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not even your mother
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Ny
Posts: 3,115
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top 10 fee agents entering off season...
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1. Ben Wallace
When was the last time the summer's top free agent didn't average over eight points per game? Probably never, but then again, the last time Ben Wallace was a free agent was after he went undrafted back in '96. This summer though, Big Ben will hit the open market and we're sure he'll be getting phone calls from 30 different GMs. The thing is, we don't expect him to pick up the phone unless the Caller ID reads "Joe D." Wallace wants to stay in Detroit, and Detroit surely wants to keep him around — at least until he's 35. Expect Detroit to hook him up with a nice five-year deal.
2. Al Harrington
Historically, guys in Atlanta have been able to put up big numbers for the Hawks and then land themselves hefty NBA contracts — in other cities. This summer, Al Harrington hopes to be that guy. After being traded to the Hawks two summers ago for Stephen Jackson, Harrington has put up career numbers the past two seasons, hopefully garnering him the big bucks as the top free agent this summer not named Ben Wallace. Although he has expressed interested in staying with the Hawks, Harrington has mentioned that Chicago is a team he'd be interested in playing for as well. At only 26, we'd expect Big Al to receive a nice offer to stay in Atlanta and rebuild along with Joe Johnson, Josh Smith and Marvin Williams, but we think the Hawks would rather move and try to add a piece that fits better with their future plans.
3. Jason Terry
After five years in Atlanta, Jason Terry was traded to the Dallas Mavericks to fill the void of Steve Nash two summers ago and we don't expect him to be going anywhere anytime soon. Terry has been entrusted as Avery Johnson's floor general and has done a great job, so far, in his first two years of service. Not knowing how Terry would pan out, the Mavs drafted Devin Harris fifth overall that summer in hopes of being the future PG of the franchise, but has since been relegated to backup duty. With solid point guards a rarity in the NBA right now, we wouldn't be surprised if Terry (formerly considered a good player on a bad team) was thrown some money this summer — although, from what we've heard, who would want to leave Dallas? If he gets too pricey though, perhaps that switch to Harris will come sooner than expected.
4. Peja Stojakovic
Peja Stojakovic can opt out of his contract this summer to become a free agent, and recently said he probably will do just that. Making just over $8 million this season, Peja will be hard-pressed to find much more than that at this point in his career, but depending on how he performs in the playoffs, he could potentially play himself into more money. Chances are he's going to wind up staying with the Pacers, but teams like the Lakers have previously expressed interest in the former All-Star.
5. Chris Wilcox
GM Rick Sund has said that the Sonics' No. 1 priority this off-season is to re-sign Chris Wilcox. At 6-10, 235, Wilcox began the season as Elton Brand's back-up and will end the season as one of the most coveted free agents this summer. After a 26-point, 24-rebound effort last week against the Houston Rockets, Wilcox has shown that all he needed was a little time to show us the potential we saw back when Maryland won the NCAA championship in 2002. With teams in both conferences yearning for an athletic big man, expect Wilcox to earn top dollar this summer — something in the realm of "Samuel Dalembert money" — a six-year, $60 million contract. And then whoever signs him will have their fingers crossed that he doesn't go out and have a Dalembert-type season.
6. Mike James
Mike James, who will opt to become a free agent this summer, said recently that he would not necessarily demand a long-term deal when he begins to negotiate with teams at the end of the season because he might be able to get more money over fewer years. After going undrafted out of Duquesne in 2001, James has played on six different squads in his five-year NBA career so far and has been on a mission this season to prove that he belongs. James has said that a two-year deal, with a player option in the third year, may be the ideal contract for him, rather than a long-term deal, because it will give him the flexibility he needs as he continues to improve. With that in mind, and considering how the Raptors have been playing in the second half of the season, we'd be surprised if new GM Bryan Colangelo doesn't somehow rope one of the League's most improved players into staying for a couple more years.
7. Nene
At just 23 years old, Nene will certainly be getting calls from all 30 teams this summer. After missing the 2005-06 season due to injury, the real question GMs will be asking is how well Nene can rebound (and we don't mean on the boards). With Francisco Elson and Reggie Evans also free agents this summer, Denver is going to have to make some tough decisions. All three definitely won't be back next season for the Nuggets, and if Nene seeks a star's payday, look for Denver to let him go get overpaid elsewhere.
8. Speedy Claxton
After suiting up for four different teams in five years, Speedy Claxton may finally be looking at a big payday. This season, Claxton has been putting up great numbers coming off the bench to play alongside Chris Paul, being used more as a scorer than a point guard. The Hornets are reportedly negotiating a long-term deal with Claxton, but teams such as the Knicks and Raptors are also interested. If Claxton is down with playing second fiddle to CP3 in New Orleans next season, and it appears that he is, don't expect him to go anywhere.
9. Bonzi Wells
Although Bonzi Wells missed some time due to injury, the former Blazer and Grizzly has had a great year, posting career highs in rebounds, steals and blocks this season. In his absence, Kevin Martin, a second-year shooting guard from Western Carolina, has stepped up and could replace Bonzi this summer. After shedding his previous bad-boy image, Wells, for the right price, would be a great addition for a team in need of a strong, scoring and rebounding SG this summer.
10. Sam Cassell
At 36 years old, Sam Cassell is not only the oldest free agent on this list, but also the most experienced. Playing in a contract year, the 13-year veteran has been remarkable this season, averaging 17.3 points, 6.3 assists and 3.6 rebounds per game, while also managing to lead the Clippers into the playoffs. Although Cassell will never get the money he thinks he deserves, if the Clippers decide to handover the reins to second-year point guard Shaun Livingston, expect Cassell, who helped the Houston Rockets win consecutive NBA championships early in his career, to sign with a contender.
Next Ten:Drew Gooden,Vladimir Radmanovic,Nazr Mohammed,Bobby Jackson, Alonzo Mourning,Gary Payton,Flip Murray,Keith Van Horn,Joel Przybilla,Matt Harpring
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