NBA Free Agents 2011: The 20 Top Unrestricted Free Agents

The 2011 NBA free agent class doesn't include names like LeBron James or Dwyane Wade like the 2010 class, but it does have some intriguing players.

David West, Tyson Chandler and Nene Hilario are just a few NBA unrestricted free agents in 2011. There are a plethora of players that can immediately help a team get to the next level.

Whether the NBA has a season or not will be determined at a later date, but we can still look ahead to the top 20 unrestricted free agents in 2011.

No 20: Josh McRoberts

Josh McRoberts has made himself into an above-average NBA player in his four-year career. After averaging two points and two rebounds in his first year with the Indiana Pacers, McRoberts averaged seven points and five rebounds last season.

He is a bench player, for sure, but he can provide a load of energy off the pine. At 6'10" he shows the range of beyond the three-point line.

McRoberts is an active role player who puts forth a 100 percent effort every time he touches the floor.

No 19: Chuck Hayes

Chuck Hayes is severely undersized at 6'6" at the center position in the NBA. However, his heart and determination allows for him to not be a liability on the floor.

He averaged eight points and eight rebounds in 28 minutes per game last season.

Hayes may not be the most prized possession in free agency, but he is a solid role player.

No 18: T.J. Ford

T.J. Ford is an average point guard in the NBA. He isn't the greatest, but can help whichever team he may end up on.

He averaged five points, two rebounds and three assists in an injury-plagued 2010-11 season. He played in 41 games, starting in just three.

I fully expect him to bounce back and get his numbers close to his career averages. He has averaged 11 points, three rebounds and six assists per game throughout his seven-year career.

No 17: Josh Howard

Josh Howard hasn't been the same since his days in a Dallas Mavericks' uniform. He has only averaged 18 games played in the past three seasons.

Howard was a 18, 19, 20-point scorer in his prime in Dallas. In 18 games last season with the Washington Wizards, Howard put up eight points and four rebounds per game.

Acquiring Howard could be a low-risk/high-reward type of deal. He won't come with a hefty price tag given his injury problems so he will be looking to bounce back for possibly one last multi-year contract.

No 16: Michael Redd

Michael Redd has had injury problems throughout his 11-year NBA career. He has averaged 20 games played in the past three seasons.

When healthy, Redd has been a dynamic scorer, averaging 20 points per game. He put up 25 points per game in 2005-06, 27 points in 2006-07 and 23 points in 2007-08.

His best days are clearly behind him, but he is just 31 years old. Taking a chance on Redd would be an ideal risk to take for a team looking for a scorer.

No 15: Glen Davis

Glen Davis is an intriguing free agent to take a look at. He has shown that he can play at a high level with the Boston Celtics, but he struggled at times in 2011.

He did manage to get 12 points and five rebounds per game last season.

Davis isn't a starter in the NBA, but he can be a valuable piece coming off the bench. He changes games with his aggressive play and high motor.

Sometimes he seemed lost last year, especially after Nate Robinson was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

If a team is looking to contend this season, Davis could be a great role player off the bench.

No 14: Carl Landry

Carl Landry isn't a top-tier NBA unrestricted free agent, but he is a guy that can make a difference in the paint.

He averaged 12 points and five rebounds last season.

Landry played well against the Los Angeles Lakers in round one of the NBA Playoffs putting up 16 points and five rebounds per contest including 23 points in Game 4.

No 13: Jose Juan Barea

Jose Juan Barea broke out in the NBA Playoffs for the Dallas Mavericks. He averaged nine points a game in the postseason, but averaged 10 points in the final five games of the NBA Finals against the Miami Heat.

He was the spark plug off the bench that gave the Mavericks life.

Barea did it all year long, providing instant offense for a highly potent offensive team.

He will be missed if the Mavericks can't re-sign him, but will be welcomed by any other NBA team.

No 12: Kenyon Martin

Kenyon Martin is entering his 12th season as a professional. He seems to be losing a step and his statistics implicate that.

He decreased his points by three and his rebounds by two from 2010.

Also, Martin played in 48 games last season. His health issues have always been a problem. The most games he has played in a season is 77 in 2002-03.

Martin has averaged 49 games played in the past five seasons. His health issues will be a major concern for any team that is seriously considering picking up the veteran.

No 11: Tayshaun Prince

Tayshaun Prince and the Detroit Pistons' championship years seem light years away. As players' careers have faded, Prince has remained steady.

He averaged 14 points, four rebounds and three assists per game last season. Prince is an efficient player, scoring at a 47 percent clip from the floor.

Other than 2002-03, 2009-10 and 2010-11, Prince has played in every game each season. Last season he played in 78.

He is a durable player, who can do multiple things including defending. He would be a valuable piece to a championship contender. 

No 10: Grant Hill

Grant Hill's story is one that shows perseverance and a will to succeed. Once a 25 point scorer turned into a guy who was littered with injuries.

Now he has played in 80 games or more in the past three seasons.

He averaged 13 points, three assists and four rebounds per game last season.

The 38-year-old is looking to get a championship ring, his window is closing and Phoenix isn't a place he can win one.

No 9: Jamal Crawford

Jamal Crawford, a great sixth-man, is a pure scorer in the NBA. He has proven that he can get it done throughout his 11-year career.

Last season he averaged 14 points and three assists in 30 minutes per game.

He has a tendency to be considered a "gunner" taking 12 shots off the bench, but that is his game. For a bench player, he is a volume shooter.

If a team is in need of a sixth-man award candidate, Crawford would be a good option.

No 8: Shane Battier

Shane Battier is arguably the best perimeter defender in the NBA. Mix his defense with his ability to be an above-average offensive player and he is a piece that can put a team over the top as NBA champions.

He averaged eight points, two assists and five rebounds per game last season.

Throughout his 10-year NBA career, Battier has been able to be an average outside shooter. He has shot 39 percent from distance in his career.

No 7: Caron Butler

Caron Butler averaged 15 points and four rebounds before being injured for the rest of the 2010-11 campaign. His Dallas Mavericks went on to win the NBA Championship without his services which begs the question—Do the Mavericks need him?

They obviously won without him, but Butler will come back strong in 2011-12.

He shot 45 percent from the floor including 43 percent from beyond the arc in 2010-11.

Butler is a consistent player who has averaged 17 points per game in his nine-year career.

No 6: Andrei Kirilenko

Andrei Kirilenko can do it all on the basketball court. He can provide points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks.

He averaged 12 points, five rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal last season. He has a career average of 12 points, six rebounds, three assists, two blocks and a steal per game.

Kirilenko is a player that can change the game when he is on the floor. Health can be an issue with Kirilenko. He has only played in 80 games or more in two of his 10 seasons.

No 5: J.R. Smith

J.R. Smith is predominantly a bench player. He has started just 24 games in four years.

He averaged 12.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game in 2011.

Smith's production went down slightly in the scoring category due to his four less shots per game. This tells me that he is becoming more disciplined.

He shot 44 percent from the floor which was three percentage points higher than the previous year.

No 4: Jason Richardson

Jason Richardson turned 30 this year. He still has some game left in him, and he would be a great addition as a starter or sixth man.

He averaged 16 points, two assists and four rebounds per game last season.

A consistent scorer from the mid-range and perimeter, Richardson is ready to give it his all for a chance to win a ring.

No 3: Nene Hilario

When healthy, Nene Hilario is one of the better centers in all of the NBA.

He has averaged 78 games played in the past three seasons compared to 22 the previous three.

If he can stay healthy, Hilario can provide a team with rebounding and scoring. He put up 15 points and eight rebounds per game in 2011.

Hilario is an active center. He can record steals, blocks and assists to go along with points and rebounds.

He averaged two assists, one steal and one block per game in 2011.

No 2: Tyson Chandler

It turned out that Tyson Chandler was the missing piece to the Dallas Mavericks' puzzle. His defensive leadership and rebounding rubbed off on his teammates.

He protected the rim allowing perimeter defenders to play tighter on scorers.

Chandler will be a player that should be highly regarded in free agency. He is a true center. He may not look like one with his width, but his height, heart and determination will allow him to be a presence defensively.

He is a double-double candidate every night.

No 1: David West

David West is the prized NBA unrestricted free agent in 2011. The multiple time NBA All-Star will provide a team with instant offense from the power forward position.

He averaged 19 points and eight rebounds per game last season.

West gives you a consistent 16 points and seven rebound type of player. His mid-range game is unbelievable. He showcases a plethora of offensive moves to go along with a soft touch.

He is the prized free agent in the 2011 class.