NBA Free Agents 2011: Top Position Each Team Needs To Shore Up

The NBA lockout has yet to be resolved and as a result, fans have been robbed of the excitement of NBA free agency.  This is a time period where fans laugh, cry and sometimes even seethe over the results of where some of the league's top players end up.  To give an idea of how intense some people get about this part of the offseason, I'm sure that some NBA fans of my generation will be telling their grandchildren where they were the night LeBron James made his "decision."

The only positive side to free agency and the lockout is that each team's front office has more time to truly analyze what it needs in order to compete next year.  This time around, hopefully the proper scouting will be done so that the colossal overpaying that caused the work stoppage does not happen again.

That being said, let's dive right in.  Here is a position every NBA team hopes to shore up once free agency begins.

Atlanta Hawks: An Effective Center

The Atlanta Hawks have the potential to have one of the deadliest starting lineups in the NBA.  They have two fine guards and some amazing forwards, but what's missing is a center.  The incumbent man at that position is Zaza Pachulia and while he was good at one point, it's time for him to go.

Allow me to take you on a tour of the recent history between Pachulia and the Hawks.  In the 2006-2007 season, he averaged 28.1 minutes and posted averages of 12.2 points and seven rebounds.  Since then, the 6'11" Georgian has not produced as much.

In the four years since then, Pachulia has played an average of 16 minutes per game and his production on both offense and defense has drastically dropped.  Yet, for some reason or another, the Hawks re-signed him to a four-year deal worth $19 million.  And people wonder why the lockout happened.

Given how Pachulia's potential seems to have maxed out and that rookie Keith Benson is at least two or three years away from being productive in the middle, the Hawks need to bring in an effective center to place in the starting lineup.  Not necessarily one who will blow the stats out of the water, but one who plays solid defense and is reliable night after night.

If this piece to the puzzle is found, perhaps the Hawks will finally make their way to the Eastern Conference finals, maybe beyond.

Boston Celtics: A Physical Center

Call me a hater, but I still believe that the Boston Celtics made one of the stupidest moves at the trade deadline last year.  While some teams like the New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks made moves to ultimately help them on the final playoff push, the Celtics traded away a key piece of their past playoff successes. 

With the injury-prone Shaquille O'Neal and Jermaine O'Neal already missing a lot of time to various bumps and bruises, GM Danny Ainge traded away physical big man Kendrick Perkins to the Oklahoma City Thunder for forward Jeff Green and center Nenad Krstic.

Not surprisingly, fans were shocked.  Why trade away a tough rebounder and shot-blocker for an average forward and skinny seven-footer?  Needless to say, both O'Neals underachieved down the stretch and the Celtics were eliminated from the playoffs by the Miami Heat.  Had Perkins been on the team, I myself believe the outcome would have been different.

That being said, the Celtics need to get a reliable big man this offseason.  Glen "Big Baby" Davis is a free agent and he could fill that void if brought back, but he is just 6'9" and does not have the same type of athleticism that Perkins brought to the table.  He has talent, just not the kind that the team needs.

If the Celtics could bring in someone like Samuel Dalembert, then perhaps their championship dreams will be realized next season.

Charlotte Bobcats: A Consistently Producing Big Man

I hate to sound like the "shoulda, woulda, coulda" guy, but the Charlotte Bobcats easily could have done better last season.  Their only problem was that they stumbled out of the starting gate and once Paul Silas was brought in to replace Larry Brown as head coach, the team genuinely looked better.

Yet, at center, the Bobcats struggled to keep up with the opposition.  This is probably because they had draft-bust extraordinaire Kwame Brown starting at that position. 

Seriously, I can't even understand how this guy is still in the league.  Considering how he was the first overall pick in the 2001 draft and has the build of a top center at 6'11" and 270 pounds, Brown has certainly not met expectations.  In 10 NBA seasons, he has career averages of 6.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 0.6 blocks and on top of that, has never been a full-time starter.

The Bobcats filled that hole on draft night in taking Bismack Biyombo, but he is 19 years old and has a lot to work on.  The team needs a durable center who can be a threat both as a defender and as an inside scorer.  The starting lineup for next season is looking very young with Gerald Henderson appearing to get most of the starts at shooting guard, so pairing him with an effective big would give the Bobcats that extra push towards the postseason.

Chicago Bulls: A Top Shooting Guard

The Chicago Bulls came so close to getting back to the NBA Finals last season.  In revisiting the Eastern Conference finals, I am of the opinion that the team would have beaten the Miami Heat had it had a better shooting guard who could have matched Dwyane Wade in terms of production.  Instead, they had Keith Bogans, a glorified three-point shooter who only averaged 4.4 points in 17.8 minutes per game.

If the Bulls want to get another direct shot at a championship, as in a spot in the NBA Finals, they need to find another shooter to pair with Derrick Rose.  I know that Bogans technically does fall into that category, but not as a starter.  The team is so close to getting back to glory, and bringing in a top-producing guard is the key to reaching that goal.

Cleveland Cavaliers: A Young and Effective Forward

Nothing against Antawn Jamison, but his best years are behind him.  He may have had a productive season (18 points, 6.7 rebounds), but he is also 35 years old and the Cleveland Cavaliers are at a stage where they need to keep with a youth movement.  On top of that, he is due a ridiculous $15 million next season.

The Cavs already made a decent move in trading for Omri Casspi, but the 23-year-old forward isn't the momentous forward the team needs in the starting lineup.  Owner Dan Gilbert should scout the free-agent market for someone who can both play effective defense and carry a shooting touch.  If whoever that player is comes to Cleveland and builds a relationship with Kyrie Irving, the Cavaliers could find themselves back in the playoffs sooner rather than later.

Dallas Mavericks: Shore a Position Up? Just Re-Sign Everyone!

To be perfectly honest, there is no one position that the Dallas Mavericks need to shore up this offseason.  All that the reigning NBA champions need to worry about is re-signing all of their key players.  Among this group are guards J.J. Barea and DeShawn Stevenson, as well as center Tyson Chandler.

Owner Mark Cuban is a man who is not afraid to spend money to win, so don't be shocked if he uses all of the available money to bring these men back.

Denver Nuggets: An Effective Forward/Center

The situation for the Denver Nuggets is an interesting one.  As of right now, their biggest need is at center seeing as how incumbent big man Nene Hilario just opted out of his contract to test the market.  That being said, if Nene were to depart, the most obvious choice to fill his shoes would be Timofey Mozgov.

Yet, Mozgov does not have the physicality nor the tenacity of Nene.  On top of that, the team is looking at power forward being handled by either Al Harrington or Kenneth Faried next season.  As talented as both are, neither can fill the shoes of the Brazilian sensation.

That being said, the Nuggets need an effective forward/center and to be honest, their only goal here should be to re-sign Nene.  Otherwise, it's going to be a long season in Denver.

Detroit Pistons: A Leader

As of now, it looks as though the Detroit Pistons are going to lose two of their best players to free agency: Rodney Stuckey and Tayshaun Prince.  On top of that, guard Richard Hamilton could be traded before the start of the season.  Long story short, this is a team that is very young and in need of some guidance.

Considering how dismal the team's last two seasons were, it appears obvious that the team is in need of one thing and one thing only: a productive veteran who can enter the starting lineup immediately and be a leader to these youngsters.  The John Kuester era left some wounds that run deep in the Motor City and when push comes to shove, all that is needed to heal them is a player who will take initiative, put the team on his back and carry it to victory.

Golden State Warriors: Effective Bench Players

New head coach Mark Jackson has a tough task ahead of him with the Golden State Warriors.  In the coming season, he will take over a team that features a starting lineup of four guys with potential plus inconsistency at center.  Even more difficult for Jackson will be the unimpressive bench players he has to work with.

Let me put it this way:  If the Warriors want to contend again, it must be understood that the contributions must come from guys besides Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry.  People like Dorell Wright and David Lee must also step up but more importantly, so must the men outside the starting lineup.

In thinking about it, all the Warriors bench needs is one or two key players who could inject some momentum into the game night after night, even if they just score a handful of points a game.  Someone like J.R. Smith or Jamal Crawford is the perfect man to fill this need and if they can come in and light a fire under the fans, there may be reason to celebrate in Northern California shortly.

Houston Rockets: A Veteran Center with Leadership Skills

I've said it once before and I'll say it again now:  The only thing keeping the Houston Rockets from the playoffs the past few seasons was the unreliability and injury-proneness of Yao Ming.  The 7'6" center's constant absence forced then-coach Rick Adelman to start 6'6" (yes, you read right) Chuck Hayes at the position and while he exceeded expectations there, he was way too small to compete with most of the centers in the league.

Next season is going to look a lot different in Houston.  Yao has retired and Hayes is an impending free agent.  Most important, Adelman has been replaced with Hall of Famer Kevin McHale.

The Rockets already have some key members in place, most notably guard Kevin Martin and forward Luis Scola.  Kyle Lowry will do a fine job running the point next season and even Chase Budinger should improve upon the flashes of potential he improved late in the season.  The only question remark remains at center.

The only in-house option is Hasheem Thabeet, and we all know that isn't going to happen.  The best course of action is to pursue a veteran center on the open market, particularly one who can inspire this young team.  Given the number of teams in need of a center, this could prove easier said than done.

Indiana Pacers: Bench Defense

The Indiana Pacers are a talented young team who have most of the holes filled.  They have a solid starting lineup and Brandon Rush has proven to be an effective scorer off the bench.  However, in terms of bench defense, there is something to be desired.

One name that comes to mind is James Posey, but he will turn 35 next season and his $7.6 million salary makes him a trade candidate.  At the same time, forward Josh McRoberts is about to become a free agent and chances are he could find himself on a new team next season.  His 6'10", 240-pound presence could potentially be a big loss, so team management should look to fill that void via free agency.

With guys like Al Thornton and Carl Landry available, this potential hole should be fairly easy to fix.

Los Angeles Clippers: A Small Forward Dangerous on Both Sides of the Court

The Blake Griffin Experiment began in Los Angeles last season and finished with unbelievably successful results.  The former Oklahoma Sooner finished with averages of 22.5 points and 12.1 rebounds per game and was the unanimous choice for Rookie of the Year.

Yet, let's not forget that this is the Clippers we're talking about.  This is a team that is basically known for being one of the perennially losing teams not just in the NBA, but in all of sports.  They have some talented young players, but something is missing.

Some may say that it is a center missing, given Chris Kaman's injury history, but I disagree.  What the Clippers need is a top small forward who can be a threat on both offense and defense, thus taking some of the pressure off of Griffin and the guards.

One name that jumps out in this category is veteran Shane Battier, who is one of the league's top defenders as well as someone with a deadly three-point shot.  On top of that, he is a proven leader who brings an overwhelmingly positive vibe to any locker room.

If the Clippers can lure him to the City of Angels, be prepared for a great improvement this coming season.

Los Angeles Lakers: Bench Scoring

Shannon Brown (pictured) only averaged about 19 minutes a game last season, but he made the most of his time on the floor.  He only averaged 8.1 points, but proved to be a spark off the bench for the Los Angeles Lakers.

As the Lakers look to get back to the NBA Finals after an ugly exit from the playoffs last season, it is essential that they bring back Brown or sign someone who can produce on the same level as him.  He may not look like much on paper, but his aggressive drives to the basket do wonders for providing scoring in a pinch or when Kobe Bryant is in need of a break.

Memphis Grizzlies: A Dominating Center

The Memphis Grizzlies' postseason last year brings back memories of the 1980 Miracle On Ice.  Here was a team that was the No. 8 seed in the always-tough Western Conference facing a highly favored San Antonio Spurs squad, whose core members had already won three championships together.  Naturally, many expected the Spurs to wipe the floor with this young, small-market team.

Instead, the unthinkable happened.  The Grizzlies eliminated the Spurs in six games and went on to the second round, where they were eliminated by the Oklahoma City Thunder (although they did not go down without a fight).

A key contributor during the playoffs was Spanish center Marc Gasol, who averaged 15 points and 11.2 rebounds in the postseason.  Gasol is a restricted free agent this offseason and given his impressive performance both in the regular season and postseason, he will surely receive many offers.  This puts the Grizzlies in an interesting position, considering how they just signed forward Zach Randolph to a four-year extension worth $71 million.

Simply put, the Grizzlies need to re-sign Gasol if they want any hope of returning to the playoffs next season.  Considering how small forward Rudy Gay missed the postseason and the team still flourished without him, they are in prime position to go far next season.  Yet, without Gasol, reaching that level will be tough.

Miami Heat: A Well-Rounded Center

Even though the Miami Heat are the reigning Eastern Conference champions, it remains a mystery to me how they even got that far.  Here is a team that basically relied on three of 12 active players to shoulder the load for the entire season and while they got to the NBA Finals, their true flaws were exposed in the series.

The biggest flaw that stood out to me was the team's lack of a well-rounded center.  In the series, Miami relied quite a bit on the slow-moving Joel Anthony, who averaged just two points and 3.5 rebounds on the regular season.  Considering how the eventual champion Dallas Mavericks had the surprisingly electrifying Tyson Chandler manning that position, it's no wonder that the Heat lost.

Pat Riley needs to work his front-office magic and bring in a center who has experience starting games regularly and can keep up with some of the league's elite.  LeBron James and Chris Bosh joined Dwyane Wade in South Beach to win multiple championships and if this piece to the puzzle can be found, they just might be able to win that ring next season.

Milwaukee Bucks: Depth at Power Foward

Last offseason, the Milwaukee Bucks signed veteran Drew Gooden to a five-year deal worth $32 million in hopes that he would be an effective rebounder and inside scorer throughout the season.  Gooden averaged 11.3 points and 6.8 points his first year with the team, but also appeared in just 35 games due to injury.  In his absence, former UCLA Bruin Luc Richard Mbah a Moute stepped into the starting lineup.

As tough as Mbah a Moute is, he isn't the answer to bench defense for the Bucks.  He is talented, but his 6'8" 230-pound frame is undersized for power forward, at least the type that Milwaukee needs.  The man is a restricted free agent, but something tells me that the offers won't be flying in and he will ultimately return to the team.

That being said, team management should look for a power forward who can come off the bench and provide top defense and maybe some scoring mixed in.

Minnesota Timberwolves: Head Coach

Next season, it appears that the Minnesota Timberwolves will finally feature the dream team envisioned by GM David Kahn.  Ricky Rubio is coming to the United States from Spain and joining him in Minnesota will be fellow rookie Derrick Williams, whom Minnesota took with the second overall pick in this year's draft.

While the Timberwolves certainly look good on paper right now, there is one key component missing.  As of now, the team has no head coach.  On July 12, Kurt Rambis was fired from that position after posting a horrendous record of 32-132 in two seasons.

This may seem like an unconventional analysis, but it is the truth.  The potential of this Timberwolves team cannot be met without the right man teaching them how to be effective in the NBA and until this position is filled, all we can do is speculate.

New Jersey Nets: A Rebounding Power Forward

As bad as the Nets were last season, one player emerged who became one of their few bright spots.  Forward Kris Humphries emerged as one of the league's rebounding machines, averaging 11.4 per game from January through March before missing the remainder of the season with an injury.  Unfortunately for the Nets, Humphries is an impending free agent.

Simply put, the Nets need to re-sign Humphries or a player who can rebound as well as him.  Team owner Mikhail Prokhorov has expressed seriousness in wanting to bring stars like Dwight Howard and Chris Paul to the team as it moves from New Jersey to Brooklyn and if he wants to show a commitment to winning, he needs to bring back his star rebounder.

Otherwise, the Nets could find themselves up the free-agency creek without a paddle along with the label of "the other New York team."

New Orleans Hornets: No One Move, but Do Best To Retain All Free Agents

I won't beat around the bush.  The New Orleans Hornets, while one of the league's most talented teams, are a financial mess.  They are currently owned by the NBA and will continue to be until a new buyer steps forward.  Considering how they are supposedly one of 22 teams that is losing money, free agency could be a dark period for the Hornets.

They have eight players entering free agency this season, most notably power forward David West.  The 6'9" forward is one who can score effectively as well as rebound well and if he signs with another team, the Hornets can essentially forget about re-signing Chris Paul next offseason.

Yet, West is just a small part of what the Hornets must do this offseason.  They need to bring back as many people as they can.  Otherwise, they could potentially cease to exist.

New York Knicks: A Veteran Center

While the Knicks may be one of the best scoring teams in the NBA, their defense leaves something to be desired.  The team scored 106.5 points per game last season, but allowed 105.7.  All year long, the biggest void was a true center.  Amar'e Stoudemire saw some time there, but we all know that he is most comfortable at power forward.

That being said, while the Knicks continue to search for a general manager, the front office should pursue a veteran center.  Josh Harrellson was drafted out of Kentucky in the second round, but he isn't what the team needs to solve its immediate problems on defense.

If owner James Dolan and his new GM (hopefully not Isiah Thomas) could recruit someone like Samuel Dalembert or even Nene to come to the Big Apple, then the Knicks would have their first top center since Patrick Ewing.  If this void remains unfilled, however, then Knicks fans will continue to groan come playoff time.

Oklahoma City Thunder: No Moves Necessary

Given how much the Oklahoma City Thunder have improved over the past two seasons, no immediate moves appear to be necessary.  Two years ago, they were the No. 8 seed in the West and this year jumped all the way up to No. 4.  The only free agent this offseason is Daequan Cook, and he is a restricted one.

With all of the regulars coming back next year, it's time to go to an old saying:  If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

Orlando Magic: A Versatile Shooting Guard

It's no secret that Jason Richardson will not be with the Orlando Magic next season.  The clear-cut choice to replace him would be Gilbert Arenas, but a headcase in the starting lineup is the last thing this squad needs with Dwight Howard entering his contract year.  Rather, GM Otis Smith should look to bring in another guard.

Not just any guard, but a shooting guard that can do more than just shoot, if you understand what I'm getting at.  Though Richardson is primarily known as a shooter, he can also grab a few rebounds and be a threat on the inside as well.  Let's not forget, this is a man who won the Slam Dunk Contest twice.

Thus, if the Magic can bring in a guard that brings to the table the same things as J-Rich, their odds of going far in the playoffs will become greater.  More importantly, it could give Howard some extra incentive to stay.

Philadelphia 76ers: A Tough Veteran Center

Elton Brand shouldered most of the load last season in terms of the Sixers inside game and given his injury history, he needs help next year.  The team has Marreese Speights as its current option at center, seeing as how the underwhelming Spencer Hawes is a restricted free agent.

Call me crazy, but a good idea would be for the Sixers to re-sign the very man they traded in order to acquire Hawes.  I'm talking about Samuel Dalembert, or any tough veteran center on the market, really.

The fact is that Dalembert was an effective center for the Sixers before having two off years and thus being traded to Sacramento.  He is an unrestricted free agent and could potentially come cheap.  Given the Sixers' need of help in the middle, signing Dalembert or someone like him could prove to be the missing piece of the puzzle.

Phoenix Suns: An Electrifying Shooting Guard

The Phoenix Suns, in the past eight years, have become a team known for shooting the lights out and overwhelming the opposition with their offense.  While this approach has resulted in three trips to the Western Conference finals since 2003, the defense has been lacking.  Last season, besides veteran point guard Steve Nash, the team underachieved down the stretch as it adjusted to life without Amar'e Stoudemire.

Contributing to the team's woes last year was the fact that team management thought it would be a good idea to trade Hedo Turkoglu, second-year player Earl Clark and fan-favorite Jason Richardson to the Orlando Magic for an aging Vince Carter, tough center Marcin Gortat and an overhyped bench player in Mickael Pietrus.  Why they traded a key member of the team that had made the Western Conference finals just one year before is a mystery to me.

Simply put, what the Suns need to do is bring in a guard who is electrifying not only in his shooting, but in the way they play the game.  I'm talking about buying out Vince Carter and bringing Richardson back.  The former Michigan State Spartan was averaging 19.3 points and shooting 42 percent from three-point land last season before being traded and had he remained with the team, there is no telling how well the Suns would have done.

It is time to bring him home and hopefully watch him help get the team back to playoff glory.

Portland Trail Blazers: No Moves Necessary

A few months ago, I would have said that the Portland Trail Blazers needed to do a complete overhaul of their backcourt.  Instead, after watching the moves team management made on the night of the draft, this team is fine just the way it is.

On draft night, the Blazers selected guard Nolan Smith out of Duke and then traded veteran point guard Andre Miller to the Denver Nuggets for Raymond Felton.  Given these moves plus the fact that veterans Marcus Camby and Brandon Roy will (hopefully) be 100 percent next season after suffering injuries, not to mention the presence of Gerald Wallace and LaMarcus Aldridge in the lineup, the Blazers are a team I believe will go far just as they are right now.

No need to upset the apple cart with a free-agency move here.

Sacramento Kings: A Durable Small Forward

The Sacramento Kings have had a dismal past couple of years.  The team is a shell of the dominant force it was in the late 1990s and early 2000s and has recently been known as a team that is all youth and no leader.  In this year's draft, the Maloof brothers drafted their leader in collegiate legend Jimmer Fredette.

Yet, the team's needs don't stop there.  A pressing need is at small forward, where Francisco Garcia is currently the starter.  While Garcia is solid and can be an effective three-point shooter, he has not played a full season since 2007-2008 and plays little to no defense.  The Kings need to bench him and bring in a veteran small forward with better durability and who can provide both mentorship and a spark to this young team.

If that approach works and this team clicks, then the fans may be able to put their anxieties about the team moving to rest.

San Antonio Spurs: No Moves Necessary

This is a team that finished as the top seed in the Western Conference and just happened to get outplayed in the first round of the postseason.  Though they looked bad, let's not forget that the core players of this team have won three rings together.

Also, it should be noted that the Spurs are one of the most tenacious teams in the league.  It's a certainty that they're going to come into next season looking to avenge their early exit.  With that fire in the belly from the get-go, no need to make any major changes to this roster.

Toronto Raptors: A Defensive Small Forward

Much like the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Toronto Raptors had a harsh adjustment to life without their superstar, in this case Chris Bosh.  The young team only won 22 games and finished with the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference.  To add insult to injury, first-round pick Jonas Valanciunas won't be able to join the team for another year due to his commitments overseas.

Yet, the Raptors have a need that many seem to have forgotten about.  The situation at small forward is bleak, seeing as how Linas Kleiza is expected to miss most of the season recovering from a knee injury and James Johnson is not the answer there either.

To shore up this position, the team needs to go after a tough Bruce Bowen-type forward who will play lockdown defense as well as nail some clutch shots.  The Raptors are a small-market team who need to improve quickly and if this need is taken care of, improvement could come sooner.

Utah Jazz: A Veteran Small Forward

Last season was one to forget for the Utah Jazz.  Not only did Deron Williams essentially force the resignation of head coach Jerry Sloan, but the volatile point guard was traded away a short time later.  The team won 39 games, but looked lost and inexperienced down the stretch.

That being said, changes need to be made.  Andrei Kirilenko is on his way out after 10 years of underachieving and C.J. Miles is stepping in at small forward.

However, as talented as Miles is, he is inconsistent.  That being said, a veteran forward needs to be brought to Salt Lake City just in case the Miles experiment fails out of the starting gate.  Regarding gameplay, a forward who plays defense as well as he shoots would be preferable.

This is a squad with a good young core.  All that's needed is the veteran leadership to garnish it, for lack of better word.

Washington Wizards: A Veteran Leader at Any Position

Despite winning just 23 games last season, the Washington Wizards had a couple of bright spots.  First overall pick John Wall proved that he could play with the big boys after just one year at college and center JaVale McGee emerged as one of the league's best shot-blockers.

Team management made an interesting move a couple of months into the season as they cut out the drama by trading Gilbert Arenas to the Orlando Magic for Rashard Lewis, essentially swapping one bad contract for another.  This move proved to be disastrous as Lewis was not the veteran presence the team needed and played in just 32 games due to injury.

The sad part is that the Wizards truly do have a lot of potential with their core of young players, particularly Wall and McGee.  Yet, like any young team, what is needed in Washington is a leader.  There are a bevy of veterans available on the free-agent market this year and the Wizards could use any of them, regardless of position.

The key to a young team's success is leadership and while Wall is definitely a leader in the making, he needs a mentor who can positively influence him and turn him into the superstar he is destined to become.  If the front office is able to sign that man, the Wizards could go from pretenders into contenders in the next couple of seasons.