NBA Free Agents 2011: Power Ranking Top 12 Teams With Most Money to Spend
Right, so the 2010 NBA free agent market was significantly more potent that the 2011 market.
But still, it's the little additions that sometime matter the most. You have to have the role players to win consistently, and the 2011 market has some very good players that fit this mold.
Of course, unless your team has some semblance of structure to begin with, the addition of a mid-level role player will do hardly anything at all. This is not baseball, after all.
So I've ranked the top 12 teams in the NBA that have the most money to spend and are therefore just one or two players away from contending for the playoffs.
12. Cleveland Cavaliers
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The Cleveland Cavaliers went through a very publicized tumultuous season.
There is reason to be optimistic, though.
J.J. Hickson had a good second half of the season, averaging 16.8 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. Baron Davis showed flashes of actually caring and could be a nice bridge to a new, young point guard *cough* Kyrie Irving *cough*.
Though they have money to spend, the Cavs are far from playoff ready and should stay quiet in the free agent market and instead focus on the draft with two top four picks.
11. Minnesota Timberwolves
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The Minnesota Timberwolves have a bona fide star in Kevin Love.
They were the fifth best three-point shooting team in the league in 2010.
The point guard position is also set with Luke Ridnour and Jonny Flynn. So what is it that the Timberwolves need?
Darko Milicic has never lived up to his lofty expectations (drafted in front of Dwayne Wade and Carmelo Anthony). A glorified shot blocker is not an NBA starter. Upgrading the center position is a must for the Timberwolves.
Tyson Chandler is an unrestricted free agent, but I don't see Minnesota as being willing to spend that kind of money.
A plausible scenario would be the addition of Chuck Hayes from the Houston Rockets or Josh McRoberts from the Indiana Pacers.
10. Detroit Pistons
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The Detroit Pistons are in need of a face lift.
I think adding some bright youngsters would be a great move for the Pistons, and it doesn't really matter which position they play. Any and all are welcome.
Earl Clark, the Orlando Magic's young center, is appetizing to me. He and current Piston Greg Monroe could potentially be a duo that anchors the Detroit front court for years.
Another Earl—Boykins that is—is an unrestricted free agent from the Milwaukee Bucks. He is another player that could provide a spark and contribute to a team that just needs a shake up.
9. Los Angeles Clippers
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The Los Angeles Clippers are exciting. Correction. Blake Griffin is exciting.
But after him, there is not a lot there.
If Eric Gordon can stay healthy and Mo Williams can find some consistency, though, I'll happily retract that statement.
The Clippers lack adequate depth at small forward to really be a contender. We've seen in recent years this position become very important in the flow of the game. Jamario Moon and Ryan Gomes don't cut it.
I would love to see Mike Dunleavy from the Indiana Pacers sign with Los Angeles.
He too needs to find more consistency, but he has trouble getting regular playing time at one position as he is in a platoon with shooting guard Brandon Rush and subs in for small forward Danny Granger.
8. Washington Wizards
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The Washington Wizards are very similar to the Clippers both in talent and need.
I really like four of their starting five: John Wall, Jordan Crawford/Nick Young, Andray Blatche, and JaVale McGee. The weak spot is small forward.
Other than the aforementioned Dunleavy, the Memphis Grizzlies' Shane Battier is an unrestricted free agent small forward, too.
His steady leadership and terrific defense could be a huge coup for the Wizards, and he could mentor the current small forwards, as well.
7. Sacramento Kings
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It is difficult to judge the Sacramento Kings because their best player, Tyreke Evans, was hurt a large portion of the 2010 season.
If you take a quick look at ESPN's depth chart for the Kings, you'll see only one player at the center position. Obviously, we can't always take the mothership's word as law (thanks, Dan Patrick), but there is definitely a sore lack of depth in the frontcourt.
DeMarcus Cousins got in a groove and had a very nice year, while Jason Thompson was able to get minutes at both power forward and center.
When healthy, the Toronto Raptors' big man Reggie Evans is a rebounding machine. He is an unrestricted free agent and ought to be contacted by the Kings.
6. Indiana Pacers
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The Indiana Pacers are my chopping block team it seems. I've already recommended that Mike Dunleavy and Josh McRoberts be signed away.
Assuming that doesn't happen, what can the East's No. 8 seed do to improve?
The Pacers were in the bottom half of the league in three-point percentage, which hindered Darren Collison's and Danny Granger's ability to penetrate the paint.
He's a restricted free agent, but the Oklahoma City Thunder's Daequan Cook is a sharp shooter who would fit in nicely.
5. New Jersey Nets
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I'll bet that I get some heat over ranking the New Jersey Nets in the top five, but I think that Deron Williams and Brook Lopez will be dynamite together.
The first thing the Nets need to do in free agency is resign their own unrestricted free agent Kris Humphries. He averaged a double-double this year at the power forward position.
After that, New Jersey needs to build depth across the board. Acquiring Williams was not cheap.
Coaxing Glen Davis to leave the Boston Celtics and sign would be huge. He and Humphries would lock down the power forward spot.
Jamal Crawford from the Atlanta Hawks is an unrestricted free agent, too. Current Nets guards Anthony Morrow and Sasha Vujacic leave a lot on the table in terms of shooting ability.
4. Phoenix Suns
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I am basing my suggestions for the Phoenix Suns off the notion that they are going to give it one more try at the playoffs with the current group.
They faded at the end of the season, finishing six games back of the No. 8 seed after being within two or three games most of the season. That tells me they lack youthful depth.
Grant Hill is the player that concerns me the most with his durability at the shooting guard position.
The Suns could roll the dice and sign unrestricted free agent Michael Redd from Milwaukee. When healthy, Redd is one of the league's better guards, but that's just it...he's never healthy.
A safer pick would be to reach out to the Nuggets' J.R. Smith, who would provide terrific energy off the bench on both ends of the floor.
3. Denver Nuggets
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After trading Carmelo Anthony, the Denver Nuggets suddenly had a lot more flexibility in their future.
They are loaded with depth, and I truly think they are ready to go tomorrow.
Finding another power forward would be prudent, though, because Kenyon Martin is not getting any younger.
Though he has a player option, I am sure that Boris Diaw from the Charlotte Bobcats would welcome a change of scenery and the chance to play for a playoff team.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder
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The Oklahoma City Thunder are young and therefore still an inexpensive team. Why mess it up?
They need to make sure that Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant can coexist, but signing a free agent from the 2011 class is certainly not necessary for the Western Conference finalist.
I personally think that Westbrook and Durant are going to be great together in the future just as long as the media can give them time. They are, after all, only 22 years old.
1. Chicago Bulls
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The Chicago Bulls have the fifth lowest team salary in the NBA.
Unlike the Thunder, I think they have some areas that they can improve on. And if the Eastern Conference finalists can improve at all, watch out.
Finding Joakim Noah a suitable backup is necessary so that Taj Gibson can focus on backing up Carlos Boozer.
This player really just needs to be a solid minutes eater. Someone like Sheldon Williams from the New York Knicks would work out fine.
What You Got?
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Different rankings? Free agents that I missed? Let me hear it.
But please.
Let my Grizzlies have a couple years together so I can enjoy the ride.
