NBA Offseason 2011: Top 10 Available Free Agents

Once the season concludes and a champion is crowned, lockout aside, NBA teams will immediately be looking to next year and trying to upgrade their team and get to the top of the mountain.

With the dismal outlook for this year’s draft, free-agency may be a team’s best chance to upgrade their roster this season.

Unfortunately for teams wanting to upgrade, there are not the marquee headliners like we saw last summer with Lebron, Dewayne Wade, and Chris Bosh. However, there are still a number of solid players that would be welcomed additions to teams looking to improve.

Because there are no “game-changers” in this free agent field, this year’s signings will be much more “team-need” specific.

While any team last year would have re-worked their entire roster for a chance to pick up a Lebron or Wade, this offseason will be about finding that one piece that could push a team up the ladder in the NBA power rankings.

Here are the top ten offseason free agents in no particular order.

Jamal Crawford

The 31-year old, unrestricted free agent of the Atlanta Hawks has been a consistent scorer in this league. Crawford brings a 15.4 career point per game scoring average to the table and has been the difference maker in the Hawks' first round series against the Orlando Magic.

Crawford is fiery player who brings a street-like intensity to the floor every time he plays.  

For teams looking at adding solid depth and scoring to their bench, Crawford would be a nice fit.  Atlanta will likely do all they can to keep him in his current role, but money and a starting opportunity could lead Crawford to search for employment elsewhere.

David West

David West was having an outstanding season for the New Orleans Hornets before tearing his ACL, averaging nearly 19 points and 8 rebounds per game. The 30-year old West could provide the big man partner Chris Paul needs to push this Hornets team to the top of the Western Conference.   

The Hornets, currently being run by the NBA, should certainly attempt to resign the unrestricted West, especially if they want to have a legitimate shot at retaining Paul for a long-term contract. 

If the Hornets do not resign West, a team needing a scorer on the block to compliment their roster would be pleased to have a talent like West. 

The big question mark will be how West responds from his injury. For many players, a full return to form from this injury is quite possible, but until West actually has the chance to get out on the floor in game-time situations, signing him will remain a bit of a crap shoot.

Nene (Hilario)

The 6’11,” 250-pound, Brazilian native is an unrestricted free agent and probably one of the top two or three players in this year’s free agency class.

Having the size and athleticism that Nene possesses is a rare find in the NBA.  Enjoying his best season this year with the Nuggets, the 28-year old Nene has averaged nearly 15 points and 8 rebounds a contest while leading the NBA in field goal percentage.

Denver will likely do all they can to secure the big man for an additional four to five years. But other suitors in need of a true center may present themselves and offer more than Denver is willing to pay.

If Nene elects to leave Denver, he could very well "take his talents to South Beach" and join the big three. Miami is in need of a true starting center and Nene could be the missing piece that helps propel the Heat to dynasty-level for years to come. 

Caron Butler

The big news out of Dallas is that Caron Butler will be making a return to the lineup sooner rather than later. The two-time All-Star may provide both an offensive and defensive boost to this Mavericks team as the playoffs continue to unfold.

Butler has proven to be a consistent scorer in the NBA, averaging nearly 17 points per game while being amongst the top 10 in steals on three different occasions. 

Once this season is over, Mavericks owner Mark Cuban will most likely do all he can to provide future Hall of Fame forward Dirk Nowitski with the talent necessary to succeed in the tough Western Conference.

But should Cuban pass, the former All-Star Butler could make some team very happy, solidifying both the offensive and defensive end of the court.

Jason Richardson

The former fifth-overall pick and career 18-point per game shooting guard Jason Richardson will likely have to settle for less money than his current $14.4 million dollar per season contract. But he is still one of the best available free agents.

Richardson was second in the league this season in three-point field goals made and has been in the top 10 in threes made in three of the past six seasons.  Being a proven scorer and consistent long distance shooter will make Richardson a key addition to some guard-starved team lacking consistent outside shooting. 

The New York Knicks are a potential destination point for the former Michigan State standout. Richardson could provide more consistent three point shooting ability to support Amare Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony should the Orlando Magic not make a play to keep him.

Glen “Big Baby” Davis

The fourth year forward out of LSU, will likely stay with Boston after enjoying the best professional season of his young career.  Davis averaged nearly 12 points per game while hauling down more than five rebounds per contest off the bench for the defending Eastern Conference Champions.

Davis has improved his game in nearly facet. He had career bests in free-throw shooting (74-percent), rebounds, assists, and blocks while playing 600 more minutes than he had in any previous season.  As Davis continues to develop more consistency in his outside shot, his stock will continue to rise.

Davis would be a nice addition for multiple teams needing a young, defensive-minded, big man, but don’t expect Danny Ainge and the Boston Celtics to part ways with the developing star too easily. 

Tyson Chandler

The nine year NBA veteran is only 28 years old and has made a resurgence in Dallas this season after two injury-prone and underachieving years. 

Chandler nearly returned to double-double averages in points and rebounds this year, averaging 10.1 points and 9.4 rebounds per game, while helping Dallas to the third seed in the Western Conference.

Chandler has played for four teams in nine seasons and may be hoping he has found his place in the league with the Mavericks. As was the case with another Dallas free agent on this list, Caron Butler, Maverick owner Mark Cuban will most likely want to keep the majority of his team together in hopes of making another NBA finals run.

Chandler has been stifled by injuries throughout his career. But when healthy, Chandler is a solid big man who can provide strong rebounding and defense while being adequate offensively.   

Marc Gasol

The 26-year old Memphis Grizzlies center is a restricted free-agent this off-season.  Gasol, though less acclaimed than his older brother, Laker forward Pau, has consistently improved throughout his three-year NBA career. 

The 7’1” 270 pound center has a rare combination of length, girth, and touch around the basket that makes him one of the top commodities in this free agent class.  Memphis will do all they can to match any potential offer from another team. Keeping this rare talent will help solidify Memphis as a contender for years to come.

Let’s face it, there just aren’t too many 7’1” guys available ever—so you can bet that a number of teams will be lining up trying to get the young Spaniard to leave Memphis for greener pastures. 

Jeff Green

The second restricted free agent to crack this list is fourth-year forward out of Georgetown University, Jeff Green.

Many NBA scouts have the 6’9” 24-year old as one of the best available free agents this offseason.  

Green has proven to be an effective scorer (nearly 14 points per game) throughout his brief NBA career although his rebounding and defensive intensity have been questioned.

Should Boston not elect to resign Green, a number of other clubs will take a chance on the youngster to see if his production will match his talent.

JR Smith

Arguably the most athletically-gifted player in this year’s free agent class, JR Smith has yet to truly show the consistency that a professional should. 

When Smith is “on” he can and will fill up the rim with the best of them. But when he isn’t “on,” he is barely worth having on the floor.

At just 25 years of age, there will be plenty of NBA GM’s and Head Coaches that think they will be able to get Smith to raise his game to the next level.