NBA Free Agency 2011: The 10 Players Every Team Should Avoid Signing
At this point of the year, all 30 teams (except for the remaining eight perhaps) have themselves a wish list for the coming summer.
Some teams might need a point guard, others a center. Regardless of what they need, there are dangers looming in the free agency market due to many reasons, such as their character, the fact that they are too expensive or that they could be an overall gamble.
I will break down the 10 free agents that teams should avoid signing if they are able to.
With that in mind, thanks for reading!
10. J.R. Smith
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J.R. Smith will be one of the more sought-after free agents in this year's class, as he has made it known that he wants out.
However, how many teams want this controversial of a player to suit up every night?
Sure, he brings good numbers and talent. I'd take him on my team if given the chance.
But (like Ted Mosby says, "there's always a but") he could become be a cancer to a locker room and affect team chemistry.
Say hypothetically he went to the Minnesota Timberwolves (yes, that's my team), and they had a few horrible seasons with J.R. Wouldn't he have said or done something to ruin team chemistry by then?
To me, he seems like a time bomb waiting to happen and unless he goes to a contender he will always be ticking.
9. Caron Butler
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Although there is a good chance he'll re-sign with the Dallas Mavericks once more, Caron Butler's health should be a cause of concern.
The injury-prone small forward missed over 50 games this season for the Mavs.
Even for a guy who can score at efficient rates (he averaged 15 points per game this season before falling to injury) and one of the better lockdown defenders in the league, teams will still be wary because of his recent medical history, and they ultimately might not sign him.
On a side note, he isn't as good as he used to be with his hands, as shown by his steep decline in his steals-per-game clip.
8. Josh Howard
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For a guy who was an everyday starter when he played with the Dallas Mavericks, Josh Howard has sure fallen hard off the map.
As a Washington Wizard he was rarely mentioned, and I hardly even knew how this season went. After looking up the stats, all of us should let out a collective "eh" together.
As for Howard, he's got bad character issues and he'll be asking for a lot of money since, judging by trends, he will soon be stricken with the "I-used-to-be-good-so-offer-me-lots-of-moola-now-that-I'm-washed-up" syndrome, a fatal free agency disease with those who are older than 30.
He earned $3 million last year, and that might be a fitting number for the coming years unless he catches the disease, in which case the sky's the limit.
Unless you're desperate for a starting small forward, avoid him at all costs.
7. Jason Richardson
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At 30 years old, Jason Richardson and his talents will be taken elsewhere this summer.
Even after a season where he wasn't considered a star in Orlando, Richardson will be asking for nearly eight figures (or perhaps a little more), and he really isn't worth all of the $14.4 million that he made this season.
Basically, if teams are seduced, they will be lusting over a piece of property that is far too expensive for a guy of his caliber.
6. Greg Oden
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It seems that Greg Oden's health concerns have been a hotter topic than his game ever since he came into the league in 2007.
If a team wants to strap his medical bills to their payroll like the Blazers have done the last four seasons, then be Greg's guest. I don't see any reason that an immediate contender should even consider signing the 23-year-old.
Perhaps a rebuilding team would be better for Oden, as he would likely earn some playing time while hopefully staying healthy.
Heck, this inclusion should be obvious! Why am I even explaining it?
5. Aaron Brooks
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After winning the Most Improved Player of the Year award of the 2009-10 season, Aaron Brooks took a steep hit to his career. He only averaged about 10.8 points per game, a number that plummeted from the previous year's 19.6 clip. He only dished out four assists per game after a solid 5.6 the previous campaign.
In fact, every significant statistic other than free throws (which, in all honesty, only rose a little) dropped from the previous year's total.
As a player, Brooks doesn't bring too much to the table. He's an okay shooter, a decent passer, and an awful defender.
As a teammate, he brings even less.
4. Yao Ming
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I briefly pondered whether I could copy-paste Greg Oden's slide onto this one, and edit the name and change the year. Ultimately I went against it, citing plagiarism from my own work as the deciding factor.
Anyways, Yao Ming has been a cause for concern in recent years because of his up-and-down health, and this season he missed 77 contests.
Since he's Yao Ming, he'll draw a huge contract, but since he's injury-prone more teams should stray away from the bigger numbers, or perhaps him altogether.
3. Vince Carter
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Another Phoenix Sun on the list, Vince Carter definitely is not good as he once was, but since he still is indeed Vince Carter he'll be asking for a wad of cash.
However, the 34-year-old did average about 14 points per game and shoot well this season, proving he can still play offensively.
Just remember, general managers, how poor Vince's defense is, if we can even call it that.
What's that? You're too blinded by the fact that he's Vince Carter (notice how that's the fourth time I've used his full name on the slide), an eight-time All-Star and a three-time vote leader for the event? Sheesh.
2. Andrei Kirilenko
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Andrei Kirilenko made more than $17 million last season.
For a guy who isn't a very prolific offensive player, is he worth the money?
I say he is certainly not even close to that total.
However, since Kirilenko is a solid lockdown defender, he'll be asking for a lot of money this summer, and most teams will want to avoid his high asking price. I'd say he'll try to garner around the beginning of an eight-digit salary, but he might only get a $5 million per year deal.
If I had to make a prediction right now, I'd say AK-47 will be playing once again with the Utah Jazz, a team he has played for the duration of his decade-long career, for a heck of a lot less money than the hefty sum he previously suited up for.
1. Tim Duncan
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Tim Duncan is a free agent after this season, and you know he'll be asking for a lot of money for no other good reason than because he is, well, Tim Duncan.
A $20 million season is not a good idea for almost any player, and if by some chance the Spurs don't sign him (which is a small possibility), he will ask for a truckload of money.
The greatest power forward of all time isn't what he used to be, as he only averaged 13 points and nine rebounds this season, both career lows.
Joseph Fafinski is currently a freshman at the University of Missouri. Originally from Chaska,Minnesota, Joseph is an NBA and Minnesota Timberwolves Featured Columnist and a frequent writer on all things NBA, NFL and MLB.
You can email Joseph at jef3m8@mail.missouri.edu or follow him on Twitter at @JosephFafinski.
