NBA Free Agents 2011: 12 Players Who Will Be Benchwarmers

The NBA lockout continues.

Commissioner David Stern recently announced that the first two weeks of the season will be cancelled. This is a blow to the fans who aren't interested in the greed battle going on between the players and the owners. 

As a fan, I can only hope the free-agent frenzy from the NFL carries over to the NBA. It was spectacular to see signing after signing. Once the lockout ends, it would be nice to see similar signings occur in the NBA. 

I firmly believe that the NBA will have a season, albeit a shortened one. While it would be exciting, I can only imagine a few teams will overspend on free agents.

This could definitely financially impact teams in the long run, but it's a risk some squads will have to make. Teams will need to fill roster holes as quickly as possible, meaning some free agents will cash in later this year. 

Here are list of 12 free agents that will be cheering on the sidelines this year. 

Tracy McGrady

McGrady isn't a guy I would want on my team. He seems delirious about his current abilities.

After essentially embarrassing his head coach last year with the whole missing practice fiasco, teams would be smart to stay away from T-mac. 

He quickly tires and is a horrid defender at this point in his career. Its time for McGrady to retire. 

Eric Dampier

After watching from the bench as his old team, the Dallas Mavericks, won the NBA Championship, Dampier decided to party with them at a nightclub in Miami.

Dampier can still give you a big body if needed, but at this point he is too slow-footed to contribute on the defensive end. 

Offensively, Dampier can potentially give you tip ins and hustle points but those come far and few between. Some team will likely sign him only to be disappointed that he is a shell of his old self. 

Mike Bibby

Some might be surprised with this selection.

Bibby was a phenomenal player in his heyday, but that isn't the case in the twilight of his career. While Bibby can give you some outside shooting, he does nothing else well enough to warrant consistent minutes. 

Mario Chalmers was inserted into the starting lineup over Bibby in Game 6 of the NBA finals, making a return for the 13-year veteran unlikely.

Some team (likely the Lakers) will sign him and realize that he's nothing more than a benchwarmer at this stage of his career. 

Michael Redd

Michael Redd has to be the most unlucky player in the NBA.

His knee injuries have been disastrous, likely ending his once-promising career. Redd still may have the shooting touch, but he wasn't much more than a scorer when healthy—and an explosive one at that.

I just don't think Redd can stay healthy long enough to consider giving him a roster spot or consistent minutes. Some team will take a fly on him. 

Shawne Williams

Shawne Williams is a solid three-point shooter and nothing more.

He played on a Knicks team that lacked depth at the forward positions. His scored a little over seven points and snatched four rebounds in about 20 minutes of game action. Those stats, which weren't impressive to begin with, were likely inflated in D'antoni's uptempo system. 

He doesn't defend or rebound well for his size, yet a team will take a chance on Williams because of his touch outside.

Williams shot a little over 40 percent from behind the arc last season playing alongside Amare and Melo last year (though Melo arrived midway into the season).

Besides at the Knicks and maybe the Warriors, I don't see Williams receiving consistent playing time from a team next season. 

Roger Mason

I thought Roger Mason was a great pickup for the Knicks in free agency.

Mason was coming off two solid seasons with the Spurs and seemed like a steal for the Knicks. It turned out Mason was nothing more than a benched player on D'antoni's team. 

It seems that the Spurs have a great system set up to make role players look better than they actually are. Mason shot a little over 36 percent from behind the arc last season (in about 12 minutes a game). If his shot isn't going in, he brings nothing else to the table. 

Yi Jianlian

A once-promising player, Jianlian was thought to be the next Yao Ming.

That of course didn't happen.

The four-year veteran has played for three different squads— the Bucks, Wizards and Nets. 

His current team, the Wizards, didn't play him too often last season. He averaged a little over 17 minutes a game. The Wizards felt both Booker and Seraphin deserved more minutes during the latter part of the season.

When the Wizards can't find you enough minutes to play, you truly have hit rock bottom. 

Jianlian may head back to China (or elsewhere) when the lockout ends, but don't expect to hear his name too often. 

Jason Kapono

Kapono is a solid shooter but nothing more.

He played a little less than five minutes a game last season for a Philly team thirsty for shooters. Doug Collins thought, like many other teams who have regrettably signed the eight-year veteran, that Kapono would harm more than help. 

Teams who need a body for practice will look toward his way. 

D.J. Mbenga

Mbenga had a few solid outings against his former team, the Lakers, in the 2011 playoffs but the 7' Congolese is as clumsy a player you're going to find.

He can bring some toughness to your team, but at the cost of a clumsy offense. 

He averaged about eight minutes a game last season (6.7 minutes for his career), and this trend will likely continue.

His offensive deficiencies are far too great for a team to trust Mbenga with more minutes. 

Earl Boykins

Boykins is one heck of a player but it seems the Bucks don't agree.

He averaged a little over 15 minutes a game last season and should have received more. The Bucks were a horrible offensive team, and at times Boykins was the only player who could create any rhythm. 

His small stature scares teams, but his abilities on offense far outweigh the negatives he may bring on the defensive end. Teams may give him a look, but Boykin's age may force him to take his talents overseas if he doesn't receive adequate playing time.

Brian Cardinal

Once considered a waste of space, Cardinal made a name for himself in the finals against the Miami Heat.

He hustles and can occasionally hit the three when open. The Mavericks may re-sign him, but if anything else, he'll likely end his career as a benchwarmer. 

James Jones

This also may be a surprise selection, but Jones hasn't shown another skill besides shooting the ball.

Jones is a very good outside shooter but when his shot isn't falling, he's useless. He averaged a little over 19 minutes a game playing alongside two of the five best players in the league. 

The Heat likely will pass on Jones in free agency. Some team will overpay for his services and realize that he's nothing more than a benchwarmer.