NBA Free Agents 2011: Top Targets for Teams That Need Defensive Help

It’s now less than a week until the NBA season finally kicks off, and most teams have their lineups set and ready to go. 

It's a little late, but there are still some free agents out there who can play quality roles for playoff teams. It always helps to have a defensive presence to come off the bench.

The names aren't sexy—in fact, the first three guys on this list are probably league minimum players—but instant defense guys can oftentimes be pivotal, underrated players in title runs.

Here's a look at the best available defensive stoppers.

D.J. Mbenga

I told you the names weren't sexy.

Mbenga, a seven-footer from Zaire, has yet to average more than eight minutes per game over an entire season, but that just means he's going to come super cheap. 

Just two years ago with the Los Angeles Lakers, he averaged a block per game in just 7.9 minutes. That's pretty impressive.

Essentially, he's someone you're going to insert for the last minute of the first, second and third quarters to protect the rim. 

That's all you can really ask, but that can be a valuable asset. 

Theo Ratliff 

Ratliff is one of the best shot-blockers in the history of the NBA, but he's 38 years old, and there's obviously questions about whether or not he can still play.

He only got seven minutes per game last year, but the year before that with Charlotte he averaged 1.5 blocks in 22.3 minutes. That's a quality role-player right there.

Ratliff is a cheap veteran presence who can shore up the middle of a team's second unit. Still, though, his knees are clearly a problem, and 10 minutes per game is likely all you could get out of him.

Erick Dampier

Dampier is 36 years old and has been in the league for 15 years, but he continues to give quality minutes.

His 16 minutes per game last year with the Heat was the lowest of his career. Still, though, that didn't stop him from blocking a shot per game.

Dampier is a solid shot-blocker and a solid rebounder. He can serve as an immediate boost for any team looking for big-man help. 

If Kwame Brown got $7 million, Dampier should not still be a free agent. 

Andrei Kirilenko

Kirilenko is one of the best overall free agents left on the market, and his defensive presence can't be overstated. 

AK47 is 6'9", but his length allows him to guard almost any position. He's incredibly adept at getting his hands in passing lanes and in front of shots. That has helped him average two blocks and 1.5 steals for his career.

Not only is his defense very underrated, but he will also rebound and score at a solid rate. If he isn't signed very soon, it would be very surprising.