Top 15 NBA Free Agents: No. 10-6
Following on from the start of our countdown of the top 15 best NBA free agents that are currently on the market are more marquee names that coaches perhaps should take more than a fleeting glance over as sides look to be rebuilt over the summer months.
10. J.R. Smith – Unrestricted
This season J.R displayed the talent we all knew was there. The reigning Sixth Man of the Year played his well to an upper tier contract. But his attitude continues to be a black cloud over his career and coupled with his questionable shot selection makes him a risky player for any franchise to offer big money.
His disappearance in the playoffs places him under greater scrutiny and has likely cost him a couple of million dollars.
9. Manu Ginobili – Unrestricted
Fear not San Antonio fans, there’s no reason to believe he’s on his way out of the AT&T Center. Manu’s spent his entire career with the team and see’s Gregg Popovich as too much off a father figure to walk away for a few extra dollars. However despite his finals performance were the future Hall-of-Famer to hit the open market he would likely be coveted by every team in the league.
8. Brandon Jennings – Restricted
There’s no denying the amount of talent Jennings has. He would clearly find himself in the top five of this list were he a) more consistent and b) an unrestricted free-agent.
Jennings continues to be haunted by his own talent that lead him to drop 55 points in just his seventh game in the league. Jennings needs to work to be more of a facilitator, and less of a selfish scorer. At just 23 Jennings could be the best value for money in this entire free-agent class.
Teams in need of a 1/ 2 combo player may well analyse the 2014 NBA Draft class, which includes the likes of Marcus Smart, and weigh up whether they project Jennings to have a greater range than any off those prospects before offering him a large offer-sheet.
7. David West – Unrestricted
David West showed just how important he was to the pacers throughout their playoff run to the Conference Finals. West in all likelihood will re-up with the Pacers but his preference for a long term deal at the age of 32 may prove too big a stumbling block and he may have to look elsewhere to get the type of deal he desires.
6. Al Jefferson – Unrestricted
Jefferson is another big man who looks to be on his way out of Utah due to the emergence of Favors and Kanter. Favors will struggle to attract many offers due to his limited defensive game and athletic prowess. But his talented offense will lead sides with cap room such as the Golden State Warriors to take a good look at Jefferson.
