NBA Free Agents 2011: Smartest Players on the Market

This free agent class isn't the class of 2010. There is no LeBron James, there is no Dwyane Wade, Joe Johnson, Chris Bosh or Amare Stoudemire. You won't find a game changing free agent of that level in this class.

That doesn't mean there isn't value to be found, though. In fact, there is a plethora of crafty players, streaky shooters, dynamite bench scorers and most notably a bundle of solid centers, one of the hardest positions for a team to fill.

Within this varied class, there are certain players who won't shock you with their athleticism or show you flashes of brilliance on scoring rampages, but these players have arguably more to offer than many of the superstars that were on the market last year.

Most of them may be past their prime (excluding one on this list, who may just be entering it), but that's what makes them who they are. They've seen the ups and downs of the league, they know the ins and outs. They are undeniably smart.

They know the game inside and out, where the ball will be at all times and how to make the most effective play. They've been around the block a time or two (again excluding a particular one) and have established themselves in the league.

Here are the smartest players in this year's free agent class and it shouldn't shock you that a majority of them are veterans.

Shane Battier

Shane Battier is one of the smartest players in the NBA. 

He's lost most of his lateral quickness, whatever athleticism he had and can't take it into the lane to save his life, yet he still manages to have a major impact on every game.

He's fundamentally sound. He gets the game. The reason he's still dominant on defense is because his positioning is perfect. Like a true Dukie he'll take a charge or strap someone up at the top of the key. He's not a good rebounder because he can jump high. It's because he can get position. 

He knows how to be efficient and effective without making your jaw drop. He realizes driving isn't his strong suit, so instead he plays to his strengths. He finds holes in the defense where he can set up and shoot. That's what makes Battier so smart and the best thing about that is that intelligence doesn't go away with age.

Tracy McGrady

While McGrady won't be a free agent much longer as he's likely to sign a deal with the Atlanta Hawks on Friday, he is easily one of the smartest players in this free agent class. 

He completely redefined his game last year with the Pistons, turning from a me-first, high-volume shooter into a solid role player.

McGrady has always been a stellar passer, but last year he took on the role of point-forward and became arguably the best distributor on the Pistons. 

He picks and chooses his shots now and when he signs with Atlanta he's sure to make a splash. Write him off all you want. Call him finished all you want, but know that he's redefined his game so that he can last longer in this league.

He's 32 years old, younger than Kobe Bryant, and although he'll never be the superstar he once was, he can make an impact on any team. Not through the athleticism that he once had, but through his great passing instincts and incredible ball handling.

Aaron Afflalo

The only young player on this list, Aaron Afflalo is a player gifted with basketball smarts and outstanding skill.

He was an afterthought in the draft and an afterthought in Detroit, but once on the Nuggets, the UCLA product had his chance to shine. 

Originally seen as a defensive stopper, Afflalo added an offensive arsenal to his game. He became a deadly shooter and a respectable penetrator. He's not turnover prone and still maintains the defensive tenacity that made him somewhat heralded in the first place.

He's about as efficient as they come. He'll score a decent number of points and he'll strap up nearly any offensive player. He's the type of two-guard most teams dream of and thats why he's so coveted this offseason.

He's young and may just be entering his prime, so you can expect Denver to try their best to re-sign him. If they can't, expect Chicago or another team in need of a shooting guard to make a huge push for the heady player from Denver.

Samuel Dalembert

Samuel Dalembert is smart because he knows his role. 

He doesn't demand the ball offensively, despite his towering stature, and he does nearly everything required of a solid big man. He cleans up the boards for garbage points, he rebounds well defensively, he's an imposing defensive force, a shot blocker and he's not post-move inept.

He can do all things big men are required to do, but isn't excellent in any one particular category. 

That's why you can expect Dalembert to sign with an already well-rounded team like the Miami Heat. He's the perfect center for a team who is loaded outside of that position. He's a complimentary piece who can provide a stabilizing presence that won't take anything away from the team that's already in place. He's flexible and knows what he's doing every time on the court.

All those characteristics make him one of the most sought after big men in this class and he's well deserving of the praise he's receiving. 

Grant Hill

There is no one in the history of the NBA, at least that comes to mind, that has redefined and reinvented themselves as many times as Grant Hill has.

Keep in mind, he used to be the second coming of Michael Jordan. He was supposed to be the next great thing, the next dominant player in the NBA. Instead, injury took hold of his prime and robbed him of stardom. His shoe contract with Fila didn't mean anything once he was on the bench nursing injuries.

Suddenly, when he was supposed to be finished, he redefined his game. He became a sixth man, a jack of all trades on the court. Ego has never been an issue, and that's incredible considering the man who was supposed to be the next Jordan accepted the fact that injuries stood in the way of his prime. You'd think he wouldn't be able to let that pride go, that he'd hold on too long like Iverson did, but he didn't.

He's become one of the most efficient role players in the game today. He's closing in on 40 years old and doesn't look like he's slowing down. While the college players of his day have almost all faded, he remains as one of the best role players in the league.