The Top 5 Unrestricted Free-Agent Point Guards of 2011

Here is a look at the five best unrestricted free-agent point guards that are available for the 2011-12 NBA season. These players will most likely be the first free-agents to be signed, even though that also depends a lot on the new collective bargaining agreement.

However, with the current lockout in place, that does not mean that these point guards cannot still be ranked accordingly.

Let’s roll!

1. Jose Juan "J.J." Barea (Dallas Mavericks)

After helping the Dallas Mavericks capture the 2011 NBA Championship, J.J. Barea is one of the hottest free agents on the market. Although, standing below six feet tall, no one can question his heart.

Born in Puerto Rico, and undrafted out of Northeastern, Barea has put in a lot of work after coming to Dallas, and earned the chance to show his skills the past two years.

The Dallas Mavericks would love to bring him back for multiple seasons, but they are expecting to face a lot of interested buyers during free agency.

2. Ronnie Price (Utah Jazz)

Price, who has spent the past four years in Utah, has been one of the first players off the bench, and has the potential to become better with time. An athletic player who went undrafted out of Utah Valley, Price will come across multiple suitors in the free agent market.

Although not a starting guard, he can be the spark off the bench. He can defend bigger guards, score and shoot the occasional three-pointer.

3. Willie Green (New Orleans Hornets)

Green, who spent seven years in Philadelphia (was the 76ers' starting shooting guard at one point), was traded to the New Orleans Hornets last year. Green averaged 8.7 points in 77 games last year with the Hornets.

A guard who can play both positions, shoot the ball and defend, Green will be able to find a roster spot next season.

4. Earl Watson (Utah Jazz)

Watson who has been in the NBA since being drafted by the Seattle Sonics in 2001, has spent time with Seattle (twice), Memphis, Denver, Oklahoma City, Indiana, and last season with the Utah Jazz.

Even though he has played for a lot of teams, Watson has been a consistent provider, whether it is in the form of being a scorer, passer, or providing veteran leadership in the locker room.

After having a very successful college career at UCLA, where he spent some time paired with Baron Davis, Watson is one of the “smart veteran” players on the market.

5. Earl Boykins (Milwaukee Bucks)

Boykins who is the second shortest player in NBA history after Tyrone “Muggsy” Bogues, has shown how much heart and drive matters when it comes to being successful in a league filled with big men.

Boykins, undrafted out of Eastern Michigan, has spent time with New Jersey, Cleveland, Orlando, L.A. Clippers, Golden State, Denver, Milwaukee (twice, most recently in 2010-11), Charlotte and Washington in his NBA career.

He has proven that he can play in the NBA and has done so on short-term contracts with nine different teams. He is a unique free agent as his size may keep teams away, but he is worth taking a chance on, as he has proven he can play in the NBA.

Not in the Top Five, but Teams Can Count on These Guys

Anytime a team needs to bring in a point guard, whether due to injury or something else, here are a few NBA players worth considering.

The remaining slides consist of those players that still have value around the NBA. Their stats may not jump out at you, but they can benefit teams in other ways. They can show their veteran leadership on and off the basketball court.

Here they are!

Mike Bibby (Atlanta Hawks/Washington Wizards/Miami Heat)

Mike Bibby can still shoot the ball and direct an offense. Although he does struggle guarding quicker point guards, he can still contribute to a contender in a limited role.

Bibby requested the Wizards to buyout the remainder of his contract so he could join a contender. As a result, he joined the Miami Heat, who went on to lose in six games in the NBA Finals to the Dallas Mavericks.

Anthony Carter (Denver Nuggets/New York Knicks)

Anthony Carter has the reputation of being ready to do whatever the coaching staff tells him to do.

Whether that means to be a starter or to mentor the younger players throughout the game, Carter is the person to ask.

Denver Nuggets coach George Karl thinks very highly of Carter and was looking to keep him in Denver last season.

Antonio Daniels (Philadelphia 76ers)

Antonio Daniels signed on towards the end of the season with the Philadelphia 76ers while guard Lou Williams was out with a hamstring injury.

Daniels has been in the league for a long time, and can be a contributor to a team that needs a veteran presence in the backcourt.

Daniels brings a lot of NBA experience and is a good presence to have in the locker room.

Carlos Arroyo (Miami Heat/Boston Celtics)

Carlos Arroyo of Puerto Rico has spent last season with both the Miami Heat and the Boston Celtics. Arroyo has also spent time with Toronto, Denver, Utah, Detroit, and Orlando, including stints in Europe.

Arroyo, mainly used as a reserve point guard, has been somewhat of a steady player throughout his tenure. He may have multiple suitors for the 2011-12 season.