2011 NBA Free Agents: All-Unrestricted Free-Agent Team

While fans will have to wait for 2012 to see bona fide superstars like Chris Paul and Dwight Howard on the free-agent market, the 2011 class has some pretty good players of its own.

Here’s an all-star team built from the unrestricted free agents who will go on the market Dec. 9:

C Tyson Chandler

A close call over Denver’s Nene, Chandler’s defense is stronger than any area of Nene’s game. Even with his disappointing offensive game (his career high is 11.8 points a night), Chandler is so valuable as a defender and rebounder that he’d be an instant starter on most NBA rosters.

Chandler earned second-team All-Defense honors last year for the first time in his career.

PF David West

He’s not quite at the level of a player you can build your team around, but West has shown in eight years as a Hornet that he’s an outstanding second option. Playing right-hand man to Chris Paul, West has averaged at least 18 points and seven rebounds a game for the last five seasons.

Still going strong at age 30, West is the single most valuable free agent on the market.

SF Shane Battier

This year’s free-agent market is loaded with solid options for a defensive SF—Andrei Kirilenko, Josh Howard—but none have the leadership ability or three-point marksmanship of Shane Battier. The 11th-year man has hit 38.5 percent of his career attempts from long range.

SG Jason Richardson

He may not be leading-scorer material anymore, but Richardson can still pour in his share of points. Splitting time between Phoenix and Orlando in 2010-11, he averaged 15.6 points a game and shot 39.5 percent from beyond the arc.

Richardson has never been as good a defender as his 6’6” frame would suggest, but he does rebound well for a guard, pulling in 4.1 boards a night last year.

PG J.J. Barea

One of the revelations of Dallas’ championship run, J.J. Barea (generously listed at 6’0”) was the perfect change of pace behind veteran Jason Kidd. Barea is a superior penetrator and quick-handed defender with enough talent to start on many NBA teams.