NBA Free Agency 2011: 5 Potential Landing Spots for the Top 5 Free Agents

There are five eye-opening players in the free-agency market that can help change the direction of any franchise in a downward spiral. Whether it's an offensive punch or a defensive presence, the right player can completely mold a team into something different.

Players like J.R. Smith, Jamal Crawford, Caron Butler, Tyson Chandler and Nene can make a franchise go into a complete 180 turn for the better. What five teams would be interested in snagging each of these big fish in the market?

Tyson Chandler

1. New York Knicks
2. Houston Rockets
3. Denver Nuggets
4. Phoenix Suns
5. Dallas Mavericks

Each and every team listed above could use the defensive presence of an athletic big man like Tyson Chandler. Steve Nash still needs a replacement for Amar'e Stoudemire, the Knicks need a true big man to man the paint, Denver's got to replace Nene—who opted out of the last year of his contract, Houston still has a void to fill with Yao Ming's retirement and Dallas would be foolish to let one of the most important pieces to the championship success walk after such a bright season.

Chandler brings energy, electricity and attitude to every locker room he sets foot in. He could benefit each of these teams, as well as a few others across the NBA.

Nene

1. Miami Heat
2. Dallas Mavericks
3. Cleveland Cavaliers
4. Golden State Warriors
5. Atlanta Hawks

Each of these teams could use a serviceable, defensive-minded big man, and Nene is just that. Not only is he an option on offense with his low-post savvy, but he's been a shot blocker and an exceptional perimeter defender because of his size for the duration of his career.

He would be a great upgrade to Joel Anthony, a solid replacement for Tyson Chandler, a great addition to Al Horford in Atlanta, would help jump-start the Cavaliers and has already been sought after by Golden State.

Caron Butler

Caron Butler is an efficient mid-range scorer who plays great defense and gets to the rim with ease. Though he was sidelined last season with a nasty knee injury, there's no doubt he'll be back to tip-top shape for next season.

1. New Jersey Nets 

The Nets need anything—any big name—to keep Deron Williams in New Jersey. Caron Butler would be a nice addition. Butler is a top-tier slasher who finds ways to score from all areas on the court. If he returns back to his old self, him in New Jersey isn't such a bad idea.

2. New Orleans Hornets

Absolutely anything needs to be done in order to keep Chris Paul from walking away at the end of the season. Bringing Caron Butler to New Orleans would help soften him up just a bit.

Butler brings instant offense, if healthy, to the rotation. And that's something the Hornets need the most.

3. Orlando Magic

With a disappointing performance by Hedo Turkoglu all of last season, Orlando needs a scoring punch at the small forward position.

A healthy Caron Butler would fit in nicely. Though he's not the long range threat the Magic might be looking for, he's a solid scorer that Orlando would benefit nicely from.

4. Los Angeles Clippers

Right now, the Los Angeles Clippers are starting Jamario Moon at the small forward slot. It would be an exponential upgrade to replace him with Caron Butler.

Not only do you get a reliable scorer, but you get the veteran wisdom and locker room presence that a team as young as the Clippers needs.

5. Dallas Mavericks

In his 23 games played last season, Butler put in decent minutes with the Mavericks, averaging 15 points in 29 minutes per game. He also shot a career-high 43.1 percent from downtown.

I'm sure the Mavericks would love to give him another go next season. If he's healthy enough, they probably will.

J.R. Smith

Any team in need of a potent offensive punch would be salivating at the chance to land J.R. Smith in the free-agency market. What he lacks in maturity and defensive effort, Smith more than makes up for with his high-powered scoring ability.

1. New Orleans Hornets

In an attempt to lull the best PG in the NBA, Chris Paul, into staying put, adding an offensive firepower like J.R. Smith would be the way to go. Not only does he possess the ability to knock down shots from all across the court, but he has the flashy finishing ability that a player of CP3's stature would love to be paired with.

At this point, however, I'm sure there's nothing anyone can do to keep Paul in New Orleans.

2. Cleveland Cavaliers

In the middle of their rebuilding phase, a high-powered scorer like Smith would be the perfect piece to put alongside rookies Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson. While moving J.J. Hickson might not have been the best move for Cleveland, adding Smith would be a great way to jump-start the organization into the right direction for next season.

3. New Jersey Nets

J.R. Smith could be the piece that convinces Deron Williams to stay with the Nets. Adding an able-bodied scorer alongside a more than capable distributor is exactly what the doctor ordered.

Even if Williams decides to split and get out of New Jersey, Smith would still be the way to go for rebuilding and revamping the Nets organization.

4. New York Knicks

What could be better to add to an offense-first game plan than a pure, shoot-first scorer? If the Knicks are going to continue to go along with Mike D'Antoni's philosophy of offense now, defense never, who better to sign than the high-flying, high-scoring 2-guard, J.R. Smith?

Smith would bring YET another scoring option, alongside Chauncey Billups, Amar'e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony, and another threat from deep.

5. Chicago Bulls

What did the Chicago Bulls need, more than anything, to make a push to the NBA Finals last season? ANOTHER SCORER. While Smith doesn't fit their defense-wins-games philosophy, he is definitely the offensive punch that the Bulls need to make that push toward NBA supremacy. MJ didn't do it alone, Kobe didn't do it alone and Rose surely can't do it alone. It's time to add some firepower to the offense, and Smith is definitely capable of doing that.

Jamal Crawford

An efficient scorer in all facets of the game, any team in need of an offensive punch should consult Jamal Crawford first and foremost. Whether it's shooting, slashing or dazzling with his crafty, yet effective moves, Crawford is the deadliest scorer on the market. With his "rainbow shot," he rains in jumpers from all across the court.

1. Chicago Bulls

The Bulls desperately need another offensive threat in order to make that push for a championship, and Jamal Crawford would be the ideal fit.

Crawford could alleviate Derrick Rose of some of the burdens he had to carry last season by pumping 18 to 25 points per game onto the stat sheet. It wouldn't even be too far-fetched to see him as a starter in a Bulls jersey.

If Crawford joined the Bulls, he just might be the missing link the team needs to make a legitimate championship run.

2. Miami Heat

Lebron James flirted around with the idea of bringing Crawford to Miami when the lockout ends, tweeting:

"

Would love to see @JCrossover in a Heat uni! What u guys say?

"

And while Crawford never directly responded back to LeBron James, he responded to several other fans who inquired, saying it would be an honor.

How would Crawford fit in as the sixth man, or possibly even the starting PG, in Miami?

3. New Jersey Nets

Jamal Crawford is already good friends with both Deron Williams and Marshon Brooks. And the Nets' front office would be foolish not to make a run at a player who could potentially sway their centerpiece, Williams, into staying with the franchise.

It would be interesting to see how he, D-Will and Brooks fit together with recently divorced Kris Humphries and Brook Lopez.

4. Los Angeles Lakers 

When asked about joining forces with Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers as the starting point guard, Crawford responded simply, "Open to it!"

Could he be the missing piece that the Black Mamba needs to get his mojo back?

5. Portland Trail Blazers

Being from Seattle, Crawford has an undying love for teams from the Northwest. And since the Seattle Supersonics were dismantled and transformed into the Oklahoma City Thunder, the lone wolf in the Northwest is the Portland Trail Blazers.

Crawford is already great friends with LaMarcus Aldridge, coming out and showing support for his charity game last week.

On October 26th, Aldridge tweeted:

"

Rip City when @JCrossover come play in my game we need to make him feel at home so he will sign with us!

"

Crawford then responded:

"

@aldridge_12 ---yall have GREAT fans too!! And love u and broy's game!!!

"

It would be a mini circus act fitting Brandon Roy, Wesley Matthews, Raymond Felton and Crawford into the rotation, but if it somehow worked itself out, there's no doubt the Trail Blazers would have the deadliest four-guard combo in the NBA.