Are you ready to take fantasy basketball to the next level? Do you feel that you’d be a successful NBA General Manager? If so, then look no further.

For the upcoming season, PASPN.net has given RotoEvil.com its own league, and signups have already started. Since there are crucial offseason decisions to be made, it’s important that we kick things off immediately. So just follow the instructions below to register and join the league, and then on July 6th, you will become GM of an NBA franchise of your choice.

Overview

There will be 30 General Manager spots available: one for each NBA franchise. Since this is a new league, we will start by taking over each team’s existing contracts. After that, it’s up to you to re-tool your team via trades, draft picks, and free agent signings to form the best team that you can. Since PASPN leagues are governed by the rules of the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the Mock GM game mixes fantasy basketball playing with the realities of the business of the NBA.

Once the NBA regular season begins, we will compete in an 18-week Head-to-Head season, where each team has a new opponent every week. You start 8 players (PG, SG, SF, PF, C, UTIL, UTIL, UTIL), and whoever scores more fantasy points wins the matchup. The scoring system is based on NBA.com’s Efficiency rating: ((PTS + TRB + AST + STL + BLK) - ((FGA - FGM) + (FTA - FTM) + TOV )). The top 16 teams qualify for the Playoffs, which take place during the final 4 weeks of the regular season.

Trading during the regular season is possible, but much like the regular NBA, the offseason is when the majority of moves are made. Of course, this is also where your General Manager skills will be tested. But if you don’t want to be a GM, there’s still another way to play. PASPN.net also gives you the option of being an “Agent,” where you create a sports agency, sign clients, and work with the GMs to negotiate bigger contracts for your clients. Agents also compete against each other to see whose clients are accumulating the most fantasy points, so there’s some skill and competition involved in that aspect as well. However, you can only be an Agent OR a General Manager, not both.

Interested in playing? Here’s some more information:
Mock GM 101
FAQ for GMs
League Home Page

Signup Instructions (preferably BEFORE July 6th)

1. Click Here to Register
(If you’re already a PASPN member, just login instead)
2. Click Here to Join the League
(When you join the league, you will get to choose if you want to be an Agent or a GM)

What to do Once the League Begins (on July 6th)

1. Click Here to Pick the NBA Franchise that you Want to Represent
(This link may not be active until July 6th. Teams are chosen on a 1st come, 1st serve basis, so remember the date!)

2. Get Ready for our NBA Rookie Draft
(Once the league is set, we will have our rookie draft. For our 1st year, we are using the exact same order as the actual draft. For example, the GM of the Clippers will have the #1 pick, and he can select Blake Griffin or any other player. In future seasons, there will be a draft lottery for the teams that don’t make the playoffs.)

3. Start Thinking of Trades and Free Agent Contracts
(Once the league is underway, GMs will be allowed to make trades and sign new players. For free agency, GMs will submit contracts within a certain time period and either that player’s agent or a computer will select the best offer.)

*I’d like to thank Ngozika of PASPN.net for creating this league for us, and also for featuring some of RotoEvil’s articles on his site. After reading the FAQ section, if you still have questions, feel free to post them here and I’ll try to relay them to Ngozika, as I’m still pretty new to this Mock GM thing. Also, thanks in advance to everyone who signs up. I’m looking forward to testing my GM skills against you!

Related posts:

1. NBA Mock Draft Sign-Up Add your name here if you want to sign-up for a Mock...
2. My 2009 Fantasy League Results Now that I’ve had time to reflect, here’s a look at the...
3. The RotoEvil Challenge Do you want some of this? Then step up and take the...

In addition to the 2009 NBA Draft, several blockbuster trades were made recently. As a result, many teams look very different than they did a week ago.

While free agency has yet to officially begin, it’s still worthwhile to analyze all of the recent draft picks and trades, while also examining the current rosters and depth charts for all 30 NBA teams.

The teams are listed in alphabetical order below, with their recent pickups shown first, my post-draft overnight analysis in the middle, and their projected depth chart afterwards. At the very bottom, I’ll list my Top 5 Winners and Losers for Draft Week 2009. Enjoy.

Atlanta Hawks

DRAFTED: Jeff Teague (PG), Sergiy Gladyr (SG)

TRADED FOR FOR: Jamal Crawford (G)

The Hawks decided to address their point guard position by trading away two guys who never contributed (the oft-injured Speedy Claxton and the unproven Acie Law), and replacing them with high-scoring combo guard Jamal Crawford and promising point man Jeff Teague. They do have some extra cap room to re-sign Mike Bibby, but more likely, they’ll use that money to try and bring back Flip Murray and Zaza Pachulia. And don’t forget that they still own the rights to Josh Childress if he decides to return to America. Gladyr is supposedly an elite prospect from Ukraine, but given Atlanta’s lack of frontcourt depth, perhaps they should have chosen a big man in round 2. Both Crawford and Teague are explosive scorers, but neither player is a true point guard, which could ultimately be their downfall.

PG: J. Crawford / J. Teague
SG: J. Johnson / S. Gladyr
SF: M. Williams / M. Evans
PF: J. Smith
C: A. Horford

Boston Celtics

DRAFTED: Lester Hudson (G)

Boston’s 1st rounder went to Minnesota as part of the KG trade, so with their only draft pick, the Celtics chose Tennessee Martin guard Lester Hudson #58 overall. The bad: Hudson turns 25 in August, he faced inferior competition in college, he’s only 6′1 with shoes on, and he isn’t a true point guard. The good: he’s a chiseled 195 pounds, he has a 6′9 wingspan, and he averaged 27.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 2.3 steals per game in college. At the end of round 2, Hudson was worth a gamble. Of course, Boston has also been mentioned in several trade rumors. I think the idea of moving Rondo is ridiculous, but Ray Allen’s expiring contract is a definite possibility. Eddie House has yet to exercise his player option and Glen Davis is a restricted free agent, but there’s a good chance that both players will return. If not, the Celtics will have one of the worst benches in the league.

PG: R. Rondo / E. House? / L. Hudson / G. Pruitt
SG: R. Allen / T. Allen / JR Giddens
SF: P. Pierce / B. Walker
PF: K. Garnett / G. Davis? / B. Scalabrine
C: K. Perkins

Charlotte Bobcats

DRAFTED: Gerald Henderson (SG), Derrick Brown (PF)

TRADED FOR: cash

I like how Charlotte addressed their needs in this draft, as Raja Bell is aging and they’ve been desperate for a power forward ever since Sean May first hurt his knee. Larry Brown supposedly loves Gerald Henderson, who I liken to Dahntay Jones with better offense. Now that they have his replacement, there’s a good chance that Raja Bell will get traded. Not surprisingly, Derrick Brown is also a promising defensive player, and he gives the Bobcats some athleticism alongside Gerald Wallace. If they can stay healthy, Charlotte could be a much-improved team next season.

PG: R. Felton? / DJ Augustin
SG: R. Bell / G. Henderson
SF: G. Wallace / V. Radmanovic
PF: B. Diaw / D. Brown / A. Ajinca
C: E. Okafor / D. Diop / N. Mohammed

Chicago Bulls

DRAFTED: James Johnson (F), Taj Gibson (PF)

With two 1st round picks, Chicago selected two athletic forwards in Johnson and Gibson. Johnson has the size and versatility to play both small forward and power forward, and he’s excellent insurance in case Luol Deng isn’t 100% healthy. Meanwhile, Gibson only weighs 215 pounds, but he’s an excellent shot-blocker and offensive rebounder. Of course, so is Tyrus Thomas, which makes you wonder if the Bulls are ready to trade him. Even more likely to be moved is Kirk Hinrich, who is supposedly headed to Portland. However, without Hinrich and Ben Gordon (assuming they don’t re-sign him), the Bulls are going to have very little depth in their backcourt.

PG: D. Rose / K. Hinrich
SG: J. Salmons
SF: L. Deng / J. Johnson / Ti. Thomas
PF: Ty. Thomas / T. Gibson
C: J. Noah / B. Miller / J. James

Cleveland Cavaliers

DRAFTED: Christian Eyenga (G/F), Danny Green (G/F), Emir Preldzic (SF)

TRADED FOR: Shaquille O’Neal (C)

The Cavs made headlines this week by trading for Shaq, a deal that overshadowed almost everything. When you factor in his low-post scoring ability, his excellent passing skills, his size and strength to defend Dwight Howard, his leadership abilities and experience, his fun-loving attitude, his expiring contract, and the fact that Cleveland gave up very little to get him, it was a win-win move for the Cavs. Of course, they still needed a versatile and defensive-minded forward, and they tried to address that problem in the draft. Eyenga was probably the biggest 1st round surprise, but they made up for it by taking Danny Green in round 2. Green doesn’t have ideal size to guard someone like Rashard Lewis, but he has a 6′10 wingspan, is a terrific perimeter defender, can knock down outside shots, and has oodles and oodles of experience (North Carolina’s all-time leader in games played). If his transition goes smoothly, Green could be playing key minutes come playoff time. Will Anderson Varejao exercise his player option?

PG: M. Williams / D. Gibson
SG: D. West / C. Eyenga
SF: L. James / D. Green / E. Preldzic
PF: A. Varejao? / JJ Hickson / D. Jackson
C: S. O’Neal / Z. Ilgauskas

Dallas Mavericks

DRAFTED: Ahmad Nivins (PF)

TRADED FOR: Rodrigue Beaubois (PG), Future 2nd round pick, Nick Calathes (PG)

Dallas wants to bring Jason Kidd back for another year or two, but that didn’t stop them from drafting a potential replacement. Beaubois is just 6′2 with shoes on, but he has a freakish 6′10 wingspan and is incredibly quick. Physically, he’s very similar to Leandro Barbosa, expect Beaubois is supposed to have better point guard skills. It might take him awhile to adjust to the NBA, but he could be an impact later down the road. The Mavs also picked up Calathes, who slipped in the draft because he’s already signed to play in Greece, but has excellent size, passing, and spot-up shooting skills. I’ve never seen Nivins play, but he was the Atlantic 10 player of the year and he put up some eye-popping stats: 39.2 minutes, 11.8 rebounds, 1.8 blocks, 8.1 free throw attempts, 61.2% FG, 78.7% FT. If Brandon Bass and Ryan Hollins sign elsewhere over the summer, Nivins may have to contribute sooner rather than later.

PG: J. Kidd? / JJ Barea / R. Beaubois
SG: A. Wright / J. Terry / M. Carroll
SF: J. Howard / S. Williams / J. Stackhouse
PF: D. Nowitzki / A. Nivins
C: E. Dampier /

Denver Nuggets

TRADED FOR: Ty Lawson (PG), cash

Denver didn’t have a 1st round pick, but they traded a future 1st rounder to land Ty Lawson, and they dealt away their 2nd round pick for some extra cash. As a 3-year starter for North Carolina, Lawson has plenty of experience running a talented team, and he should be an excellent backup/understudy for Chauncey Billups. This past season, Lawson attempted 3.1 threes per game and made a whopping 47.2% of them, so his outside shot is clearly an upgrade over Anthony Carter. Now the Nugz will focus on re-signing Chris Andersen, as their frontcourt depth will be lacking if they don’t bring the Birdman back.

PG: C. Billups / T. Lawson
SG: JR Smith / S. Weems
SF: C. Anthony / L. Kleiza?
PF: K. Martin / R. Balkman
C: Nene / Birdman / J. Petro / S. Hunter

Detroit Pistons

DRAFTED: Austin Daye (SF), DaJuan Summers (F), Jonas Jerebko (SF)

TRADED FOR: Future 2nd round pick, cash

Despite Rip Hamilton being 31 and in the last year of his contract, and despite Kwame Brown being their only legit center, the Pistons chose to draft 3 forwards in this year’s draft. Most likely, they’ll address those needs via free agency. At 6′11 and 190 pounds, Austin Daye’s frame is very similar to Tayshaun Prince’s, and that’s who he’ll be backing up. Daye is a much better shooter than Prince, but he still has a long ways to go before realizing his potential. DaJuan Summers can play both forward spots, but unless they sign Boozer, Summers will be needed at the 4. Since they didn’t draft a shooting guard or center, it wouldn’t surprise me if they’re going after Ben Gordon and Marcin Gortat.

PG: R. Stuckey / W. Bynum
SG: R. Hamilton / A. Afflalo
SF: T. Prince / A. Daye / J. Jerebko
PF: J. Maxiell / D. Summers
C: K. Brown

Golden St. Warriors

DRAFTED: Stephen Curry (PG)

TRADED FOR: Acie Law (PG), Speedy Claxton (PG)

With no trade leverage thanks to Don Nelson, the Warriors were forced to move Jamal Crawford to Atlanta for Speedy Claxton’s insurance policy and Acie Law. Neither player is likely to contribute, but at least they got rid of Crawford’s contract. With the 7th overall pick, the Warriors chose Stephen Curry over Jordan Hill, a decision that could lead to several different results: A) Monta Ellis is going to be traded, B) Curry is going to be traded, C) they’ll cramp each other’s style and Ellis will eventually demand a trade, or D) they’ll thrive alongside each other and Golden State will average 133 points per game. While option “D” is more likely than some people think, I’m extremely worried about their lack of size on defense, as bigger guards will be exploiting them night in and night out. The Amare Stoudemire trade rumors are hot right now, and the Warriors could land him without having to give up either Ellis or Curry. Hold on to your seats…

PG: M. Ellis / S. Curry / A. Law
SG: S. Jackson / A. Morrow / M. Belinelli
SF: K. Azubuike / C. Maggette
PF: A. Randolph / B. Wright
C: A. Biedrins / R. Turiaf

Houston Rockets

TRADED FOR: Jermaine Taylor (SG), Chase Budinger (G/F), rights to Sergio Llull (PG)

With no draft picks to speak of, the Rockets were still very active, trading “cash considerations” to land 3 interesting prospects. Taylor is a super-athletic scorer with an NBA-ready body, Budinger is an excellent outside shooter who should thrive in transition, and Llull is a Spanish prospect who will likely stay overseas to develop. The fact that Houston targeted two swingmen tells us that the Tracy McGrady trade rumors are very real, and that Von Wafer (an unrestricted free agent) may be on his way out as well. With Yao Ming “out indefinitely” and Ron Artest also a free agent, Houston GM Daryl Morey has some big decisions to make.

PG: A. Brooks / K. Lowry
SG: T. McGrady / J. Taylor / B. Barry
SF: S. Battier / C. Budinger
PF: C. Landry / C. Hayes / B. Cook / J. Dorsey
C: L. Scola / Y. Ming (until Yao gets healthy)

Indiana Pacers

DRAFTED: Tyler Hansbrough (PF), AJ Price (G)

In my All-White American Team article, I suggested that the Pacers purposely go after white American players because their state population is approximately 90% white. Many people scoffed at this notion, but last year they had Troy Murphy, Mike Dunleavy, Jeff Foster, Travis Diener, and Josh McRoberts on their roster, and now they’re adding Tyler Hansbrough. The all-everything forward from North Carolina will bring much-needed toughness to the Pacers, and I’m sure a slight boost in ticket sales won’t hurt either. The selection of AJ Price means that either TJ Ford is on his way out, or Jarrett Jack won’t be re-signing. And yes, Jamaal Tinsley is still a Pacer, but since he’s not white, they don’t want him. (Note: that was a joke, and while I’m not saying there is anything right or wrong with a team’s decision to acquire certain types of players to appeal to their fanbase, I’d simply like someone to acknowledge that yes, this may be happening).

PG: TJ Ford / AJ Price / T. Diener
SG: B. Rush / M. Dunleavy
SF: D. Granger
PF: T. Murphy / T. Hansbrough
C: R. Hibbert / J. Foster

L.A. Clippers

DRAFTED: Blake Griffin (PF)

Taking Blake Griffin #1 overall was a no-brainer for the Clippers, but now the real fun begins. With five quality big men on their roster, the other LA team has to find a way to trade at least one of them. Since Kaman has a large contract and DeAndre Jordan is an intriguing prospect, this means that Camby and/or Randolph are the top candidates to get traded. If the Clippers pull off a nice trade, they could put themselves in a good position to make the playoffs. They were absolutely awful last season, but the Clips could be one of the more interesting teams to watch next year.

PG: B. Davis / M. Collins / M. Taylor
SG: E. Gordon / R. Davis
SF: A. Thornton
PF: B. Griffin / Z. Randolph
C: C. Kaman / M. Camby / D. Jordan

L.A. Lakers

DRAFTED: Chinemelu Elonu (PF)

TRADED FOR: 2 Future 2nd round picks, cash

The Lakers want to bring BOTH Odom and Ariza back, which means they need as much money as possible. So on draft day they traded away two picks for future 2nd rounders and some cap space. With the 2nd to last pick in the draft, they kept it and chose Elonu, a big man who averaged 7.3 boards in just 23.8 minutes last year. Have the Lakers done enough to re-sign both Odom and Ariza? As a non-Lakers fan, I’m hoping that someone offers Odom a contract that’s too juicy to resist, so with that in mind…

PG: D. Fisher / J. Farmar / S. Yue
SG: K. Bryant / S. Vujacic
SF: T. Ariza / L. Walton / A. Morrison
PF: P. Gasol / C. Elonu
C: A. Bynum

Memphis Grizzlies

DRAFTED: Hasheem Thabeet (C), DeMarre Carroll (SF), Sam Young (SF)

TRADED FOR: Quentin Richardson (G/F)

With the #2 pick, the Grizzlies drafted Hasheem Thabeet to man the middle for them. Personally, I don’t like this pick (I would have traded down), because they already have Marc Gasol and I’m not sold on Mike Conley being an above average starting PG. Nonetheless, Memphis will give it a go and see how it turns out. DeMarre Carroll and Sam Young give them two very athletic forwards to run the floor with Mayo and company, and I like the Young pick especially. In other news, the Grizz rid themselves of Darko Milicic, but had to take back Quentin Richardson in return. Since Q-Rich isn’t exactly a veteran leader, I don’t like this trade for Memphis.

PG: M. Conley / M. Jaric
SG: OJ Mayo / G. Buckner / Q. Richardson
SF: R. Gay / S. Young
PF: H. Warrick / D. Arthur / D. Carroll
C: H. Thabeet / M. Gasol

Miami Heat

DRAFTED: Robert Dozier (F)

TRADED FOR: Patrick Beverley (PG), 2 Future 2nd round picks

The Heat drafted Marcus Thornton #43 overall, but parlayed him into 2 future 2nd rounders by sending him to New Orleans. They acquired Beverley from the Lakers, a player who honed his game in Ukraine last year after being suspended by Arkansas. Lastly, Miami used the very last pick in the draft to select the long and athletic Robert Dozier. I’m not a fan of Dozier and I don’t know much about Beverley, but Miami did very little to improve their team this week, while many of their rivals got a lot better. Surely this has to worry Dwyane Wade and Pat Riley.

PG: M. Chalmers / C. Quinn / P. Beverley
SG: D. Wade / D. Cook / Y. Diawara
SF: J. Moon? / J. Jones / D. Wright
PF: M. Beasley / U. Haslem / R. Dozier
C: J. O’Neal / J. Anthony? / M. Blount

Milwaukee Bucks

DRAFTED: Brandon Jennings (PG), Jodie Meeks (SG)

TRADED FOR: Amir Johnson (PF), Kurt Thomas (PF/C)

The Bucks were invoved in the 1st major trade of the summer, sending Richard Jefferson to San Antonio for Kurt Thomas, Oberto, and Bruce Bowen. They immediately sent Oberto to Detroit for perennial prospect Amir Johnson, and they’ll likely release Bowen. So they lost some talent there, and they didn’t get immediate help from their 1st round pick, as Brandon Jennings is far from a polished product. Milwaukee picked up some offensive firepower in round 2 by selecting Jodie Meeks, but don’t they already have Michael Redd at that position? Even if they re-sign Sessions or Villanueva, I’m not sure what the Bucks are thinking.

PG: L. Ridnour / B. Jennings
SG: M. Redd / J. Meeks / C. Bell
SF: L. Moute / J. Alexander
PF: A. Johnson / K. Thomas / M. Allen
C: A. Bogut / D. Gadzuric / F. Elson

Minnesota Timberwolves

DRAFTED: Ricky Rubio (PG), Jonny Flynn (PG), Wayne Ellington (SG), Henk Norel (F)

TRADED FOR: Future 1st and 2nd round picks, D. Songaila (PF), E. Thomas (C), O. Pecherov (C)

Minnesota’s new GM (David Kahn) has been very active since taking over. He let go of Kevin McHale, traded away Randy Foye and Mike Miller before the draft, and acquired future 1st and 2nd round picks during the draft. Their decision to select both Ricky Rubio and Jonny Flynn was rather strange, but perhaps they’re holding Rubio hostage and waiting for the Knicks to call. It makes sense for Minnesota to rebuild, but fans will likely have to suffer another losing season.

PG: R. Rubio / S. Telfair / J. Flynn / B. Brown
SG: W. Ellington / C. Brewer
SF: R. Gomes / B. Cardinal
PF: K. Love / D. Songaila / C. Smith / M. Madsen
C: A. Jefferson / E. Thomas / O. Pecherov

New Jersey Nets

DRAFTED: Terrence Williams (SF)

TRADED FOR: Courtney Lee (SG), Rafer Alston (PG), Tony Battie (PF)

In a move with all kinds of 2010 implications, the Nets traded away Vince Carter and Ryan Anderson to the Magic for Courtney Lee, Alston, and Battie. The latter two players have expiring contracts, while Lee is good friends with some guy named LeBron James. In case they don’t land LeBron in 2010, the Nets drafted a talented young forward in Terrence Williams. By getting rid of Anderson, there is now a lot of pressure on Yi Jianlian to produce. If he doesn’t step up, New Jersey will likely be in the lottery again next year. However, they’ve positioned themselves very well for the future, as Devin Harris is their only major long-term contract.

PG: D. Harris / R. Alston / K. Dooling
SG: C. Lee / C. Douglas-Roberts / T. Hassell
SF: T. Williams / J. Hayes / B. Simmons
PF: Y. Jianlian / T. Battie / E. Najera
C: B. Lopez / J. Boone / S. Williams

New Orleans Hornets

DRAFTED: Darren Collison (PG)

TRADED FOR: M. Thornton (SG)

When you already have the best point guard in the NBA, should you really use your 1st round pick on an undersized backup point guard? Maybe if you have strong depth and a lot of draft picks, but that wasn’t the case for New Orleans. Despite glaring weaknesses at several other positions, Hornets GM Jeff Bower decided to use the #21 overall pick on Darren Collison, a 165-pound backup point guard with little upside. Last year they missed bringing in instant offense off the bench with combo guard Janerro Pargo, so they decided to replace him with local LSU product Marcus Thornton. Thornton is a big-time scorer who should sell more tickets, but they had to give Miami two 2nd round picks to get him. They also failed in another attempt to move Tyson Chandler, and now they almost HAVE to trade him. I feel kind of bad for CP3.

PG: C. Paul / D. Collison / A. Daniels
SG: R. Butler / M. Thornton / D. Brown / M. Peterson
SF: P. Stojakovic / J. Posey
PF: D. West / J. Wright
C: T. Chandler / H. Armstrong

New York Knicks

DRAFTED: Jordan Hill (PF)

TRADED FOR: Toney Douglas (G), Darko Milicic (PF/C)

They wanted Curry, but Hill is a nice consolation prize. Mike D’Antoni has compared him to Amare Stoudemire, and depending on what happens, he can either replace or play alongside David Lee. Despite being the 29th overall pick, the Knicks gave the Lakers $3 million + a 2nd round pick in 2011 for Toney Douglas, so they clearly like the combo guard a lot. My guess is that Douglas will replace Nate Robinson and they’ll do their best to bring back Lee. Meanwhile, New York also picked up Darko Milicic, and considering he has an expiring contract and they got to unload Q-Rich, it was a terrific deal for them (watching New York fans boo after every trade got old a long time ago, so can we please move the draft to California?).

PG: C. Duhon / T. Douglas
SG: L. Hughes
SF: W. Chandler / D. Gallinari
PF: A. Harrington / J. Hill / J. Jeffries
C: D. Lee? / D. Milicic / E. Curry

Oklahoma City Thunder

DRAFTED: James Harden (SG)

TRADED FOR: BJ Mullens (C), Robert Vaden (SG)

Oklahoma City chose James Harden with the #3 overall pick, and while they can certainly use his outside shooting, I think that Thabeet would have been a much better fit. They could use a defensive-minded center who can block shots and start fast breaks, but instead of going after Thabeet, OKC decided to gamble on BJ Mullens. Mullens is more of a finesse big man, so I don’t like this pick either, which is surprising because I think Sam Presti is one of the best GMs in the league. Vaden is supposed to be a fine shooter, but he shot just 34.6% 3P and 74% FT last season, and he has very little versatility, so I don’t understand this pick either.

PG: R. Westbrook / S. Livingston / C. Atkins / E. Watson
SG: J. Harden / K. Weaver / R. Vaden
SF: K. Durant / T. Sefolosha
PF: J. Green / DJ White
C: N. Collison / N. Krstic / BJ Mullens

Orlando Magic

TRADED FOR: Vince Carter (SG), Ryan Anderson (PF)

Orlando didn’t have a single draft pick this year, but they still made plenty of noise on the trade front, sending Alston, Lee, and Battie to New Jersey for Vince Carter and Ryan Anderson. They’re suddenly a much better offensive team, but their guard depth and defense might suffer. At the age of 32, one has to wonder how much Carter has left in the tank, but with Cleveland and Washington making major deals, you can’t blame them for trying to keep up. Not many people are going to talk about Ryan Anderson, but he’s a great complement to Dwight Howard, as he’s an active big man who can knock down outside shots. Of course, Orlando still has to re-sign Turkoglu and find a decent backup center to replace Gortat.

PG: J. Nelson / A. Johnson
SG: V. Carter / JJ Redick
SF: H. Turkoglu? / M. Pietrus
PF: R. Lewis / R. Anderson
C: D. Howard

Philadelphia 76ers

DRAFTED: Jrue Holiday (PG)

With Andre Miller being an unrestricted free agent, Philly had to draft a point guard, and they got a good one in Jrue Holiday. At #17 overall, I’m a HUGE fan of Holiday, as he has all of the tools to be an excellent player. However, he just turned 19, so if the 76ers can re-sign Miller or find another veteran PG, they should probably do that. Just as important, they need to decide if Brand can play center for them, and if so, Samuel Dalembert has gotta go. And in case you missed it, the 76ers FINALLY addressed their glaring outside shooting weakness by trading Reggie Evans for Jason Kapono.

PG: J. Holiday / L. Williams
SG: A. Iguodala / W. Green
SF: T. Young / J. Kapono
PF: E. Brand / J. Smith
C: S. Dalembert / M. Speights

Phoenix Suns

DRAFTED: Earl Clark (F), Taylor Griffin (F), Emir Preldzic (SF)

TRADED FOR: Ben Wallace (PF), Sasha Pavlovic (SF), cash

Not too long ago, the Suns were one of the best teams in the league. Now they’re in rebuilding mode, and I’m surprised that Steve Nash wants to stick around for that. Getting rid of Shaq saves them some money and allows Stoudemire to move back to center, but it sounds like they’re ready to trade Amare as well. Again, shouldn’t they just send Nash to a contender while they’re at it? They drafted Earl Clark in round 1, and while he’s supposed to be an excellent talent, DraftExpress compares him to Marvin Williams, and that’s more bad than good in my eyes. The Suns need all kinds of forward help, so hopefully Griffin or Preldzic pans out. Unless they strike a killer deal for Stoudemire, it could be a long season for Suns fans.

PG: S. Nash / G. Dragic
SG: J. Richardson / L. Barbosa / A. Tucker
SF: E. Clark / S. Pavlovic / E. Preldzic
PF: L. Amundson / J. Dudley / T. Griffin
C: A. Stoudemire / R. Lopez

Portland Trail Blazers

DRAFTED: Victor Claver (SF), Dante Cunningham (PF), Patrick Mills (PG)

TRADED FOR: Jeff Pendergraph (PF)

Claver is a top Spanish prospect, but he’ll likely spend a couple of years overseas before coming to the NBA. The Blazers made an interesting move in round 2, sending their #38 pick and Sergio Rodriguez to the Kings for the #31 pick, where they selected Arizona St. big man Jeff Pendergraph. Cunningham is another power forward, and their additions mean that Channing Frye is likely history. A very interesting rumor is that Kirk Hinrich has told friends he’s heading to Portland, and while the Blazers would love to have him, they drafted Patrick Mills and still have Jerryd Bayless around. By the way, is Martell Webster still alive?

PG: S. Blake / J. Bayless / P. Mills
SG: B. Roy / R. Fernandez / M. Webster
SF: N. Batum / T. Outlaw
PF: L. Aldridge / J. Pendergraph / D. Cunningham
C: G. Oden / J. Przybilla

Sacramento Kings

DRAFTED: Tyreke Evans (PG), Omri Casspi (SF)

TRADED FOR: Sergio Rodriguez (PG), Jon Brockman (PF)

Tyreke Evans was the “safe” pick at #4 overall, as he has excellent size, and can handle the rock and play defense. However, if the Kings had taken Stephen Curry, I can’t even imagine how teams would have tried to stop both Curry and Kev-Mart. Picking up Sergio Rodriguez for practially nothing was a nice move however, and many people are raving about this Casspi kid. Brockman stands just 6′7 and can’t block a shot to save his life, but he pulled down 11.5 boards (4.2 offensive) per game in college and is a banger.

PG: T. Evans / B. Udrih / S. Rodriguez
SG: K. Martin / R. McCants?
SF: F. Garcia / O. Casspi / D. Greene
PF: J. Thompson / A. Nocioni / J. Brockman / K. Thomas
C: S. Hawes

San Antonio Spurs

DRAFTED: DeJuan Blair (PF), Jack McClinton (G), Nando De Colo (PG)

TRADED FOR: Richard Jefferson (SF)

Somehow, the Spurs didn’t have a single 1st round pick in this year’s draft, but they still managed to improve their team by leaps and bounds. They landed Richard Jefferson without having to give up very much, giving them a very formidable small forward. Then they picked up the beefy DeJuan Blair at #37 overall, after he was a consensus Top 20 pick less than a month ago. If that wasn’t enough, they also landed the sweet-shooting Jack McClinton, who attempted 7 threes per game while making 45% of his shots from beyond the arc, making the Eddie House comparisons sound legit. De Colo is a top PG prospect from France, but since they don’t need his immediate help, he could stay overseas (where Tiago Splitter is also improving his game). The Spurs could use another experienced big man, but San Antonio looks like a title contender once again.

PG: T. Parker / G. Hill / J. McClinton
SG: R. Mason / M. Ginobili
SF: R. Jefferson / M. Finley?
PF: D. Blair / I. Mahinmi
C: T. Duncan / M. Bonner

Toronto Raptors

DRAFTED: DeMar DeRozan (SG)

With Anthony Parker likely leaving via free agency and Jason Kapono no longer in town, the Raptors were desperate for a swingman with star potential, and they found that in DeRozan. He’s still quite raw, but DeMar has an NBA body and is supposed to be a very hard worker. Given Toronto’s lack of depth, he may have to start for them even if he’s not ready. It sounds like Carlos Delfino is returning to Canada, and he could start as well to give the Raptors a 3-point shooting threat. If Toronto lets Shawn Marion sign elsewhere, who will they sign to replace him?

PG: J. Calderon / R. Ukic / M. Banks
SG: C. Delfino?
SF: D. DeRozan / J. Graham
PF: C. Bosh / R. Evans / K. Humphries
C: A. Bargnani / P. O’Bryant

Utah Jazz

DRAFTED: Eric Maynor (PG), Goran Suton (PF/C)

Eric Maynor was a very accomplished college player, and since the Jazz don’t have as many holes as the Hornets do, selecting a backup for Deron Williams wasn’t a bad idea. However, I don’t like their selection of Goran Suton, because his game is very similar to Okur and Koufos. Jerry Sloan obviously loves big men who can shoot the ball, but Utah could really benefit by adding a high-energy big man who plays above the rim. I’m assuming that both Millsap and Okur will re-sign, but if they don’t, Utah will be in trouble.

PG: D. Williams / E. Maynor
SG: R. Brewer / K. Korver
SF: A. Kirilenko / CJ Miles / M. Harpring
PF: P. Millsap / G. Suton
C: M. Okur? / K. Koufos / K. Fesenko

Washington Wizards

TRADED FOR: Randy Foye (G), Mike Miller (G/F), cash

Washington started with picks #5 and #32 overall, and they ended up with Randy Foye, Mike Miller, and some extra cash, getting rid of some unwanted contracts in the process. I admire the trade that they made, because they recognize that Jamison, Butler, and Arenas aren’t getting any younger, so they may as well try to win now. It’s a risky move, but if Arenas can stay healthy, the Wizards could do some damage next season. Foye gives them a combo guard who can either play behind or alongside Gilbert, and Miller gives them even more depth and versatility. It will be interesting to see what Flip Saunders can do with this squad.

PG: G. Arenas / R. Foye / M. James
SG: M. Miller / N. Young / J. Crittenton
SF: C. Butler / D. McGuire / D. Stevenson
PF: A. Jamison / A. Blatche
C: B. Haywood / J. McGee

Evil’s Biggest Draft Week Winners

1. Spurs
2. Cavaliers
3. Wizards
4. 76ers
5. Knicks

Evil’s Biggest Draft Week Losers

1. Bucks
2. Hornets
3. Suns
4. Grizzlies
5. Timberwolves (if they don’t trade Rubio or Flynn)

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2. NBA Mock Draft Sign-Up Add your name here if you want to sign-up for a Mock...
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Having already examined all of the other positions, here are your 2009 free agent centers.

I’ve done my best to double-check these figures, but if you see something that’s incorrect, please let me know. For the die-hard fantasy players, I’ve added “Fantasy Impact” tidbits where I see fit, but the stats are taking a backseat here. Once we have a clear picture of which players are staying, which players are available, and who the top options are at each position, I will take on the General Manager role and make suggestions for several teams. Enjoy…

Likely to Stay: Guaranteed Contracts

Jermaine O’Neal (Player Option for $23.0 million)

Currently, only 3 players are scheduled to earn $23 million or more next season: Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, and Jermaine O’Neal. One of those players is worth every penny, but the other two have been plagued by injuries and aren’t legit superstars. O’Neal hasn’t played 70+ games in a regular season since ‘03-04, and he averaged just 13 points and 5.4 boards after being traded to Miami. After he exercises his player option, I hope that Jermaine donates a nice chunk of that change to someone who needs it. Fantasy Impact: O’Neal is due for a solid healthy season, but he’s still one of the biggest risks come draft day.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas (Early Termination or $11.5 million)

At exactly 1/2 of Jermaine O’Neals salary, Ilgauskas seems like a bargain. However, at the age of 34, he wouldn’t command such a huge salary on the open market, so Big Z won’t be exercising his early termination option. Of course, when you’re a jump-shooting big man playing with LeBron, your situation is already about as good as it gets.

Eddy Curry (Early Termination or $10.5 million)

After averaging 35.2 mpg in ‘06-07 (under Isiah Thomas), Curry played a TOTAL of just 12 minutes in ‘08-09 (under Mike D’Antoni). Needless to say, he won’t be terminating his contract early. However, what makes his contract so terrible is that he has ANOTHER player option for the 2010-11 season in which he can make $11.3 million more. So when it’s all said and done, Curry will have made over $46 million over 6 seasons from the Knicks. I think that he and his agent owe Knicks fans an apology. Fantasy Impact: expect Curry to bounce back next season…NOT!

Mark Blount (Early Termination or $8.0 million)

After shooting over 50% from the field 4 seasons in a row from 2003 to 2007, Blount made just 38.5% of his shots this past season. If he’s not knocking down jumpers, Blount isn’t very useful, because he’s a terrible rebounder and is limited athletically. He’ll make $8 million next season, but after that his NBA career could be over.

Etan Thomas (Early Termination or $7.4 million)

You have to admire Etan Thomas for coming back from open heart surgery, but he struggled this past season, pulling down only 7.8 rebounds per 36 minutes (compared to 10.9 in ‘06-07). Now that both he and Brendan Haywood are healthy, it will be fun to hear about their practice battles once again. Fantasy Impact: if Etan and Haywood are healthy, that also means fewer minutes for JaVale McGee.

Jerome James (Player Option for $6.6 million)

Jerome who? After playing just 15 minutes in the past TWO seasons combined, it’s hard to remember that this guy is still in the league. Sure enough, James is going to make $6.6 million next season, for a grand total of $43.5 million over his last 8 seasons. In case you’re wondering, his career averages are 4.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.1 blocks, and 2.8 fouls in 13.4 minutes per game. I’d like to see a guard make that kind of money with such lousy numbers.

Kwame Brown (Player Option for $4.1 million)

After ripping on Eddy Curry and Jerome James, there’s no sparing Kwame Brown. The former #1 overall pick has scored 3,256 points and made $46,148,653 in his NBA career, which translates to $14,173.42 per point scored, or a cool $100 grand for every game that he’s played in. It’s hard to believe that he’s only 27, but since he’s a decent defensive player, he’ll likely be in the league for several more years.

Steven Hunter (Early Termination or $3.7 million)

Hunter was once a promising young prospect. Playing for the Suns in ‘04-05, at the age of 23, he shot 61.4% from the field and averaged 3.5 blocks to just 4.5 fouls per 36 minutes. His play has declined since then, and this past season, he fell out of Denver’s rotation and averaged just 1.8 blocks to 6.0 fouls per 36 minutes. He’s still just 26, but since he hasn’t done much recently, he would have trouble making more than $3.7 million per year. As a result he’ll return to the Nuggets, where he’ll only get a chance to play if they fail to re-sign The Birdman.

Francisco Elson (Player Option for $1.7 million)

Elson is also expected to exercise his player option, but at $1.7 million, his salary will be a little easier to swallow. He gives the Bucks another big body behind Andrew Bogut, but at 33 years old, he’s no better than teammate Dan Gadzuric.

Top 5 Centers Available

While I listed the Top 10 players available for all of the other positions, this year’s crop of centers is extremely thin, and in my opinion, only 5 of them will be highly coveted. They are:

1. Mehmet Okur (Early Termination or $9.0 million)

Okur is coming off a very strong season for Utah, and since he just turned 30, he wants to secure a big contract while he still can. Memo has said many positive things about the city of Utah, and he wants to stay in a Jazz uniform, but at the same time, he wants to get paid handsomely. On his website memo13.com, he recently stated: “I will not be changing teams if there is a difference of $3-5 million in the total worth of the new contract. I believe my managers and I have let our feelings be known (to) the Jazz management.” This makes it sound like he’s going to opt out of his contract to see what kind of money he can command as the #1 center available in 2009. Fantasy Impact: assuming he stays in Utah, his stats could go up even further without Boozer around.

2. Rasheed Wallace (Unrestricted)

‘Sheed was a great fit in Detroit, but after 5+ seasons, his Pistons career has come to an end. At the age of 34, Wallace is on the decline. He shot a career-low 41.9% from the field this past season, and his 13.5 points per 36 minutes was his lowest scoring average since his rookie year. However, he can still spread the floor and play rock solid defense, and he has plenty of moxie and experience. Since he could be the “missing piece,” several playoff teams will show interest this summer. One rumor has him going to Cleveland to play with LeBron (intriguing), while another has him retiring if he doesn’t earn $8 million next season (pulling a Sprewell).

3. Chris Andersen (Unrestricted)

In one of the best NBA comeback stories of all-time, Andersen rebounded from a 2-year drug suspension to re-join his former team and help lead them to the Western Conference Finals. Along the way, he finished 2nd in blocked shots and set career-highs in several categories. Now he’s an unrestricted free agent, and I’m guessing that several teams will be contacting his agent on July 1st. His excellent production as an energy big man off the bench is undeniable, but the value of his “Birdman” persona should also be considered. Andersen is one of the most electrifying players in the league, and as a result, he’d be a fan favorite on any team. Surely the Nuggets want to bring him back, but they’ll have to pay a pretty penny to keep him. Fantasy Impact: no matter where he plays, he’ll be one of the best shot-blockers around.

4. Marcin Gortat (Restricted)

The Magic tried to keep Gortat a secret in ‘07-08 by playing him in just 6 regular season games, but in 48 playoff minutes last year, Marcin managed to scored 10 points, pull down 8 boards, and block 4 shots. In 63 regular season games this past year, Gortat made 57% of his shots and averaged 4.6 boards, .8 blocks, and 1.8 fouls in just 12.6 minutes per game. Per 36 minutes, that translates to 13.0 boards (4.4 offensive), 2.4 blocks, and 5.0 fouls. He’s getting valuable playoff experience right now, and at the age of 25, his future looks bright. Orlando would love to keep him, but they’re going to have enough trouble bringing back Hedo Turkoglu. Fantasy Impact: if he lands in the right situation, Gortat could play big minutes next season.

5. Zaza Pachulia (Unrestricted)

Pachulia is actually the same age as Gortat, because he entered the NBA at the tender age of 19. With 6 years of experience under his belt, Zaza has developed into one of the most reliable backup centers in the league. He averaged just 19.1 minutes this past season, but he shot a career-best 49.7% from the field and pulled down 10.7 rebounds per 36 minutes. The Hawks have several free agent decisions to make this summer, and if they don’t act fast, Zaza could be playing for someone else next season.

26 and Under: Decent Talents

Ryan Hollins (Restricted)

This past season, Hollins played in just 45 games and averaged a quiet 3.2 points and 2.2 rebounds. However, it was a solid year for the 24-year old, as his per 36 minute stats translate to 11.6 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks. He also made 53% of his shots, and that number should rise as he gets more experience. Hollins is an excellent athlete for his size, and due to his relatively young age, I really like his potential. I’m not sure what Charlotte was thinking when they traded him to Dallas for DeSagana Diop, but now the Mavs will be able to match any offer made to Hollins. Fantasy Impact: for those wondering, Erick Dampier still has 2 agonizingly long years left on his contract.

Solomon Jones (Restricted)

Jones hasn’t improved much since his rookie year, so it will be interesting to see if the Hawks choose to bring him back. He’s a rather skinny big man, but his long wingspan and nice leaping ability help him to block and alter shots. His offense still needs a lot of work, and since he turns 25 in July, it’s questionable how high his upside really is.

Joel Anthony (Restricted)

Anthony turned some heads this past season, blocking 93 shots in limited minutes, for an average of 3.2 rejections per 36. Like Jones, Anthony has very long arms and is a restricted free agent this summer. One negative is that, despite only 2 years of NBA experience, Joel is already 26 years old. This means his upside is also limited, so Miami shouldn’t pay a lot to re-sign him. Fantasy Impact: is worth watching if Jermaine O’Neal can’t stay healthy.

Kyrylo Fesenko (Restricted or Team Option for $.9 million)

I’m a fan of Kyrylo Fesenko, but I’m not sure if Jerry Sloan is. The 22-year old still has a lot of maturing to do, but he has a huge body with big soft hands, and is fairly mobile for his size. Comparing both his NBA and D-League stats from his rookie year to sophomore year, he cut back on his turnovers and fouls while improving other aspects of his game. Having a guy like Kirilenko around to mentor him is hugely important, so I hope the Jazz exercise their team option on Fes.

Savvy Veterans: Solid and Cheap

Rasho Nesterovic (Unrestricted)

Believe it or not, Rasho set career highs this past season by averaging 14.0 points and 3.2 assists per 36 minutes played, and he’s shot over 50% from the field 4 seasons in a row. His rebounding and shot-blocking skills have declined, but he’s still a decent player on both ends of the floor, and at the age of 33, but he’s still a solid backup. Will the Pacers re-sign him, or are they ready to lean heavily on Roy Hibbert? Fantasy Impact: if he signs elsewhere, Hibbert and Jeff Foster will get more minutes.

Brian Skinner (Unrestricted or Player Option for $1.3 million)

Skinner was forced to play more minutes than expected due to several Clipper injuries, and he averaged a decent 7.5 points, 5.9 boards, and 1.4 blocks on 47% FG shooting in 21 starts. However, with Chris Kaman healthy and Blake Griffin arriving shortly, there won’t be much need for Skinner’s services in Los Angeles, so the 33-year old may not exercise his player option.

Theo Ratliff (Unrestricted)

Ratliff re-joined the 76ers this past season, the same team where he once averaged a league-best 3.7 blocked shots per game. At the age of 36, he’s still an elite shot-blocker, but after criticizing their coaching staff and skipping their final team meeting, Theo won’t be back in a Philly uniform.

Adonal Foyle (Unrestricted)

Foyle played a total of just 59 minutes this past season for Orlando, and in that limited action, he managed to rack up an incredible 26 rebounds and 8 blocks! So the 34-year old can still be effective, but his real value lies off the court, where he’s one of the smartest and most professional players around.

Sean Marks (Unrestricted)

He played in just 57 NBA games before the age of 29, but since then, Sean Marks has suited up for the Spurs, Suns, and Hornets. He’ll turn 34 in August and his skills are quite limited, but he’s a good 12th man/practice player, so another minimum contract seems likely.

Jamaal Magloire (Unrestricted)

He just turned 31, and he peaked a long time ago, but Magloire is still a serviceable backup center. He played 47 minutes this past postseason, and while he scored just 2 points, he pulled down 11 boards (5 offensive) and racked up 9 personal fouls. His career average of 10.8 rebounds per 36 minutes is very solid, and he’s still a physical defender who’s not afraid to mix it up. Someone will make room for the “Big Cat.”

Borderline Options: Risky or Unproven

Jason Collins (Unrestricted)

Jason Collins has started 429 games in his NBA career, so it’s tough to knock the guy. However, if you look at his detailed on court vs. off court stats, you’ll see that Minnesota was a MUCH better offensive team when he was on the bench, and they were a better defensive team when he was on the bench as well. Sure, he sets good screens and does the dirty work without complaining, but he’s become a major liability, and teams should be wary of signing him.

Lorenzen Wright (Unrestricted)

Over the past two seasons, Lo-Wright has played 286 minutes for 3 different teams, averaging 1.1 points and 1.8 rebounds in the process. He’s never been much of a scorer, but his rebounding rate has declined in recent years, and at the age of 33, it’s unlikely to bounce back. Someone may consider the 13-year veteran, but they’d have to be really desperate.

Mikki Moore (Unrestricted)

In ‘06-07, Mikki Moore had a career-year in New Jersey, averaging 9.8 points and leading the league in FG% by running the floor with Jason Kidd. Overestimating his abilities, the Kings decided to offer Moore $18 million for 3 years. After 1 1/2 disappointing seasons, Sacramento waived him. Luckily, the 3rd year wasn’t fully guaranteed, but they’ll still have to pay him $2 million next season. Mikki played in 24 regular season and 10 postseason games for the Celtics after being waived, but he didn’t give them the boost that they were hoping for (and sorely needed due to Garnett and Powe going down). At 33 years old, he is now a very risky option.

Aaron Gray (Restricted)

The good: Gray has excellent size, is a solid rebounder, and a decent touch around the rim. The bad: everything else. Gray is very limited athletically, so it’s no surprise that he fell out of Chicago’s rotation. He’s a restricted free agent, but I doubt that the Bulls want him back, so he’ll be available to any team that wants to take a chance on him.

Patrick O’Bryant (Restricted or Team Option for $1.6 million)

I’d really like to write this guy off, but since he’s fairly young (turns 23 on June 20th), he could still develop into a decent bench player I suppose. Despite three seasons of NBA experience, O’Bryant still picks up fouls left and right (for his career, he has 116 rebounds compared to 114 fouls), and after being traded twice already, his confidence can’t be very high. The Raptors have a team option for him, but they could opt for this next guy instead.

Nathan Jawai (Restricted or Team Option for $.7 million)

Since Jawai played just 19 minutes for the Raptors as a rookie, let’s examine his D-League stats instead. In 14 games, he averaged 11.1 points, 6.4 boards, 5.1 free throw attempts, 1.6 assists, 1.1 blocks, and 3.4 fouls in 24.1 minutes on 52.6% FG and 77.8% FT shooting. Decent stats, but nothing to write home about. He’s 22, he has a big body, and is fairly athletic, so the potential is still there, but he has a LONG ways to go before being an NBA rotation player.

Johan Petro (Restricted or Qualifying Offer for $2.9 million)

Petro has 4 years of NBA experience now, but his career is headed in the wrong direction. After shooting 51% from the field and averaging 1.4 blocks to 6.0 fouls per 36 minutes as a 20-year old rookie, Johan shot just 41.5% from the field and averaged .9 blocks to 6.9 fouls per 36 minutes as a 23-year old. He’s still young enough to turn his career around, but in my opinion, he rarely looks comfortable on the floor, and I’m guessing that he’ll continue to disappoint.

Robert Swift (Unrestricted)

Swift was the #12 pick in the 2004 draft (ahead of Al Jefferson, Josh Smith, Jameer Nelson, Kevin Martin, JR Smith, Trevor Ariza, etc.), and while injuries have certainly slowed him down, he needs to start producing immediately if he wants to stay in the NBA. In 26 games for the Thunder this past season, he averaged a mediocre 9.0 points, 9.3 rebounds, 1.8 blocks, and 5.2 fouls per 36 minutes. He’s still just 23, but it looks like picking him and Petro (ahead of David Lee, Ronny Turiaf, Monta Ellis, etc.) with back-to-back 1st round picks turned out to be a bad idea. Of course, that was before Sam Presti took over as GM.

Out of the League???

Raef LaFrentz (Unrestricted)

Raef LaFrentz didn’t play at all in ‘08-09, and he played sparingly for Portland in the couple of seasons before that. To see how much he’s fallen off, just look at his outside shot. After making 112-of-286 threes (39.2% 3P) in ‘05-06, Raefer has shot a sorry 2-27 from beyond the arc (7.4% 3P) since then. He isn’t very valuable without his 3-point shot, because LaFrentz is no longer the intimidating shot-blocker that he once was. At the age of 32, his NBA career might be over.

Chris Mihm (Unrestricted)

After missing the entire ‘06-07 season, Mihm played just 383 minutes for the Lakers over the past couple of years, shooting just 47-135 from the field in that timeframe. He was traded to Memphis in February, but had right ankle surgery and never suited up for them. Injuries have derailed his career, and at this point, he’s likely played his last NBA game.

Jake Voskuhl (Unrestricted)

Back in 2000, who knew that Jake Voskuhl (8.5 points and 6.4 rebounds for UConn in ‘99-00) would play in 400 more NBA games than Khalid El-Amin (16.0 points and 5.2 assists for UConn in ‘99-00 after leading them to a National Championship in 1999)? Since big bodies are always in demand, Voskuhl is a 9-year veteran, despite never having blocked more than 29 shots in a season. Someone might want his veteran presence around, but I would rather gamble on a young player with some athleticism.

Calvin Booth (Unrestricted)

Another overpaid 7-footer? Despite career averages of 3.3 points, 2.8 boards, 1.0 blocks, and 1.9 fouls, Booth managed to make over $36 million over the past 8 years. Can we please let him retire now?

Thanks for the Memories

Dikembe Mutombo (Retiring)

After 18 NBA seasons, nearly 1,300 regular and postseason games, 11,729 points scored, 12,359 rebounds, and 3,289 blocked shots, Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukamba Jean-Jacques Wamutombo’s playing career has finally come to an end. While some will only remember his as the finger-wagging 4-time Defensive Player of the Year, Mt. Mutombo was so much more than that. He was an underrated offensive player in his younger days, an outstanding teammate who could brighten up anyone’s day, and most importantly, a loving, caring soul who has made this world a better place. Both on and off the court, there will never be another Dikembe Mutombo.

If the NBA Cares so much, then why did they disable embedding of this excellent video???

Up next, Team Recommendations…

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Over the next couple of weeks, I will be trying to make some sense out of the 2009 NBA Free Agent class. There are plenty of other lists on the internet featuring “Top Free Agents,” but the ones I’ve seen tend to do a poor job of organizing the information that fans like myself want to know. In an effort to break this down in a useful manner, I am going to sort by position first rather than by team.

I’ve done my best to double-check these figures, but if you see something that’s incorrect, please let me know. For the die-hard fantasy players, I’ve added “Fantasy Impact” tidbits where I see fit, but the stats are taking a backseat here. Once we have a clear picture of which players are staying, which players are available, and who the top options are at each position, I will take on the General Manager role and make suggestions for several teams. Enjoy…

Likely to Stay: Guaranteed Contracts

Al Harrington (Player Option for $10.0 million)

Harrington is good, but he’s not worth $10 million a year, so he’ll surely exercise his player option for next season. After averaging 20.7 points and 2.4 treys for the Knicks, he’s gotta love his current situation. Fantasy Impact: unless New York drafts a power forward, Al will be a great fantasy player once again.

Brian Cook (Player Option for $3.5 million)

Brian Cook has 6 years of NBA experience, but it’s been a long time since he played meaningful minutes. I see “veterans minimum” in his future, so he better enjoy his $3.5 million salary while it lasts.

Malik Allen (Player Option for $1.3 million)

You’d expect him to be a solid rebounder, but Allen averaged just 6.4 rebounds compared to 5.5 fouls per 36 minutes this past season. He turns 31 in June, so this could be his last guaranteed contract. He’ll stay in Milwaukee to earn $1.3 million, and his playing time could increase if Villanueva leaves. Fantasy Impact: even without CV, his stat potential is extremely limited.

Likely to Stay: Good Value or Potential

Ian Mahinmi (Restricted or Team Option for $1.1 million)

For several years now, Mahinmi has been considered a young prospect in the Spurs organization. He put up stellar numbers in the D-League in ‘07-08, but his ‘08-09 season was derailed by an ankle injury. They’ve waited this long for him, so they may as well exercise their team option to keep him around for one more year. The potential is still there, but he needs to start producing.

Louis Amundson (Restricted or Team Option for $.9 million)

Amundson is another guy who put up excellent numbers in the D-League, and the Suns finally gave him a chance to play decent minutes this past season. After averaging 9.3 boards and 2.2 blocks per 36 minutes while shooting 54% from the field, the Suns will surely keep him around for one more year. Louis seems like a good guy to have around, and at less than $1 million, he’s one of the cheapest reliable backups around.

Top 10 Power Forwards Available

1. Carlos Boozer (Unrestricted or Player Option for $12.7 million)

Despite having nearly $13 million on the table, Boozer is planning to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. Supposedly, he’s already told friends that he’s going to sign with either Detroit or New Jersey. As a 27-year old in his prime, he’s hoping to get a very lucrative long-term deal. Fantasy Impact: he’ll get as many shots and rebounds as he can handle on the Pistons, but with Brook Lopez around in New Jersey, it might be a different story.

2. David Lee (Restricted or Qualifying Offer for $2.7 million)

I’m 98% sure that the Knicks are going to retain D. Lee, but if another team signs him to an insane contract, who knows if New York will match? Considering that he’s coming off an incredible season, he just turned 26, and is extremely fun to watch, the guy is due for a HUGE raise. This is still way premature, but it’s hard not to think about Lee and LeBron running the floor together in 2010.

3. Paul Millsap (Restricted)

While I’m 98% sure about Lee, I’m 99% sure that Millsap will stay in Utah. With Boozer leaving, that clears some cap space for the Jazz, and Utah management has already said that they’ll be willing to pay the luxury tax to retain his services. He embodies what Jerry Sloan’s Jazz are all about, and they’re going to need his presence in the paint with Boozer gone. Fantasy Impact: anyone who can drop 19 straight double-doubles is a badass, and Millsap will get more scoring opportunities next season. My only concern is that the heavy workload may start to take a toll as the season wears on.

4. Lamar Odom (Unrestricted)

There’s a good chance that both Lee and Millsap will stay with their current teams, but the opposite is true for Odom. The Lakers don’t have much salary cap room to bring him back, so Lamar will likely be playing for someone else next season. One team with significant cap space is the Oklahoma City Thunder, and I think he’d be a great fit there. Since Russell Westbrook isn’t the best ball-handler, Odom can help out a lot in that regard. He can also play alongside Durant and Green, or substitute for either one. Most importantly, he would become their veteran leader with championship experience. Fantasy Impact: assuming he leaves Los Angeles, Odom’s value is going up next year.

5. Charlie Villanueva (Restricted or Qualifying Offer for $4.6 million)

Sometime before the draft, Milwaukee will decide whether they want to keep Ramon Sessions, Charlie Villanueva, or neither player. Since it’s a PG-heavy draft, common sense would be for them to keep Villanueva and draft a point guard. However, they could also draft DeJuan Blair and let Charlie go. If that’s the case, several teams will be interested in the versatile forward. He set career-highs in several categories this past season, and at the age of 24, his best basketball is still ahead of him.

6. Drew Gooden (Unrestricted)

It’s easy to forget about Gooden because he ended the season playing limited minutes for the Spurs. However, he’s still just 27, and he’s still an excellent rebounder and capable offensive player. He doesn’t add much excitement or upside, but he should get the job done for a fairly low salary. As an unrestricted FA, Gooden will get to choose who he wants to play for next. Fantasy Impact: he had a down year in ‘08-09, but don’t forget about him on draft day.

7. Brandon Bass (Unrestricted)

Some people might rank Big Baby ahead of him, but in my book, Brandon Bass is the superior LSU power forward. Both players can knock down open shots, but Bass is the better defender, and in my opinion, a more efficient player. I’m sure that Dallas appreciates what he brings to the table, but if they re-sign Kidd, they probably won’t be able to afford Bass this summer. For the teams that miss out on Odom and Villanueva, they’d be wise to steer their attention over to the 24-year old who attacks the rim with ferocity.

8. Anderson Varejao (Unrestricted or Player Option for $6.2 million)

$5-6 million per year seems about right for Varejao, but it sounds like he’s going to decline his player option in hopes of more money. I’m not sure how this will play out, as Cleveland surely wants him back, but only for the right price. Sideshow V is a solid player, but his upside is limited, and I would rather have Bass or McDyess.

9. Antonio McDyess (Unrestricted)

The 13-year NBA veteran is still one of the most coveted free agent power forwards, which shows how effective he is and how his game evolved after he blew out his knee. Most likely he’ll only play for a contender at this point, and I’m sure he’ll have several suitors since he seems like such a great guy to have in the locker room.

10. Glen Davis (Restricted)

Sure, he looked good in the playoffs, but I’m still not sold on Big Baby Davis. He’s a liability on defense due to his limited length, penchant for fouling, and below average rebounding skills, and his emotional outbursts are a little too much for me. That being said, the Celtics will likely retain him, since Leon Powe is a major risk (see below) and Garnett’s health is still a question mark. Fantasy Impact: if KG isn’t the same next season, Davis could play more minutes and put up decent stats for owners in deep leagues.

26 and Under: Decent Talents

Hakim Warrick (Restricted or Qualifying Offer for $3.0 million)

Warrick has improved each season, but he’s yet to prove that he’s a reliable NBA starter. He’s versatile offensively, but a poor rebounder and undersized for the 4 spot. I have a tough time gauging how much money he’s worth, and I’m sure there are some general managers who feel the same way.

Steve Novak (Restricted)

Novak finally got a chance to play big minutes, and he made the most of it, making 1.7 treys per game on 41.6% 3P shooting. There’s always a market for 6′10 guys who can spread the floor, and Novak will certainly have some suitors over the summer. If the Clippers draft Blake Griffin and aren’t able to move Zach Randolph, will they pay Novak to sit on the bench? Fantasy Impact: if he stays in Los Angeles, his value will be limited.

Chris Wilcox (Unrestricted)

He’s been an underachiever for most of his 7 year career, but he’s still just 26, and part of me still believes in Chris Wilcox. He says that he enjoyed playing for Mike D’Antoni and would like to return to New York, but I’m not sure if the Knicks want him back.

Shelden Williams (Unrestricted or Team Option for $4.3 million)

Atlanta picking him 5th overall in the ‘06 draft is still laughable, and he’s definitely not an NBA starter, but Shelden Williams has proven to be a serviceable body off the bench. Both Minnesota and Sacramento were better defensive teams when he was on the floor, he’s a solid offensive rebounder, and he has plenty of weight to throw around. Is he worth $4.3 million? No, but there are worse backup big men out there.

Channing Frye (Restricted or Qualifying Offer for $4.3 million)

Remember when Channing Frye averaged 12.8 points and 5.8 boards as a rookie and was considered “untouchable”? Since then, things have gone drastically downhill, and I’m not even sure if I’d want him as my 12th man. Having just turned 26, he still might bounce back, but few teams (if any) will be offering him a long-term contract.

Ike Diogu (Restricted or Qualifying Offer for $3.9 million)

It’s tough to hate on Diogu, because ever since his rookie year, he hasn’t gotten much of an opportunity to play. This past season, Ike had only 2 games where he played 20+ minutes, and in those 2 games, he scored 60 points on 24-37 FG shooting, to go along with 24 rebounds. Will the Kings keep him to see what he’s really capable of? Fantasy Impact: file Ike in the “could put up numbers if he ever got a chance” group.

Ersan Ilyasova (Restricted)

Remember this guy? The Bucks still own the rights to their 2nd round pick in the ‘05 draft, and after playing in 66 games for Milwaukee in ‘06-07, Ilyasova has played fairly well in Spain recently. In 32 games in the ACB league this past season, Ersan averaged 10.7 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 1.4 threes in just 23 minutes per game while shooting 50.4% from the field and a blistering 47.8% from beyond the arc. He’s pretty skinny, but has good length, can shoot the lights out, and is a surprisingly solid rebounder. If Villanueva leaves town, the Bucks (and other teams) should definitely consider bringing him back to the NBA. Fantasy Impact: keep him on your radar, especially if you’re in a deep keeper league.

Savvy Veterans: Solid and Cheap

James Singleton (Unrestricted)

It’s hard to call a guy with only 3 years of NBA experience a veteran, but Singleton turns 28 in July and he really established himself this past season. If the Mavs keep Brandon Bass, they may have to let Singleton go, and there are plenty of teams who could use his energy off the bench.

Joe Smith (Unrestricted)

Having played for 10 different teams in his 14 year career, Joe Smith has been around the block. His performance hasn’t dropped off as much as you’d expect, so he could be back for another year or two. I wouldn’t give him more than the veterans minimum, but he’s a solid guy to have in the locker room.

Juwan Howard (Unrestricted)

At 36 years old, Howard proved that he’s still capable of playing decent backup minutes for Charlotte. He could very well retire over the summer, but if not, he’s another solid veteran presence.

Donyell Marshall (Unrestricted)

Did you know? Donyell Marshall is one of just 6 players to record over 800 threes and 800 blocks (the others are Dirk Nowitzki, Scottie Pippen, Cliff Robinson, Rasheed Wallace, and Sam Perkins). The 15 year NBA veteran can still shoot the three ball, and he even played 50 minutes for the 76ers in their 1st round playoff matchup with Orlando. If I were a GM I would much rather have Steve Novak, but someone might bring Marshall back for another go.

Borderline Options: Risky or Unproven

Leon Powe (Restricted)

After 3 major knee surgeries, Powe is now a serious medical risk. It’s unfortunate, because he’s proven to be a solid backup when healthy. The Celtics have the right to match any offer made to him, but if they manage to keep Big Baby, they’ll probably let Powe walk.

Sean May (Restricted or Qualifying Offer for $3.7 million)

Sean May hasn’t been the same player since having microfracture surgery, and since he carries so much weight on his frame, it’s unlikely that he’ll ever recover 100%. I doubt anyone is going to make him an offer, so he’d be wise to accept Charlotte’s qualifying offer.

Stromile Swift (Unrestricted)

The perennial disappointment turns 30 in November, and at this point, his downside probably outweighs his upside. The Stro Show should consider himself lucky if he gets another NBA contract.

Melvin Ely (Unrestricted)

When Sean Marks plays twice as much as you, you average just 6.2 rebounds per 36 minutes, and you shoot under 40% from the field, things aren’t looking good for your career. Melvin Ely is coming off his worst season ever, and at the age of 31, he still hasn’t proven to be a reliable backup in the NBA. Will he still be in the league next year?

Cedric Simmons (Unrestricted or Team Option for $2.7 million)

Simmons has already played for 4 different teams in his brief NBA career, so he’s clearly not showing teams what they’re hoping to see. It’s unlikely that the Kings will exercise their team option, so Simmons will be free to sign with anyone.

Josh McRoberts (Restricted)

McRoberts averaged just 10.3 points per 36 minutes this past season, but he was playing in his home state of Indiana and he’s still just 22. Of all of the guys in this group, he probably has the most upside, and considering their penchant for white Americans, the Pacers will likely retain him.

Shavlik Randolph (Unrestricted)

Technically, Randolph has 4 years of NBA experience under his belt, but over the last 2, he’s totaled just 64 minutes. In those limited minutes, he’s scored 26 points, pulled down 29 boards (19 offensive), blocked 4 shots, and picked up 9 fouls, so he’s definitely an active body. Quite frankly, I would sign Shavlik over guys like May and Swift.

Rob Kurz (Restricted)

Kurz played fairly well as a rookie, making 39.5% of his threes and doing enough of the little things to impress Don Nelson. Depending on their other offseason moves, the Warriors could bring him back.

Othello Hunter (Restricted)

Hunter played a total of just 92 minutes as rookie, recording 24 boards, 5 blocks, and 11 fouls. He’ll probably get another chance to prove himself, but he’s got a long ways to go.

Out of the League???

Maceo Baston (Unrestricted)

Baston is an accomplished player overseas, but he’s played 4 seasons in the NBA without finding his niche. At the age of 34, it looks like he never will. The Pacers could use some help at power forward, but after averaging just 8.6 rebounds compared to 6.5 fouls per 36 minutes last season, they should look elsewhere for help.

Michael Ruffin (Unrestricted)

He’s still just 32, but Ruffin played a TOTAL of just 35 minutes this past season for Portland. He’s still a rugged rebounder, but his skills are declining and he has virtually no upside to speak of. Most likely, he’ll only be considered if someone gets hurt during the regular season.

Malik Rose (Unrestricted)

Despite career averages of just 6.2 points and 4.1 rebounds, Malik Rose has made a whopping $42.5 million over the past 10 seasons. He’s shot UNDER 40% from the field 4 seasons in a row, and at the age of 34, he brings very little to the table. I’ll be shocked if he’s back for a 14th season.

Up next, the centers…

Related posts:

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2. Breaking Down the 2009 Free Agent Class: Point Guards Where do Nate, Kidd, and Sessions rank among this year’s group of...
3. Breaking Down the 2009 Free Agent Class: Centers The Birdman and Gortat are two of the top available free agent...

Growing up in the late 80’s/early 90’s, it was impossible to not watch Saved by the Bell. I suppose it was a decent show, but the main reason for watching was Kelly Kapowski, played by the lovely Tiffani-Amber Thiessen.

With stunning blue eyes (thanks to her dad), light olive skin (thanks to her mom and tanning oil), and a unique chin, you couldn’t miss her. And when she cut her hair short and her bosom magically grew during Beverly Hills 90210, she became a full-blown goddess. This culminated in what has to be considered one of the greatest beach photoshoots of all-time (see below, WARNING: nudity).

As for Saved by the Bell, the shows 20th anniversary is this summer, and that spaz Jimmy Fallon has decided to do something about it. He’s been pushing for a reunion for awhile now, and on Monday, June 8th, most (if not ALL) of the original cast is going to appear on his show. Normally, I would rather stare at Popeye Jones pictures than watch Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, but I’ll be tuning in for this one.

With the school year ending and bikinis coming out en masse for the summer, I couldn’t think of a more appropriate June hottie. As for the NBA Finals, it appears that Kelly Kapowski was a Lakers fan, which is a very bad sign for Dwight Howard & company.

For more photos and all things Tiffani, visit: http://www.tiffanithiessen.org/

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Over the next couple of weeks, I will be trying to make some sense out of the 2009 NBA Free Agent class. There are plenty of other lists on the internet featuring “Top Free Agents,” but the ones I’ve seen tend to do a poor job of organizing the information that fans like myself want to know. In an effort to break this down in a useful manner, I am going to sort by position first rather than by team.

After that, I will organize players into a variety of categories. I’ve done my best to double-check these figures, but if you see something that’s incorrect, please let me know. For the die-hard fantasy players, I’ve added “Fantasy Impact” tidbits where I see fit, but the stats are taking a backseat here. Once we have a clear picture of which players are staying, which players are available, and who the top options are at each position, I will take on the General Manager role and make suggestions for several teams. Enjoy…

Likely to Stay: Guaranteed Contracts

Quentin Richardson (Early Termination or $9.4 million)

He shot under 40% FG for the 6th time in the past 7 years, but Q-Rich did manage to average 10.2 points and start 51 games for New York. With $9.4 millionion on the table and a coach who lets him jack up as many threes as he wants, there’s absolutely no way that Q will terminate his contract early.

Kyle Korver (Early Termination or $5.2 million)

Korver continues to be a key component of Utah’s rotation, as his 3-point shooting is essential and his defense isn’t as bad as most people think. With $5.2 millionion waiting for him, it’s highly unlikely that he’ll opt out of his contract.

Joey Graham (Restricted or Qualifying Offer for $3.4 million)

After 4 NBA seasons, Graham has yet to really take his game to the next level. His defense is solid, but his offense is inconsistent at best. I doubt anyone will offer Joey more than $3 millionion per year, so he’ll likely have to accept his $3.4 millionion qualifying offer.

Ricky Davis (Unrestricted or Player Option for $2.5 million)

Did anyone have a worse season than Ricky Davis? He missed 45 games due to a knee injury and suspension, and he averaged just 6.4 points on a pathetic 33.9% shooting from the field. After that disastrous season, it’s unlikely that another team will give him more than $2.5 millionion per year, so he’ll probably exercise his player option and try to bounce back with the Clippers.

Devean George (Unrestricted or Player Option for $2.0 million)

George also had a rough season, averaging just 3.4 points before having arthroscopic surgery on his knee in March. Over the past 2 seasons, Devean has made just 36.7% of his shots, so I doubt that anyone will give him more than the veteran’s minimum. As a result, he’ll likely exercise his player option for $2 millionion.

Yakhouba Diawara (Restricted or Player Option for $.9 million)

Diawara struggled in his 3rd NBA season, shooting just 35% from the field and bringing very little to the table offensively. He’s still a solid defender, but he hasn’t improved much since he came into the league, so he’ll likely exercise his option to stay in Miami and keep his guaranteed contract.

Likely to Stay: Good Value

Jarvis Hayes (Unrestricted or Team Option for $2.0 million)

While Hayes certainly isn’t New Jersey’s long-term answer at small forward, the 27-year old had a decent season, shooting a career-best 44.5% from the field and 38.5% from beyond the arc. Considering that he also plays solid defense, $2 million is a pretty good price for the veteran. In a recent interview he said that thinks he’ll be back, so it sounds like the Nets are going to exercise their team option on him.

Top 10 Small Forwards Available

1. Hedo Turkoglu (Early Termination or $7.4 million)

Turkoglu has really blossomed in Orlando, becoming one of the league’s top clutch scorers who can hurt you in a variety of ways. Whether the Magic win the title or not, it seems likely that Hedo will terminate his contract early. As one of the top free agents of 2009, he should have no problem getting over $8 million per year, so it makes sense for him to opt out while his stock is high. What sucks for Orlando is that they probably won’t be able to keep him due to the exorbitant contract that they gave Rashard Lewis last year. Fantasy Impact: if Hedo leaves the sunshine state, everyone else’s stats will go up.

2. Ron Artest (Unrestricted)

Artest quietly had a strong year, leading Houston to a 7th game against the Lakers in the 2nd round of the playoffs despite losing McGrady in the middle of the season and Yao at the very end. He played his usual brand of stellar defense while also making a career-best 2.2 threes on 40% 3P shooting. If there weren’t concerns about his age (turns 30 in November), his durability (has played 75+ games just once in his career), and his overall craziness (have you seen his latest vid?), then he would be #1 on this list. He’s going to have many suitors, but he may just stay in Houston.

3. Trevor Ariza (Unrestricted)

Has any player improved their free agent value more than Trevor Ariza this postseason? I don’t think so. The rising star turns 24 at the end of the month, and he’s going to get a BIG contract this summer. He’s always been a great slasher and defender, but his outside shot has improved by leaps and bounds. Before he got to the Lakers, Ariza had shot just 4-28 (14.3%) from beyond the arc, but since then (including the playoffs), he’s made 97-of-270 (35.9%) treys. Ariza will only get better as his offensive game continues to expand, so his future looks extremely bright. The Lakers will do everything they can this summer to retain him, but who knows how much another team might offer?

4. Shawn Marion (Unrestricted)

Marion’s value has declined quite a bit since he left Mike D’Antoni’s system in Phoenix, but he’s still a solid all-around forward who could be a big asset for any team that wants to run-and-gun. One negative is that he turned 30 in May, but he’s not the veteran leader that one would hope for. For Toronto, they first need to decide if they’re going to keep Chris Bosh or not. Marion wants to play for a winner, and without Bosh, the Raptors will have a tough time doing that. Fantasy Impact: Toronto’s roster could look very different next season, so pay close attention to them over the summer.

5. Marvin Williams (Restricted or Qualifying Offer for $7.4 million)

This is a tough one, as Marvin turns 23 in June and still has a lot of potential. However, he’s missed a lot of games in his young career and if I were a GM, I would want to see more from him before offering him a lucrative long-term contract. Sure, he extended his range to the 3-point line this past season, but he’s still an average defender who doesn’t wow you in any particular way. Do most teams feel the same way, or will someone tender him a sweet deal? I think there’s an outside shot that Williams could get traded, but most likely, he’ll accept the qualifying offer and become an unrestricted free agent next year.

6. Josh Childress (Restricted)

Remember him? After playing for Olympiakos in Greece this past season, Childress has said that he’ll weigh his options over the summer. This means that he could be returning to the NBA, where Atlanta still owns his rights and would be able to match any offer for him. I would love to see J-Chill back in the league, but the Hawks already found a serviceable replacement for him (Mo Evans), and they have other free agent decisions to make (Bibby, Flip, Marvin, etc.). It wouldn’t surprise me at all if an NBA team lures him back and the Hawks let him go. Fantasy Impact: if Childress returns, don’t forget about him on draft day. The guy is too good to not get minutes.

7. Linas Kleiza (Restricted or Qualifying Offer for $2.7 million)

He didn’t get a lot of playing time for Denver in the playoffs, but Kleiza is still a very talented Lithuanian baller. And at the age of 24, his best days are still ahead of him. The Nuggets have several other free agents to worry about (Chris Andersen, Anthony Carter, Dahntay Jones, etc.), so they might not have enough cash to keep Linas. He’s a decent shooter who can run the floor well, but his defense is still rather suspect. Has he proven enough to get a long-term deal?

8. Grant Hill (Unrestricted)

At the age of 36, Grant Hill is still an above average NBA small forward. He’s extremely versatile on defense and very efficient on offense (58.4% TS), and he seems like a great locker room presence. So how much are the Suns willing to pay him? Basically, Phoenix needs to decide if they’re trying to win now (keep Nash, Shaq, and Hill), or if they’re better off re-building. If it’s the latter, Hill will have no problem leaving to join a contender.

9. Rodney Carney (Unrestricted)

Hoopshype says that Minnesota has a Team Option for $2.5 million on Carney, but after doing some research, that appears to be incorrect. The 25-year old made great strides this past season, especially after Kevin McHale took over as head coach. He used his superb athleticism to become Minnesota’s best perimeter defender, and he became a legit outside threat by averaging 2.4 threes per 36 minutes on 35% 3P shooting. In the postseason we’ve seen how valuable a guy like Mickael Pietrus can be, and Carney can play a similar role if he joins the right team and continues to develop. With Corey Brewer returning from injury, Carney might be leaving Minnesota.

10. Jamario Moon (Restricted)

Some of his numbers were way down this season, but Moon seemed to be rejuvenated after being traded to Miami. The Heat will be able to match any offer made to him, but their current payroll is already pretty high and they may want to go in a different direction. Jamario has 2 years of NBA experience under his belt, but he’s already 28, so his upside seems limited. Personally, I would much rather sign Carney.

Savvy Veterans: Solid and Cheap

Matt Barnes (Unrestricted)

After signing a 1-year deal with Phoenix last summer, Barnes is a free agent once again. With Grant Hill’s status also up in the air, the Suns have some decisions to make at small forward. Barnes is younger and more versatile offensively, but Hill is the superior defender. If Phoenix doesn’t want him back, he should have no problem finding a new home.

Michael Finley (Unrestricted or Player Option for $2.5 million)

At this point in his career, the 14-year veteran is strictly an outside shooter. Finley used to take it hard to the basket, but this past season he averaged a meager 1.0 free throw attempts per 36 minutes. However, he shot a career-best 41.1% from beyond the arc, and has shot over 36% 3P for 7 years in a row now. This summer, he could either exercise his player option, retire, or sign with another team.

Ime Udoka (Unrestricted)

What Finley decides to do may effect what happens to Udoka. Ime’s 3-point shooting plummeted to just 32.8% in ‘08-09, but he’s still an excellent defender who is willing to do all the dirty work. If Finley leaves or retires, the Spurs might bring Udoka back for a minimum salary, but if Finley stays, Udoka will likely sign with someone else.

Damien Wilkins (Unrestricted)

Wilkins has already said that he’s going to exercise his early termination option because he wants more playing time, so he’ll be an unrestricted free agent this summer. Statistically, he had his worst season ever, averaging just 5.3 points on 36.2% FG shooting. However, he’s a versatile swingman who should bounce back a bit next season, and he won’t cost that much either.

Wally Szczerbiak (Unrestricted)

After struggling in the Orlando series, it seems like a certainty that Wally won’t be back in Cleveland next year. But the 32-year old can still contribute, and with his experience and hustle, he should be a solid locker room presence for someone.

Borderline Options: Risky

Stephen Graham (Unrestricted)

Stephen finally got a chance to play decent minutes this past season, but he still has a ways to go before proving that he’s a solid rotation player. He’s a decent defender, but he made just 30% of his threes and is a poor rebounder. Unlike his brother Joey, he doesn’t have a guaranteed contract for next season, and considering his age (he turns 27 in June), his upside is limited.

Gerald Green (Unrestricted)

At the young age of 23, Green has already played for 4 different teams, which is not a good sign. In ‘07-08, he made 38.5% of his threes and averaged 4.5 fouls per 36 minutes, but those numbers declined to 30.4% 3P and 4.9 fouls per 36 minutes this past season. Some team will give him another chance based on his athleticism alone, but potential only gets you so far in life.

Out of the League???

Ryan Bowen (Unrestricted)

To be honest, I’m amazed that Bowen even lasted this long. The 9-year NBA vet has career averages of 2.6 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.5 fouls in 12.8 minutes per game, and he’s made a TOTAL of just 14 threes in 6,494 total minutes. He was once a solid hustle player off the bench, but at the age of 33, it’s almost painful to watch him run up and down the floor now. As the #55 pick in the 1998 draft, Bowen’s NBA career has lasted longer than Michael Olowokandi (#1 pick), Robert Traylor (#6), Jason Williams (#7), Bonzi Wells (#11), Michael Doleac (#12), Keon Clark (#13), Michael Dickerson (#14), and many others, which is a pretty impressive feat.

Walter Herrmann (Restricted)

Walter might be done with the NBA as well, but his situation is entirely different. As an excellent 3-point shooter (38.1% 3P for his career) and above average athlete, Herrmann just never got the playing time that he hoped for in the states. As a result, he’s likely headed back to Spain, where he’ll probably average 20 points, 8 boards, and 3 treys per game. It’s a shame that we won’t get to see more of Fabio, because his finger roll is a thing of beauty. Fantasy Impact: if you’re in a Euro fantasy league, don’t forget about Herman!

Up next, the power forwards…

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In ‘91-92, the Magic went 21-61 (2nd worst record in the league) in just their 3rd NBA season. Afterwards, they won the #1 pick in the 1992 draft, which allowed them to select a young big man named Shaquille O’Neal.

A dozen years later, they finished with the EXACT same record, won the the #1 pick again, and selected Dwight Howard. In both cases, Orlando soon made it to the NBA Finals behind the dominant play of their powerful centers. But were you watching them back in ‘91-92?

To refresh your memory, here are basketball cards of 14 guys who played for them that season. If you claim to be a true Magic fan, and if you were born before 1982, then you should be able to name at least 10 of them. This challenge is much harder than the Lakers one, so I’ll give serious props to anyone who can name all 14.

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Don’t cheat by looking up their roster!

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1. ?
2. ?
3. ?
4. ?
5. ?
6. ?
7. ?
8. ?
9. ?
10. ?
11. ?
12. ?
13. ?
14. ?
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Don’t cheat by looking at someone else’s answers!

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Check out that killer squad!

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In ‘93-94, the Lakers lost 49 games and finished 5th in the Pacific Division. They went thru 3 different coaches, their total attendance ranked 22nd out of 27 teams, and their leading scorer averaged just 14.2 points per game. Needless to say, it was a far cry from the “Showtime” era.

Things started to improve the next season after drafting Eddie Jones, and since then, they’ve won 65% of their regular season games, made the playoffs in 14 of the past 15 years, and been to the NBA Finals 6 times. As one of the winningest franchises in sports history, it hasn’t been hard to be an L.A. Lakers fan. But were you there in ‘93-94???

To refresh your memory, here are cards of 14 guys who played for them that season. If you claim to be a true Lakers fan, and if you were born before 1985, then you should be able to name at least 12 of them. The first few are easy, but after that it gets a little more challenging. Let’s find out who the die-hard fans are!

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Don’t cheat by looking up their roster!

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1. ?
2. ?
3. ?
4. ?
5. ?
6. ?
7. ?
8. ?
9. ?
10. ?
11. ?
12. ?
13. ?
14. ?
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Don’t cheat by looking at someone else’s answers!

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Did you get all 14?!?

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Over the next couple of weeks, I will be trying to make some sense out of the 2009 NBA Free Agent class. There are plenty of other lists on the internet featuring “Top Free Agents,” but the ones I’ve seen tend to do a poor job of organizing the information that fans like myself want to know. In an effort to break this down in a useful manner, I am going to sort by position first rather than by team. After that, I will organize players into a variety of categories. I mean, it’s easy for ESPN to separate “Restricted” and “Unrestricted” free agents, but what about separating players “Likely to Stay” with their current teams and players “Available” on the market? I’ve done my best to double-check these figures, but if you see something that’s incorrect, please let me know. For the die-hard fantasy players, I’ve added “Fantasy Impact” tidbits where I see fit, but the stats are taking a backseat here. Once we have a clear picture of which players are staying, which players are available, and who the top options are at each position, I will take on the General Manager role and make suggestions for several teams. Enjoy.

Likely to Stay: Just Because

Kobe Bryant (Early Termination or $23.0 million)

When it comes to Kobe, ANYTHING is possible, but after playing over 41,000 minutes (regular season + playoffs) for the Lakers and basically growing up in front of our eyes, it only seems right for him to retire in purple and gold. So assuming he stays in Los Angeles, the main questions are: How many more championships will he win? How many more All-NBA seasons does he have left in the tank? Who will his teammates be over the next few years? All three questions are related, and what happens this summer could have a major impact on that.

According to ESPN and Hoopshype, Kobe has an Early Termination Option after this season. If he does NOT exercise it, he’ll make $23.03 million in ‘09-10 and then $24.81 million in ‘10-11. So if he doesn’t terminate his contract early, the Lakers will pay him exactly $47,840,625 over the next two seasons. That’s a lot of money, but he probably deserves every penny. However, even WITHOUT signing Odom, Ariza, and Shannon Brown, that would put the Lakers over next season’s expected luxury tax threshold. Not good for Laker fans, or for Kobe Bryant’s legacy.

So… if Kobe is willing to take a pay cut, then he should exercise his early termination option and structure a new deal (his very last one?) that pays him less money but is more cap-friendly to his organization. If he takes a BIG pay cut, it would allow the Lakers to keep Ariza while still giving them a bit of cap flexibility in the near future. Mitch Kupchak would then be able to continue surrounding him with superior talent, and thus, the odds of Kobe winning more championships and continuing to play at an All-NBA level would improve greatly. Of course, what happens over the next few weeks will play a part in all of this, so stay tuned…

Likely to Stay: Guaranteed Contracts

Jamal Crawford (Early Termination or $9.4 million)

As a Warriors fan, I would love it if Crawford decided to terminate his contract early, but who in their right mind would give up $9.4 million dollars? That’s not going to happen, which means that this feud/saga will continue to drag on. Golden State would also like to trade Jamal, but he has another two years and $19.4 million left on his contract, which means that any team saving up for the summer of 2010 is not going to go near him.

What bothers me most about this situation is that it’s a direct result of Don Nelson not getting along with Al Harrington (Nellie clashed with Al, so they had to trade him to New York for Crawford), which is disturbingly similar to what happened between Nellie and Chris Webber 15 years ago. Whether right or wrong, one major responsibility of being an NBA head coach is finding a way to get along with your key players, and time and time again, Don Nelson has struggled with that. His unrelenting ego has forced the team to make several poor transactions, and as a result, they’ve lost 296 more games than they’ve won since Webber was traded. Meanwhile, the pathethic duo of owner Chris Cohan and team president Bobby Rowell continue to be the biggest jokes around. I think I’m going to be a Clippers fan next season…

Trenton Hassell (Early Termination or $4.4 million)

Trenton Hassell has one year left on the 5 year, $21.75 million contract that he signed in 2004, and something tells me that he won’t be terminating it early. The 8-year vet was one of New Jersey’s worst players in ‘08-09, and his role will be reduced even further next season. At least he’ll have some value when the trade deadline nears.

Rashad McCants (Restricted or Qualifying Offer for $3.6 million)

After averaging 14.9 points and 1.9 threes on 40.7% 3P shooting in ‘07-08, McCants took a step backwards in ‘08-09. His outside shooting fell to just 33.3% 3P, and he was traded to Sacramento before the deadline. I don’t feel that Rashad is much of a short-term or long-term solution for the Kings, so I don’t suggest they offer him a new contract. Unfortunately, I don’t think he’s going to receive many lucrative offers, so he’ll probably just accept the qualifying offer of $3.6 million and try to improve his value by playing better next season.

Likely to Stay: Too Much Potential

Anthony Morrow (Restricted or Team Option for $.7 million)

One reason Nellie is so eager to get rid of Crawford is because Anthony Morrow showed such incredible promise as a rookie. He led the league with a blistering 46.7% 3P shooting, and showed that he’s very poised and willing to put in the extra effort to get better. The Warriors will surely exercise their team option for next season, and if they’re smart, they’ll extend his contract before Morrow can get away. Fantasy Impact: if Nellie forces Crawford to watch in street clothes, then Morrow will have some value, but remember that Jackson and Belinelli are there too.

Chris Douglas-Roberts (Restricted or Team Option for $.7 million)

In ‘08-09, Hassell averaged 20.6 minutes compared to just 13.3 mpg for Douglas-Roberts, but those numbers will likely be reversed next season. CDR played fairly well for a rookie, and has very good potential on both ends of the floor. New Jersey will surely keep Derrick Rose’s college teammate, and he could get more playing time than expected if Vince Carter gets hurt. Fantasy Impact: keep an eye on him in ultra-deep leagues.

Sun Yue (Restricted or Team Option for $.7 million)

It’s hard to figure out what the Lakers were doing with this kid, as he logged just 28 total NBA minutes, but only played in 6 D-League games as well. To see what kind of potential he has, check out his March 15th line against the eventual D-League champion Colorado 14ers. In 36 minutes, Sun scored just 11 points on 4-12 shooting, but he chipped in with 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, 2 blocks, and 1 three. If he can improve his outside shot and add some muscle to his frame, he could stick in the NBA. The Lakers are strapped for cash, but you figure they’ll keep Yue around for at least another year (and maybe let him play somewhere this time).

Top 10 Shooting Guards Available

1. Ben Gordon (Unrestricted)

As we saw in his game 2 duel with Ray Allen, Ben Gordon is capable of dropping 40+ points (and giving up 30+) on any given night. However, he goes thru cold streaks, he’s a below average defender, and he’s not exactly a “team guy.” So everyone who knows about his limitations was shocked when he turned down Chicago’s 6-year offer for $59 millionion last summer. Now that everyone is pinching pennies, he’ll be lucky if he gets a deal that’s two-thirds that good. In this recent interview with Mouthpiece Sports hottie Jillian Jesk, BG doesn’t seem too upbeat about the whole situation.

Fantasy Impact: if Gordon leaves the Bulls, John Salmons could start in the backcourt and Luol Deng would get his small forward job back.

2. Von Wafer (Unrestricted)

Before this season, who knew that Vakeaton Wafer would become one of the most coveted free agent shooting guards? Well, after averaging 16.4 points and 1.8 threes on 49.7% FG shooting in 11 starts for the Rockets, that appears to be the case. The 23-year old enjoyed a breakout season, showing off his shooting range and excellent athleticism. Wafer wants to return to Houston, saying that: “I love this organization. They gave me a chance, so I’d love to be back.” However, if the Rockets re-sign Ron Artest, they’ll be hovering around the luxury tax threshold, and adding a backup center to replace Dikembe Mutombo might be a more pressing need. If Ben Gordon demands too much money from the Bulls, they’d be wise to go after Wafer.

3. Allen Iverson (Unrestricted)

While Iverson is a future Hall of Famer, teams must be very wary of him after his disastrous ‘08-09 season. The Pistons went from making it to the Eastern Conference Finals 6 years in a row under Chauncey Billups to finishing below .500 under Iverson, and the last time an Iverson-led team advanced to the 2nd round was in 2003. The fact that AI basically refused to come off the bench for Detroit does not bode well for teams interested in his services, because he’s clearly best suited for a 6th man role at this point in his career. If the 76ers don’t re-sign Andre millioner, would they actually consider bringing Iverson back to Philly? Fantasy Impact: in case you didn’t know, Iverson is no longer a Top 25 fantasy player.

4. Marquis Daniels (Unrestricted or Team Option for $7.4 million)

In 43 starts last season, Daniels averaged a solid 15.3 points, 4.9 boards, 1.2 steals, and .5 blocks on 45.5% FG shooting, filling in admirably for Mike Dunleavy. Since Junior’s health is still a major concern, the Pacers would love to bring Marquis back, but for $7.4 millionion, that seems highly unlikely. Daniels is a very good slasher and defender, but his outside shot has always been shaky. However, he’s still just 28, so he has several good years left in him.

5. Anthony Parker (Unrestricted)

After shooting a stellar 48% FG and 44% 3P in ‘06-07 and ‘07-08, Parker’s shooting numbers fell to just 42.6% FG and 39% 3P this past season. However, he showed that he can be an adequate playmaker (Parker averaged 4.6 assists in January when Jose Calderon was injured) and is still an above average defender. Early reports suggest that Parker and Toronto GM Bryan Colangelo are optimistic a new deal will be worked out, but since he turns 34 in June, I’d like to see him join a real contender. If Eddie House leaves Boston (see below), I think Anthony would be a great fit for the defensive-minded Celtics.

6. Ronald Murray (Unrestricted)

Flip was rock solid as Atlanta’s 6th man this past season, but he shot just 34% FG in the playoffs and the Hawks will likely want to figure out what they’re going to do with Mike Bibby and Marvin Williams before getting to Murray. He turns 30 in July, but Murray is still an explosive scorer and an underrated defender. After making just $1.5 millionion in ‘08-09, Flip is likely due for a raise.

7. Eddie House (Unrestricted or Player Option for $2.9 million)

House seems pretty happy in Boston, so most likely he’ll exercise his player option for another year worth $2.86 millionion. However, there’s also a chance that the 31-year old might prefer long-term security, so if another team shows interest in oferring him a multi-year deal, he could go that route instead. Either way, he’ll be instant offense off the bench once again.

8. Dahntay Jones (Unrestricted)

Jones doesn’t offer much offensively, but it’s hard to argue with Denver’s results. As a starter for one of the league’s best teams, Dahntay routinely guards the opposition’s top scorer, and outside of Ron Artest, he’s one of the most physical wing players in the league. Re-signing Chris Andersen and Anthony Carter might be higher priorities for Denver, which means that Jones will likely be available for any team looking to toughen up. Fantasy Impact: if Dahntay leaves Denver, JR Smith’s value would get a nice boost.

9. Carlos Delfino (Restricted)

Delfino played in the Russian Super League this past season, but he’s already arranged for a $500,000 buy-out (rather small compared to others). This means that Carlos is likely returning to the NBA, where he most recently averaged 9.0 points and 1.5 threes for Toronto. The Raptors still own his rights, so they’ll be able to match any offer made to the 26-year old, but other teams (such as the Knicks) might be interested as well. Fantasy Impact: don’t forget about Delfino in deep leagues.

10. Fred Jones (Unrestricted)

Despite playing for a pathetic Clippers team, Jones had his moments this past season. His 3.6 assists per game (to just 1.3 turnovers) was a career-high, and he made 40% of his threes from January - March. Fred is 30 years old, but he’s still extremely athletic and should latch on with another team.

Savvy Veterans: Solid and Cheap

Quinton Ross (Unrestricted)

For some reason Quinton Ross gets little respect, but I’ve been a fan ever since he came into the league. His excellent wingspan makes him a lockdown defender (Memphis allowed 105.8 points per 100 possessions when he was ON the court, compared to 112.4 points per 100 possessions when he was OFF), and his outside shot is improving. After making just 3-of-21 threes in his first 3 seasons, Ross shot 33-88 (37.5%) from beyond the arc in ‘08-09. Whoever signs this guy will be happy that they did.

Devin Brown (Unrestricted or Player Option for $1.1 mill)

After averaging 11.6 points in 49 starts for New Orleans in ‘06-07 and then playing a key role for Cleveland in ‘07-08, Brown decided to return to New Orleans for ‘08-09. Unfortunately, his role was diminished and he had the worst season of his 7-year career. After barely playing in the playoffs, Devin may choose to sign elsewhere for close to the veteran’s minimum. Brown is a very versatile player, and at 30 years old, he still has a lot left in the tank.

Desmond Mason (Unrestricted)

Mason is another vet who struggled this past season, averaging a career-low 9.9 points per 36 minutes and shooting just 43.5% from the field (terrible for a guy who doesn’t shoot threes). Still, he’s an above average defender who can run the floor, so he should have no problem finding a new team.

Keith Bogans (Unrestricted)

With Courtney Lee and Pietrus in town, Orlando realized that Bogans was expendable, so they traded him to Milwaukee midway thru the season, where he averaged 6 points on 38% FG shooting in 29 games. Bogans just turned 29, and with 464 made threes in his career, he’s a cheap option for teams looking for an experienced shooter.

Luther Head (Unrestricted)

After averaging 10.9 points and 2.2 treys on 44% 3P shooting in ‘06-07, Head has seen his playing time dwindle over the last couple of seasons. In 10 games for Miami, he shot just 37.2% from the field, but I think that Deron Williams’ former college teammate is still capable of capturing some of that ‘06-07 magic. Unfortunately, he’s basically a shooting guard in a point guard’s body, but that hasn’t stopped Eddie House from succeeding. Fantasy Impact: if he lands in the right situation, Luther could bounce back next season.

Borderline Options: Risky

Mario West (Restricted)

After averaging just 4.7 points as a college senior, you have to give Mario West a lot of credit for making the Hawks squad two seasons in a row. He’s still a liability on offense, but his defense is rock solid, so he could be a 12th man for many years to come. Still, his upside is limited.

Cartier Martin (Restricted)

It’s hard to judge Martin because he played just 266 total minutes as a rookie, but he has good size (6′7, 220) and was a solid shooter in college. The Bobcats will likely retain him since he’s a restricted free agent, but until he proves otherwise, Martin is just a borderline NBA player.

Jeremy Richardson (Restricted)

Somehow, Jeremy Richardson has suited up for 5 different NBA teams (including two stints with the Hawks), but he’s played a total of just 245 NBA minutes. In those limited minutes, he’s made just 33.3% of his shots, but the other J-Rich has proven to be a dynamic scorer in D-League and Summer League action. At 26 years old, he only has a few more chances to break thru and become a legit rotation player in the big league.

Alex Acker (Restricted or Team Option for $.7 million)

The Pistons drafted Acker in 2005 and then traded him to the Clippers this past season, where he averaged 3.5 points in 18 games. Like Richardson, he’s already 26, so the time to prove himself is running out.

Morris Almond (Unrestricted)

Almond was drafted #25 overall in 2007 after averaging 26.4 points and 2.4 threes on 48.3% FG shooting as a senior at Rice, but he’s yet to break thru in the NBA. He HAS played very well in the D-League, setting a record with 51-point and 53-point performances. Of course, if he was a better overall player than Kyle Korver, he would have earned more minutes by now. Almond is now an unrestricted free agent, and some team will surely give him a close look. It’s time to find out how good he really is. Fantasy Impact: if he signs elsewhere, Korver and Brewer will get more minutes.

Out of the League???

Maurice Ager (Unrestricted)

Coming out of college, Ager was considered an excellent 3-point shooter with above average athleticism and strong potential on the defensive end. He’s only played 476 NBA minutes, but the stats suggest otherwise. In his brief career, Ager has shot a mere 8-40 (20%) from beyond the arc, and he’s racked up 61 fouls compared to just 5 steals. If I were a GM, I think I’d pass.

Thomas Gardner (Restricted)

Gardner is another “shooting” guard who’s had trouble adjusting to the longer 3-point line. He’s only played 143 minutes in brief stints with the Bulls and Hawks, but he’s shot just 7-35 (20%) on threes and was never considered a top prospect to begin with. Atlanta will be focused on re-signing Flip Murray, so Gardner has to hope he can catch on elsewhere.

Kareem Rush (Unrestricted)

The 6-year NBA veteran has never really lived up to the hype, and unfortunately for him, he’s coming off his worst season yet. In 25 games for Philly, he averaged a mere 2.2 points on 34.5% FG shooting, and he’s shot over 41% FG just once in his career. At 28 years old, he’s likely played his last game in the league, but at least his brother Brandon can carry the family torch.

Juan Dixon (Unrestricted)

It pains me to say this because I was a huge Juan Dixon fan when he won a national championship at Maryland, but his NBA career is likely over. He peaked in ‘05-06, starting 42 games for Portland and averaging 17.5 points per 36 minutes on 38.2% 3P shooting. Unfortunately, he took a big step backwards in ‘08-09, averaging just 11.5 points per 36 minutes on 33.3% 3P shooting. The Wizards gave him a chance because Arenas was out and Dixon is a local legend, but at 30 years old, he’s unlikely to get another NBA contract. Thanks for the memories Juan!

Up next, the small forwards…

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Over the next month, most hoops fans are going to be focused on crowning a new NBA champion and preparing for the upcoming draft. However, free agency is always an important element of professional sports, so that’s what I’m going to analyze.

Unfortunately, finding an accurate and comprehensive list of NBA free agents is somewhat difficult. ESPN compiled this list, but we don’t get to see what salaries are attached to the various player and team options. Hoopshype has always been an excellent resource for finding player salaries, but you have to browse team by team, and some of their data doesn’t always match up with other sources. There are plenty of other lists on the internet featuring “Top Free Agents,” but the ones I’ve seen tend to do a poor job of displaying the information that fans like myself want to know.

So my goal over the next couple of weeks is to make some sense out of the 2009 NBA Free Agent class (I’ll get to 2010 eventually). In an effort to break this down in a useful manner, I am sorting by position first rather than by team. After that, I will organize players into a variety of categories, going beyond just “Restricted” and “Unrestricted.” For example, if you’re a Celtics fan and you want to know who the best cheap, experienced PG options are to back up Rondo (because you loathe Marbury), then hopefully you can easily find that here. I’ve done my best to double-check these figures, but if you see something that’s incorrect, please let me know. For the die-hard fantasy players, I’ve added “Fantasy Impact” tidbits where I see fit, but the stats are taking a backseat here. Once we have a clear picture of which players are staying and going, and who the top options are at each position, I will take on the General Manager role and make suggestions for several teams. Enjoy…

Likely to Stay: Possible Extension

Raymond Felton (Restricted or Qualifying Offer for $5.5 million)

Rick Bonnell does an excellent job of covering the Bobcats, so I believe it when he says, “I bet Felton is this team’s starting point guard on opening night.” In this recent article, Bonnell points out that Raymond wants to stay in Charlotte (remember that he grew up in Souh Carolina and went to college at North Carolina), Larry Brown is confident that he’ll return, and that this summer is not a good time to test the free agent market. Due to our poor economy (and the stellar 2010 crop of free agents), teams are going to be especially frugal this summer. Fantasy Impact: D.J. Augustin’s minutes will be limited once again.

Likely to Stay: Guaranteed Contracts

Mike James (Player Option for $6.5 million)

James actually averaged 30 mpg in 50 starts for the Wizards this past season, but his playing time will be drastically reduced if Arenas comes back healthy and/or Washington drafts a young point guard. Still, there’s no way James will pass up $6.5 millionion in guaranteed money.

Travis Diener (Player Option for $1.7 million)

Diener has yet to decide if he’ll exercise his player option for ‘09-10, but common sense says that he’ll stay in Indiana. If Jarrett Jack leaves (see below), Diener could play a larger role next season, and there’s no guarantee that Travis could make more money elsewhere.

Chris Quinn (Player Option for $1.1 million)

Quinn played sparingly in the playoffs, but he’s still just 25 years old, and he could earn more minutes if his defense improves. $1.1 millionion isn’t a lot by NBA standards, but Quinn will likely return to Miami for a 4th season with Dwyane Wade, Pat Riley, and company.

Bobby Brown (Player Option for $.7 million)

Brown could decline his player option and try to earn more money elsewhere, but since he’s yet to establish himself in the league, he’ll likely stick with the T-Wolves. After all, he’s just a Sebastian Telfair injury away from earning a lot more minutes. Fantasy Impact: he could be a sleeper in ultra-deep leagues.

Top 10 Point Guards Available

1. Jason Kidd (Unrestricted)

One could argue that Nash is the best (potential) point guard available, but Kidd will be the most coveted PG for several reasons. For starters, he’s a superior defensive player, and unlike Nash, he’s big enough to defend shooting guards. It also seems like Jason is willing to accept less money in order to play for a championship contender. Dallas wants him back, but Kidd will have plenty of suitors.

2. Steve Nash (Team Option for $13.1 million, $8 million guaranteed)

Phoenix has a team option to bring back Nash, but if they decline it, they’ll still owe him $8 millionion. So that move seems unlikely, but he could still be available via trade. Of course, if Mike D’Antoni was still in Phoenix, this wouldn’t even be an issue. But the team has undergone several changes over the past year, and it no longer seems certain that Nash will retire in a Suns uniform. Steve Kerr wants to give him a contract extension, but only if the price is right. Nash wants to stay in Phoenix, but only if management surrounds him better talent. If the two sides don’t see eye-to-eye soon, there could be a blockbuster trade.

3. Ramon Sessions (Restricted)

He has just 96 NBA games under his belt, but Ramon Sessions has already shown plenty of talent and potential. However, Milwaukee has a serious dilemma, because both Sessions AND Charlie Villanueva are restricted free agents, and it seems nearly impossible that the team will be able to retain both players. If the Bucks select a point guard in the upcoming draft, then Sessions will surely be in a new uniform next season. Fantasy Impact: depends where Sessions ends up.

4. Andre millioner (Unrestricted)

The 10-year NBA veteran is coming off a playoff series in which he averaged 21.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists against an Orlando team that looks poised to reach the NBA Finals, but he skipped Philly’s season-ending team meeting. As an unrestricted free agent he’ll have several options, but he’ll likely have to take a pay cut from the $10 millionion that he made last season.

5. Nate Robinson (Restricted or Qualifying Offer for $2.9 million)

The Knicks will surely sign David Lee to a long-term extension this summer, and since they want to save the rest of their money for 2010, this means the ultra-popular Nate Robinson has probably played his last game for New York. Knicks brass could be working on an under the table sign-and-trade agreement involving Nate right now, but he can’t be moved until July 9th at the earliest. Either way, the 5′9 sparkplug will be coveted for both his flashy scoring abilities AND his ability to put butts in the seats. Fantasy Impact: his stats could plummet if he doesn’t land in the right situation.

6. Mike Bibby (Unrestricted)

Bibby has helped Atlanta make the playoffs two years in a row, but there’s no guarantee that he’ll be back in a Hawks uniform. Acie Law has been a major bust, but a quality PG prospect (Eric Maynor, Jeff Teague, Ty Lawson, etc.) might fall to Atlanta at pick #19 in the upcoming draft. If that happens, they might let Bibby go, unless he’s willing to return for a lot less money.

7. Jarrett Jack (Restricted or Qualifying Offer for $2.9 million)

Considering that Marquis Daniels (Team option for $7.4 millionion) is likely on his way out and that Mike Dunleavy Jr.’s health is a major concern, the Pacers would be wise to retain the 25-year old Jack. However, Jack has clashed with point guard T.J. Ford (still under contract), and after his solid season, another team might be willing to offer Jarrett a nice new contract.

8. Shannon Brown (Restricted)

Shannon Brown has likely earned himself a few extra millionion dollars this postseason. He’s always been a freak athlete, but recently he’s shown that he can also be a solid defender, reliable ball-handler, and a decent outside shooter. Surely the Lakers want to keep him, but retaining Trevor Ariza is a higher priority (not to mention Lamar Odom, who is likely gone). Since Brown is still just 23, several teams will be interested this summer.

9. C.J. Watson (Restricted)

Watson isn’t a pure point guard, but he can score in a myriad of ways and does a solid job of limiting his weaknesses. He also showed some toughness by playing with a giant brace on his injured shooting elbow for much of the season. Don Nelson would LOVE to keep him over Jamal Crawford (listed with the shooting guards), but common sense says that’s not going to happen. The Warriors already have Belinelli and Morrow, and they need a pure PG in case Monta struggles.

10. Jamaal Tinsley (2 years, $14.7 million left)

Tinsley’s current contract is scheduled to pay him $14.7 millionion more thru the 2010-11 season, so he’s clearly not a free agent. However, he has a grievance hearing set for July 27th, and an arbitrator could force the Pacers to buy him out. If it happens, several teams could be interested in the ballhandling wizard. Fantasy Impact: pay attention on July 27.

Savvy Veterans: Solid and Cheap

Anthony Carter (Unrestricted)

Carter isn’t very flashy, but the 10-year NBA vet gets the job done. He’s been an excellent backup to Chauncey Billups this season, but if Denver advances to the NBA Finals, he might ask for slightly more than the veteran minimum.

Bobby Jackson (Unrestricted)

At 36 years old, Jackson isn’t as quick or efficient as he used to be, but he’s still a capable backup. He could sign with a contender over the summer, but since B-Jax is a fan favorite in Sacramento, he could also return to the Kings (as a mentor for Ricky Rubio?).

Brevin Knight (Unrestricted)

Knight averaged just 2.4 points this past season, but he’s still a pesky defender and a veteran leader. He fits the Jerry Sloan mold perfectly, but the Jazz could be looking for an upgrade in the offseason. Still, there will be room for him somewhere.

Kevin Ollie (Unrestricted)

In his 12 year NBA career, Ollie has played for a whopping 11 teams (including 2 stints with Philly), and at 36 years old, he only has a little bit left in the tank. Rick Bonnell suggests that Charlotte should sign him, and he’s played for Larry Brown before.

Jacque Vaughn (Unrestricted)

Vaughn has never averaged more than 6.6 points in a season, but he has 12 years of NBA experience and plenty of wisdom to share with younger players. After 3 years in San Antonio, will he move on to another contender?

Lindsey Hunter (Unrestricted)

At 38 years young, Hunter was the 2nd oldest player in the league this past season (Mt. Mutombo). Still, whenever he steps onto the court, he’s an ultra-quick defender and a threat from outside. He’s a great mentor for Derrick Rose, so the Bulls might choose to keep him for one more season.

Tyronn Lue (Unrestricted)

Lue’s best days are clearly behind him, but he just turned 32 and has the experience and professional demeanor to stick around for another year or two.

Borderline Options: Risky

Stephon Marbury (Unrestricted)

In my opinion, the aging Lindsey Hunter would have done a much better job for Boston than Marbury. Despite being younger and more talented than the guys in the previous group, Marbury is a much less reliable option. His head is in the clouds, and he carries way too much baggage for being a 32-year old former All-Star. At this point, a move to Europe might serve him (and NBA fans) best.

Jason Hart (Unrestricted)

After shooting just 29.8% in 28 games for the Clippers, Hart joined the Nuggets and has actually played a few minutes in the postseason. However, he’s an emergency option at best, and it’s been a long time since he played meaningful minutes.

Ronnie Price (Unrestricted)

When Deron Williams went down at the beginning of the season, Price didn’t exactly seize the opportunity. He turns 26 in June and is still very athletic, but he’s yet to prove that he’s a reliable backup in the NBA. He wants to return to Utah, but they might go in another direction.

Sean Singletary (Restricted or Team Option for $.7 million)

Singletary didn’t play much as a rookie, and when he did, he didn’t perform very well. The Bobcats will likely choose a veteran to replace him, but since he’s only 23, another team might give him a second chance.

Gabe Pruitt (Restricted or Team Option for $.7 million)

Pruitt shot just 30.7% this past season, and he probably hasn’t lived up to Boston’s expectations. They could gamble on him for one more season, but I suggest they nab a savvy veteran instead.

Out of the League???

Anthony Roberson (Restricted or Team Option for $.9 million)

Roberson simply hasn’t been able to latch on with a team, playing for the Grizzlies, Warriors, Knicks, and Bulls in his brief 65 game career. The guy can score, but he’s basically an extremely undersized shooting guard (a poor man’s Luther Head?). He could probably flourish overseas.

Mike Wilks (Unrestricted)

Wilks didn’t play in a single NBA game in ‘08-09, but he still earned almost a cool millionion from the Memphis Grizzlies. At the age of 30, it looks like his NBA career is over.

Royal Ivey (Unrestricted)

Ivey did not have a strong ‘08-09 season, shooting just 33.2% from the field and playing below average defense. He’s started 109 games in his NBA career and he’s still just 27, but with many point guard prospects in this year’s draft, Royal might not get another guaranteed NBA contract.

Damon Jones (Unrestricted)

Jones played just 108 TOTAL minutes this past season, so it looks like his NBA career is coming to an end. In true Damon Jones fashion, he shot 11-for-28 on threes, but a measly 0-for-6 on twos. For his career, he’s made 941 treys on 39% 3P shooting. Not bad, but consider that he’s shot over 42% from beyond the arc just once and over 80% from the line just once in his 11 year career. By contrast, Steve Nash has shot over 42% 3P and over 80% FT in EACH of the past 5 seasons. Who is the “best shooter in the world?” It’s definitely not Damon Jones.

Up next, the shooting guards…

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