NBA Free Agent Rumors: Each Team's Dream Signing over the Summer
NBA teams are starting to look around the league at free agents to be. They see potential franchise saviors and key role players that they want to put their jerseys on.
The 2011 free agent class won't be what it was in 2010, but there are still quality names that will be looking for a new contract. Zach Randolph, Jeff Green, J.R. Smith and Jason Richardson are all free agents to some degree.
Some players await qualifying offers while others are ready to hear what other teams are willing to pay.
But what does each team need and what player can fill that need?
Here is each team's dream free agent pickup this offseason in no particular order.
Cleveland Cavaliers
1 of 30
Dream Free Agent: Michael Redd
It's not exactly a huge coup for the Cavs to pick up a sharpshooter in the twilight of his career and coming off of knee surgery.
But Michael Redd could be looking for a new home and will be taking a pay cut. After making $18 million to chill on the bench and rehab, Redd could find a decent pay check and plenty of playing time in Cleveland.
Cavalier fans would welcome home the Columbus native that played college ball at Ohio State, even if he has few seasons left.
Los Angeles Lakers
2 of 30
Dream Free Agent: Andrei Kirilenko
Kirilenko was signed to a max contract by the Utah Jazz for a reason. Although Utah has overpaid AK-47 for several seasons, he's still an above average defender that fills up stat sheets.
He's long, athletic and gets 12 points a game without having a single play run for him. With eight players 31-years-old or older, Kirilenko would be a relative injection of youth.
Oklahoma City Thunder
3 of 30
Dream Free Agent: Jeff Green
What better dream is there than to trade one of your best players away for a necessary piece, sign that piece to an extension and then reacquire that original player just a few months later?
Boston can offer Green a $5.9 million dollar extension for 2011-12 to restrict his free agency. Oklahoma City should have space to make an offer, especially if it lets Nazr Mohammed walk into free agency himself.
Orlando Magic
4 of 30
Dream Free Agent: Kenyon Martin
Orlando needs size to complement Dwight Howard. With Jason Richardson's contract expiring, the Magic should have space to make a signing.
In steps Kenyon Martin. His years left are getting to be few, but he can still contribute as a respectable defender and rebounder. In Denver, he's asked to be the primary big for the Nuggets. In Orlando, he can let Howard take on that role while providing valuable assistance.
Phoenix Suns
5 of 30
Dream Free Agent: Jason Richardson
Vince Carter hasn't worked out as well as the Phoenix Suns hoped he would. Jason Richardson was much more successful in a similar role. With both players on the verge of free agency, the Suns should let Carter walk and scoop up Richardson at a discounted price.
Richardson shoots 40 percent from three-point range and scores 16.2 points per game. He's a veteran player with a dangerous offensive arsenal that works well with Steve Nash.
Sacramento Kings
6 of 30
Dream Free Agent: David West
I know, I know: It sounds kind of crazy. Why would David West want to end up in Sacramento? First of all, he might be ending up in Anaheim if he's with the Kings. Suddenly, the destination perks up.
Secondly, the Kings can afford him. The Kings are on schedule to have a $27 million payroll next season including having their two best players, Tyreke Evans and DeMarcus Cousins, under contract.
That leaves plenty of space for Sacramento/Anaheim to sign West to a much larger contract than the $7 million his player option with New Orleans offers.
Houston Rockets
7 of 30
Dream Free Agent: Marc Gasol
The Houston Rockets had one of the smallest front courts in the NBA thanks to Yao Ming's injury. Obtaining size to battle down low is crucial for Houston if it wants to return to contention. Marc Gasol isn't as good as his brother, Pau, but he's still a quality big man.
At 26-years-old, the seven-footer still has time to grow into a more effective player. He already averages 11.8 points and 6.8 points in just over 30 minutes per game.
Houston could lock up its center position with a reliable player with upside.
Dallas Mavericks
8 of 30
Dream Free Agent: Tyson Chandler
Dallas has been raving about the play of Chandler through the second half of the season and with good reason. The veteran center averaged a double-double in February and nearly did so in January as well.
Maverick owner has a history taking care of extensions and new contracts in the offseason. Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas equivalent to Zeus, was no different. Chandler will get an extension from the Mavs, rest assured.
New York Knicks
9 of 30
Dream Free Agent: Greg Oden
There is no way that Portland will pay Oden $8.7 million next season, is there? If they opt not to, Oden is an unrestricted free agent in desperate need of a new home and a fresh start.
If a team can look past all the injury woes, it will see a seven-footer once considered to be the next great big man in the NBA. That potential is still there as long as Oden can rehab successfully and find a way to stay on the court.
For the presumably reduced price tag, New York could take a chance to plug some defense into its roster.
Detroit Pistons
10 of 30
Dream Free Agent: Caron Butler
Caron Butler is a near-all-star caliber small forward when he's not wearing a suit on the bench. He's expressed interest in staying in Dallas, but the Mavericks may look to spend money elsewhere.
Detroit needs help at small forward with both Tayshaun Prince and Tracy McGrady (yes, he's still in the league) leaving in free agency.
Butler can score in bunches but also fills out his game with rebounding and solid assist numbers.
New Jersey Nets
11 of 30
Dream Free Agent: Grant Hill
Grant Hill still has spring in his step and has enjoyed a noticeable revitalization to his once injury stricken career. After all, he's been running and gunning with the Phoenix Suns. He brings veteran leadership and unselfishness to any team he joins.
The New Jersey Nets have some filling out to do on their roster. After Deron Williams and Brook Lopez, there isn't much left. Plugging Hill into the three would give them reliability at three positions.
It would be a start.
Chicago Bulls
12 of 30
Dream Free Agent: Samuel Dalembert
The Chicago Bulls don't have any glaring weaknesses. They could use slight upgrades in a couple of spots—like getting one great shooting guard instead of three solid ones—but time together is probably what this team needs most.
However, it never hurts to add a seven-footer to the front court rotation. Kurt Thomas and Brian Scalibrine are both scheduled to leave in free agency, leaving a noticeable hole behind Joakim Noah, the injury prone Carlos Boozer and the promising Omer Asik.
Samuel Dalembert is going to make an all-star roster in the NBA, but he's a veteran player that can come off the bench for some strong minutes for a reasonable price.
Milwaukee Bucks
13 of 30
Dream Free Agent: Tayshaun Prince
You know those dreams that are entertaining enough but don't blow you away? They get the job done but don't inspire you to tell anyone about them. That's the equivalent of Milwaukee signing Tayshaun Prince.
He's a proven player with length looking for a spark in his career. He's no longer an all-NBA defender. But if you want consistent scoring and contributions all over the floor, Prince can deliver.
Milwaukee is relying on Corey Maggette—Corey Maggette? Really?—to play small forward. He either needs to be replaced or helped.
Atlanta Hawks
14 of 30
Dream Free Agent: Jamal Crawford
Atlanta GM Rick Sund said that the he "will do everything in our power" to re-sign Jamal Crawford. Sounds pretty much like a dream, doesn't it?
Crawford is one of the NBA's best and most exciting sixth men. He can score from anywhere on the floor and plays a key role for the Hawks with more than 30 minutes played per game.
San Antonio Spurs
15 of 30
Dream Free Agent: Nenad Krstic
San Antonio needs legitimate size, and it needs it to be young. Tim Duncan won't be around for many more years, especially if he has to play more than 25 minutes per game.
Nenad Krstic isn't going to out-skill Pau Gasol and he won't overpower Dwight Howard. But he can bump around in the paint and put up a few points and rebounds.
Krstic is 27 and would be willing to come off the bench for the Spurs.
Miami Heat
16 of 30
Dream Free Agent: Chauncey Billups
Miami's biggest problem—besides depth at every position—is at point guard. Mike Bibby and Mario Chalmers can't get it done.
Chauncey Billups has spent his entire career getting it done. He's big enough to muscle other guards and can provide organization to an offense that seems to lack it.
Plus, he can alleviate Miami's late game issues. On second thought, is Robert Horry available?
Denver Nuggets
17 of 30
Dream Free Agent: Nene
Denver faces a potential exodus of its two best big men. Kenyon Martin's contract is up and Nene has a player option for $11.6 million to weigh. I don't think it would take me too long to pick that option up.
Then again, I don't have the size or athleticism of Nene, who is much more interested in inking up for the long term.
It's obvious that Denver should be—and is—more concerned with signing Nene than Martin.
Los Angeles Clippers
18 of 30
Dream Free Agent: Yao Ming
The only thing we know about Yao Ming is that he will come as a cheaper price than his previous price tag of $17.6 million. We don't know if Houston has plans to re-sign him. We don't know if team have serious interest in him.
It has come to light that the Clippers considered sending Baron Davis and a first-round pick for Yao. Was that just a salary cap move or did Los Angeles want to get in the 7'6" center's ear about signing up long term?
Chris Kaman's contract is up in 2012, leaving the Clippers with a need at center.
Minnesota Timberwolves
19 of 30
Dream Free Agent: Tony Parker
When a team uses two lottery picks on point guards in the same draft and Sebastian Telfair can still hold down a roster spot, something went wrong. Ricky Rubio may never play in the NBA and Jonny Flynn isn't working out for the Timberwolves either.
Would Tony Parker ever leave San Antonio? It's doubtful. Would Parker leave San Antonio to join the lowly Timberwolves? Maybe, about the same time that Telfair wins the NBA's MVP.
But we're talking about dreams.
Boston Celtics
20 of 30
Dream Free Agent: J.R. Smith
J.R. Smith can be a dream or a nightmare depending on whether or not he's popping off jumpers or his mouth. I'd trust Doc Rivers, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Co. keeping Smith in check.
With Marquis Daniels already gone and Delonte West and Von Wafer on expiring contracts, shooting guard is a major concern for the Boston Celtics. Smith can fill it up and has the athleticism to be a solid defender if he were ever to apply himself.
Utah Jazz
21 of 30
Dream Free Agent: Jose Juan Barea
Utah needs help at point guard. Both Earl Watson and Ronnie Price will be free agents this summer, leaving Devin Harris as the only true point guard on the roster. It's a problem that could be addressed in the draft, but that's all dependent on the ordering.
Grabbing Barea in free agency would be a great way to solidify the point. He's a more-than-capable backup that scores and distributes well.
Washington Wizards
22 of 30
Dream Free Agent: Zach Randolph
Currently, Rashard Lewis is set to make more than half of Washington's guaranteed payroll next season. Only eight Wizards are under definitive contract next season, with Lewis making $22 million. You read that correctly.
Lewis being paid $20 million this season to shoot 43 percent from the field and score 11.7 points per game. That contract makes it tough on Washington to make big moves.
Zach Randolph will command a contract not much less than Lewis', but hopefully he'll actually earn it. Randolph is a post beast that performed very well in a contract year.
Portland Trailblazers
23 of 30
Dream Free Agent: T.J. Ford
Patty Mills will be a free agent. Portland has to make a decision on its $7.8 million team option for Andre Miller. Point guard is an area of great concern for the Trailblazers this summer.
The Blazers should pick up the option on Miller, let Mills walk and sign T.J. Ford to back up Miller. While Mills does score 0.7 more points per game than Ford, Ford gets 1.5 more assist per game.
Add to it all that Ford is on the Pacers while Mills has the luxury of playing for Portland and it's easy to see that Ford's numbers would improve with better talent around him. He's more experienced and prepared to help right now.
New Orleans Hornets
24 of 30
Dream Free Agent: Glen Davis
While New Orleans' real dream is to get David West to sign an extension with the Hornets, that is unlikely. With Carl Landry on an expiring contract, the Hornets need to address a growing hole in the front court.
Glen Davis can start in the NBA. He's undersized—in terms of height—but is an aggressive player capable of taking on a larger role offensively.
With West gone, New Orleans will need to make a big splash or a couple smaller ones to keep pace in the West.
Memphis Grizzlies
25 of 30
Dream Free Agent: Thaddeus Young
If either Marc Gasol or Zach Randolph or both bolt for greener pastures, Memphis is going to need to find new blood for the front court.
Philadelphia can make Thaddeus Young a qualifying offer of just under $4 million. It's likely that other teams will swoop in with a better deal.
Memphis should be one of those teams. Young is a young and promising talent.
Philadelphia 76ers
26 of 30
Dream Free Agent: Joel Przybilla
So Przybilla isn't flashy. And he's struggled after knee surgery. But we're talking about a proven big man that should be back to 100 percent next season.
Philadelphia could have Thaddeus Young and Spencer Hawes poached by other teams willing to offer big money for young talent.
Przybilla could be a cheap stopgap for Philly's post vacancy.
Toronto Raptors
27 of 30
Dream Free Agent: Vince Carter
It wouldn't be the Vince Cater of old, but Toronto could use whatever Vinsanity has left in the tank. The Raptors' roster has nearly no talent on it. Andrea Bargnani, Jose Calderon and DeMar Derozan are truly the only promising players on this team.
And that's saying very little about those three.
Carter could at least pull in some nostalgic crowds and drop some jumpers.
Golden State Warriors
28 of 30
Dream Free Agent: Shane Battier
What's not to like about Shane Battier? He's a gritty veteran, tough defender and accurate three-point shooter.
While Golden State excels at scoring thanks to Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry, it struggles in defense, giving up the 28th most points per game in the league.
Getting a physical and well-rounded presence like Battier could help the Warriors greatly.
Indiana Pacers
29 of 30
Dream Free Agent: Anthony Parker
The Indiana Pacers have played nicely this season, pushing for a playoff spot behind Danny Granger, Roy Hibbert and Darren Collison. But the team could use some depth at the two and the three.
Anthony Parker can provide that. He's a veteran shooter with good size and versatility. He would be an upgrade over Paul George at small forward and could find a spot in the shooting guard rotation.
Charlotte Bobcats
30 of 30
Dream Free Agent: Michael Jordan
Is the best basketball player in the Charlotte Bobcats organization Michael Jordan? Even at 48 years old, it's hard not to wonder what his Airness is still capable of on a basketball court.
Free agency doesn't seem like a viable source for new talent for Charlotte. The Bobcats are better served looking to the draft to stock up on the stars of the future.
