2011 NBA Free Agents: Arron Afflalo and More Underrated RFAs Teams Should Pursue

Most of the focus during the buildup to a shortened NBA season (final CBA agreement pending) will be on unrestricted free agents. That said, there are some intriguing restricted free agents that might be allowed to leave their current team if the price is right.

Here are three underrated RFAs worth a look from needy teams.

Arron Afflalo—Denver Nuggets

Afflalo took a step in the right direction last season, averaging 12.6 points and 3.6 rebounds while shooting nearly 50 percent from the field. After a slow start to his career, the former first-round pick finally appears to be developing into the player the Nuggets thought he was coming out of UCLA.

He brings an athletic style to the game and, although he'll never lead the league in scoring, his versatility makes him worthy of 35 or more minutes per night. Combine all that with above average size for the position and you have a potential star.

The Nuggets have a good amount of cap room to work with, but their top priority will be re-signing Nene. So there are no guarantees.

Marcus Thornton—Sacramento Kings

Thornton can score points in bunches, every NBA fan knows that, but he lacks consistency. Just because shots aren't falling doesn't mean he's going to stop shooting, which tends to make him a volume scorer when he gets extended minutes.

That doesn't have to be the case, though. An improved shooting stroke from beyond the arc would do wonders to improve his 36 percent mark from last season. Thornton doesn't need a complete overhaul by any means. He just needs to ensure his shooting stroke is the same on every shot.

With Tyreke Evans, Jimmer Fredette and John Salmons among others also taking up backcourt time, Thornton may be expendable. It's a situation worth watching at the very least.

Jonas Jerebko—Detroit Pistons

Jerebko suffered growing pains in his first season as he acclimated himself to the NBA game. He averaged nine points and six rebounds in 28 minutes. However, the Swedish second-rounder showcased enough talent to keep an eye on.

The Pistons were a team in turmoil last year, so it's unclear how the entire situation will play out. Jerebko would seemingly be due for an increase in minutes, but nobody other than Joe Dumars knows exactly what direction the team will head when the lockout gets lifted.

Since he didn't play at an American college (he was destined for Buffalo before deciding to stay overseas), his game is still translating itself. A lucky team might be able to sneak him away from Detroit if the front office has bigger plans in mind.