actually turned himself into probably the top free agent in 2011.
He's going to be in line for a big contract.
Sebastian Telfair
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Just kidding.
Jason Richardson
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Jason Richardson used to be one of the most dynamic 2-guards in the NBA. He scored in bunches, his defense was underrated and he could turn a poke-and-steal into a thunderous dunk two seconds later.
Richardson is still an adequate starter in the NBA. He probably could do it for another year or two, and then would be a great sixth man.
Richardson can still score 20-plus every night; give you a couple steals, a few rebounds.
He is still very serviceable and would make a great team even better.
Grant Hill
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Has there been a better recovery story than Grant Hill coming back from near forced retirement to being a key contributor to a team that was a game away from the NBA Finals last year?
Grant's resurgence is probably one of the better stories in recent NBA history, and he owes it all to the amazing Phoenix training staff.
I'm afraid for his life if he leaves Phoenix.
Samuel Dalembert
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It's tough to find a guy who will give you quality minutes at center night after night. Dalembert's good for about 14 points on a good day and usually can grab you about 10 rebounds and block a couple of shots a game.
I wouldn't want Dalembert on a championship team unless he were backing up a star like Dwight Howard and playing only about 10-15 minutes a night.
Dalembert is a great person and he should commended for all the work he has done in his native Haiti.
That alone speaks to the volumes of the type of person he is.
Josh McRoberts
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Again, kidding. I just get the feeling we're being punked on this one.
