NBA Free Agents 2011: Michael Redd and More Injury-Prone Vets Worth the Risk

Michael Redd is just one of the many names teams will be chasing on Dec. 9, the first day teams can talk with and sign players to their roster and the day that training camp opens.

It's going to get hectic and there isn't much time to evaluate talent, so veterans with proven skills should be a priority to sign. 

There are a number of former high-profile stars to be found in the free agent class, but many have been derailed by injury in recent years.

These veterans are still worth the risk for teams that direly need talent and can afford to gamble on them returning to their old ways by staying healthy.

Let’s take a look at three players that could pay dividends if they stay on the court. 

Michael Redd

Redd will be hitting free agency for the first time in his career. He played in just ten games last season after returning from his second major knee surgery in two years.

He averaged only 4.4 points, 1.2 assists, .8 rebounds and shot just .235 from three in those games but he was not part of the Bucks plans whatsoever.

There wasn’t a point in giving him minutes during a season that they weren’t making the playoffs in.

Redd is 32 years old and still has something left in the tank, if his knees can hold up. He’s a deadly three-point shooter and has knocked down 1003 during his 11-year career.

That stroke won’t fade anytime soon, so teams who are willing to bet he stays healthy will be rewarded with a solid sniper on a cheap contract if he pans out.

Josh Howard

This former All-Star fell out of favor with off-the-court issues when he was with the Mavericks and then tore his ACL as he attempted to rejuvenate his career after being traded to the Wizards in 2009-2010.

He didn’t look right last year after returning from the injury and may not have been fully ready, mentally and physically.

I think after a long lockout, Howard may have gotten his priorities straight and returned his focus to the court.

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"I’m just hoping to get the opportunity to continue where I left off at when I left Dallas, and that’s starting and contributing to whatever team and whatever they need me to do," Howard said in a phone conversation. "I haven’t really thought about who I would fit in well with. I’m just going out there for the love of the game and, hopefully, I’ll get on the right team with the right players that will accept me." 

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If he catches on with the right team and stays healthy, the 31-year-old could return to his former glory.

Andrei Kirilenko

AK-47 has one of the most unique skill sets in all of basketball right now. He can score from the paint or behind the arc, bring down boards, swat shots, guard multiple positions and pretty much fill any role a team might need him to.

However, he’s prone to getting injured because of his slender 6’9”, 235-pound frame and intense style of play. He’s been balling in Russia with CSKA Moscow this season and has had his nose broken and shoulder banged up already.

He may be considering staying in his homeland, but odds are that NBA teams will be banging down his door, as there is always a use for someone with his ability in the league and it’s certainly worth the risk of injury.