Top 15 NBA Free Agents: No. 5-1
It’s the final five on our list of top 15 NBA free agents that are out there to be had this, and boy, what a list it is! The highlight reels alone can only leave coaches with one question to answer: Why haven’t you picked up the phone yet…?
5. Paul Millsap – Unrestricted
Millsap continues to be underrated by everyone outside of the league. Likely on his way out of Utah due to the Jazz’s plan to build around young big men Derrick Favors and Enese Kanter.
Millsap is known not only for his incredible offensive ability but his leadership, maturity and work-ethic off the court and in the locker room. These key off-the-court components will make Millsap a more attractive commodity this summer.
4. Andre Iguodala – Unrestricted
Iguodala opted out of his Nuggets deal in order to test the open market. The two/three hybrid displays an incredible array of attacking and defensive ability that was critical to Denver’s incredible season. The Nuggets are determined to keep the 29-year-old, and that appears to be the likeliest destination.
3. Andrew Bynum – Unrestricted
For my money, when healthy Bynum is the best big in the game. His low post moves compared to Dwight Howard aren’t even in the same stratosphere. But his fragile knees are such a large concern it’s a buyers beware market. However with the lack of dominant centers in the league and with him being such a talent, someone will take the plunge and I hope it pays off both for them and him.
2. Josh Smith – Unrestricted
I so wanted to put Smith at number one. Smith is one of the most athletic and prolific players in the league. His ability to use his athleticism effectively at both ends of the floor edges him ahead of most other players on this list. Smith’s only downfall may be his desire to become a complete scorer, Smith jacks up an average of three 3PT attempts per game but lands them at just an average of 30%.
If his shooting can be controlled he will be an asset for any team.
1. Dwight Howard – Unrestricted
The three time defensive player of the year is officially on the open market. I wanted to place him at the number two spot on this list, but it’s hard to overlook to the lack of big men in the league at the moment, and with Howard being (arguably) the best in the game, with Bynum’s injury record, we couldn’t not place him at the top spot.
It’s difficult for me to envisage a situation where Howard returns to LA. Although we know he likes to be courted like a superstar year in and year out, this time it seems that Howard legitimately wants to move for his Championship aspirations.
A $30 million hit, if he decides to move on, seems like a lot of cash to opt out of, but if he remains healthy, Howard will be able to make that up at the beginning of his next ‘max’ deal.
