NBA: The Top Five Unrestricted Free-Agent Shooting Guards of 2011

*This list does not include J.R. Smith of the Denver Nuggets, as Smith has signed a one-year contract with a Chinese team*

Here are the names of five current unrestricted free-agent shooting guards available on the market. The players listed have been in the NBA for some time now and are ready to help a team, whether that means signing with their previous employer, or signing with a new one.

It is also important to note that with the current lockout in place, the new collective bargaining agreement, whenever decided, will most likely have an impact on the number of years, and total amounts on contracts that these players can sign.

So, let's get started.

Number One: Jason Richardson (Phoenix Suns/Orlando Magic)

Jason Richardson, entering his 11th NBA season, has spent time with Golden State, Charlotte, and with both Phoenix and Orlando last season. Richardson is an athletic shooting guard that can even play at the small forward position if need be.

He can take the ball to the rim, or can shoot the three-point shot. Richardson is one of the top free-agents on the 2011 market and will draw plenty of interest from teams including the Orlando Magic.

Number Two: Jamal Crawford (Atlanta Hawks)

Jamal Crawford, entering his 12th NBA season, has spent time with Chicago, New York, Golden State, and with Atlanta the last two seasons. Crawford is a scoring guard that has proven over the years that he can score off the dribble.

The former Sixth Man of the Year winner (in 2010) can help out a team that is looking to add a scorer to their roster. There should be multiple suitors for Crawford’s services during the upcoming free agency period.

Rumor has it that the Atlanta Hawks want to keep him around, but may have to tinker with their current roster in order to sign Crawford to an extension.

Number Three: Shannon Brown (Los Angeles Lakers)

Shannon Brown, entering his sixth NBA season, has spent time with Cleveland, Chicago, Charlotte, and with the Los Angeles Lakers the past two seasons. Brown, since coming over to the Lakers in a trade from Charlotte, has really stepped up his game.

He has now become a player that has the potential to get better, and will be in great demand as an unrestricted free agent. Brown is a freakish athlete that can dunk the basketball or shoot the three-point shot.

Although his playing time fluctuated while in Los Angeles, Brown most likely will get an opportunity to become a starter for another team, or be a sixth man.

For a player that did not see much playing time during the earlier part of his NBA career, Brown is making the most of his opportunity right now.

Number Four: Roger Mason, Jr. (New York Knicks)

Roger Mason, Jr., entering his ninth NBA season, has spent time with Chicago, Toronto, Washington, San Antonio, and with New York last season. Mason did not have a lot of success in the NBA during his first few years in the NBA after coming out from the University of Virginia.

He actually played overseas from 2004 before signing a one-year contract with the Wizards in 2006. In Washington, he saw his playing time and scoring increase when Gilbert Arenas and Antonio Daniels were out with injuries.

That led Mason to sign with the San Antonio Spurs, where he found himself a very nice role before signing with New York as a free-agent last season. A veteran who understands his role should be able to find a suitor on the market whether he is going to be a starter, or play off the bench.

Number Five: Aleksandar "Sasha" Vujacic (Los Angeles Lakers/New Jersey Nets)

Sasha Vujacic, entering his eighth NBA season, spent seven-and-a-half seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers before being traded to New Jersey mid-season last year. Known for his three-point shooting accuracy during his tenure with the Lakers, Vujacic saw his playing time becoming limited over the past couple of seasons.

Although he struggles on the defensive end, with his shooting ability he should be able to find some suitors on the free-agent market. He may not get a long-term contract (a four-year or five-year offer), but a two or three-year deal appears to be reasonable.