NBA Free Agents 2011: Contenders That Need to Make a Marquee Signing

With free agency rapidly approaching, some teams will have their seasons made or broken before the season even starts. Here are some of the top contenders and the key signings they must make if they want to increase their chances of winning the whole ball of wax. If one of these teams doesn't secure what they need and the others do, they will fall behind. 

Chicago Bulls

Most famously on this list is the Chicago Bulls and their need for a shooting guard who can shoot and guard. They don't need Kobe Bryant or Dwyane Wade, but they need someone better than Keith Bogans, which last year was 64 different shooting guards in the NBA. 

The Bulls can be looking toward the amnesty candidates like Rip Hamilton or Mike Miller, the free-agent market with players like Jason Richardson or Arron Afflalo, or the trade market with players like OJ Mayo or Courtney Lee. Wherever they look, they just can't play another season with Keith Bogans at the starting 2. 

Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics had a glaring weakness last year and that was rebounding. They were second to last in total rebounds and were dead last in offensive rebound percentage. They are in dire need of someone who can give them second-chance points. If they can add a little defense in the process that wouldn't hurt. 

Another possibility is Erick Dampier. They don't need the greatest offensive force in the NBA but they are in absolute need of a player who can grab rebounds. 

Miami Heat

The Heat need a center who can play defense and do what Tyson Chandler did for the Dallas Mavericks. Samuel Dalembert agrees and he would be the perfect fit for the Heat. They are making googly eyes at one another as they wait for free agency to start. It's not so much a matter of if as when these two tie the proverbial knot. 

Dallas Mavericks

The Mavs don't so much need to sign someone new as someone old. They also need someone to do what Tyson Chandler did for the Mavs and the perfect person for that is Tyson Chandler himself. 

Chandler will get a lot of attention after helping to guide the Mavs to the championship last year, but my sense is that he will stay a Mav.