I’ve seen everyone and their grandmother submit one of these in recent days, so I figured it’s about time I get in the mix. All 30 teams obviously have their own individual situation with unique wants and needs, so if I did one of these for every team they would certainly vary a little bit, but you can just consider this the master list. I’ve weighed the positives and negatives attached to each player and put ‘em in order… simple as that.
Players who have gone overseas with no out clause highlighted in red.
#1: MARC GASOL, MEM, RFA: I’ve got Marc number one because he’s got by far the best combination of size, skill, and youth of anyone on the market. He got off to a slow start last year, but he really stepped his game up in the playoffs, helping Memphis to upset the Spurs and give Oklahoma City a serious run for their money. I think what we’ve seen is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Pau’s little brother. He’s yet to turn 27, he’s 7’1 265, he’s relatively mobile, and he can shoot/pass/handle the ball. His best years are certainly in front of him.
#2: DEANDRE JORDAN, LAC, RFA: DeAndre is the kind of young player that makes GMs drool, and in this case for damn good reason. This guy is a physical specimen, plain and f@cking simple. They just don’t build ‘em like this very often. He’s big, bulky, and hyper athletic. He’s still raw at age 23, and I figure he’ll probably never develop an excellent offensive game, but he’s got what it takes to be a game changer on the defensive end. When given extended minutes he’ll be a half-decent offensive player just skating on his athleticism. Any basketball skill he adds to his arsenal over the years should be viewed as a bonus by whatever team it is that gets him (Clippers are morons if they let him go–oh wait–the Clippers really are morons already). All he needs is time and experience and he’ll be 2010/11 Tyson Chandler on steroids. Mark my words.
#3: NENE, DEN, UFA: I’m not a big Nene guy. He can score, but he has a penchant for going up a little weak around the rim. Assuming he ditches Denver, fans of his new team will soon become frustrated with his missed finger rolls that could’ve just as easily been slam dunk attempts. He’s got pretty good size at 6’11 250, but he’s hardly an imposing physical presence on either end of the floor. He accomplishes that unique one block/one steal line every year, which is awesome for his fantasy owners, but he’s not exactly a defensive stalwart. All of that being said, he’s a quality center; a borderline All-Star in this day and age. He can absolutely help a lot of teams take a step in the right direction, but they’ll have to overpay for his services due to the lack of quality big men floating around out there. I won’t penalize him for that because it’s not his fault. He’s arguably the best center on the market as of this moment (although I would argue for Gasol), and it’s awfully hard to win without a quality player down low. Two more positives: he’s been able to stay healthy for the past three seasons, and he’s not very old (just turned 29 in September).
#4: WILSON CHANDLER, DEN, RFA: The only time Ill Will will ever be the number one option for a winning team is right now… for the Zhejiang Guangsha Lions of the Chinese Basketball Association. He’s gonna grow into a very good second option, or a f@cking awesome third option, though. Wilson is built in the LeBron mold: a versatile athlete with all-around basketball skills. He’ll score 30 for you one night, grab 12 boards for you the next, and swat a few shots from time to time. I’ve questioned his shot selection at times (he takes a lot of threes), but this kid is a stud. He’s a guy every team should want.
#5: JAMAL CRAWFORD, ATL, UFA: Jamal is a guy that could help put any contender over the top. He’s the ultimate offensive punch off the bench. He’s plenty capable of scoring 20 a night, but perfectly happy to come off the bench at the same time. He’s got ice water running through his veins, and he can always get a look at the basket with his incredible one on one abilities. He’s going on 32 years old and has never played a lick of defense, but if I’m a legitimate contender then I absolutely want this guy on my team anyway.
#6: DAVID WEST, NOH, UFA: One of the best pick-and-pop bigs in the league. A lethal midrange shooter and a capable scorer in the paint. An All-Star caliber player when at his best. Will he be at his best, though? There’s reason to be speculative. David missed the finish of the 2010/11 season after blowing out his left knee, and on top of that he’s 31 years old. Even if he comes back strong, how long does the David West we’ve come to know in recent years last? Somebody’s going to give him All-Star money for, what’s the max contract length now, four years? I’m not sure I want a 35-year-old David West on my team for the kind of money he’s fixing to draw.
#7: JR SMITH, DEN, UFA: Arguably the most talented player on the list. Inarguably the furthest from “getting it.” He could sign with a good team and be a younger, more athletic version of Jamal Crawford; a second scoring option who can just plain fill it up. He could also sign with Cleveland and be Ricky Davis V2. I’d be willing to take a chance on JR because he’s so young and talented, but he’s a risky sign. I can’t rank a crazy, erratic shooting guard any higher.
#8: TYSON CHANDLER, DAL, UFA: This is the ranking that just might have a few people calling me a moron. That’s ok, I’ll accept that. I know I’m not in agreement with the majority when it comes to Tyson Chandler. I think he ended up in a perfect situation and has been given more credit than he deserves for his role in bringing a title to Dallas. Take a look back at Tyson’s career… he’s never done anything without the help of an all-time great at PG. He’s an excellent fit in Dallas, I’ll give him that… but he’s going to be overpaid, and if his situation changes he will likely end up disappointing, at least to some extent. Also, Tyson isn’t the highly-touted high school phenom out of Compton anymore. This is 2011. He’s 29 years old. What you see is what you get. I don’t know what you see, but I see a guy that’s an above average defender and a pretty terrible offensive player. All of that being said, given the proper situation, he can help a contender win. He’s a decent big man… sadly, that gives a guy a lot of value these days.
#9A: THADDEUS YOUNG, PHI, RFA: First of all, Thad is only 23 years old. Secondly, he’s never had a chance to show all his stuff. He’s spent his entire career with a dysfunctional Sixer team that’s been unable to find an offensive identity. He’s endured stretches of inconsistent minutes and a varying role… and he still put up 13 points and 5 boards on 54 percent from the floor last season. He’s a bit of a tweener, but at his young age he could still bulk up a bit. He’s capable of playing some PF as it is.
#9B: JEFF GREEN, BOS, RFA: Jeff’s taken a ton of unwarranted sh!t since being traded to Boston due to the fact that the basketball world has somehow been brainwashed into believeing that Kendrick Perkins is a valuable NBA player. I’ve got news for you, dumbass: the Boston Celtics were not going to the NBA finals in 2011 with or without that big oaf Perkins. Like Thad Young, Green is a tweener, but he can ball! He just needs to be freed. He’s spent the entirety of his career playing in the shadows of future HOFers (yes, I’ve already got Durant going to Springfield).
#9C: MARCUS THORNTON, SAC, RFA: The under-the-radar, poor-man’s version of JR Smith with his head screwed on a little straighter. Unless you’re a League Pass junkie then you probably haven’t seen much of Thornton, but you should keep an eye out for him this coming season. He can fill it up, believe that.
#9D: ARRON AFFLALO, DEN, RFA: Affalo is an elite, that’s right, elite perimeter defender with a steadily developing offensive game. Don’t sleep, this dude is legit. He’s not going to provide you with 20 a night, but he knows that isn’t his job. He’s a guy that will be raved about if he ever plays for a legitimate championship contender.
ON THE FRINGE: Jason Richardson (old & crusty), ORL, UFA. Nick Young (ball hog), WAS, RFA. Carl Landry (undersized), NOH, UFA. Aaron Brooks (short & skinny, probably has shaken psyche due to his fall from the face of the earth last season), PHX, RFA. Rodney Stuckey (can’t shoot), DET, RFA. Here’s a complete list from CBS.
Feel free to argue with me in the comments section. I promise to see, approve, and respond to all remarks.
C’mon, McBob son!
Somewhat of a decent selection bud, but your basketball IQ limited. Hence, you failed to recognize some key players that could be considered assets on both defensive and offensive ends.
Take a moment to understand a more sound analysis and ranking:
1) Tyson Chandler: You completely discredit Chandler…He’s a monster on the defensive end, and with his long arms always a blocking threat – didn’t you notice his playoff presence? or his team USA defensive intensity? The guy averages almost a double-double – he’s no where close to a “Number 8″ based on the available talent.
2) Marc Gasol: meh.. not a huge fan personally, but has shown versatile skill set. I think if he bulks up a bit, his defensive game can improve. Overall, definitely has an understanding of the game and makes arguably “smart” plays. Good fit for a team looking for offensive options and in need for some consistent players.
3)Jamal Crawford: Explosive offensive threat!! Under a more defined defensive and offensive structure, like the Spurs, Crawford can really excel and take advantage of open looks or like you mentioned create a shot for himself.
4) David West
5)Nick Young – not a long way too go, but with discipline has the potential to be a really good..
5)Tayshaun Prince: a player that has shown consistency, holds ample veteran playoff experience. The last few years the situation in Detroit has been stagnant, but Prince’s game has been overlooked by many. He can be a offensive threat when he gets going and hit big shots. Be a good fit on most teams (example: Boston, Raptors, OKC), a good role player – solid 4th option on a team, around there…
….I would rank Nene somewhere within the top 5
6)Caron Butler: As along as he remains healthy – has the potential to be a lethal third option on the offensive end, and makes the ocassional defensive hustle plays that can win games.
7)J.R. Smith: needs to stop being a loose cannon, and get off drugs lol..
8)Rodney Stuckey: good midrange game – shows up every night to play
9)Andrei Kirilenko: AK-47 – only if he comes back from Russia
or
9)Grant Hill: some teams already have the scoring punch and just need leadership from role players who come in and do there part…Example: Miami, Celtics, Lakers, Orlando
@NAV DADDY
1) There’s no way Tyson Chandler is better than Gasol and Nene. No way. You’ll see it if he signs with the wrong team.
2) I clearly put a lot more weight on youth than you did. I didn’t even consider a guy like Grant Hill, because I was trying to point out the top 10 that the most teams would have on their radar. Only a contender would want Grant Hill or Tayshaun. If I did a list that was only for the Celtics or the Lakers then they make an appearance.
3) No DeAndre Jordan for you? EVERYBODY should want that kid on their team. He’s going to be a beast for years to come.
very well read and a nice topic.