Here's a ranking list of Free Agents this summer put up by ISH.
"NBA Free Agent Rankings
NBA free agent rankings for NBA free agents available right now. We list unrestricted and restricted free agents. As players with team/player option contracts become free agents, we'll add them to our rankings.
1) Kobe Bryant 6-6, 220, 25, unrestricted, L.A. Lakers.
24.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 5.1 apg, 1.72 spg, 0.43 bpg, .438 FG%
The best player on Earth, when he wants to be. He's free to sign with any team that can afford him, and hopefully he's free next season, period. If I had to bet, I'd put my money on Kobe staying in Los Angeles. The only question is if he stays with the Lakers or slides over to the Clippers.
2) Rasheed Wallace 6-11, 230, 29, unrestricted, Detroit
16.0 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 2.3 apg, 0.9 spg, 1.8 bpg, .436 FG%
After seven years in Portland and a quick stop in Atlanta, Rasheed found acceptance among teammates and a key role on a championship-winning team in Detroit. His defense, known to be very good, proved to be even better than people thought. InsideHoops.com expects him to stay in Detroit, but anything is possible. The Pistons definitely want to keep him.
3) Kenyon Martin 6-9, 235, 26, restricted, New Jersey
16.7 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.46 spg, 1.26 bpg, .488 FG%
An absolutely awesome player to watch who is worth the price of admission simply due to the insane dunks he throws down almost every game - provided a good point guard is around to lob him the ball. The biggest risk with Martin is that he'll dunk so hard, the arena will flip over and fans will get hurt. Martin's also a very quick, good defender. It's tough to say where he'll be next season. Rumor has it that if another team offers him the max, or close to the max, New Jersey won't match. But the Nets definitely want to keep him, provided he is flexible with his salary request.
4) Steve Nash 6-3, 195, 30, unrestricted, Dallas
14.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 8.8 apg, 0.86 spg, 0.1 bpg, .470 FG%
A great point guard who passes and scores, and almost never gets hurt. Nash is definitely bailing on the Mavs and signing a $65 million, five year contract with the Phoenix Suns (who have a team option for a sixth year).
5) Jamal Crawford 6-5, 190, 24, restricted, Chicago Bulls
17.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 5.1 apg, 1.39 spg, 0.36 bpg, .386 FG%
A very talented player who is still figuring out how to be effective in a team concept. Of course, the Bulls haven't had too much of a team over the last few years. If Crawford can improve his shooting, and figure out how to become a true point guard, he'll be very dangerous. Crawford's future is probably not with the Bulls, especially considering Kirk Hinrich's successful season and the recent drafting of Ben Gordon. A sign-and-trade is possible here.
6) Quentin Richardson 6-5, 238, 24, restricted, Los Angeles Clippers
17.2 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.04 spg, 0.29 bpg, .398 FG%
Despite inconsistency, Q had a breakout season. His future is very bright. The Clippers want to keep him, but after spending big money on Elton Brand and Corey Maggette, the team is expected to chase Kobe Bryant and, if need be, lose Richardson. He could be anywhere next season.
7) Erick Dampier 6-11, 265, 29, unrestricted, Golden State Warriors
12.3 ppg, 12.0 rpg, 0.8 apg, 0.45 spg, 1.85 bpg, .535 FG%
After plenty of seasons where everyone wondered if Dampier would ever "break out" and step his game up, last season it finally happened. He scored a bit more, barely missed any shots, pounded the boards in a big way, and improved his defense. But did this improvement only come because it's time to sign a new contract, or is Dampier now an actual good center?
8) Marcus Camby 6-11, 225, 30, unrestricted, Denver Nuggets
8.6 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.19 spg, 2.6 bpg, .477 FG%
Camby was top ten in the league in rebounds and blocks per game, and was very effective per minute he was on the floor. His 72 games played last season were the most in any season of his career. Camby has gotten a bit tougher and would help any team in the league up front.
9) Manu Ginobili 6-6, 210, 26, restricted, San Antonio Spurs
12.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.8 apg, 1.77 spg, 0.23 bpg, .418 FG%
A defensive player who knows how to move on the floor, but Manu's offense is still in development. InsideHoops.com knows he's talking to different teams and determining his market value, but aims to stay with San Antonio provided he's paid accordingly.
10) Mark Blount 7-0, 250, 28, unrestricted, Boston Celtics
10.3 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 0.9 apg, .98 spg, 1.29 bpg, .566 FG%
He did well, playing against awesome East center competition like Joe Schmoe and Donald Duck. But seriously, Blount is a talented, energy player who can cause havok with his hustle, and he was second in the entire league last season in field goal percentage.
11) Trenton Hassell 6-5, 200, 25, restricted, Minnesota Timberwolves
5.0 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.6 apg, 0.44 spg, 0.67 bpg, .465 FG%
One of the league's best defensive stoppers, and he's got a decent mid-range shot. Every team can use a gritty work-horse like Hassell.
12) Marquis Daniels 6-6, 200, 23, restricted, Dallas Mavericks
8.5 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.1 apg, 0.95 spg, 0.21 bpg, .494 FG%
When given minutes, Daniels rocked the stat-sheet. The kid can do it all, on both ends of the floor. Although he only proved himself in limited minutes, in limited games, with tons of all-stars next to him to draw attention, plenty of teams would be more than happy to steal Daniels from Dallas. The Mavs want to keep him, especially with the probable loss of Steve Nash.
13) Darius Miles 6-9, 210, 22, restricted, Portland Trail Blazers
10.9 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2.1 apg, 0.85 spg, 0.77 bpg, .485 FG%
Notice Miles' age. He's still just 22 years old. The kid should just be coming out of college. WIth that in mind, his NBA future is bright and plenty of teams would love to add him to the roster. Portland wants to keep him. We may have underrated him with this ranking.
14) Brent Barry 6-6, 203, 32, unrestricted, Seattle Sonics
10.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 5.8 apg, 1.44 spg, 0.27 bpg, .504 FG%
Barry is one of those guys who is good at everything and helps make a team win by doing whatever it takes. He hits three-pointers in a very big way (45.2% last season from outside the arc), throws passes that make plays happen, and plays very good defense. He'd make a good sixth man on a winning team.
15) Mehmet Okur 6-9, 249, 25, restricted, Detroit Pistons
9.6 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 1.0 apg, 0.51 spg, 0.89 bpg, .463 FG%
Okur's minutes are limited in Detroit, with Ben and Rasheed Wallace ahead of him. And the fact that Larry Brown isn't a big fan of Okur's defense doesn't help. If another team offers Okur decent money and a chance for more minutes, he's probably gone from Detroit. But the Pistons want to keep him, if the price is right.
16) Vlade Divac 7-1, 260, 36, unrestricted, Sacramento Kings
9.9 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 5.3 apg, 0.7 spg, 0.95 bpg, .470 FG%
Although old and withering, Vlade is a true team player at the center spot and passes like a guard. Also, he is the best big-man flopper in the league. If you breathe in Vlade's direction he will flop and draw an offensive foul on you. In fact, in the last few minutes I've been called for two charges, as Divac, despite being outside of the state I'm in, threw himself down a flight of stairs, fooling the refs.
17) Stromile Swift 6-9, 230, 24, restricted, Memphis Grizzlies
9.4 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 0.5 apg, 0.73 spg, 1.53 bpg, .469 FG%
With incredible athletic ability, Swift is one of the NBA's best at drawing fouls and blocking shots in his minute on the floor. His game is still in development. The future is bright.
MORE NBA FREE AGENT RANKINGS (IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER):
By Jeff Lenchiner, editor of InsideHoops.com
Derek Fisher (LA Lakers) - Can defend, make open three-pointers, and roll his eyes when asked about Kobe and Shaq.
Troy Hudson (Minnesota) - Quality point guard who is ready for full-time minutes.
Rafer Alston (Miami) - Can do a moonwalk, bounce the ball off your forehead, unleash 12 crossovers, dribble with one hand while talking on a cellphone with the other, skip while he dribbles, throw good passes, hit some shots, and breakdance during timeouts. InsideHoops.com loves Skip to My Lou.
Karl Malone (LA Lakers) - Had unlucky year health-wise in Los Angeles, but could still be very good next season. At the very least he can come off the bench, accidently elbow you in the head 12 times, and sit down. But seriously, his surgery was said to be successful and he could go back to playing over 30 minutes per game and being effective.
Bruce Bowen (San Antonio) - The best (or close to the best) defender of shooting guards and small forwards in the league. Hits three-pointers about as well as he hits free throws, which makes no sense whatsoever. An InsideHoops.com favorite to interview.
Eric Williams (Cleveland) - A swingman who is very good at doing the dirty work.
Brian Cardinal (Golden State) - A scrappy, extremely hard-working player who makes fans cheer because he looks like your local mailman, only taller. Also, nickname "Custodian" is an InsideHoops.com favorite.
Adonal Foyle (Golden State) - Blocks shots and defends very well.
Michael Doleac (Denver) - Hits mid-range jumpers and gives boring interviews.
Antonio McDyess (Phoenix) - Still trying to regain past glory, could do it.
Brian Skinner (Milwaukee) - Had a very good year and is worth signing as a primary backup at the power forward and center spots, or as a fulltime big-man to play alongside a star.
Greg Ostertag (Utah) - Can take up space and get dunked on by Shaq.
Chris Anderson (Denver) - Has potential to keep improving, and can throw down sweet dunks.
Marcus Fizer (Charlotte) - Underrated player who never got a real chance to shine in Chicago. He can headbutt through a bus, which could come in handy. You never know.
Hedo Turkoglu (restricted - San Antonio) - A tweener who is still improving and has a last name that can be twisted into fun nicknames, which is always a plus.
Morris Peterson (restricted - Toronto) - Has cool nickname ("Mo Pete"), likes to shoot 8 of 9 one game and 4 of 18 the next two.
Toni Kukoc (Milwaukee) - Still has some very versatile skills, and can tell cool stories about playing with Michael Jordan on some championship Bulls teams. Yay for storytime!
Stephen Jackson (Atlanta) - Keeps it raw. Every team needs a player who keeps it raw.
Bobby Sura (Atlanta) - A versatile baller whose best days are ahead of him. Also, the smell of his hair-dye causes opposing players to feel faint, giving Sura's team an advantage.
Jon Barry (Denver) - Every team needs a little guy to come off the bench, go 1-of-3 from three-point range, and sit right back down.
Carlos Arroyo (restricted - Utah) - Solid young point guard worth signing.
Charlie Ward (San Antonio) - Can help you find God. I don't know if that's what you want from a point guard, though. Most coaches want their point guards to hit shots, pass, create and defend, but if you want a point guard who can guide you to the Lord while losing basketball games, Ward's your man.
Charles Oakley - Can come in, clock someone in the head, grab a few rebounds, and then badmouth his own team to the media.
Dennis Rodman - Can come in, clock someone in the head, grab a few rebounds, then go on the Howard Stern show and be interviewed by special guest Jeff Lenchiner, editor of InsideHoops.com (this actually occured twice in the last year). Wants to make an NBA comeback, though odds are seriously against it."
I want Barry even more now. Some people claimed he had a bad defence. Well these guys seem to really disagree.
Q also would be awesome, but I think very unlikely given the fact Denver and more than enough other teams want his services and have more than enough money to pay him BIG, while the Clippers are heavily involved in the Kobe race, so they are unlikely to to match any offes for Q when they still think they can get Kobe .... but with with the Clippers you never really know I guess.
Regards,
Mourning
"NBA Free Agent Rankings
NBA free agent rankings for NBA free agents available right now. We list unrestricted and restricted free agents. As players with team/player option contracts become free agents, we'll add them to our rankings.
1) Kobe Bryant 6-6, 220, 25, unrestricted, L.A. Lakers.
24.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 5.1 apg, 1.72 spg, 0.43 bpg, .438 FG%
The best player on Earth, when he wants to be. He's free to sign with any team that can afford him, and hopefully he's free next season, period. If I had to bet, I'd put my money on Kobe staying in Los Angeles. The only question is if he stays with the Lakers or slides over to the Clippers.
2) Rasheed Wallace 6-11, 230, 29, unrestricted, Detroit
16.0 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 2.3 apg, 0.9 spg, 1.8 bpg, .436 FG%
After seven years in Portland and a quick stop in Atlanta, Rasheed found acceptance among teammates and a key role on a championship-winning team in Detroit. His defense, known to be very good, proved to be even better than people thought. InsideHoops.com expects him to stay in Detroit, but anything is possible. The Pistons definitely want to keep him.
3) Kenyon Martin 6-9, 235, 26, restricted, New Jersey
16.7 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.46 spg, 1.26 bpg, .488 FG%
An absolutely awesome player to watch who is worth the price of admission simply due to the insane dunks he throws down almost every game - provided a good point guard is around to lob him the ball. The biggest risk with Martin is that he'll dunk so hard, the arena will flip over and fans will get hurt. Martin's also a very quick, good defender. It's tough to say where he'll be next season. Rumor has it that if another team offers him the max, or close to the max, New Jersey won't match. But the Nets definitely want to keep him, provided he is flexible with his salary request.
4) Steve Nash 6-3, 195, 30, unrestricted, Dallas
14.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 8.8 apg, 0.86 spg, 0.1 bpg, .470 FG%
A great point guard who passes and scores, and almost never gets hurt. Nash is definitely bailing on the Mavs and signing a $65 million, five year contract with the Phoenix Suns (who have a team option for a sixth year).
5) Jamal Crawford 6-5, 190, 24, restricted, Chicago Bulls
17.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 5.1 apg, 1.39 spg, 0.36 bpg, .386 FG%
A very talented player who is still figuring out how to be effective in a team concept. Of course, the Bulls haven't had too much of a team over the last few years. If Crawford can improve his shooting, and figure out how to become a true point guard, he'll be very dangerous. Crawford's future is probably not with the Bulls, especially considering Kirk Hinrich's successful season and the recent drafting of Ben Gordon. A sign-and-trade is possible here.
6) Quentin Richardson 6-5, 238, 24, restricted, Los Angeles Clippers
17.2 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.04 spg, 0.29 bpg, .398 FG%
Despite inconsistency, Q had a breakout season. His future is very bright. The Clippers want to keep him, but after spending big money on Elton Brand and Corey Maggette, the team is expected to chase Kobe Bryant and, if need be, lose Richardson. He could be anywhere next season.
7) Erick Dampier 6-11, 265, 29, unrestricted, Golden State Warriors
12.3 ppg, 12.0 rpg, 0.8 apg, 0.45 spg, 1.85 bpg, .535 FG%
After plenty of seasons where everyone wondered if Dampier would ever "break out" and step his game up, last season it finally happened. He scored a bit more, barely missed any shots, pounded the boards in a big way, and improved his defense. But did this improvement only come because it's time to sign a new contract, or is Dampier now an actual good center?
8) Marcus Camby 6-11, 225, 30, unrestricted, Denver Nuggets
8.6 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.19 spg, 2.6 bpg, .477 FG%
Camby was top ten in the league in rebounds and blocks per game, and was very effective per minute he was on the floor. His 72 games played last season were the most in any season of his career. Camby has gotten a bit tougher and would help any team in the league up front.
9) Manu Ginobili 6-6, 210, 26, restricted, San Antonio Spurs
12.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.8 apg, 1.77 spg, 0.23 bpg, .418 FG%
A defensive player who knows how to move on the floor, but Manu's offense is still in development. InsideHoops.com knows he's talking to different teams and determining his market value, but aims to stay with San Antonio provided he's paid accordingly.
10) Mark Blount 7-0, 250, 28, unrestricted, Boston Celtics
10.3 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 0.9 apg, .98 spg, 1.29 bpg, .566 FG%
He did well, playing against awesome East center competition like Joe Schmoe and Donald Duck. But seriously, Blount is a talented, energy player who can cause havok with his hustle, and he was second in the entire league last season in field goal percentage.
11) Trenton Hassell 6-5, 200, 25, restricted, Minnesota Timberwolves
5.0 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.6 apg, 0.44 spg, 0.67 bpg, .465 FG%
One of the league's best defensive stoppers, and he's got a decent mid-range shot. Every team can use a gritty work-horse like Hassell.
12) Marquis Daniels 6-6, 200, 23, restricted, Dallas Mavericks
8.5 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.1 apg, 0.95 spg, 0.21 bpg, .494 FG%
When given minutes, Daniels rocked the stat-sheet. The kid can do it all, on both ends of the floor. Although he only proved himself in limited minutes, in limited games, with tons of all-stars next to him to draw attention, plenty of teams would be more than happy to steal Daniels from Dallas. The Mavs want to keep him, especially with the probable loss of Steve Nash.
13) Darius Miles 6-9, 210, 22, restricted, Portland Trail Blazers
10.9 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2.1 apg, 0.85 spg, 0.77 bpg, .485 FG%
Notice Miles' age. He's still just 22 years old. The kid should just be coming out of college. WIth that in mind, his NBA future is bright and plenty of teams would love to add him to the roster. Portland wants to keep him. We may have underrated him with this ranking.
14) Brent Barry 6-6, 203, 32, unrestricted, Seattle Sonics
10.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 5.8 apg, 1.44 spg, 0.27 bpg, .504 FG%
Barry is one of those guys who is good at everything and helps make a team win by doing whatever it takes. He hits three-pointers in a very big way (45.2% last season from outside the arc), throws passes that make plays happen, and plays very good defense. He'd make a good sixth man on a winning team.
15) Mehmet Okur 6-9, 249, 25, restricted, Detroit Pistons
9.6 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 1.0 apg, 0.51 spg, 0.89 bpg, .463 FG%
Okur's minutes are limited in Detroit, with Ben and Rasheed Wallace ahead of him. And the fact that Larry Brown isn't a big fan of Okur's defense doesn't help. If another team offers Okur decent money and a chance for more minutes, he's probably gone from Detroit. But the Pistons want to keep him, if the price is right.
16) Vlade Divac 7-1, 260, 36, unrestricted, Sacramento Kings
9.9 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 5.3 apg, 0.7 spg, 0.95 bpg, .470 FG%
Although old and withering, Vlade is a true team player at the center spot and passes like a guard. Also, he is the best big-man flopper in the league. If you breathe in Vlade's direction he will flop and draw an offensive foul on you. In fact, in the last few minutes I've been called for two charges, as Divac, despite being outside of the state I'm in, threw himself down a flight of stairs, fooling the refs.
17) Stromile Swift 6-9, 230, 24, restricted, Memphis Grizzlies
9.4 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 0.5 apg, 0.73 spg, 1.53 bpg, .469 FG%
With incredible athletic ability, Swift is one of the NBA's best at drawing fouls and blocking shots in his minute on the floor. His game is still in development. The future is bright.
MORE NBA FREE AGENT RANKINGS (IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER):
By Jeff Lenchiner, editor of InsideHoops.com
Derek Fisher (LA Lakers) - Can defend, make open three-pointers, and roll his eyes when asked about Kobe and Shaq.
Troy Hudson (Minnesota) - Quality point guard who is ready for full-time minutes.
Rafer Alston (Miami) - Can do a moonwalk, bounce the ball off your forehead, unleash 12 crossovers, dribble with one hand while talking on a cellphone with the other, skip while he dribbles, throw good passes, hit some shots, and breakdance during timeouts. InsideHoops.com loves Skip to My Lou.
Karl Malone (LA Lakers) - Had unlucky year health-wise in Los Angeles, but could still be very good next season. At the very least he can come off the bench, accidently elbow you in the head 12 times, and sit down. But seriously, his surgery was said to be successful and he could go back to playing over 30 minutes per game and being effective.
Bruce Bowen (San Antonio) - The best (or close to the best) defender of shooting guards and small forwards in the league. Hits three-pointers about as well as he hits free throws, which makes no sense whatsoever. An InsideHoops.com favorite to interview.
Eric Williams (Cleveland) - A swingman who is very good at doing the dirty work.
Brian Cardinal (Golden State) - A scrappy, extremely hard-working player who makes fans cheer because he looks like your local mailman, only taller. Also, nickname "Custodian" is an InsideHoops.com favorite.
Adonal Foyle (Golden State) - Blocks shots and defends very well.
Michael Doleac (Denver) - Hits mid-range jumpers and gives boring interviews.
Antonio McDyess (Phoenix) - Still trying to regain past glory, could do it.
Brian Skinner (Milwaukee) - Had a very good year and is worth signing as a primary backup at the power forward and center spots, or as a fulltime big-man to play alongside a star.
Greg Ostertag (Utah) - Can take up space and get dunked on by Shaq.
Chris Anderson (Denver) - Has potential to keep improving, and can throw down sweet dunks.
Marcus Fizer (Charlotte) - Underrated player who never got a real chance to shine in Chicago. He can headbutt through a bus, which could come in handy. You never know.
Hedo Turkoglu (restricted - San Antonio) - A tweener who is still improving and has a last name that can be twisted into fun nicknames, which is always a plus.
Morris Peterson (restricted - Toronto) - Has cool nickname ("Mo Pete"), likes to shoot 8 of 9 one game and 4 of 18 the next two.
Toni Kukoc (Milwaukee) - Still has some very versatile skills, and can tell cool stories about playing with Michael Jordan on some championship Bulls teams. Yay for storytime!
Stephen Jackson (Atlanta) - Keeps it raw. Every team needs a player who keeps it raw.
Bobby Sura (Atlanta) - A versatile baller whose best days are ahead of him. Also, the smell of his hair-dye causes opposing players to feel faint, giving Sura's team an advantage.
Jon Barry (Denver) - Every team needs a little guy to come off the bench, go 1-of-3 from three-point range, and sit right back down.
Carlos Arroyo (restricted - Utah) - Solid young point guard worth signing.
Charlie Ward (San Antonio) - Can help you find God. I don't know if that's what you want from a point guard, though. Most coaches want their point guards to hit shots, pass, create and defend, but if you want a point guard who can guide you to the Lord while losing basketball games, Ward's your man.
Charles Oakley - Can come in, clock someone in the head, grab a few rebounds, and then badmouth his own team to the media.
Dennis Rodman - Can come in, clock someone in the head, grab a few rebounds, then go on the Howard Stern show and be interviewed by special guest Jeff Lenchiner, editor of InsideHoops.com (this actually occured twice in the last year). Wants to make an NBA comeback, though odds are seriously against it."
I want Barry even more now. Some people claimed he had a bad defence. Well these guys seem to really disagree.
Q also would be awesome, but I think very unlikely given the fact Denver and more than enough other teams want his services and have more than enough money to pay him BIG, while the Clippers are heavily involved in the Kobe race, so they are unlikely to to match any offes for Q when they still think they can get Kobe .... but with with the Clippers you never really know I guess.
Regards,
Mourning
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