NBA Free Agents 2011: 20 Veterans That Could Pay Dividends for a Contender

Creaky knees, balky backs, muscle pulls, and the kind of basketball wisdom that comes from a decade spent in chartered planes and hotel rooms. This group has all of the above, and a little game leftover.

By some combination of modern science, tiger balm, and ice packs, these veterans are still standing, even thriving, at basketball’s highest level. They don’t have much time left, but what they do have they’ll gladly give to your championship-caliber team in hopes of hoisting that gold basketball-falling-out-of-an-ice-cream-cone thing.*

Call what they have "moxie" or "old man strength." They don't care, so long as you keep paying them to play a game intended to entertain bored children.

LeBrons they are not, but there’s still plenty of spoils for the plunderin’.

*For the purposes of this exercise we’re defining veterans as players with seven or more years of NBA service. You know, old guys.

Jason Richardson

Years Pro: 10

Despite his advanced age, Richardson remains a starter-quality shooting guard. Even after having lost a step, he shoots with a veteran’s touch and does enough other things well to stay on the floor.

Clearly his time in Orlando didn’t go according to plan. But I think at least one team will attribute that to a poor fit and will pay Richardson to keep scoring the way he has for the past eleven years.

At this point in his career, Richardson is best served as a team’s second perimeter scoring option. Both New York and Chicago could use his services.

Jamal Crawford

Years Pro: 11

Bar none, Crawford is the best pure scorer in this year’s free agent class. In his eleventh year, Crawford is still quick and possesses the kind of offensive savvy few bench players can match.

Defensive liabilities have kept him from becoming a true regular in the NBA, but plenty of teams will gladly overlook those drawbacks to get this one-of-a-kind bench scorer.

14 points in 30 minutes per game? Plenty of teams will take that.

J.R. Smith

Years Pro: 7

Like Crawford, Smith is a score-first player with hot streak potential. Of course that means Smith has more than a few cold streaks in him as well. Whoever lands Smith won’t get much in the way of defense, but that doesn’t mean he can’t help a contender.

For Smith to realize his potential — and that potential is considerable — he needs to change his game from free-wheeling freak show to free-wheeling freak show with some semblance of basketball IQ.

I’m not saying he’ll ever make that adjustment, but I’m willing to bet a winning team thinks they can change him.

DeShawn Stevenson

Year Pro: 11

If there’s hope for J.R. Smith he might well find it in the unlikely rise of DeShawn Stevenson. Though they’re very different types of players — Smith is an offensive force while Stevenson makes his name on the other end — they share a reputation as uncoachable malcontents.

The difference is that Stevenson managed to take that which made him uncoachable and turn it into a productive trait, honing his bizarre blend of defensive tenacity, showmanship, and pseudo-crazy during the Mavericks’ title run. On the Mavericks, a team with a reputation for lacking toughness, Stevenson’s game held some intangible value.

His future is probably best served staying with Dallas. We’ll see if Cuban and company make re-signing him a priority.

Michael Redd

Years Pro: 11

Redd has played a miserable 61 games in the past three years, so why how does he end up on this list? History.

Redd averaged more than 20 points per game for six straight seasons between 2003 and 2009 and the sharpshooter could contribute to a winner if his body finally heals properly.

He won’t start on anyone’s playoff roster, but for a bargain-basement price someone will try him out in a bench role. The Celtics seem to be interested, and Redd could slide into Ray Allen’s spot when the veteran needs a breather. For a franchise that likes to gamble on older players with rich resumes, Redd seems to fit a lot of their needs.

Caron Butler

Years Pro: 9

Injuries are a concern, but of all the players on this list Butler is one of the few with above-average starter potential. He’s not yet in the specialist phase of his career and can still contribute on both ends of the floor.

My guess is the Mavericks will work hard to resign him in hopes that his bum knee bounces back. If they don’t, plenty of teams will take an interest in a player with 15+ ppg, 5+ rpg, 2+ apg capability.

Grant Hill

Years Pro: 16

The fact that Grant Hill is still a viable option on a contending team is a tribute to both his talent and perseverance. Through injury and age, Hill continues to play at high level, reinventing himself as a lockdown defender in the twilight of his career.

To characterize him simply as a defensive menace, however true, does not do justice to his surprisingly efficient offensive game. Last year, Hill averaged over 13 points a contest while shooting over 48 percent from the floor and hitting nearly 40 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc.

I would love to see him get a legitimate title shot with a team like Miami, Boston, or Chicago. Even at 39, Hill has enough left in the tank to help a top tier team. And really, at this point, why doubt the man?

Tayshuan Prince

Years Pro: 9

Having spent the past few seasons stranded in Detroit with nothing to show for it but a balky back, Prince must be anxious for a change of scenery.

Even as the spotlight left the Motor City, and the franchise crumbled, Prince continued to perform at a high level. He averaged 14 a game last year, rebounded well, and remains among the league’s better defenders.

Rumor has it, Prince is on the Heat’s secondary wish list. The fact that he shares an Olympic past with stars LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh could help facilitate a deal. Prince would add playoff experience to the Miami roster and make a strong defense even stronger.

Shane Battier

Years Pro: 10

The consummate supporting player, Battier will be a hot commodity whenever the free agency period begins.

His value to a contender is obvious, the ten-year man out of Duke can defend and shoot the three. Any championship team needs a heavy dose of each to help spell their star players. His outstanding play with Memphis during the Grizzlies’ surprising playoff run only adds to his value

With that in mind, the Miami Heat seem to have Battier in their sites. Battier would probably have to accept less-than-market value to play in Miami, but his reputation as an unselfish player would serve him well in South Beach.

James Jones

Years Pro: 8

Jones does one thing really well, shoot the three. Lucky for him, pretty much every contender needs someone on their roster with that skill.

Jones played the role well enough in Miami last season, and after opting out of his contract, he will have the chance to do the same somewhere else in 2011-12.

Josh Howard

Years Pro: 8

Howard didn’t play particularly well in his brief return from knee surgery at the end of last season. From that short audition alone, nothing suggests that Howard is about to recapture the form that he made him one of the league’s most versatile players in Dallas.

The question is, can he? Not so much can he be a star again, but can he reformat his game to leverage whatever bounce he has left?

The name recognition is high with Howard. The game remains the question mark.

David West

Years Pro: 8

Like Howard, West is returning from a severe knee injury that throws his value into question. Unlike Howard, West has never been a super athlete and relies more on his smarts and consistency. Those things considered, West’s injury won’t torpedo his value in the free agent market.

West’s biggest asset is his offensive efficiency. Not only did he score over 18 points per game last season, he did so while shooting a robust 50.8 percent from the floor.

I’m not sure where David West fits among the contenders (Portland? Denver?), but he’s one of the best players available in this year’s class and ought to help carry the offensive load wherever he lands.

Andrei Kirilenko

Years Pro: 10

When evaluating Kirilenko’s worth it’s important to remember that AK-47 has essentially played his entire NBA career under one coach, Utah’s Jerry Sloan. We got a small taste of what Kirilenko would look like in an offense other than Sloan’s when the legendary coach resigned mid-season. The results weren't especially encouraging

Kirilenko posted the second worst player efficiency rating of his career in 2009-10. When this is combined with advancing age, contenders need to consider whether Kirilenko can thrive outside of Utah. There’s certainly plenty to like about the veteran — decent defender, capable offensively — but he comes with some red flags attached.

Kenyon Martin

Years Pro: 11

Martin saw his minutes and numbers decline last year to the point that it’s pretty clear — his best days are behind him. And although he won’t top anybody’s offseason wish list, he’s still a good post defender with the ability to help a winning team.

Kris Humphries

Years Pro: 7

It’s been a golden dozen months for Kris Humphries. He went from fast-fading first-round bust to comeback player of the year candidate/Kim Kardashian boy toy. Not bad.

But what is he really worth in basketball terms?

Sports Illustrated’s Zach Lowe astutely points out that Humphries’ career-high rebound totals are at least partly the byproduct of playing alongside a poor rebounding center in Brook Lopez. Even at his best Humphries is still not a scorer, and I wonder if he could break the rotation on a contender.

Based on last year alone he’s a good enough defender and rebounder to contribute, but is he a good long-term investment considering the struggles he’s had previously?

Reggie Evans

Years Pro: 9

Reggie Evans can rebound. He can’t do much else, but my goodness can he rebound.

Last year Evans grabbed an astounding 25.6 percent of the total rebounds available to him, tops in the NBA.

Though he’s never even averaged six points per game, Evans could help a team that needs energy and muscle off the bench. Contenders like the Knicks, Blazers, and Lakers all ranked in the top ten in opponent offensive rebounding percentage last season. Any of those squads could use a glass cleaner like Evans to plug that hole.

Nene

Years Pro: 9

Nene is and odd fit for this list because he’s so clearly in the prime of his career. Not only could Nene help a contending team, he could turn a middling team into a contender. The Brazilian big is one of the league’s top thirty players, combining a high-percentage offensive game with enviable defensive presence.

If he does land with a contender, that team becomes a legitimate title favorite. If he picks a team like the Warriors or Nets he’ll become a central figure in the rebuilding process. As the premier player in this year’s market the choice will largely be Nene’s to make.

Tyson Chandler

Years Pro: 10

Chandler became the poster boy for under-the-radar signings last year when his trade to the Mavericks instantly rebooted the franchise’s title hopes.

One year and one championship later, Chandler’s courtship won’t be nearly as low profile, and Dallas figures to make a hard run at retaining the seven-footer.

Chandler’s appeal is clear: last year he ranked 30th in defensive win shares, 11th in total rebound percentage, and eighth among all centers in player efficiency rating. Chandler can defend and rebound with the best, and until time proves otherwise, he’ll carry that “missing piece” label with him wherever he lands.

No doubt, a big pay day lies ahead for Chandler.

Samuel Dalembert

Years Pro: 9

In my mind, Dalembert is the Tyson Chandler of this year’s free agent class.

He won’t get the same attention as some of the other bigs, but he brings the sort of defensive intensity and rebounding prowess that can make a good team better. Like Chandler, Dalembert lacks a winning pedigree, but still possesses some of the elite skills that play well on contending teams.

To be clear, Dalembert is no Chandler. He doesn’t have the same offensive game, and at this point in his career, he doesn’t seem capable of developing one. Still, his elite rebounding skills (7th in the league in rebounding percentage) could make him a real asset.

Earl Boykins

Years Pro: 12

Surprised to Boykins on this list? I am too, until I looked at the numbers.

According to this wonderful bit of detective work by the blog "Mavs Moneyball," Boykins ranked third among all backup point guards in player efficiency rating last season (behind Beno Udrih and Ramon Sessions). His 17.6 PER placed him ahead of more prominent backups like Leandro Barbosa, George Hill, Raymond Felton, and Aaron Brooks.

Now, we must mention that Boykins posted those numbers in very limited minutes with the Bucks. Still, he’s had similar seasons in the past, and has proven time-and-again that he’s an above-average backup point guard.

His advanced age (35) may scare suitors off, but an elite team looking for a solid second point guard (Lakers) could get a lot out of the mighty mite.

Other Veterans Worth Mentioning

Mike Bibby - He tried to run with a contender last year and fell flat. I don’t know why another top team would give him a shot. Maybe he can provide minutes and wisdom off the bench.

Troy Murphy - Until last year he was a double-double machine. He’s been pretty good for a long time, but one has to wonder if the wheels are finally falling off.

Sasha Vujacic - A solid scorer with a championship resume.

Willie Green - His game hasn’t regressed with age, though his game wasn’t great to start. He can score off the bench and played on a playoff team last year.

Joel Przybilla - Last year didn’t go according to plan, but he’s been an elite rebounder in the past. Even in limited time last year, he notched a 17.1 percent rebound percentage (39th in the league).

Marquis Daniels - Not a bad SG option for team’s lacking depth at that spot. He’s played that role in Boston before, so teams have something to evaluate.

Nenad Krstic - He’s pretty good, not SI cover good, but good. Not a great rebounder for his size but is a competent scorer.

Jason Collins - After years in the desert he gained a name last year as “that guy who can guard Dwight Howard.” That alone might earn him a spot on a contender.

Kurt Thomas - Still around. Saw his minutes drop in the postseason with Chicago, but can still rebound and score from time to time.

Jason Kapono - Woefully overpaid by a Sixers team that never figured out how to use him. Can he still be a shooter for a winning team? The jury is out.

Mike Dunleavy - 11.2 ppg on 40 percent shooting from beyond the arc. Those are the numbers. Not bad, not bad at all.