NBA Free Agency 2011: Can a MLE Player Like JJ Barea Change a Team?

Once a year a team can spend the average league salary (about $5.8 million) and can acquire an NBA player, even if it puts the team over the soft salary cap.

Some teams don't use it; others pick up someone who really doesn't help their team. Once in a great while a team lands someone who helps or even changes the team. A good example is Ron Artest. Even though Ron Artest didn't do a lot for the Lakers this year, he made a huge impact when he was signed to the MLE in 2009.

The new CBA could change the MLE this year and for the future. However, as of right now, it stands.

I'll list three players that a playoff caliber team could acquire with the MLE that would transform them into a possible championship team.

Shane Battier

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MEMPHIS, TN - MAY 13: Shane Battier #31 of the Memphis Grizzlies calls a defensive play against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Six of the Western Conference Semifinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs at FedExForum on May 13, 2011 in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE

If you didn't know who Shane Battier was before, you most likely learned in the first round of the playoffs. Shane Battier hit the game-winning shot versus the Spurs in Game 1 of the first round of the playoffs.

Beyond that he didn't make much of an impact in the series, or the following one against the Thunder. Regardless, he proved that he was a clutch performer much like a Robert Horry (He has a long way to go to reach Horry though).

Battier has 51 games of playoffs experience and lifetime averages of 7.5 points and 4.3 rebounds. He also averages nearly a block and steal per game in the playoffs. Battier has been known as a great team player and is great at doing the NBA intangibles. He would be a huge boon for any playoff team looking for a solid sixth-eighth man.

Tayshaun Prince

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AUBURN HILLS, MI - FEBRUARY 11: Tayshaun Prince #22 of the Detroit Pistons llooks to pass while playing the Miami Heat at The Palace of Auburn Hills on February 11, 2011 in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Miami won the game 106-92. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Gett

Tayshaun Prince's best years are behind him now, but that didn't stop him from averaging 14.1 points last year for Detroit.

What makes Prince as asset to a playoff team is his experience. He has a whooping 118 games of playoff experience. His numbers in the playoffs are also quite good. He averages 12.5 points and 5.6 rebounds in the playoffs. He also won a championship in 2004 with Detroit.

Prince would fit well on most teams, and at this point in his career would probably be okay with a bench role.

JJ Barea

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MIAMI, FL - JUNE 12: Jose Juan Barea #11 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts in the fourth quarter while taking on the Miami Heat in Game Six of the 2011 NBA Finals at American Airlines Arena on June 12, 2011 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly ac

Yes, JJ Barea. Why? He stepped up his game in the playoffs averaging 8.9 points and 3.4 assists in just 18.6 minutes played. He is also just 26 years old and has shown he can and will improve his game.

He will most likely remain with Dallas, but if he gets a chance to start with another team he could move. He is young and unproven so it is unlikely he can get more than about $5.8 million in this market. Teams could do far worse than Barea when using their exception this year. He also has 30 games of playoff experience at 26. This isn't bad for his age.