NBA Free Agent 2011 Predictions: Where the Top 4 Shooting Guards Will Sign
Jamal Crawford is one of many shooting guards that NBA teams will covet in the short and frantic free-agency period that will start before an abbreviated 66-game schedule.
Shooting guards are so important to teams because they are often the most gifted offensive players and many of them are responsible for covering the other team's best perimeter scorer.
Let's look at some of this season's top free-agent shooting guards and where they may end up.
These are the top four shooting guards, but in no particular order.
1. J.R. Smith
Smith is one of the most dangerous scorers in the NBA when he is hot but unfortunately he is too inconsistent to be a starter on most teams.
His long range shooting is very good and he can take the ball to the basket with authority and dunk over much bigger forwards and centers.
He has played seven NBA seasons but is just 25 years old. He likely won't demand a large deal so many teams will certainly show interest. Bench players who can provide instant offense are a necessity on every contending team.
With Denver probably unwilling to break the bank for Smith, teams like Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, and Oklahoma City could all use the talented scorer.
2. Wilson Chandler
Chandler went to the Denver Nuggets as part of the deal that brought Carmelo Anthony to New York. With Denver having several good young forwards it is not impossible that some team could pry him away from the Nuggets despite him being a restricted free agent.
Chandler is a versatile player who can guard shooting guards and small forwards. He is a decent shooter and is not pushed around under the basket.
He is an improved three-point shooter and is not going to hurt teams on the defensive end of the floor. Teams like the Knicks, Magic, 76ers and Bulls would love to have Chandler for this season.
Jason Richardson is a veteran scorer who can still be a productive offensive player as a starter or sixth man for most NBA teams.
He is a consistent shooter who can drive to the basket well, too. He can spread the floor for driving scorers with his outside shooting and could give a team 20-plus points per game if given the right amount of playing time.
He will likely cost a ton of money, likely over $10 million a season for at least three years. That's a lot to give a 30-year-old player, but someone like New Orleans, Chicago, Oklahoma City or the Mavericks could have interest.
4. Jamal Crawford
Jamal Crawford is one of the best sixth men in basketball and his outside shooting and scoring ability is hugely important to the Atlanta Hawks.
As a player who can score 20-plus off the bench every night, the Hawks will have a lot of outside competition for the unrestricted free-agent veteran.
A team that needs a good bench scorer at guard like the Chicago Bulls will be interested. In fact, the Bulls will probably show a massive amount of interest in Crawford. He is unlikely to sign with a team not ready for a title run, even if the money is better in that route.
