Let the circus begin.
The 2010 NBA free agent class is the best in history and the hierarchy of teams could change dramatically. It is unlikely any of the big names will reach agreements on July 8th, the first day they can actually sign with a new team, but what about everyone else?
With names like LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, Amare Stoudemire, Carlos Boozer, Paul Pierce and Dirk Nowitzki out there, some guys who would normally be making news are being overlooked. Let’s look at the cream of the second crop.
David Lee
Lee is one of the most underrated players in the league and the Knicks would be smart to lock him up. He averaged 20.3 ppg and 11.7 rpg, the second straight season he has averaged a double-double.
The Bulls, Heat and Timberwolves are the three teams most interested in Lee’s services but the Nets could also be in the running if they fail to agree to terms with Bosh.
Rudy Gay
Gay is a model of consistency as he has very similar numbers over his last three seasons with the Grizzlies, averaging 20.2, 18.9 and 19.6 ppg and 6.2, 5.5 and 5.9 rpg. He is one of the reasons the Grizzlies are improving and could be a reason for a descent if he leaves.
New Jersey and Minnesota are the frontrunners to sign Gay
Raymond Felton
Felton is listed as the best pure point guard available in the pool and he has gotten calls from several teams that are interested. New York, Miami, Indiana, New Jersey, Dallas and Memphis have all reportedly contacted Felton who has averaged at least 11.9 ppg and 5.6 apg in each of his five seasons with Charlotte.
His demands are high and that might cause the Bobcats to part ways, a decision neither side really wants.
Brad Miller
Remember when he was one of the best centers in the NBA? Those days are long gone as he averaged his fewest minutes this past season since 1999-00 while putting up just 8.8 ppg and grabbing 4.9 rpg. Still, centers are hot commodity in this league, especially one that is 7’0”.
Miller is expected to talk with Boston, Houston, Cleveland and Chicago over the next couple of days.
Luis Scola
This is definitely a name the casual NBA fan does not know but he stepped up big last season with the injury situations down low for the Rockets. He averaged 16.2 ppg and 8.6 rpg and he is a career 51.9 percent shooter. The lone issue is that he is 30 years old with only three years of NBA experience.
The Rockets extended a qualifying offer to him and they have the option to match any offer from any other team if they choose.
Who else is the best of the rest?