NBA Free Agents 2011: Best Veteran Targets for Title-Contending Teams

Several NBA teams are going to be looking for that one veteran piece in free agency who might fill out a competitor's roster quite nicely, and there are several potential bargains on the market.

While these players are far from the missing piece of the puzzle from those teams, their presence on the roster could be a definite advantage in achieving the team's ultimate goal of winning a championship.

There's a very defined market to acquire the services of these veterans, and each could really help the right team strengthen the attack.

8. Tony Battie, F/C

No, Battie is not going to be a difference-maker in the reserve unit, but what he does provide is adequate big-man insurance at the end of the bench in a league where teams can never have enough size.

Although he's likely nearing the end of his career, Battie will still be able to contribute for at least the next couple of seasons, and he shouldn't have much wear and tear on his body considering he averaged just 10 minutes of play in 38 regular-season games last season.

He shouldn't cost (much) more than the veteran's minimum, and with all of the poor excuses for big men still floating around the league, it's hard to imagine Battie being unable to find an offer to his liking.

7. Maurice Evans, G/F

Evans kind of gets lost in the commotion no matter where he's gone throughout his career, but he brings steady, stable production off the bench and is versatile enough to back up both the guard and forward positions.

Despite playing with seven different clubs to date in his career, Evans has a definite value as a reserve off the bench and he makes perfect sense for a team that's relying on its youth to produce.

He can serve as a solid mentor and shouldn't come at a costly price whatsoever, making a team with limited cap space in need of a reliable player an ideal landing spot.

6. Reggie Evans, PF

Evans is still just 31 years old despite the feeling that he's been in the league forever, and he could really add a lot to the right team.

He's not going to be a source of offense in the second unit, but what Evans can do he does well. The big man can serve as a source of energy off the bench while pulling down every rebound in sight, and that's highly valuable to a team looking to add a legitimate backup along the front line.

It's unlikely he'd be asked to play more than 20 minutes on a nightly basis, and there's a lot to like about the ferocity with which he approaches the game on a nightly basis.

5. Michael Redd, SG

Perhaps the biggest gamble within the group, whatever team rolls the dice on Redd is going to have to do some serious homework investigating his medical records.

The former All-Star is coming off of two straight ACL tears in the same knee, and that's enough to end a career for some guys, so a Redd resurgence is not something that anyone can take to the bank.

He's worth taking a chance on as a shooter capable of spotting up from deep and stretching the floor, and if Redd can find any form of his previous stroke, he could prove to be a serious bargain this season.

4. Anthony Parker, G/F

Parker is often overlooked as one really capable player set to hit the market, but that's a result of his playing in Cleveland more than any indication of a declining skill set.

Although his play declined slightly from where it stood the previous season in terms of his percentages from the floor, Parker can still be a valuable backup who can play 20 to 25 minutes while backing up multiple positions.

He's not going to bring the same level of production on a nightly basis that he once did, but he still provides enough to be valuable on a one- or two-year deal with a competitor looking for a source of scoring off the bench.

3. Tracy McGrady, G/F

McGrady showed last season that his knee issues were no longer a concern after playing in 72 regular-season games, his largest showing since the 2006-07 season.

Showing off impressive versatility at 6'8", McGrady played both guard positions and did anything the struggling Pistons asked of him, but he's still got a ways to go in an effort to rebuild his stock to a shadow of where it previously stood.

He'll likely have to take another one-year "prove it"-type of contract, but he would be an instant upgrade for several contenders in the second unit.

2. Kurt Thomas, F/C

Thomas is still getting it done at age 39 and serving as the league's oldest player, and it's incredible to think that he started 37 games for a 62-win Bulls team.

He's already been linked to New York, Miami, Dallas and Chicago even though the free-agency period has yet to officially begin, and it's clear there will be no shortage of interest in signing him when the time arrives.

It wouldn't be surprising to see him re-sign with the Bulls considering the success he enjoyed with the team last season, but the Knicks could offer him something the other three teams can't: a starting job.

1. Grant Hill, SF

If a team is able to lure Hill out of Phoenix, it would be a major score for that franchise as Hill is still very much a contributor at 39 years old.

It really wouldn't be surprising if an interested club offered Hill a two-year deal after he averaged 13.2 points per game while shooting nearly 40 percent from deep for the Suns last year, but all indications have pointed to his re-signing with the Suns.

Although he's definitely important to the team, Phoenix has to have its primary focus centered on the rebuilding effort going forward, and the club would be foolish to dole out a deal which would prevent that.