NBA Free Agency: Top 9 Point Guards Available

When the lockout ends, teams will be blitzing the free agent market trying to sign a plethora of players. Unfortunately, this year's free agent class is tremendously weaker than last year's mega class. 

Building on that notion, the point guard position is pretty thin. It's an important position, and teams who are looking to solve their point guard problems in free agency will be unable to do so.

That being said, there are several point guards out there who can produce either off the bench or as role players. 

9. Ronnie Price

Ronnie Price averaged 3.3 points per game and only one assist per game. He's been a bench player for pretty much his whole career.

He can possibly contribute for a contender in a role position or off the bench. He's been in the league for six years now, so he can help bring a veteran presence.

8. Acie Law

Acie Law had the most atrocious 11 games of his career when he started 2010-11 in Memphis. He shot 15.8 percent from the field and was eventually let go.

In Golden State, he played more minutes and felt more comfortable in the Warriors' dynamic offensive system. His field goal percentage shot up to 46.7 percent, and he average just over five points per game.

Law can probably find a place where he can come off the bench and be effective. He would probably prefer to play for an offensive-minded team because, as evidenced by his time in Golden State, he seems to maximize his performance in these situations. 

7. Carlos Arroyo

Carlos Arroyo is one of three former Miami Heat point guards who will become free agents after the lockout ends. Arroyo started the season with the Heat but was beat out by Mario Chalmers for the starting spot in January. 

The Heat later released Arroyo to open up space for Mike Bibby.

He finished the rest of the season with the Boston Celtics playing in sparse minutes. In 15 games with the Celtics, Arroyo scored 2.4 points per game and 1.7 assists per game. 

Despite his struggles in Boston, Arroyo was playing well in Miami before being replaced by Chalmers. He shot a career best 43.8 percent from behind the arc. He also shot 45.8 percent from the field.

There is value in Arroyo, but it'd be best if he signed for a marginal team where he would get more playing time. 

6. Sebastian Telfair

In his second stint with the Minnesota Timberwolves last season, Sebastian Telfair averaged 7.8 points per game and 3.0 assists per game. He became the three-point shooter that he once was, hitting almost 36 percent of his shots from downtown.

Telfair is still a relatively young point guard, and he's always put up respectable numbers for non-playoff teams. 

Can Telfair's true potential be revealed if he signs with a contending team? 

He was once the 13th pick in the 2004 draft. Telfair should look for a contending team and perhaps serve as a bench player for now. He'll be able to contribute because of experience and talent.  

5. Earl Boykins

Standing at a towering 5'5'', Earl Boykins is available this free agency season. Boykins not only brings 12 seasons of NBA experience, but he can still play.

He doesn't average 15 points per game like he did in 2006-07 with Denver, but last year he put up a respectable 7.2 points per game and 2.5 assists per game with Milwaukee.

Boykins will turn 36 at the end of this season, so he's not going to start anywhere, but he can provide some locker room and on-court leadership for a contending team that needs some experience.

The regular season features many moments of adversity of teams. Having a guy like Boykins, who has seen everything on the basketball court throughout his 12 seasons, can be a beneficial addition for any team.  

4. Mike Bibby

Speaking of experienced point guards who are available this free agency season, Mike Bibby is one of them.

Bibby was brought to Miami to help solve their point guard problems, but he was ridiculously inconsistent. Despite putting up respectable numbers in the regular season, scoring 7.3 points per game and 2.5 assists per game, Bibby struggled tremendously in the playoffs. 

Bibby only made 28.1 percent of his shots and failed to rise to the occasion when it mattered most. 

One thing Bibby can do still is knock down triples. He made over 45 percent of his triples last season with Miami, and just on that alone he'll be able to sign with a legitimate team and provide a great amount of help. 

3. Mario Chalmers

Mario Chalmers ended up replacing the struggling Mike Bibby in the playoffs last season. He is the third Miami point guard from last season to become a free agent soon.

The Kansas product started his career in South Beach successfully, scoring 10 points per game and dishing out 4.9 assists per game. His numbers have declined since then, as LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh have become the focal point of the offense. 

Chalmers will be a restricted free agent, making it more difficult for him to sign with other teams. Expect him to take over the starting duties for the Heat.

Why else would he move? He has the best chance to win rings in Miami and elevate his status so when he does become an unrestricted free agent he can break the bank. 

2. J.J. Barea

Helping a team win a championship generally pays off for players who become free agents immediately after they win the title. Scouts and general managers constantly see those players shine on the brightest stage, and for this reason, the free agent ends up making plenty of money in free agency.

This situation perfectly exemplifies what happened to J.J. Barea this past spring. Barea was always a feisty back up point guard who worked hard. However, his work ethic and success this past spring elevated him to a new level.

He started the last three games of the NBA Finals for Dallas and averaged 8.9 points per game and 3.4 assists per game in the postseason. He put up 15 points and five assists in the series clinching game of the NBA Finals. His minutes increased in almost every game, showing that his play helped develop faith and confidence in the coaching staff.

Expect Barea to get a nice contract. He's not the next Steve Nash, but he's a hard working guy who has shown he can perform in big games. 

1. Aaron Brooks

Aaron Brooks is easily the best point guard available in this year's free agent class. Don't look at his numbers from this past season. Brooks was dominant in 2009-10, scoring 19.6 points per game and 5.3 assists per game. It looked like he was going to become one of the best point guards in the league before hitting a rut this season and getting traded to Phoenix.

He's a restricted free agent, and his declining stats may be enough to let the Suns bail on him. After getting traded to the Suns, Brooks only scored 9.6 points per game and 4.2 assists per game, a huge drop off from the previous season. 

Brooks' poor season may be a reason why teams may be willing to go after him, though. Because he struggled, it most definitely brought his value down, and he may turn into a steal signee if a team decides to poach him from the desert.