NBA Free Agents 2011: Ranking the Best High-Impact Veteran Signings

Sometimes all an NBA team needs is one or two really good free agent signings to put themselves over the top, especially when one of those signings is a high-impact veteran.

You may be wondering what a high-impact veteran is, as opposed to just a normal vet.

Normal veterans come into a team to provide a presence, and in some cases they may play a bit. Usually, though, they are just there to be "locker room guys" and teach the kiddos how to do things in the league.

They sit at the end of the bench and cheer their team on, act as a coach, and try to get perhaps five to ten minutes a game in if they are lucky.

High-impact veterans are something completely different. These are veterans that still have a ton in the tank, and can still make an impact on the scoreboard.

They are usually younger, but still have good experience under their belt, perhaps even postseason or championship experience.

Now that you know the criteria, let's rank the best high-impact veteran signings so far:

1. Chauncey Billups, PG, Los Angeles Clippers

The Clippers picked Billups up off waivers after he was let go by the Knicks under the one-time amnesty clause that the new collective bargaining agreement is allowing. For our purposes, we will consider him a signing.

Billups is easily going to have the biggest impact on his new team right away. As of right now, they will probably be starting him at shooting guard, but his biggest impact will be as a role model for newly acquired point guard Chris Paul.

Paul is already incredible, but learning from a veteran that knows the ropes and has NBA championship experience is going to be invaluable for the new leader of this suddenly promising team.

2. Shane Battier, SF, Miami Heat

The Heat needed a veteran presence that they could bring off the bench in order to rest LeBron James, and they got that guy in Battier.

While there will be a drop-off, Battier brings an excellent three-point shot and lock-down defense that will allow for the Heat to rest the Big Three and feel comfortable about the production from the bench.

He has career averages of 9.6 points, 2.0 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game, and he's an excellent "glue guy." All in all, Battier will be one of the most valuable players on this talent-laden team.

The Heat almost won the championship last season, but now, with Battier, they are significantly better.

3. Richard Hamilton, SG, Chicago Bulls

The Bulls needed a 2-guard that they could pair up with Derrick Rose to take some pressure off him, and Hamilton is the perfect fit.

He has one of the best mid-range shots in the league, and will be an excellent outlet option for the often-slashing point guard.

Hamilton averaged 14.1 points, 3.1 assists and 2.3 rebounds per game last year, and keep in mind it was considered a drama-filled, off year for the guard.

He should be a great fit in Chicago, and I have no doubt that he will be quite a scoring presence to pair up with Rose.