Ten Potential Difference Makers Who Remain Unsigned

With training camp just weeks away, all the big names are long gone.  Not only that, but most anybody that you’ll see on an NBA roster come November has already signed a contract.  That being said, there are still a few notable stragglers who, for whatever reason, have allowed their search for a new home to press on into the latter stages of the offseason.  These players are different—some are grizzled veterans with playoff experience, and others are younger talents looking to prove their worth—but they all have one thing in common: according to me, they can contribute on the highest level (given that they end up in the right situation).

Here are my top 10 free agents who could actually matter this coming season (not saying they will, or even that it’s likely, or even that it’s not highly UNlikely; only that it’s within the realm of possibility).

#10: James Singleton: Having played the majority of his professional basketball either overseas or for the Washington Wizards, James Singleton isn’t exactly a household name.  I’ve always felt that he’s a decent player, though.  I mean, he’s one of those guys that has a nose for the ball.  He isn’t overly skilled, but he’s active.  When James Singleton plays, James Singleton’s presence is felt.  It’s just that he’s been playing for the Wizards… that makes it kinda tough to get noticed.

#9: Anthony Tolliver: Is Anthony Tolliver the 12-PPG scorer that Don Nelson’s Golden State Warriors made him fresh out of the D-League?  I think not.  Is he a decent stretch four capable of producing a bucket or two off the bench?  Sure, I think so.  Remember, up until his major slump of 2012, Tolliver had been a 35% career three-point shooter.  That’s not so bad… and he’s fairly athletic, too.

#8: Chris Andersen: Having taken the scenic route to the league, Birdman is getting a little long in the beak (34).  Still, he was able to block over a shot per game in just 15 minutes a night last season (granted, this only happened over 32 games).  I could see Bird proving a defensive boost off of someone’s bench provided that he’s healthy enough to play.

#7: Mehmet Okur: Okur was more than serviceable at the starting center spot just three seasons ago, but that was before his back started acting up.  It’s a shame that his body’s breaking down, ’cause there’s a market for seven-footers that can shoot 37.5% from distance.  Hopefully he’ll be able to fight through the pain a little longer, similar to how Peja Stojakovic did over the last few years of his career.

#6: Michael Redd: As the Suns fought tooth and nail for the eighth spot in the West, Michael Redd actually came on pretty damn strong late last season.  Beginning with an April 3rd victory over Sacramento, Redd ran off five straight games of 13 points or more.  He ended up averaging over 11 points in that month of April… a respectable tally when you consider the fact that he played fewer than 20 minutes a night.  Impressively, Redd shot 40% from three during that same time frame.  At age 33, there just may be a little bit of tread left on the tires. 

#5: Josh Howard: The problem?  He hasn’t played 60 games since 2008.  The reason he makes this list?  He’s a former All-Star born in the 1980s.  When healthy—even 2012 healthy—Josh Howard is better than your average backup three.  It’s just that he’s never healthy.  He’s still too young to be completely written off, though.

#4: Terrence Williams: It’s a damn shame that Terrence Williams hasn’t panned out, because he truly does have the ability to be one of the more dynamic players in all of basketball.  With his size, strength, athleticism, and court vision, it seems that Williams should be something of a mini LeBron James.  Instead, he’s struggling to find employment.  Still, I believe that there’s hope yet.  As a member of the Kings, Williams put his natural talent on display during the latter part of last season.  Even more importantly, he managed to stay out of trouble for a couple months’ time.  I’m almost certain he’s going to get at least one more shot, and if he can just accept the fact that he’s going to have to work his way up the ladder he could still make a real player of himself.

#3: Ivan Johnson [Restricted]: He’s rough, he’s tough, and he rocks a gold grill… during the game.  Ivan Johnson is more than just an image, though.  The dude can play, straight up.   To be honest, I’m more than a little surprised that contending teams aren’t knocking his front door down.  The Hawks have extended him a qualifying offer, but he’s yet to accept or sign an offer sheet from another team.

#2: Mickael Pietrus: “Air France” took part in just 42 of 66 regular-season games for the Celtics last season, but his ability to defend and hit the open three-point shot (along with his amicable personality/funny accent) quickly made him a fan favorite during his brief tenure.  Unfortunately, Boston’s lasting memories of Pietrus will include more LeBron James pump fakes than three-point field goals… but that says more about LeBron James than it does Mickael Pietrus.  At the end of the day, MP is a very good defender who’s going to stretch the floor and provide an occasional offensive boost.  He’s a great player to bring off the bench, and he could also play the Thabo Sefolosha role.

#1: Kenyon Martin: The biggest knock on K-Mart is that he’ll soon turn 35 years old.  With multiple microfracture surgeries and 12 NBA seasons under his belt, how much longer will his body hold up?  Unfortunately, the answer isn’t forever.  That being said, Martin has shown no real sign of an athletic decline.  He still gets up with the best of them, and he’s still got incredibly quick feet and hands.  It’s that quickness that’s made him one of the best defenders at his position for years now, and until it escapes him he ought to be a coveted player by contending teams.

Okay, so was I reaching a little bit with James Singleton?  Yeah… but I had to round out a top 10.  Plus I like James Singleton.  The dude once posted a 20-20 for my fantasy team, and I feel like I still owe him for that.