NBA Free Agents 2011: One FA on Each Western 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, albeit 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 more quickly 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 Western Conference team that won’t re-sign with their former team once the lockout ends.  

Dallas Mavericks: DeShawn Stevenson

With Caron Butler set to return from injury next season, the trade for Rudy Fernandez during the draft almost certainly signaled the end of Stevenson's time in Dallas.  

Some of Stevenson's teammates, Jason Terry in particular, have spoken out about Dallas bringing the reserve guard back, but it doesn't appear they want to.  At no point during the season did Dallas attempt to re-sign him long-term.  

Dallas has a very crowded backcourt as it is, which includes Kidd, Barea, Fernandez, Terry and Butler, so I definitely see Stevenson finding a new home with the highest bidder next season.       

Denver Nuggets: Kenyon Martin

Kenyon Martin, along with two other Nuggets, J.R. Smith and Wilson Chandler, signed to play basketball in China during the lockout.  

The only problem with going to China is they do not allow opt-out clauses that will allow players to return to the NBA once the lockout ends.  

Fortunately for Smith and Chandler, it is rumored that their respective teams will waive them, allowing them to return to the NBA ASAP.  

Martin, on the other hand, isn't seeming to have the same luck with his team, Xingiang Guanghui, stating they will most likely keep him until the end of the season in March.

This may turn out to be a blessing in disguise for Martin though, as there will surely be a number of title contenders looking to add the former No. 1 pick to their roster for the playoffs if he can stay healthy.  

Golden State Warriors: Vladimir Radmanovic

Whether the lockout happened or not, Radmanovic expressed interest last season in going back home to Serbia to finish his basketball career.  

Since joining the NBA, Radmanovic has never been able to call one place "home," bouncing around between five different teams. No matter where he's been, though, Radmanovic has earned himself solid playing time and has even started at some point for all five teams.  

Radmanovic showed last year he is still an above average three-point and free-throw shooter, so he will have no trouble finding a new home next season. Whether it's with his sixth NBA team or back home in Serbia is still up for debate.  

Houston Rockets: None

Chuck Hayes is the only player on the Rockets who will be a free agent this offseason.  

Since the Rockets already have an abundance of big men in Luis Scola, Patrick Patterson, Jordan Hill and the newly-drafted Marcus Morris, you would think Hayes might want to move on to another team where he would be the primary PF.  

This is not the case, however, as Hayes has been very open that he loves it in Houston and if he had it his way he would sign with the Rockets long-term.

I don't see why the Rockets wouldn't bring him back, but it is going to be interesting to see who is the odd man out in the Rockets frontcourt next year.

L.A. Clippers: Jamario Moon

While many NBA players were going to other countries to play basketball during the lockout, Moon was trying something else out. He went to Canada and joined the Quebec Kebs as an assistant coach.  

Last season, Moon was traded at the trade deadline to the Clippers along with Mo Williams for Baron Davis.  

Since Moon was just a throw-in in the trade and saw his playing time drop afterward, I don't think he will have any allegiance to the Clippers and will find another team that wants him. 

L.A. Lakers: Shannon Brown

In a surprising move, Shannon Brown decided to leave his $2.4 million option on the table to become an unrestricted free agent.  

Since Kobe Bryant doesn't seem to be leaving any time soon, it doesn't appear likely Brown will be a starter in the near future with the Lakers.

Most players wouldn't walk away from a team that got him two rings in only four seasons in the NBA, but Brown clearly is determined to prove he is a starter and deserves more playing time.  

I see Brown going to a rebuilding team if it means he can get a starting guard spot. 

Memphis Grizzlies: Shane Battier

This is probably the most risky prediction on the list.  

With the Grizzlies' recent playoff success I would not be shocked to see him go back to the Memphis, but at the end of the day I think he'll decide he'd be happier playing for a more competitive, experienced team.  

It also doesn't help that Battier has to assume his playing time will decrease when Rudy Gay comes back from injury next season.  

Battier's name has already been linked to both the Heat and the Bulls during the lockout, so expect him to sign somewhere quickly.    

Minnesota Timberwolves: Sebastian Telfair

Sebastian Telfair is the only Timberwolves player who isn't still under contract after the season.  

Since the T-Wolves traded Jonny Flynn during the draft and didn't draft any guards, you'd think they would want to bring Telfair back next season.  

He has recently stated though that he would love to sign with a contender this offseason, saying he was even "jealous" watching Dallas win their championship last year.

I don't know if any contenders will want him as their backup PG, but he's sure going to try.     

New Orleans Hornets: David West

David West will probably be the best player to change teams this offseason.  

With all of the current problems going on in New Orleans front office and the uncertainty surrounding Chris Paul's status with the Hornets, I don't see why West wouldn't get as far away from there as possible.  

West is one of the best scoring PF in the NBA, averaging between 17 and 21 ppg every year for the past six seasons.  

Since this year's FA class is so weak, David West will definitely cash in big time.  

Oklahoma City Thunder: None

Just like the Rockets, the Thunder only have one player who is going to be a free agent, Daequan Cook.

He was going to become an unrestricted free agent, but since the Thunder extended a qualifying offer before the June 30th deadline, they will now have the right to match any offer for him.  

This leads me to believe they want him back and unless an absurd amount of money is offered to Cook by someone else, the Thunder will match any deal.  

Cook has also stated that he would prefer to return to the Thunder, so I don't see why this wouldn't happen.

Phoenix Suns: Grant Hill

Grant Hill has really been one of the NBA's biggest surprises the last couple seasons.  

Between 2000-2004, Hill had a nagging knee injury that only allowed him to play in an average of 27 games per season over five seasons.

It appeared Hill's career was going to come to an end too soon, but something's rejuvenated it and he has only missed three games in the last three seasons combined.

I believe the Suns will want to bring Hill back next year as their starting SF since he has been so productive for them, but I see him leaving Phoenix for a contender in an attempt to finally get that ring he so badly wants.  

Portland Trailblazers: Patrick Mills

Patty Mills had a very busy lockout.  

He first went to Australia and signed with the Melbourne Tigers. He had an out-clause in his contract with the Tigers and was set to become a restricted FA once he returned to the NBA.  

He instead decided that he could make more money playing in China and exercised his out-clause to join the Xinjiang Guanghui Flying Tigers.

Since the China league doesn't allow out-clauses, Mills will be forced to play the entire season with his team in China unless they decide to waive him.  

Sacramento Kings: Samuel Dalembert

Dalembert is going to be highly sought-after once free agency opens.  He is a solid inside scorer, but really prides himself on his rebounding and shot-blocking abilities.  

Since Dalembert only played one season with the Kings, I think he will definitely be looking for a team that has a better shot of winning a championship.  

Teams like the Heat, Knicks and Rockets would definitely see significant upgrades with Dalembert manning the middle for them next season.  

San Antonio Spurs: Chris Quinn

The Spurs definitely made the most surprising move of the draft when they traded away backup PG George Hill to the Pacers for the No. 15 overall pick, Kawhi Leonard. 

When the Spurs drafted PG Corey Joseph later on in the first round, this trade made much more sense. Clearly the Spurs feel Joseph will be a suitable replacement for Hill, which doesn't leave much room for Quinn in the rotation.  

Quinn is currently playing in the Russian League for BC Khimki and it is unclear whether or not he will play out the rest of the season there or return to the NBA as an unrestricted FA.  

Utah Jazz: Andrei Kirilenko

After the lockout started, Andrei Kirilenko went to Russia to play for CSKA Moscow.  

He is currently an unrestricted free agent, and after he takes advantage of his out-clause in his contract, it is rumored that Kirilenko will be looking to sign with any team that offers him a multi-year deal.

Many teams have been linked to wanting Kirilenko, including the Nets, Jazz, Lakers and Clippers.  

Unfortunately for him, he is currently suffering from a broken nose and shoulder injury that will have him sidelined for at least a month.  

It appears right now it is wide open as to where Kirilenko is going to land next season.