NBA Free Agents 2011: Teams in Need of an Upgrade at Point Guard

Like every other position, the 2011 crop of free agents doesn't feature a deep class of point guards.

However, there are some decent options that include restricted free agent Rodney Stuckey and unrestricted free agents J.J. Barea, Mario Chalmers and T.J. Ford.

While these guys aren't necessarily superstar point guards, they could represent an upgrade for certain teams.

Here's a look at some teams that could stand to get better at the point guard position.

Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks don't necessarily need an upgrade at the point. Jeff Teague is talented and has the looks of a talented point guard for years to come.

However, the injury to Kirk Hinrich leaves Atlanta thin at the position to begin the season.

Signing a guy like Mike Bibby again, if he would take a reduced role, might make sense since the hawks would look to possibly deal Hinrich when he's healthy.

Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers are fine at the point with a pair of veterans in Derek Fisher and Steve Blake, but could stand to upgrade the position by trade or in free agency.

Getting younger and more athletic at the position should be one of the Lakers priorities when free agency begins.

Miami Heat

Both Mario Chalmers and Mike Bibby are currently unrestricted free agents, so Miami definitely needs to be looking at a point guard for the short-term. Finding one they can groom into more of a long-term solution also needs to be a priority for Pat Riley.

Toronto Raptors

The Raptors situation at the point isn't necessarily a horrible one. You could do a lot worse than Jose Calderon and Jerryd Bayliss.

You could also do a little better.

Toronto is one team that could benefit from an upgrade at the point.

Dallas Mavericks

Jason Kidd seems like he can play forever, but the Mavs need an upgrade behind him. Right now it's Kidd and pretty much nothing else, with Barea an unrestricted free agent.

At the minimum they need to take a long look at re-signing Barea, but if they fail then they have to do something.

With the schedule featuring a ton of back-to-backs this season, not having a capable backup could put a lot of wear and tear on an old guard.