NBA Free Agents 2011: Targets Teams Should Pursue with Ray Allen off the Market
Despite Ray Allen having re-signed with the Boston Celtics, there are still many desirable free agents on the market.
The best players still left on the market are sure to be added to the rotations of contending teams.
It will be interesting to see if teams choose to go the way of the Dallas Mavericks - building around one star player - after watching the Finals.
This free agent class is full of players who would be great complements to a superstar.
Follow along as we analyze the five players who teams should pursue with Ray Allen off the market.
Jamal Crawford
1 of 5
Jamal Crawford is coming a great 2010-11 season in which he averaged 14.2 points per game as the sixth man for the Atlanta Hawks.
He was a key part of the Hawks' run to the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
While he has starting potential, Jamal Crawford is at his best coming off the bench and making an immediate impact.
He will be asking for a salary of around $11 million after making $10,080,000 in 2010.
That's a decent price for a player of his caliber.
Jamal Crawford would be a great complement to a contending team looking to add a scoring threat.
DeShawn Stevenson
2 of 5
A role player for much of his career, DeShawn Stevenson showed just how valuable of a player he can be through his performance in the Finals.
He played solid defense on LeBron James throughout the six games against the Miami Heat and was a timely three-point shooter.
Many teams are sure to go after DeShawn Stevenson, and those teams will be able to sign him for a good price.
He'll be asking for about $5 million after making $4,151,786 in 2010.
Tyson Chandler
3 of 5
Tyson Chandler came up big during the NBA Finals after averaging 10.1 points per game and 9.4 rebounds per game in the regular season.
He was a critical part of clogging the lane and denying opportunities at the basket.
Assuming that he doesn't re-sign with the Dallas Mavericks, he will be a highly sought after free agent.
Tyson Chandler will be expecting upwards of $13 million after making $12,750,000 in 2010.
J.R. Smith
4 of 5
J.R. Smith is a lightning rod of a player who has been a fixture in the Denver Nuggets rotation the last five seasons.
He's coming off a 2010 season in which he averaged 12.3 points per game and a career high 4.1 rebounds per game.
J.R. Smith's attitude has been questioned in the past, but all of his off-the-court transgressions seem to be behind him.
After making $6,031,851 in 2010, he should be asking for a good price during negotiations.
Jason Richardson
5 of 5
A career 18.0 points per game scorer, Jason Richardson figures to be the most sought after free agent on the market.
He averaged 16.6 points per game in 80 games with the Phoenix Suns and Orlando Magic last season.
Jason Richardson will be asking for a pretty hefty paycheck, though.
He made $14,444,444 last season and will be looking to add a significant sum to that figure, as he is in the final stage of his career.
