Top 5 Free-Agents At Each Position

Free Agency has begun and players will soon have some new addresses. General Mangers are recruiting these players hard and trying to wow them to sign with their team. But they can’t start officially signing until July the 22nd. Some things that you’ll have to know are that the teams that are over the salary cap have an exception called the Mid Level Exception (MLE) and the MLE is worth around 5 million dollars for the first year.
Center:

Samuel Dalembert
He’s got all the potential in the world to be a 15-point, 10-rebound, and 3 blocks per game type of a guy, but it’s all up to him. He’ll probably get something in the 8-9 million starting for about 6 years. Since he’s an restricted free-agent the chances of him moving are slim, as the 76’rs will match it. There’s also a chance that they don’t, since they’ve got two huge contracts in Allen Iverson and Chris Webber.

Eddy Curry
The irregular heartbeat problem he had at the end of the season won’t stop anybody from giving him the maximum. The Chicago Bulls will do everything to sign him up long term. You don’t always stubble across a true center nowadays. He’s improved every single year, and should be an all-star next year.  

Zydrunas Ilgauskas Re-signs with the Cavs
Ilgauskas is another one of those true centers that don’t come easily in today’s NBA. The chances of the cavaliers signing Zydrunas up this off-season are very good.

Jerome James
Once again a player plays unbelievable on his contract year. Some team will end up giving him a big juicy contract and they’ll end up regretting it for 4-6 years. When he goes back to his donut-munching, big mac flushing down the throat self.  

Dikembe Mutombo
With out a doubt Dikembe is the best backup center in the league. He could be the starter for most teams, but I doubt he wants to with him getting very close to 40. He loved it in Houston, and I’m sure he rather stay in town, even if it’s for less money.

Power Forward:

Donyell Marshall
There aren’t a lot Power Forward’s out there that can go shoot three’s like he can. He’s probably not going to stay in Toronto. The thing that might scare some people about him is that he’s 33 and probably doesn’t have more then a few more years left in him.

Tyson Chandler
Has immense potential, but can he live up to it? Chandler has had tons of injury problems before this season. This year he’s averaged close to a double double, if given more minutes he can easily top that next year. Will likely get a maximum contract from a team, and the Bulls will probably give the max.

Kwame Brown
He will not come back to Washington. I doubt he wants to be there and I know the Wizards don’t want him back after the incident in the playoffs. He looked promising a year ago but this season has been horrible. Started off with injuries and never got in to a grove. Some team will end up giving him a big contract because of the “potential” he has.

Shareef Abdur-Rahim
He is one of the most underrated players in the league. Was close to a 20-point, 9-rebould player before he came to the Blazers. Should at least get the full MLE from a team like the Nets that so desperately need a Power Forward.

Stromile Swift
Hasn’t lived up as being the #2 pick but is still a decent power forward. Very athletic, is best when on the break, also has a decent jump-shot. Has broken ties with the Grizzles, won’t be coming back.

Small Forward:

Antoine Walker
I personally don’t like Walker at all. He’ll get close to 7 million dollar starting contract. Will likely be involved in a sign and trade. The Rockets seem to be very interested in getting him.

Kyle Korver
In my opinion, Korver is one of the best shooters in the league. Shoots in the .400 range from the outside. Since he’s a restricted free-agent the 76’s will likely match any contract.

Latrell Sprewell
What an Idiot, I remember when he was saying that he needs to “feed his family” and refused to sign with the Timberwolves – they were giving around 7 million a year. Now there’s no way he gets that kind of money. I’m sure a team will be afraid to give him the MLE.

Bobby Simmons Signs with the Bucks
Simmons’ is the most improved player of the year this season. He’s a solid defender, and is a pretty good jump-shooter. The Clippers should match any offer in the 5-7 million area, but there’s a chance that they won’t since Sterling is so damn cheap.

Robert Horry Re-signs with the Spurs
Has there have been a better role player in history of the game? I think not. Horry has 6 championships so far and counting. The Spurs will probably sign him for a few years.

Shooting Guard:

Michael Redd Re-signs with the Bucks
Michael Redd is one of the best shooters in the NBA right now. The prospect of him playing with LeBron is intriguing, since what they lacked the most was outside shooting. But there’s no way Redd gives up 20 million to play with LeBron.

Larry Hughes Signs with the Cavs
Has cemented him self as one of the best shooting guard’s in the league. He can score, create for others, and has a knack for getting steals. Hughes will in all likely hoods get max money from the Wizards.

Ronald Murray
Didn’t really get to play much last season but the season before that he was outstanding. Won’t get the MLE but I see him being a steal pickup for any team.

Cuttino Mobley
One of the best defenders in free agency, and has a very explosive offensive game. He turned down a 6.5 million option form the Kings and is looking to get more then the MLE but I doubt he’ll get more.

Joe Johnson
Extremely versatile, is a natural shooting guard but can also play some point. And we saw in the playoffs how vital he was, once he came back from that horrible injury. If anybody can pry him away from the Suns I think it will be a steal, even if it was for the maximum. The Suns might not be able to afford him with Shawn Marion and Steve Nash making close to max money, and Amare soon to be making that kind of money.

Point Guard:

Gary Payton
He still has a little left in him. I can see him resigning with the Celtics. But you never know, he could come back to the Sonics – and finish off his career.

Jeff McInnis
Has been known for his off court problems, but other then that he’s a wonderful player. I see him getting 2-3 million a year for 3-4 years from a team.  

Damon Stoudamire
Just like McInnis, he’s know for his off the court problems. He’s been lobbying for the Rockets but if he were willing to sign for the vet minimum the Rockets would be all up for that.

Antonio Daniels
Antonio is one of the most efficient point guards in the NBA. Leads the league in assist to turnover ration year in and year out. He could get an offer in the 4 million area. The Sonics have to many players to resign and he might be the odd man out with Ridnour emerging as their future point.

Marko Jaric
Injuries have always slowed this guy down. Other then that he’s a fabulous point guard, just needs to work on his shooting a little. He’s the typical new-age big point guard, at 6’7″.

[Editors Note: NBA Free Agency moves quickly so we’ll update this on signings as they occur.]