NBA Free Agency 2011: Andre Miller and the 10 Best Guards Available
The 2011 cast of NBA free agent guards features zero superstars, but consists of many effective players.
As opposed to last season, when top-notch scoring guards like Dwyane Wade and Joe Johnson were free agents, none of the guards on this list are currently averaging more than 18 points per game.
Between the lack of elite scorers and the possibility of a lockout next season, the 2011 class of free agent guards simply does not carry the same hype as last season. However, there could be a high number of impactful point and shooting guards that test the free agent market this summer.
Whether a team is looking for a veteran point guard with experience like Andre Miller, or a young, explosive guard like Rodney Stuckey, there are several guards that could become available.
Here are the top ten.
10. Aaron Brooks: PG, Phoenix Suns
1 of 10
Free-agent status: $2 million—Restricted ($3 million qualifying offer)
Points per game: 11.1
Assists per game: 3.8
Despite his 6'0, 160 pound frame, Aaron Brooks has been very solid throughout his four-year NBA career. Brooks is very quick and has the ability to shoot the three-point ball, or use his speed to drive to the lane and score.
Last season as the starting point guard for Houston, Brooks averaged a career-high 19.6 points per game, to go along with 5.3 assists.
Brooks has seen his minutes decrease this season with Houston and now Phoenix, but he has played well given the opportunity. Since being traded to Phoenix mid-season, Brooks is averaging 10.1 points per game on 46.7 percent shooting in just 17 minutes per game off the bench.
Brooks has struggled defensively at times, particularly when matched up against bigger guards. However, his game is suited well for Phoenix, so don't be surprised to see him back with the Suns next season.
9. J.R. Smith, SG, Denver Nuggets
2 of 10
Free-agent status: $6 million- Unrestricted
Points per game: 12.1
3PG: 1.5
When on his game, J.R. Smith can be one of the more explosive guards in the NBA.
Smith has been a very good three-point shooter throughout his career and at 6'6", 220, he can use his strength and athleticism to get to the rim and finish.
On the defensive end, Smith has struggled at times. However, he has picked up his intensity on that side of the ball, coming up with some key steals of late.
Despite his impressive array of talents, Smith has been labeled as a good-bad player by head coach George Karl because of his poor decision making and lack of discipline at times.
With Denver appearing unlikely to pay the six million necessary to keep the 25-year-old shooting guard, Smith seems poised to test the free agent market this offseason. Teams needing a shooting guard could benefit significantly from Smith's play as long as he can focus and play hard.
8. Jamal Crawford: SG, Atlanta Hawks
3 of 10
Free-agent status: $10.1 million—Unrestricted
Points per game: 14.2
Three-pointers per game 1.6
After putting up nice scoring numbers for a bunch of bad teams over the last decade, Crawford finally showed last season that he can contribute to a winning team. He played a big part in helping Atlanta earn the No. 3 seed in the East last season, earning Sixth Man of the Year honors in the process.
Now 30-years-old, Crawford's points per game and field goal percentage are down this season, but he is still a major force on the offensive end. Crawford continues to shoot the ball very well from behind the three-point line, and he is a legitimate scoring threat with his smooth and crafty offensive game.
With Atlanta unlikely to spend the necessary money to keep Crawford, teams needing an extra scoring guard should snag him while they have the opportunity.
7. Andre Miller: PG, Portland Trail Blazers
4 of 10
Free-agent status: $7.3 million—Team Option ($7.8 million)
Points per game: 12.8
Assists per game: 7.2
Steals per game: 1.5
While Miller may have lost a step over the years, he has still been very efficient offensively, racking up assists and shooting nearly 46 percent from the floor.
Now in his 12th season in the NBA, Miller has been extremely valuable to Portland, helping lead them to a 43-31 record, despite injuries to center Greg Oden and star shooting guard Brandon Roy.
Judging by Miller's 2010-2011 campaign, the 35-year-old point guard should still have two or three good seasons left in the tank.
Portland is likely to pay the team option, but then again, anything is possible.
6. Rodney Stuckey: PG/SG, Detroit Pistons
5 of 10
Free-agent status: $2.8 million—Restricted ($3.9 million qualifying offer)
Points per game: 14.8
Assists per game: 4.8
Although Stuckey does not do any one thing on the court exceptionally well, he has a very balanced all around game.
Stuckey has a solid mid-range jump shot and has learned to use his strength and explosiveness to drive to the lane and score.
He has gotten to the free-throw line with ease this season, and has made 4.5 free-throws per game. Stuckey has also worked on his defense, improving his decision making on that side of the floor on a nightly basis.
While paying $3.9 million for a player of Stuckey's caliber is a bargain in today's era, Detroit may decline the qualifying offer in further attempts to shed salary.
5. Jason Richardson: SG/SF, Orlando Magic
6 of 10
Free-agent status: $14.4 million—Unrestricted
Points per game: 16.0
Three-pointers per game: 2.4
Richardson has bounced around a lot over the last four seasons, but he has been very effective whereever he has played. He began the season in Phoenix, where he played excellent offensively. In 25 games with the Suns, Richardson averaged 19 points per game on 47 percent shooting, but he was traded to Orlando mid-season.
Richardson, who is one of the better three-point shooters in NBA history, has averaged as many as 23.2 points per game back in 2006 with Golden State. Now 30-years-old, the high-flying Richardson is still very quick and athletic, and he possesses the invaluable ability to create his own shot.
Despite his advancing age, Richardson figures to draw interest from teams all around the league, and could end up signing a three or four year deal.
4. Aaron Afflalo: SG, Denver Nuggets
7 of 10
Free-agent status: $2.0 million—Restricted ($2.9 million qualifying offer)
Points per game: 12.6
Three-pointers per game: 1.6
Now averaging a career-high 34 minutes per game, Afflalo has quickly become one of the best all around players in the NBA.
Afflalo has shot very well from the floor this season, having made 42.6 percent of his shots from behind the three-point line and 49.6 of his attempts overall. He also plays great perimeter defense and has been a smart decision maker.
While Afflalo will certainly draw a lot of interest this summer, Denver is likely to keep Afflalo and let shooting guard J.R. Smith test the free-agency market.
3. Nick Young: SG/SF Washington Wizards
8 of 10
Free-agent status: $2.6 million—Restricted ($3.7 million qualifying offer)
Points per game: 17.4
Three-pointers per game: 1.6
Young has quietly enjoyed a breakout season for Washington in 2010-2011 and is currently the team's leading scorer. Somewhat under the radar because of the Wizards poor 17-55 record, the 26-years old shooting guard has dominated opponents.
Young has shot well from the floor, and is doing a much better job of finishing at the rim. With his quick speed he can stay in front of his man on defense and contest shots, taking pressure off teammates.
Washington would like to keep Young while his price tag is still reasonable, but he will no doubt draw interest from a variety of teams.
2. Wilson Chandler: SG/SF Denver Nuggets
9 of 10
Free-agent status: $2.1 million—Restricted ($3.1 million qualifying offer)
Points per game: 15.1
Rebounds per game: 5.8
Three-pointers per game: 1.7
Chandler has spent most of his career playing at the small forward position, but he has all of the tools to play shooting guard at a high level.
Chandler has suddenly turned into an excellent three-point shooter over the course of the season, and can shoot from just about anywhere in the half-court at a high percentage. He also has the ability to drive to the basket and score at an efficient rate.
Besides scoring, Chandler rebounds well and is a very good post defender.
Chandler, who will be 24 years old at the start of next season, will have a long list of teams pursuing him. Denver has a lot of tough roster decisions to make, particularly at the perimeter positions, where the status of Aaron Afflalo and J.R. Smith are both in jeopardy as well.
1. Ray Allen: SG, Boston Celtics
10 of 10
Free-agent status: $10 million—Player Option ($10 million)
Points per game: 17.0
Three-pointers per game: 2.0
Allen, who is by all accounts one of the best shooting guards in the history of the NBA, is having another very good season for Boston. The future hall-of-famer is shooting 49.3 percent from the floor and 45.3 behind the arc, both career highs.
Allen, who will be 36 at the start of next season, has demonstrated few signs of aging. Not only can he still shoot the day lights out, but he can help the offense away from the ball by constantly setting key screens.
Boston would love to hold on to Allen, but may decline the option. The Celtics have a lot of decisions to make this offeseason, including whether to spend the money necessary to keep newly acquired small forward Jeff Green.
With so much uncertainty, don't be surprised to see Allen in a different uniform next season.
