NBA Free Agents 2011: One FA on Each Eastern Conference Team That Won't Re-Sign

After watching the chaos that took place shortly after the NFL ended their lockout, you know the same thing, if not more chaotic, will happen when the NBA finally opens up free agency on Dec. 9th. 

With the season expected to start on Dec. 25th, teams will have only 16 days to get their rosters completely set for the start of the season.  Decisions will be made quicker than usual and players who normally would be the last to sign will be snatched up quickly, so teams can ensure they don’t miss out on picking up quality players. 

Here’s a list of one free agent from each Eastern Conference team that won’t resign with their former team once the lockout ends.  

Atlanta Hawks: Jamal Crawford

Crawford has played great since joining the Hawks two seasons ago.  

He has averaged nearly 15 ppg and has shot an astounding 85 percent from the free throw line during this time. Despite these great numbers though and playing over 30 minutes a game, Crawford has never started a game for the Hawks.  

I see him moving on to a team that needs a scoring guard added to their starting lineup.
 

Boston Celtics: Glen Davis

I know Davis statistically had his best season yet last year since coming to the NBA, but after the addition of Jeff Green and with Garnett still going strong, his production drastically declined.

After averaging over 11 ppg during the regular season, Davis only scored double-digits once in the Celtics' nine playoff games. He also saw his minutes decline by almost a third from the regular season to the playoffs.  

I doubt Davis liked the demotion and I see him moving on from the Celtics this offseason for the highest bidder.

Charlotte Bobcats: Joel Przybilla

Przybilla came to Charlotte last season as part of the Gerald Wallace trade.  

From the minute he got there, it was evident that Przybilla's time in Charlotte was going to be very short. After playing in only five games with the Bobcats, Przybilla shut himself down for the rest of the season to have another procedure on his knee.  

It is rumored that he would like to return to Milwaukee—where he started his career—next season.  

Chicago Bulls: Rasual Butler

After being released by the Clippers midseason, the Bulls picked Butler up in an attempt to add a three-point threat who could come off the bench for them.  

Butler didn't turn out to be the guy they were looking for though. He only appeared in six games with the Bulls and only connected on six field-goal attempts in those games.  

I do think some team will sign Butler next season because he has proven he can be a solid scorer in the past.  

Cleveland Cavaliers: None

Going into free agency, the Cavs only have one player from last year who isn't still under contract: Anthony Parker.  

Since coming to the Cavs two seasons ago, Parker has become a fixture in the Cavs starting rotation, starting in 146 of his 153 games played with Cleveland.  

Especially considering the Cavs didn't use either of their top four draft picks on Parker's replacement, I would be shocked if Parker wasn't brought back and starting again for the Cavs next season.  

Detroit Pistons: Tayshaun Prince

It is time for Tayshaun Prince to finally move on from Detroit.  

After nine great seasons with the Pistons that included six consecutive trips to the Eastern Conference Finals and one NBA Finals win, it would be better for the Pistons and Prince to part ways.  

The Pistons are clearly going into the youth movement with Stuckey, Knight and Monroe leading the way.

Prince also still has a lot left in his tank and would be a solid starter for any playoff contender.   

Indiana Pacers: T.J. Ford

With the addition of Darren Collison, there was clearly no room for Ford in the Indiana backcourt. Collison is clearly their PG of the future and AJ Price is a reliable and cheap backup for the time being.

After starting in nearly 75 percent of the games he played for the Pacers in his first two seasons there, Ford only started in three games last year. Last season, Ford's points, assists, steals and minutes all dropped to career lows.  

I see Ford leaving Indiana for anywhere where he will be able to start again.  

Miami Heat: Jamaal Magloire

Jamaal Magloire recently confirmed that he is not looking to retire and wants to return to the NBA for his 12th season.  

Despite not being a productive big man since leaving Milwaukee in 2006, Magloire still seems to some how find his way onto a roster every season.  He's been on the Heat's roster the past three years and has seen his minutes and point totals decline each season.  

I think this is the year the Heat finally let him go and Magloire joins his sixth team in seven years.    

Milwaukee Bucks: Michael Redd

Michael Redd has been plagued with injuries the past couple of seasons.  The past three years he has only appeared in 61 games combined.  

When healthy, Redd has shown he can be one of the best scorers in the NBA with a deadly outside shot, as well as the ability to take it strong to the bucket.  

Based on all of his injury problems, I see Milwaukee using this as their chance to finally get rid of Redd and his major knee injuries once and for all.      

New Jersey Nets: Sasha Vujacic

What could be worse than being traded from the best team in the league to the worst team midseason?

Nothing! Well, that's exactly what happened to Sasha Vujacic when the defending champion Lakers shipped him off to the Nets in an attempt to clear cap space.  

Vujacic must have been extremely unhappy playing in New Jersey because this summer during the lockout he signed a contract with Efes Pilsen in Turkey that didn't include an out-clause.

This contract made him one of the few NBA players to go overseas who wouldn't be able to return to the NBA once the lockout ended.

New York Knicks: Roger Mason Jr.

Roger Mason was a complete bust for the Knicks.

After gaining the reputation as a sharpshooter prior to joining the Knicks, Mason forgot how to shoot. In the three years prior to joining the NYK, Mason averaged just over 1.5 three-pointers made per game, but only 0.6 per game as a member of the Knicks.  

Mason only scored in double figures one time since joining the Knicks, so I can't see him getting re-signed there.

Orlando Magic: Earl Clark

Earl Clark has been a major disappointment in his first two seasons in the NBA.  

When the Suns drafted him with the 14th overall pick out of Louisville back in 2009, they thought they were selecting a player who would start for them for years to come. Instead, they got an inconsistent shooter who wasn't good enough to play even 10 minutes a game.  

Clark was quickly shipped off to Orlando, where he played better in his 33 games there, but still not well enough for the Magic to pick up his Team Option. 

Philadelphia 76ers: Jason Kapono


Rumor has it that the 76ers have no interest in bringing Kapono back for a third season in Philadelphia.  

He is still an elite outside shooter, but he saw his playing time decrease drastically from his first season in Philly to his second. With the emergence of Jodie Meeks in the 76ers backcourt, Kapono saw the floor for less than five minutes per game.  

It was a pretty clear sign Kapono's time in Philly was coming to an end when he missed numerous games last season for "personal reasons."

Toronto Raptors: Reggie Evans

I honestly feel every successful team needs a player like Reggie Evans. Most fans don't consider him a solid player because he doesn't score a lot of points, and that is by far the weakest aspect of his game.  

Evans is all heart and when he gets the playing time he has proven he can grab a tremendous amount of rebounds and clog up the middle on defense. Last year in the 30 games Evans was able to play in, he averaged 11.5 rebounds per game.  

I feel Reggie Evans will move on from the Raptors because a veteran with his style would be much better suited coming off the bench for a contending team.  

Washington Wizards: Josh Howard

The Wizards are another team going through the youth movement, leaving Josh Howard as the odd man out in Washington.  

He's only 31 years old, but that age combined with his nagging ACL injury that has only allowed Howard to play in 105 games over the past three seasons was the cause for the Wizards to go out and use a high draft pick on a young SF, Jan Vesely.

The Wizards also have another SF, Rashard Lewis, who has a huge contract of over $45 million for the next two seasons.  

I believe Howard can come back and be a productive player if he can stay healthy for a full season, but it won't be with the Wizards.