Post by 20/20/20/20 on Aug 26, 2010 13:40:58 GMT -5
The upcoming offseason will feature the strongest free agency class yet with plenty of impact players looking to change teams. While the players available won't be on the same level as next offseason, this year will still be plenty exciting and very important with regard to shaping teams for the future. Who are the top free agents this offseason? Where will they end up? Let's take a look at the top Free Agents for this year's offseason.
1. Jamal Mashburn SF 6'8'' 241 30 B A- B B+ C B
Mash has shot up to the #1 free agent this offseason due to a huge TC and much improved play this season at his natural position of small forward. Jamal is 2nd in the league in scoring at 32 points per game. With those scoring numbers combined with 7 rebounds 5 assists and 2 steals per game, Mashburn has a real chance at being 1st team All NBA small forward and he is going to hit the market this offseason. Who said that the stars weren't free agents until next year? Mashburn has star quality ratings and numbers, and when you factor in that he still has B potential, he comes in as this offseason's most coveted prize.
2. Eddie Jones SG 6'6'' 200 32 B A- B- A- C C
Eddie Jones has been a little more consistent that Mashburn, and could have an argument for the top spot as well. He has averaged over 20 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 1.5 steals in each of his 3 seasons with the Fighting Kahns. Last year, Eddie poured in 202 three pointers. The guy is a great all around player and can really do it all on the floor. If he doesn't choose to resign with the T-Wolves, some team will be extremely lucky to grab Jones. He is the type of player that can instantly improve a team. Teams looking to become true title contenders will be very interested in Mr. Jones.
3. Shane Battier SF 6'8'' 215 25 B- B C A C+ B
In a selection that could certainly be argued, Battier's rare defense (A rating, 1.6 steals 1.2 blocks) combined with his age, potential, and above average scoring ability make him the #3 most coveted free agent in next year's class. Still only 25 with room to improve, Battier has been the defensive stopper for the Houston Rockets who have spent multiple training sessions with coaches to improve his game even more. It is tough to find better defenders than Battier in the league, and this year Shane is providing the rare 1+ steals and 1+ blocks for the Rockets.
4. Terrell Brandon PG 5'11'' 173 33 C+ B- A- A C- C
The man running the point for the league's best franchise for the last 3 years is hitting the open market. Or is he? Many suspect that Brandon will opt to re-up with the Raptors, but should he choose to test the free agency waters, he will definitely be sought after. Brandon is averaging 17 and 9 over his 3 seasons with the Raptors, and this year is having his best season at 18 points, 10 assists, 5 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game. One of the league's top pick pocketers and assist men, Brandon can transform any team in need to a point guard into a contending team. Should Brandon choose to leave the Raptors, they could have problems in 2004 with Kobe the only one of their original 4 horsemen left.
5. Bonzi Wells SG 6'5'' 210 27 A- C+ B B C+ B
A guy who hasn't gotten much publicity, Bonzi has quietly been the Wizards 2nd best player behind Shaq. The guy is averaging 19 points a game this year after putting in 22 a game last season. Bonzi is an amazing rebounder from the SG spot, averaging 8 per game in his 3 years with the Wizards. Wells has also been good to provide 5 assists a contest and a consistent 1.4 steals per game in each of his 3 seasons. Wells is a fantastic player who is still only 27 years old and has room to improve with a B potential rating. The guy already could be the 2nd-3rd best player on a title team so whoever adds him will have to be extremely happy this offseason.
6. Damon Stoudamire PG 5'10'' 171 30 C+ A- A- A- C- D
Stoudamire provides fantastic ratings, fantastic numbers, and is young enough to play out a long contract for whichever team signs him. Those factors land him at #6 on our top 50. The owner of 4 career triple doubles, Damon has averaged 18 pts, 10 assists and 5 rebounds per game for the Celtics and now the Warriors. One possible concern for Stoudamire's suitors has to be that his numbers have been trending down in each of his 3 seasons. If his numbers continue to dip, will he be worth a big contract by the end of the deal?
7. Ruben Patterson SG 6'5'' 224 28 A- C- C+ A C+ B
The Kobe Stopper brings many highly desired traits to the table. Stud defender. Strong rebounder from the SG spot. Can score the ball inside. Patterson has been unheralded as the #3 guy in Cleveland behind Brand & Marbury, but he has played a key role for the Cavs throughout his career. A career 15 point and 7 rebound a game guy, Patterson also brings lock down d to the table. Put him on your opponent's best wing and enjoy.
8. Glenn Robinson SF 6'7'' 235 30 A- B C B+ C+ C
Robinson is a big time scorer who also can defend a little. Robinson has been one of the most underrated players in TMBSL in each of his 3 seasons, averaging 23 points and 7 rebounds a game. Part of the reason he hasn't received many accolades could be that he has yet to play on a winning team. Is the Big Dog your classic example of a guy who fills up the stat sheet on a losing ballclub? Well, so far this season he appears to be leading the Cavaliers to their 3rd consecutive playoff appearance, but will they be able to break through and win a series? If they can do so, they will likely through the bank at Robinson to bring him back next season.
9. Jamaal Tinsley PG 6'3'' 185 25 C B- B+ A D+ B
The Minnesota Fighting Kahns are in an interesting spot this offseason, as nearly their entire team has the potential to hit the open market. Both their starting and backup PGs are potential free agents, and it is hard to differentiate between the two. Both have fantastic talents and will be highly sought after if they test the waters. For our ranking purposes, we gave Tinsley the slight edge due to his potential and youth. Tinsley's stat totals are unimpressive due to being stuck behind Best in Minnesota, but his talent, potential, and youth is hard to deny. Tinsley has never average more than 10 minutes a game for the Wolves so he may be frustrated and looking to get out. If Minnesota opts to keep Best and lets Tinsley go, he will be a fantastic prize for someone with the cap space.
10. Travis Best PG 5'11'' 184 31 C B+ A- A- D+ C
Tinsley's teammate on the Wolves is the 3rd Minnesota player in the top 10 free agents, highlighting how important this offseason will be for the West's top team. Best is the starting PG for the West's best team and he does everything Minnesota asks of him. He is not looked to as a scorer, which explains his 9 points per game. Where his value comes in is as a distributor, a ball handler, and a defender. Best averages 9 assists and only 1.7 turnovers per game, which gives him one of the best assist to turnover ratios in TMBSL. His defense has also been invaluable to Minnesota who stresses the defensive end of the ball more than anyone. Best is the prototypical Timberwolf PG so it will be interesting to see which PG the team decides to bring back this offseason. They likely won't have the funds to lock up both Best and Tinsley.
11. Michael Finley SF 6'7'' 215 30 B B B- A- C- C
Finley is a strange case. His ratings suggest that he belongs in the top 10, but the guy has been passed around the league like dumptime's sister at a frat party, and in most of those spots he hasn't gotten much playing time. First, Finley found himself stuck in Utah where there was a logjam of wings. After thinking he had finally been given the freedom he needed when he was shipped to Portland, he got shipped off to Phoenix where he was once again relegated to the bench. The fact remains, Finley is more than a bench player. This is a solid starter with great ratings who will perform better than his stats thus far if he is given the chance. 15 points per game in 2001 is his high water mark, but make him a top 3 scoring option as your starting SF and he should net you a solid 17-18 ppg.
12. Keith Van Horn SF 6'10'' 255 28 B B- C B- B- B
KVH has gone above and beyond scout's expecations at each and every stop. Van Horn had to settle and go to Utah to prove college coaches wrong. Success. He then fell to round 5 of the creation draft. He promptly went out and scored 20 points a game leading the Warriors to the 2 seed in the West. After being traded as a part of the controversial Allen Iverson deal, Van Horn has continued to excel in New Jersey. 17 and 7 has been Van Horn's production for the Nets, but will they have the cash to give KVH knowing that sim-Yao is due a max deal in a few years?
13. Brian Grant PF 6'9'' 250 31 B C- C A- B D
Out of the shadow of Michael Jordan and Karl Malone, Brian Grant thought this year would be his time to shine. After putting up 14 and 10 last year for the Raptors, Grant figured to see starter's minutes once again. But when new management came to town, Grant found himself wasting away on the bench up North. Grant possesses great defense, rebounding, and scoring abilities and will certainly make whoever chooses to sign him a lot better. It doesn't take a big leap of faith to assume he won't be back in Toronto next season.
14. John Stockton PG 6'1'' 175 41 C A- A+ A D+ C
Stockton is the first old man to appear in the rankings, but his talent is too much to deny. There is a strong chance that John calls it quits after this season, but he appears to be chasing a title as well. Should he fail to win a title and decide to give it another go round, Stockton should stand to get a big time 1 year deal from a contending club. There is no doubt that Stockton has the best ratings of any PG on the market but his age may scare some teams off. You know what you are getting with Stockton: high assists, low turnovers, and the ability to shoot the 3.
15. Eddie House PG 6'1'' 180 25 B- B B- B- D B
A key part of the return in the big trade that sent Jamal Mashburn and Derek Fisher to the Lakers, House has blown up in Dallas since being moved to PG for the Mavericks. House is a combo guard with solid ratings across the board and the potential to improve upon those ratings. The Mavericks are in love with House and would like to bring him back, but he may be the perfect 6th man candidate for a contending club, and the allure of playing for a winner is very attractive to Mr. House (92 play for winner).
16. Quentin Richardson SG 6'6'' 223 23 B B- C C+ C+ B
The Indiana Pacers don't get much publicity in TMBSL as they have been a lottery team each year in the loaded East, but Q-Rich has been a big time scorer in Naptown. Averaging 21 points per game in 2003 after a 2002 campaign where he scored 20 a game, it is clear what Richardson brings to the table: points. His defense leaves a lot to be desired so whoever signs him will hope that his potential is used to increase his defensive ability.
17. Jalen Rose PG 6'8'' 225 30 B- B B B C- C
Rose is a fantastic all around player who can play either PG or SG. He recently won TMBSL Player of the Week as a member of the lowly San Antonio Spurs, an impressive feat for sure. The Spurs hope to re-sign the guy who has been a key part of their club the last few seasons, but he may decide to bolt for a team with a better chance to win now. Rose has averaged 19 points, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds in 3 seasons in TMBSL.
![]()
www.shaqdvds.com/images/logos/Eastern Conference Powerhouse Hornets.gif[/img] 18. Darrell Armstrong PG 6'1'' 180 35 C+ B+ B+ A- C- D
DA's play has truly gone under the radar the past 3 seasons in Charlotte, as his teammate Rashard Lewis gets most of the attention. Armstrong was named TMBSL Player of the Week twice in the 2002 season, an honor that proves he has the ability to dominate games. Armstrong has averaged 18 points, 9 assists, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals per game over the last 3 years which put him in the league's elite class of PG. His age will certainly scare off some teams so it will be interesting to see how many years he gets as a free agent.
19. Derek Fisher PG 6'1'' 200 29 C A- B A- D D
Fisher isn't getting any playing time in LA right now and it has to be frustrating him. Derek is currently playing about 10 minutes a game as the backup to All Star Jason Kidd, but there is a gaping hole at SG on the Lakers roster. While Fisher certainly feels that he can play the 2 guard role, the Lakers coaching staff has disagreed thus far, opting to play rookie Willie Green. Fisher is very upset with his current situation and will likely be taking the first train out of LA at the end of the season. Whoever shows the guy love will get a player with fantastic talents eager to show what he can do with some playing time.
20. Steven Hunter C 7'0'' 225 21 C+ D- D+ B B+ A
Hunter is a raw center prospect who screams potential. A team without a draft pick but with cap space may decide to offer this young big man a long term deal. He already sports good ratings in both defense and rebounding and still has A scouted potential. With the potential to blossom into a top center, Hunter will be in high demand this offseason. Chicago would love to bring him back and make him a part of their future, but will Hunter be scared off by the recent acquisition of Nene?
21. Jason Williams PG 6'1'' 190 27 C B A- A- D+ C
J-Will has been as consistent as can be in Washington, giving the Wizards about 10 pts and 8 assists a game for the last 3 years. Are the assist numbers a product of feeding Shaq or is he being held back by all the talent surrounding him in Washington? Williams is a solid PG in a class full of capable PGs so if he is not careful he may get lost in the shuffle a bit. His age will be a factor working in his favor.
22. DeSagana Diop C 7'1'' 310 20 C+ D D B B- A
Already hitting the free agent market at age 20, the Miami Heat will likely do everything they can to bring this project center back to South Beach. But how does he feel about the recent draft pick of Darko Mlicic? With Eddie Griffin holding down the PF spot and Darko coming over after next year, Diop may see the writing on the wall in Miami and sign somewhere he would have the chance to start. The young center oozes potential and is nowhere near his peak. Right now, he is a capable defender and rebounder who is on the cusp of potential stardom.
![]()
www.shaqdvds.com/images/logos/Eastern Conference Powerhouse Hornets.gif[/img] 23. Keyon Dooling PG 6'5'' 193 23 C+ B- B- B+ C- B
A combo guard, Dooling has seen time at both SG and PG in his young career. Stuck on the bench in 2 of his 3 season in the league, Dooling is still looking to reach his full potential. At the ripe young age of 23 and with room to improve, he should generate some interest on the free agent market this offseason. Although he has been tabbed as the heir apparent to Armstrong as the PG of the Eastern Conference Powerhouse Hornets, his most successful season came in 2002 when he averaged 18 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds a game for Memphis.
24. Greg Ostertag C 7'2'' 280 30 C+ D+ D+ A B+ C
Ostertag has been lost in the shuffle in Toronto because of all the other stars the franchise has had, but he has been one of the league's best centers for the last 3 years. The guy has averaged 10 rebounds and 2 blocks per game in his 3 years in Toronto and has been a valuable part of the league's winningest franchse. A team looking to lock down the center spot should be happy to sign this 30 year old big man. Look for Utah to show interest in this Caucasian.
25. Scot Pollard C 6'11'' 265 28 C+ C- C- A B+ C
Pollard is one of the best rebounders in the league. After averaging 11+ rebounds a game in 2002, Pollard is once again pulling down double digits boards a game. Not a fantastic scorer, but he puts the ball in the bucket enough to average about a double double. The Lakers would like to bring him back, but he made decide to test the waters.
26. Lorenzen Wright C 6'11'' 240 27 C+ C- C A- B+ C
Solid consistent center. Lorenzen has done well in his time in Utah as both the backup and starting C. He is good for close to a double double if given starter's minutes and at the young age of 27, he can be counted on for longer than some of the aging centers in this class.
27. Tim Thomas SF 6'10'' 230 26 C+ A- C+ A- C A
Whoever signs Tim Thomas will be speculating on his potential. The guy has loads of potential but has not yet produced how scouts expected when he entered the league. Already sporting A- ratings in both outside scoring and defense, his career 10 points a game is somewhat disappointing. But with the Lakers in 2001, he was given starters minutes and did put up 15 points a game. His high potential will certainly net him a strong deal, but will he deliver? Big time boom or bust signing here.
28. Juwan Howard SF 6'9'' 250 30 A- C- C B- C+ C
Similar to Corliss Williamson in San Antonio, Juwan is a scorer. He Brings a little more to the table than Williamson when it comes to defense and rebounding, and he is very versatile. Howard won't win you any championships, but he can play SF or PF with ease and has the ability to score the basketball. He has averaged 16, 13 and 12 in his 3 seasons in the league, and at age 30, Howard is still young enough to play out a long contract at this level.
29. Kerry Kittles SG 6'5'' 190 29 C+ A- B B- C C
Kittles has great all around ratings but has never produced as much as scouts have expected. After getting 30 minutes a game in Philly and now with the Sonics, he has never averaged over 10 points a game in a season. Scouts know he has the talent but he hasn't put it all together. Will someone be willing to roll the dice with this talented SG?
30. Raja Bell SG 6'5'' 215 27 C B B- B C- B
Bell is an all around player who is still young enough to improve. A capable shooter, ball handler, and defender, he would make a great 6th man for whoever chooses to ink him to a deal. Bell may suffer though as there are other players with similar playing styles but slightly better talent on the market this offseason. Bell may wind up having to take a slightly discounted deal.
31. Corliss Williamson PF 6'7'' 245 29 A- D+ C- C C C
Corliss used to have the nickname "Scoreless" Williamson. That couldn't be more incorrect lately. The guy has filled it up down in San Antonio. Averaging 19 points a game over his 3 seasons with the Spurs, Corliss has been a scoring machine. But the problem is he doesn't bring much else to the table and his points haven't led to many wins for the Spurs. A team who can take the rebounding and defense hit will be happy to sign Corliss and his 19 points a game to a contract.
32. Doug Christie SG 6'6'' 205 33 C A- C+ A C- C
Defense, outside shooting, and a winner's mentality. Those traits are what Doug Christie brings to the table. Teams going after Christie are likely to be teams who are looking to improve upon their defense or upgrade the SG position. Christie is now infamous for being traded for the much more successful Eddie Jones, but Doug also led the Jazz to the TMBSL Finals as a fill in PG when Gary Payton went down with an injury. He will be a valuable piece to whichever team gives him the best deal.
33. Latrell Sprewell SG 6'5'' 190 33 B- B+ C A- D+ B
Spree hasn't had a chance to get much playing time on the Rockets despite his talent and ratings. The Rockets have opted for the younger and equally talented Shane Battier and Vince Carter, and with good reason. Given the opportunity to shine, Latrell could be a solid starter on a playoff team or a fantastic 6th man for a contender. Many people forget that his first season with Memphis, when he got starter's minutes, he was scoring 20 points a game.
34. Hakeem Olajuwon C 7'0'' 255 40 B- D+ C A B D
The Dream surprised everyone by opting to return for another season instead of riding off in the sunset after he lead the Magic to the 2002 TMBSL Championship. This season has been a big disappointment for the Magic thus far, and Hakeem may decide he doesn't want to go out like that. If Olajuwon comes back for another year, he will be in high demand as he still possesses the ability of an elite center.
35. Kenny Thomas PF 6'7'' 261 26 B C C- B C+ B
The first of the Thomas PFs, Kenny gets the nod over Kurt due to his youth and potential. Kenny was one of the most sought after free agents last year, and he ended up inking a 1 year deal with the New York Knickerbockers. Thomas hasn't disappointed in New York, averaging 15 points and 7 rebounds a game as the 3rd option in New York behind Francis and LBJ. He still has room to grow as well, sporting a B scouted potential rating. Kenny hopes that his 2nd consecutive good season has legitimized him in the minds of GMs, and he will be looking to cash in with a deal longer than 1 year.
36. Kurt Thomas PF 6'9'' 230 31 B+ C C B+ B D
Hard-working, blue collar, lunch pail type guy here. Which is rare for a non-white guy. But Thomas just brings his best effort to every game and has quietly put up a near double double in each of his 3 seasons with the Rockets. You have to figure that Houston will try their best to re-sign Kurt, but if he makes it to free agency he should be in demand as plenty of teams will be impressed by his 15 points and 10 rebounds this season.
37. Adonal Foyle C 6'10'' 250 28 C D- D+ A B- D
Adonal is a great defender. That will be what makes him in demand as a free agent. Foyle has blocked 2.2 shots per game in only 19.7 minutes per game throughout his career. That is one of the best per minute block rates in the entire league. His inability to score has kept him from getting 35 minutes a game, but on a team with scorers at all other positions, Adonal could be a fantastic anchor down low.
38. Jeff Foster C 6'11'' 242 26 C D+ D+ B- A- B
The Spurs twin towers of free agency are very similar. Foster, much like his teammate Brian Cardinals, is a great rebounder and defender who still has the potential to improve. Foster has been good for 6 points and 7 rebounds in about 20 minutes a game for the Spurs. Despite his B- defensive rating, he has not been a shot blocker for the Spurs.
39. Brian Cardinal PF 6'8'' 245 26 C C D+ B+ A- A
Cardinal is already a fantastic defender and rebounder, still has youth at age 26, and scouts believe he isn't done improving yet. Right now Cardinal lacks any scoring ability which limits how often his team can put him on the court. A team needing defense and rebounding will sign the guy, and if he uses his potential to improve upon his scoring, he could become a solid starting PF in the league.
![]()
www.shaqdvds.com/images/logos/Eastern Conference Powerhouse Hornets.gif[/img] 40. Al Harrington SF 6'9'' 254 23 B C C B C+ A
Harrington is a guy with great potential who hasn't yet produced much in the league. He has been a solid bench guy but hasn't produced enough to earn himself starter's minutes, either in his old home of Seattle or with his new team in New Orleans. A capable inside scorer and defender, it will be interesting to see how much this guy gets in the offseason. The potential is sexy, but will he capitalize on it? A good offseason could make him a stud. He has shown flashes with a career high in points and rebounds of 29 and 16 respectively.
41. Anfernee Hardaway SF 6'7'' 215 32 B C+ B B C C
6th man extraordinaire for the defending champs, Hardaway played a big role for the Magic on their run to the title. A midseason acquisition from the Knicks, the Magic have credited a lot of their success to the depth that Hardaway among others gave their squad. Will he opt to return to a bench role with the team where he won the title, or will he chase a starting role somewhere else?
42. Clifford Robinson SF 6'10'' 225 36 B- B- C A- C- D
A starter for 3 years with the Clippers, Cliff has never felt the love from his current franchise. He has consistently been on the trading block, even when he was average 18 points a game in 2001. A red flag for Robinson is how quickly his numbers have dropped in each of the last 3 seasons. His point totals have gone from 18 to 15 down to 11 this year so age has to be a concern.
43. Donyell Marshall SF 6'9'' 230 30 B C+ C A- B C
Marshall has solid ratings across the board and has been a solid bench guy for the Rockets for the last 3 years. With a chance for more playing time, he could put up better numbers. Fringe starter/great bench player.
44. Gary Coleman PF 6'10'' 223 21 B- D C- C- A B
One of last offseason's most sought after free agents, Coleman is more of an afterthought this year. A poor training camp combined with a disappointing season for the Pistons this year has dropped Gary's stock. Coleman's per minute numbers with the Pistons are intriguing 3.2 pts and 4.0 reb in 11.9 minutes per game.
45. Kenny Anderson PG 6'1'' 168 33 C B B+ A- D+ C
All Kenny wants is a chance. Stuck behind arguably the league's best PG in Chauncey Billups the last 3 years, Anderson has hardly had a chance to see the court. Scouts still believe he has plenty of talent though and maybe a change of scenery will be just what Anderson needs to thrive.
46. Loren Woods C 7'1'' 250 25 C+ C C A- C+ B
Woods might not be on the level of a Divac or Sabonis yet, but Woods has youth and potential which will make him more attractive on the free agent market. Woods is a bit of a project as right now his only strength is his defense, but the guy has plenty of potential and is on the cusp of developing into a potent rebounder and inside scorer. Someone will take a flyer on this guy in the offseason should the Magic let him get away.
47. Vlade Divac C 7'1'' 260 35 B- C- C A- B- D
Vlade is a solid center who while up there in age, can still provide some size inside for whichever team chooses to ink him to a deal. Look for Utah to possibly be interested in bringing Divac back, Raef LaFrentz hasn't been the same ever since his light skinned frontcourt mate was shipped out. Vlade has averaged 10 and 9 in his 3 seasons in the TMBSL.
48. Arvydas Sabonis C 7'3'' 292 38 B C C A- B- D
Sabonis is an old man. Retirement rumors have been swirling each of the last 2 offseasons, but Arvydas has come back each season. Perhaps to honor his contract, perhaps because he is chasing a title. If he doesn't get that ring with the Hawks this year, Sabonis may be looking to latch onto a contending team and he could provide some much needed defense and rebounding from the center position.
49. Vin Baker PF 6'11'' 250 31 B+ C- C- B C+ C
Vin Baker is a chucker. A black hole. A ball hog. Call it what you wish, but the guy likes to shoot. Sometimes that works for teams and at other times it doesn't. Washington shipped Baker out because of his inability to pass the rock, but he seems to have found a niche in Toronto. The guy has had some big time games for the Raptors and is average an eye-popping 20 points and 9 rebounds North of the border. Will his numbers be hurt by the exchange rate should he sign with an American club?
50. Brian Skinner PF 6'9'' 265 27 C+ D D+ B- B B
Skinner is a solid backup PF who can defend and rebound, similar to other guys on this list. Skinner's value comes in his B potential and the possibility that he has yet to hit his peak. A team inking him to a small deal could get a steal with a good training camp from Skinner.
51. Joe Silvestri PG 5'7'' 230 21 D- F+ F+ D- D- B
The young PG prospect was merely an afterthought in the 2003 TMBSL draft, but after an encouraging TC he was signed by the defending champs to a 1 year deal. Fighting hard for playing time in practice every day, Silvestri has yet to see the floor. His B potential rating will be attractive to some teams looking for a young PG. One has to wonder though, is he cursed? His addition to the Magic has coincided with their fall from grace.
1. Jamal Mashburn SF 6'8'' 241 30 B A- B B+ C BMash has shot up to the #1 free agent this offseason due to a huge TC and much improved play this season at his natural position of small forward. Jamal is 2nd in the league in scoring at 32 points per game. With those scoring numbers combined with 7 rebounds 5 assists and 2 steals per game, Mashburn has a real chance at being 1st team All NBA small forward and he is going to hit the market this offseason. Who said that the stars weren't free agents until next year? Mashburn has star quality ratings and numbers, and when you factor in that he still has B potential, he comes in as this offseason's most coveted prize.
2. Eddie Jones SG 6'6'' 200 32 B A- B- A- C CEddie Jones has been a little more consistent that Mashburn, and could have an argument for the top spot as well. He has averaged over 20 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 1.5 steals in each of his 3 seasons with the Fighting Kahns. Last year, Eddie poured in 202 three pointers. The guy is a great all around player and can really do it all on the floor. If he doesn't choose to resign with the T-Wolves, some team will be extremely lucky to grab Jones. He is the type of player that can instantly improve a team. Teams looking to become true title contenders will be very interested in Mr. Jones.
3. Shane Battier SF 6'8'' 215 25 B- B C A C+ BIn a selection that could certainly be argued, Battier's rare defense (A rating, 1.6 steals 1.2 blocks) combined with his age, potential, and above average scoring ability make him the #3 most coveted free agent in next year's class. Still only 25 with room to improve, Battier has been the defensive stopper for the Houston Rockets who have spent multiple training sessions with coaches to improve his game even more. It is tough to find better defenders than Battier in the league, and this year Shane is providing the rare 1+ steals and 1+ blocks for the Rockets.
4. Terrell Brandon PG 5'11'' 173 33 C+ B- A- A C- CThe man running the point for the league's best franchise for the last 3 years is hitting the open market. Or is he? Many suspect that Brandon will opt to re-up with the Raptors, but should he choose to test the free agency waters, he will definitely be sought after. Brandon is averaging 17 and 9 over his 3 seasons with the Raptors, and this year is having his best season at 18 points, 10 assists, 5 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game. One of the league's top pick pocketers and assist men, Brandon can transform any team in need to a point guard into a contending team. Should Brandon choose to leave the Raptors, they could have problems in 2004 with Kobe the only one of their original 4 horsemen left.
5. Bonzi Wells SG 6'5'' 210 27 A- C+ B B C+ BA guy who hasn't gotten much publicity, Bonzi has quietly been the Wizards 2nd best player behind Shaq. The guy is averaging 19 points a game this year after putting in 22 a game last season. Bonzi is an amazing rebounder from the SG spot, averaging 8 per game in his 3 years with the Wizards. Wells has also been good to provide 5 assists a contest and a consistent 1.4 steals per game in each of his 3 seasons. Wells is a fantastic player who is still only 27 years old and has room to improve with a B potential rating. The guy already could be the 2nd-3rd best player on a title team so whoever adds him will have to be extremely happy this offseason.
6. Damon Stoudamire PG 5'10'' 171 30 C+ A- A- A- C- DStoudamire provides fantastic ratings, fantastic numbers, and is young enough to play out a long contract for whichever team signs him. Those factors land him at #6 on our top 50. The owner of 4 career triple doubles, Damon has averaged 18 pts, 10 assists and 5 rebounds per game for the Celtics and now the Warriors. One possible concern for Stoudamire's suitors has to be that his numbers have been trending down in each of his 3 seasons. If his numbers continue to dip, will he be worth a big contract by the end of the deal?
7. Ruben Patterson SG 6'5'' 224 28 A- C- C+ A C+ BThe Kobe Stopper brings many highly desired traits to the table. Stud defender. Strong rebounder from the SG spot. Can score the ball inside. Patterson has been unheralded as the #3 guy in Cleveland behind Brand & Marbury, but he has played a key role for the Cavs throughout his career. A career 15 point and 7 rebound a game guy, Patterson also brings lock down d to the table. Put him on your opponent's best wing and enjoy.
8. Glenn Robinson SF 6'7'' 235 30 A- B C B+ C+ CRobinson is a big time scorer who also can defend a little. Robinson has been one of the most underrated players in TMBSL in each of his 3 seasons, averaging 23 points and 7 rebounds a game. Part of the reason he hasn't received many accolades could be that he has yet to play on a winning team. Is the Big Dog your classic example of a guy who fills up the stat sheet on a losing ballclub? Well, so far this season he appears to be leading the Cavaliers to their 3rd consecutive playoff appearance, but will they be able to break through and win a series? If they can do so, they will likely through the bank at Robinson to bring him back next season.
9. Jamaal Tinsley PG 6'3'' 185 25 C B- B+ A D+ BThe Minnesota Fighting Kahns are in an interesting spot this offseason, as nearly their entire team has the potential to hit the open market. Both their starting and backup PGs are potential free agents, and it is hard to differentiate between the two. Both have fantastic talents and will be highly sought after if they test the waters. For our ranking purposes, we gave Tinsley the slight edge due to his potential and youth. Tinsley's stat totals are unimpressive due to being stuck behind Best in Minnesota, but his talent, potential, and youth is hard to deny. Tinsley has never average more than 10 minutes a game for the Wolves so he may be frustrated and looking to get out. If Minnesota opts to keep Best and lets Tinsley go, he will be a fantastic prize for someone with the cap space.
10. Travis Best PG 5'11'' 184 31 C B+ A- A- D+ CTinsley's teammate on the Wolves is the 3rd Minnesota player in the top 10 free agents, highlighting how important this offseason will be for the West's top team. Best is the starting PG for the West's best team and he does everything Minnesota asks of him. He is not looked to as a scorer, which explains his 9 points per game. Where his value comes in is as a distributor, a ball handler, and a defender. Best averages 9 assists and only 1.7 turnovers per game, which gives him one of the best assist to turnover ratios in TMBSL. His defense has also been invaluable to Minnesota who stresses the defensive end of the ball more than anyone. Best is the prototypical Timberwolf PG so it will be interesting to see which PG the team decides to bring back this offseason. They likely won't have the funds to lock up both Best and Tinsley.
11. Michael Finley SF 6'7'' 215 30 B B B- A- C- CFinley is a strange case. His ratings suggest that he belongs in the top 10, but the guy has been passed around the league like dumptime's sister at a frat party, and in most of those spots he hasn't gotten much playing time. First, Finley found himself stuck in Utah where there was a logjam of wings. After thinking he had finally been given the freedom he needed when he was shipped to Portland, he got shipped off to Phoenix where he was once again relegated to the bench. The fact remains, Finley is more than a bench player. This is a solid starter with great ratings who will perform better than his stats thus far if he is given the chance. 15 points per game in 2001 is his high water mark, but make him a top 3 scoring option as your starting SF and he should net you a solid 17-18 ppg.
12. Keith Van Horn SF 6'10'' 255 28 B B- C B- B- BKVH has gone above and beyond scout's expecations at each and every stop. Van Horn had to settle and go to Utah to prove college coaches wrong. Success. He then fell to round 5 of the creation draft. He promptly went out and scored 20 points a game leading the Warriors to the 2 seed in the West. After being traded as a part of the controversial Allen Iverson deal, Van Horn has continued to excel in New Jersey. 17 and 7 has been Van Horn's production for the Nets, but will they have the cash to give KVH knowing that sim-Yao is due a max deal in a few years?
13. Brian Grant PF 6'9'' 250 31 B C- C A- B DOut of the shadow of Michael Jordan and Karl Malone, Brian Grant thought this year would be his time to shine. After putting up 14 and 10 last year for the Raptors, Grant figured to see starter's minutes once again. But when new management came to town, Grant found himself wasting away on the bench up North. Grant possesses great defense, rebounding, and scoring abilities and will certainly make whoever chooses to sign him a lot better. It doesn't take a big leap of faith to assume he won't be back in Toronto next season.
14. John Stockton PG 6'1'' 175 41 C A- A+ A D+ CStockton is the first old man to appear in the rankings, but his talent is too much to deny. There is a strong chance that John calls it quits after this season, but he appears to be chasing a title as well. Should he fail to win a title and decide to give it another go round, Stockton should stand to get a big time 1 year deal from a contending club. There is no doubt that Stockton has the best ratings of any PG on the market but his age may scare some teams off. You know what you are getting with Stockton: high assists, low turnovers, and the ability to shoot the 3.
15. Eddie House PG 6'1'' 180 25 B- B B- B- D BA key part of the return in the big trade that sent Jamal Mashburn and Derek Fisher to the Lakers, House has blown up in Dallas since being moved to PG for the Mavericks. House is a combo guard with solid ratings across the board and the potential to improve upon those ratings. The Mavericks are in love with House and would like to bring him back, but he may be the perfect 6th man candidate for a contending club, and the allure of playing for a winner is very attractive to Mr. House (92 play for winner).
16. Quentin Richardson SG 6'6'' 223 23 B B- C C+ C+ BThe Indiana Pacers don't get much publicity in TMBSL as they have been a lottery team each year in the loaded East, but Q-Rich has been a big time scorer in Naptown. Averaging 21 points per game in 2003 after a 2002 campaign where he scored 20 a game, it is clear what Richardson brings to the table: points. His defense leaves a lot to be desired so whoever signs him will hope that his potential is used to increase his defensive ability.
17. Jalen Rose PG 6'8'' 225 30 B- B B B C- CRose is a fantastic all around player who can play either PG or SG. He recently won TMBSL Player of the Week as a member of the lowly San Antonio Spurs, an impressive feat for sure. The Spurs hope to re-sign the guy who has been a key part of their club the last few seasons, but he may decide to bolt for a team with a better chance to win now. Rose has averaged 19 points, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds in 3 seasons in TMBSL.
DA's play has truly gone under the radar the past 3 seasons in Charlotte, as his teammate Rashard Lewis gets most of the attention. Armstrong was named TMBSL Player of the Week twice in the 2002 season, an honor that proves he has the ability to dominate games. Armstrong has averaged 18 points, 9 assists, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals per game over the last 3 years which put him in the league's elite class of PG. His age will certainly scare off some teams so it will be interesting to see how many years he gets as a free agent.
19. Derek Fisher PG 6'1'' 200 29 C A- B A- D DFisher isn't getting any playing time in LA right now and it has to be frustrating him. Derek is currently playing about 10 minutes a game as the backup to All Star Jason Kidd, but there is a gaping hole at SG on the Lakers roster. While Fisher certainly feels that he can play the 2 guard role, the Lakers coaching staff has disagreed thus far, opting to play rookie Willie Green. Fisher is very upset with his current situation and will likely be taking the first train out of LA at the end of the season. Whoever shows the guy love will get a player with fantastic talents eager to show what he can do with some playing time.
20. Steven Hunter C 7'0'' 225 21 C+ D- D+ B B+ AHunter is a raw center prospect who screams potential. A team without a draft pick but with cap space may decide to offer this young big man a long term deal. He already sports good ratings in both defense and rebounding and still has A scouted potential. With the potential to blossom into a top center, Hunter will be in high demand this offseason. Chicago would love to bring him back and make him a part of their future, but will Hunter be scared off by the recent acquisition of Nene?
21. Jason Williams PG 6'1'' 190 27 C B A- A- D+ CJ-Will has been as consistent as can be in Washington, giving the Wizards about 10 pts and 8 assists a game for the last 3 years. Are the assist numbers a product of feeding Shaq or is he being held back by all the talent surrounding him in Washington? Williams is a solid PG in a class full of capable PGs so if he is not careful he may get lost in the shuffle a bit. His age will be a factor working in his favor.
22. DeSagana Diop C 7'1'' 310 20 C+ D D B B- AAlready hitting the free agent market at age 20, the Miami Heat will likely do everything they can to bring this project center back to South Beach. But how does he feel about the recent draft pick of Darko Mlicic? With Eddie Griffin holding down the PF spot and Darko coming over after next year, Diop may see the writing on the wall in Miami and sign somewhere he would have the chance to start. The young center oozes potential and is nowhere near his peak. Right now, he is a capable defender and rebounder who is on the cusp of potential stardom.
A combo guard, Dooling has seen time at both SG and PG in his young career. Stuck on the bench in 2 of his 3 season in the league, Dooling is still looking to reach his full potential. At the ripe young age of 23 and with room to improve, he should generate some interest on the free agent market this offseason. Although he has been tabbed as the heir apparent to Armstrong as the PG of the Eastern Conference Powerhouse Hornets, his most successful season came in 2002 when he averaged 18 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds a game for Memphis.
24. Greg Ostertag C 7'2'' 280 30 C+ D+ D+ A B+ COstertag has been lost in the shuffle in Toronto because of all the other stars the franchise has had, but he has been one of the league's best centers for the last 3 years. The guy has averaged 10 rebounds and 2 blocks per game in his 3 years in Toronto and has been a valuable part of the league's winningest franchse. A team looking to lock down the center spot should be happy to sign this 30 year old big man. Look for Utah to show interest in this Caucasian.
25. Scot Pollard C 6'11'' 265 28 C+ C- C- A B+ CPollard is one of the best rebounders in the league. After averaging 11+ rebounds a game in 2002, Pollard is once again pulling down double digits boards a game. Not a fantastic scorer, but he puts the ball in the bucket enough to average about a double double. The Lakers would like to bring him back, but he made decide to test the waters.
26. Lorenzen Wright C 6'11'' 240 27 C+ C- C A- B+ CSolid consistent center. Lorenzen has done well in his time in Utah as both the backup and starting C. He is good for close to a double double if given starter's minutes and at the young age of 27, he can be counted on for longer than some of the aging centers in this class.
27. Tim Thomas SF 6'10'' 230 26 C+ A- C+ A- C AWhoever signs Tim Thomas will be speculating on his potential. The guy has loads of potential but has not yet produced how scouts expected when he entered the league. Already sporting A- ratings in both outside scoring and defense, his career 10 points a game is somewhat disappointing. But with the Lakers in 2001, he was given starters minutes and did put up 15 points a game. His high potential will certainly net him a strong deal, but will he deliver? Big time boom or bust signing here.
28. Juwan Howard SF 6'9'' 250 30 A- C- C B- C+ CSimilar to Corliss Williamson in San Antonio, Juwan is a scorer. He Brings a little more to the table than Williamson when it comes to defense and rebounding, and he is very versatile. Howard won't win you any championships, but he can play SF or PF with ease and has the ability to score the basketball. He has averaged 16, 13 and 12 in his 3 seasons in the league, and at age 30, Howard is still young enough to play out a long contract at this level.
29. Kerry Kittles SG 6'5'' 190 29 C+ A- B B- C CKittles has great all around ratings but has never produced as much as scouts have expected. After getting 30 minutes a game in Philly and now with the Sonics, he has never averaged over 10 points a game in a season. Scouts know he has the talent but he hasn't put it all together. Will someone be willing to roll the dice with this talented SG?
30. Raja Bell SG 6'5'' 215 27 C B B- B C- BBell is an all around player who is still young enough to improve. A capable shooter, ball handler, and defender, he would make a great 6th man for whoever chooses to ink him to a deal. Bell may suffer though as there are other players with similar playing styles but slightly better talent on the market this offseason. Bell may wind up having to take a slightly discounted deal.
31. Corliss Williamson PF 6'7'' 245 29 A- D+ C- C C CCorliss used to have the nickname "Scoreless" Williamson. That couldn't be more incorrect lately. The guy has filled it up down in San Antonio. Averaging 19 points a game over his 3 seasons with the Spurs, Corliss has been a scoring machine. But the problem is he doesn't bring much else to the table and his points haven't led to many wins for the Spurs. A team who can take the rebounding and defense hit will be happy to sign Corliss and his 19 points a game to a contract.
32. Doug Christie SG 6'6'' 205 33 C A- C+ A C- CDefense, outside shooting, and a winner's mentality. Those traits are what Doug Christie brings to the table. Teams going after Christie are likely to be teams who are looking to improve upon their defense or upgrade the SG position. Christie is now infamous for being traded for the much more successful Eddie Jones, but Doug also led the Jazz to the TMBSL Finals as a fill in PG when Gary Payton went down with an injury. He will be a valuable piece to whichever team gives him the best deal.
33. Latrell Sprewell SG 6'5'' 190 33 B- B+ C A- D+ BSpree hasn't had a chance to get much playing time on the Rockets despite his talent and ratings. The Rockets have opted for the younger and equally talented Shane Battier and Vince Carter, and with good reason. Given the opportunity to shine, Latrell could be a solid starter on a playoff team or a fantastic 6th man for a contender. Many people forget that his first season with Memphis, when he got starter's minutes, he was scoring 20 points a game.
34. Hakeem Olajuwon C 7'0'' 255 40 B- D+ C A B DThe Dream surprised everyone by opting to return for another season instead of riding off in the sunset after he lead the Magic to the 2002 TMBSL Championship. This season has been a big disappointment for the Magic thus far, and Hakeem may decide he doesn't want to go out like that. If Olajuwon comes back for another year, he will be in high demand as he still possesses the ability of an elite center.
35. Kenny Thomas PF 6'7'' 261 26 B C C- B C+ BThe first of the Thomas PFs, Kenny gets the nod over Kurt due to his youth and potential. Kenny was one of the most sought after free agents last year, and he ended up inking a 1 year deal with the New York Knickerbockers. Thomas hasn't disappointed in New York, averaging 15 points and 7 rebounds a game as the 3rd option in New York behind Francis and LBJ. He still has room to grow as well, sporting a B scouted potential rating. Kenny hopes that his 2nd consecutive good season has legitimized him in the minds of GMs, and he will be looking to cash in with a deal longer than 1 year.
36. Kurt Thomas PF 6'9'' 230 31 B+ C C B+ B DHard-working, blue collar, lunch pail type guy here. Which is rare for a non-white guy. But Thomas just brings his best effort to every game and has quietly put up a near double double in each of his 3 seasons with the Rockets. You have to figure that Houston will try their best to re-sign Kurt, but if he makes it to free agency he should be in demand as plenty of teams will be impressed by his 15 points and 10 rebounds this season.
37. Adonal Foyle C 6'10'' 250 28 C D- D+ A B- DAdonal is a great defender. That will be what makes him in demand as a free agent. Foyle has blocked 2.2 shots per game in only 19.7 minutes per game throughout his career. That is one of the best per minute block rates in the entire league. His inability to score has kept him from getting 35 minutes a game, but on a team with scorers at all other positions, Adonal could be a fantastic anchor down low.
38. Jeff Foster C 6'11'' 242 26 C D+ D+ B- A- BThe Spurs twin towers of free agency are very similar. Foster, much like his teammate Brian Cardinals, is a great rebounder and defender who still has the potential to improve. Foster has been good for 6 points and 7 rebounds in about 20 minutes a game for the Spurs. Despite his B- defensive rating, he has not been a shot blocker for the Spurs.
39. Brian Cardinal PF 6'8'' 245 26 C C D+ B+ A- ACardinal is already a fantastic defender and rebounder, still has youth at age 26, and scouts believe he isn't done improving yet. Right now Cardinal lacks any scoring ability which limits how often his team can put him on the court. A team needing defense and rebounding will sign the guy, and if he uses his potential to improve upon his scoring, he could become a solid starting PF in the league.
Harrington is a guy with great potential who hasn't yet produced much in the league. He has been a solid bench guy but hasn't produced enough to earn himself starter's minutes, either in his old home of Seattle or with his new team in New Orleans. A capable inside scorer and defender, it will be interesting to see how much this guy gets in the offseason. The potential is sexy, but will he capitalize on it? A good offseason could make him a stud. He has shown flashes with a career high in points and rebounds of 29 and 16 respectively.
41. Anfernee Hardaway SF 6'7'' 215 32 B C+ B B C C6th man extraordinaire for the defending champs, Hardaway played a big role for the Magic on their run to the title. A midseason acquisition from the Knicks, the Magic have credited a lot of their success to the depth that Hardaway among others gave their squad. Will he opt to return to a bench role with the team where he won the title, or will he chase a starting role somewhere else?
42. Clifford Robinson SF 6'10'' 225 36 B- B- C A- C- DA starter for 3 years with the Clippers, Cliff has never felt the love from his current franchise. He has consistently been on the trading block, even when he was average 18 points a game in 2001. A red flag for Robinson is how quickly his numbers have dropped in each of the last 3 seasons. His point totals have gone from 18 to 15 down to 11 this year so age has to be a concern.
43. Donyell Marshall SF 6'9'' 230 30 B C+ C A- B CMarshall has solid ratings across the board and has been a solid bench guy for the Rockets for the last 3 years. With a chance for more playing time, he could put up better numbers. Fringe starter/great bench player.
44. Gary Coleman PF 6'10'' 223 21 B- D C- C- A BOne of last offseason's most sought after free agents, Coleman is more of an afterthought this year. A poor training camp combined with a disappointing season for the Pistons this year has dropped Gary's stock. Coleman's per minute numbers with the Pistons are intriguing 3.2 pts and 4.0 reb in 11.9 minutes per game.
45. Kenny Anderson PG 6'1'' 168 33 C B B+ A- D+ CAll Kenny wants is a chance. Stuck behind arguably the league's best PG in Chauncey Billups the last 3 years, Anderson has hardly had a chance to see the court. Scouts still believe he has plenty of talent though and maybe a change of scenery will be just what Anderson needs to thrive.
46. Loren Woods C 7'1'' 250 25 C+ C C A- C+ BWoods might not be on the level of a Divac or Sabonis yet, but Woods has youth and potential which will make him more attractive on the free agent market. Woods is a bit of a project as right now his only strength is his defense, but the guy has plenty of potential and is on the cusp of developing into a potent rebounder and inside scorer. Someone will take a flyer on this guy in the offseason should the Magic let him get away.
47. Vlade Divac C 7'1'' 260 35 B- C- C A- B- DVlade is a solid center who while up there in age, can still provide some size inside for whichever team chooses to ink him to a deal. Look for Utah to possibly be interested in bringing Divac back, Raef LaFrentz hasn't been the same ever since his light skinned frontcourt mate was shipped out. Vlade has averaged 10 and 9 in his 3 seasons in the TMBSL.
48. Arvydas Sabonis C 7'3'' 292 38 B C C A- B- DSabonis is an old man. Retirement rumors have been swirling each of the last 2 offseasons, but Arvydas has come back each season. Perhaps to honor his contract, perhaps because he is chasing a title. If he doesn't get that ring with the Hawks this year, Sabonis may be looking to latch onto a contending team and he could provide some much needed defense and rebounding from the center position.
49. Vin Baker PF 6'11'' 250 31 B+ C- C- B C+ CVin Baker is a chucker. A black hole. A ball hog. Call it what you wish, but the guy likes to shoot. Sometimes that works for teams and at other times it doesn't. Washington shipped Baker out because of his inability to pass the rock, but he seems to have found a niche in Toronto. The guy has had some big time games for the Raptors and is average an eye-popping 20 points and 9 rebounds North of the border. Will his numbers be hurt by the exchange rate should he sign with an American club?
50. Brian Skinner PF 6'9'' 265 27 C+ D D+ B- B B Skinner is a solid backup PF who can defend and rebound, similar to other guys on this list. Skinner's value comes in his B potential and the possibility that he has yet to hit his peak. A team inking him to a small deal could get a steal with a good training camp from Skinner.
51. Joe Silvestri PG 5'7'' 230 21 D- F+ F+ D- D- BThe young PG prospect was merely an afterthought in the 2003 TMBSL draft, but after an encouraging TC he was signed by the defending champs to a 1 year deal. Fighting hard for playing time in practice every day, Silvestri has yet to see the floor. His B potential rating will be attractive to some teams looking for a young PG. One has to wonder though, is he cursed? His addition to the Magic has coincided with their fall from grace.
