NBA Free Agents 2011: Wing Players Destined To Make an Impact on a Contender

Now just four days removed from "Free-Agent Frenzy," the players are shopping teams and teams are shopping players. 

There are several teams in the hunt for a wing player that could make the difference. For some teams, like the Chicago Bulls, it could make the difference between winning it all and another heartbreaking defeat at the hands of the Miami Heat. 

For other teams, like the New Jersey Nets and the Los Angeles Clippers, it could mean the difference between making the postseason and missing it. 

Here are the top five wings and where they might be headed. 

Andrei Kirilenko

Andrei Kirilenko might be one of the more overlooked free agents on the market. Frankly, I'm kind of surprised there aren't more fans of teams that are wanting his services. Name one thing he doesn't do well. 

He might not be a superstar, and he might not score 25 points a game, but he's a well-rounded player that plays both ends of the ball, blocks shots, get steals, grabs rebounds, scores points and accepts his role without complaining.

In fact there are only nine players in NBA history who have career totals greater than Kirilenko in all five areas. Of those 10, only two have more three-pointers and those two have a lower career field-goal percentage. 

AK47 is an extremely well-rounded player and that's why, while fans aren't paying much attention, teams are. There are no fewer than 15 teams that have reached out to him. For those who aren't good at math, that's half the teams in the NBA. 

Any team would be glad to have him and every contender needs a teammate like him. There are a few teams that I could see him landing on but the best two options are teams that are not historically contenders but are in the process of building one, the New Jersey Nets and the Los Angeles Clippers, who are both rumored to be in the hunt for his services. 

Both would be playoff teams if they add him. 

Jamal Crawford

Jamal Crawford is another player who is getting looks from a lot of teams. He's a shooter and there is no shortage of need for those around the league. Among the teams interested in him are the Chicago Bulls, and according to the most recent report, they would be his first choice. 

Steve Kyler tweets, "Jamal Crawford's first choice is the Bulls... Magic called, but Bulls situation better in a lot of ways... Magic on the list, others higher."

Doing the recruiting for the Bulls is Tom Thibodeau according to KC Johnson of the Chicago Tribune.  

Other teams hoping to land Crawford include the Hornets, Suns,  Hawks, Nets and Pacers. One thing that's intriguing is that two days ago the Bulls were third on his list (allegedly) and now they are No. 1. Thibs must have made a good recruiting call. 

What's not clear is where Crawford might end up because it's not clear what's going on with the Bulls. Clearly if they want him, they can get him. 

Grant Hill

Grant Hill might be the best defensive wing available in free agency, though Shane Battier could merit that distinction as well. There are teams that could really use a defensive player on their team but perhaps none more so than the Knicks who are said to be one of the teams pursuing him. 

If you are Knicks fan who is thinking the same thing, be encouraged. Today the New York Post is reporting, "Free agent Grant Hill’s interest in the Knicks is heating up, with one source saying the club has been told they are 'definitely in the hunt.’"

Hill also has the Bulls on his list as well as the Suns and the Celtics. 

Jason Richardson

Jason Richardson is a player who puts the "shooting" in shooting guard, sinking 2.5 threes a game last year, which was the second most in the NBA. That kind of shooting has him piquing interest from a lot of teams. 

Asked by Mlive who is looking at him, Richardson said,

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"I've got an appointment to talk to (Orlando coach) Stan Van Gundy," Richardson said. "They're involved. I've heard Chicago (Bulls), Denver (Nuggets), New Orleans (Hornets), Minnesota (Timberwolves) and Boston (Celtics)."

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As far as where he'd like to go, Mlive says,

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Richardson does like the idea of joining Chicago, joining players such as Derrick Rose, Luol Deng, Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer. Richardson insists that any animosity Boozer may feel is in the past.

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The last bit is referencing when Richardson bounced the ball off Boozer's noggin to sink a three before the buzzer in the '03 rookie-sophomore game. 

Caron Butler

The man who is emerging as the prize of the free-agent market among wings, though, is Caron Butler. This is of course discounting Arron Afflalo, who is technically a free agent, but not really "available" because Denver will be matching any offer. 

Caron Butler is being pursued by Chicago, New Jersey, the Clippers and San Antonio. Initially it looked as though Chicago were the favorite here but the Clippers may have worked themselves into the conversation last night.

Why was Chicago the favorite? KC Johnson's tweet is a good indication. 

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Caron Butler has been working out in Chicago. Source close to him said he said this AM, "I hope I don't have to leave." 

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The reason the Clippers are now in the hunt?

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Free agent small forward Caron Butler's meeting with the the [sic] Los Angeles Clippers went so well Monday night, the two sides decided to talk again on Tuesday morning, according to Butler's agent.

"Caron was really happy with the meeting," Butler's agent Raymond Brothers said. "We were really impressed by (general manager) Neil Olshey and (coach) Vinny Del Negro. I think they've got a good young team that can win. Caron had a really good feeling about it."

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Clearly there are couple of key dominoes that need to fall to clarify this picture, namely Caron Butler and the Chicago Bulls. Butler is the player most coveted and the Bulls are the team most desired, though Butler could choose the Clippers over the Bulls.