NBA Free Agents 2011: Available Game-Changing Defensive Players

Whenever the NBA resumes its operations, there will be a handful of defensive game-changing players to be had in free agency by teams with playoff and championship aspirations.

The fact is that there are no true superstars on the open market and this can be viewed from different perspectives.

It may be unfortunate news for middle-of-the-pack franchises who have an obvious void at one particular position. Naturally, they will want to fill it with a stud, and it appears the only means of acquiring such players before next summer will be through trade. 

On the other hand, all of these individuals—even with several teams bidding for their services—will be affordable.

The labor negotiations have gone poorly and it's looking increasingly likely that the 2011-2012 regular season will end before it begins. In that case, it would be pointless to write an "NBA Free Agents 2011" article, wouldn't it?

However, while a shred of hope remains that basketball will return in mid-December, these five players are worth assessing.

Power Forward Jared Jeffries

OK, don't laugh.

Jared Jeffries is goofy, uncoordinated and useless on offense, I know. But Jeffries has plenty of value on the other side of the ball.

At 6'11", he uses his length to force turnovers—especially in 2010-2011—and obstruct open shots.

Most notably, Jeffries has made a living out of drawing charges. When healthy, he is the league's best flopper, and there's no better skill to have when opponents are charging down the floor in transition.

After disappointing over the course of his previous mega contract, he can be brought in at a cheap price.

Center Samuel Dalembert

Samuel Dalembert's offensive contributions result solely from being in the right place at opportune times; his defense is more consistent.

He annually posts impressive rebound totals comparable to his minutes. He's large enough to protect the lane against driving opponents.

Dalembert has decent athleticism for a center, which allowed him to finish 17th in the NBA in blocked shots last season despite playing just 24.2 minutes per game.

Also, he has no health concerns (two missed games in past five years).

Power Forward Reggie Evans

Reggie Evans is another player of the defense-first creed.

Frankly, his production in 2010-2011 was shocking considering his under-use the prior two seasons.

Evans was a dominant rebounder on both ends of the floor in the 30 games he played.

He isn't shy about taking personal fouls—many of which are necessitated by his lack of size and hops— and his offensive skill set is nonexistent.

However, Evans has a niche in this league as someone who can protect a late lead by keeping the ball away from the opposition.

Center Greg Oden

As a former No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft, Greg Oden has been a bust.

He has played exactly one full season's worth of games in four years under contract because of recurring knee injuries and when healthy, he hasn't amazed.

Miraculously, though, Oden is not even 24 years old yet, so his body is many years from total erosion.

His terrific size will make him a lock for double-digit rebounds if given a starting job. Before succumbing to ailments in 2009-2010, he was as prolific a shot blocker as any NBA player.

Unlike the others on this list, Oden is a restricted free agent. The Portland Trailblazers will only lose him if another team exceeds their offer, but based on his immense potential, expect at least one brave general manager to do exactly that.

Center Tyson Chandler

Of these five, Tyson Chandler is likely due the greatest pay out.

At 29, he is at the perfect juncture of his career to be entering free agency.

Since coming out of high school for the 2001-2002 campaign, Chandler has been a consistent producer with most of that time being spent in a starting capacity.

Few NBA players are longer than this 7'1" center or as dominant on the boards. He's leaner and quicker than others at his position, allowing him to occasionally defend opposing guards out on the perimeter.

Chandler wasn't only healthy over the bulk of the season, but relied on heavily in the playoffs.

Independent of the Dallas Mavericks' recent success, Chandler could command a lengthy and bountiful deal. I'm sure the world championship will get him even more dough.