Position-by-position: Top 5 free agents

By John Schuhmann, NBA.com
Posted Jun 30 2009 12:52PM

As we've seen in the NBA Draft over the years, the best strategy is usually to take the best player available. You never know how draft picks will turn out, so selecting the guy closest to a sure thing, even if you've already got a similar player on your roster, is often the prudent way to go.

In free agency, though, teams pretty much know what kind of player they're getting. Teams have seen what these guys can do and are able to better evaluate what they're capable of and what they can bring to their team.

So the next few weeks will be about finding the right fit, both on the court and on the payroll.

As usual, the positions most in demand are on the frontline. Almost every team could use another big man, and some of the league's best teams are the most in need. Fortunately for them, the power forward position is well-stocked this summer.

Here are the best free agents available on the market, listed by position.

The status of some of the players listed below may not be determined until Tuesday night, when decisions on team, player and early termination options are due.

Ages are as of Oct. 1, 2009, when training camps open.

Key:
R -- Restricted
PO -- Player Option

POINT GUARDS

In the Market: Portland, New York, L.A. Lakers

1. Jason Kidd, Dallas
Age: 36
Key stats: 9.0 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 8.7 apg
The buzz: Even at 36, Kidd has value and is probably worth a two-year deal for the mid-level exception. He's slowed down a bit, but has improved his shooting and still has the best court-vision in the league. The Mavs would like to keep him, but he'll have a better shot at a title somewhere else.

2. Andre Miller, Philadelphia
Age: 33
Key stats: 16.3 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 6.5 apg
The buzz: If Kidd stays in Dallas, Miller becomes the top target for a team like Portland, which needs a veteran floor leader.

3. Mike Bibby, Atlanta
Age: 31
Key stats: 14.9 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 5.0 apg
The buzz: The Hawks drafted Jeff Teague with the idea that Bibby could walk, but it's not clear where he would be a better fit. He's a better shooter than Miller and could replace him in Philly (where they need better shooting) on a short-term deal.

4. Raymond Felton, Charlotte (Restricted)
Age: 25
Key stats: 14.2 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 6.7 apg
The buzz: Felton has said he wants to stay in Charlotte and Michael Jordan says he doesn't see "any situation where he's not with us."

5. Ramon Sessions, Milwaukee (Restricted)
Age: 23
Key stats: 12.4 ppg, 3.4 apg, 5.7 rpg
The buzz: Sessions, who received a qualifying offer on June 29 from the Bucks, put up impressive numbers as a part-time starter. With the Bucks not extending Charlie Villanueva a qualifying offer, they may be ready to give their young point guard the full-time gig.

The Next Five: Jarrett Jack (Pacers - R), Nate Robinson (Knicks -- R), Stephon Marbury (Celtics), Ronnie Price (Jazz), C.J. Watson (Warriors -- R)

SHOOTING GUARDS

In the Market: Oklahoma City, Toronto, Denver, Dallas, Chicago

1. Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers (Early Termination Option)
Age: 31
Key stats: 26.8 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 4.9 apg
The buzz: Bryant would fit in well in Oklahoma City, where he could mentor Kevin Durant and James Harden. Wouldn't that be something?

2. Ben Gordon, Chicago
Age: 26
Key stats: 20.7 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 3.4 apg
The buzz: Gordon may be the only player to have increased his value by shooting 39 percent in a playoff series. He's clutch and can score in bunches, but doesn't do much else.

3. Allen Iverson, Detroit
Age: 34
Key stats: 17.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 5.0 apg
The buzz: Iverson is one of the greatest scorers in NBA history, but is he willing to come off the bench? It's hard to find a good fit after seeing how his stint in Detroit completely backfired.

4. Anthony Parker, Toronto
Age: 34
Key stats: 10.7 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.4 apg
The buzz: A solid-but-not-spectacular player on both ends of the floor, Parker would be an ideal sixth man for a playoff team.

5. Dahntay Jones, Denver
Age: 28
Key stats: 5.4 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 1.0 apg
The buzz: For the team in need of a defensive specialist.

The Next Five: Marquis Daniels (Pacers), Rashad McCants (Kings -- R), Eddie House (Celtics -- PO), Shannon Brown (Lakers), Luther Head (Heat)

SMALL FORWARDS

In the market: Toronto, Phoenix, Dallas

1. Ron Artest, Houston
Age: 29
Key stats: 17.1 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 3.3 apg
The buzz: If Yao Ming's questionable health status takes away Houston's hope of contending this season, the Rockets may be more willing to let Artest walk and start fresh.

2. Hedo Turkoglu, Orlando (Early Termination Option)
Age: 30
Key stats: 16.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 4.9 apg
The buzz: The Blazers could use another playmaker, as well as some experience. Appropriately, they're expected to make a bid for Turkoglu.

3. Trevor Ariza, L.A. Lakers
Age: 24
Key stats: 8.9 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1.8 apg
The buzz: The price of a championship is paying to keep your roster in tact. And by coming up big in the postseason, Ariza's price went way up.

4. Marvin Williams, Atlanta (Restricted)
Age: 23
Key stats: 13.9 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 1.3 apg
The buzz: Speculation is that Williams will accept a one-year qualifying offer from the Hawks and become an unrestricted free agent next summer.

5. Linas Kleiza, Denver (Restricted)
Age: 24
Key stats: 9.9 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 0.8 apg
The buzz: Kleiza is a versatile scorer who played well in the conference finals against the Lakers. Keeping him is key if the Nuggets intend to get back there.

The Next Five: Matt Barnes (Suns), Grant Hill (Suns), Rodney Carney (Timberwolves), Jamario Moon (Heat -- R), Steve Novak (Clippers -- R)

POWER FORWARDS

In the Market: Cleveland, Detroit, Orlando, San Antonio, Houston

1. Carlos Boozer, Utah (Player Option)
Age: 27
Key stats: 16.2 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 2.1 apg
The buzz: As of Tuesday morning, Boozer had yet to make a decision on his option. If he declines it, the Pistons could come calling.

2. Lamar Odom, L.A. Lakers
Age: 29
Key stats: 11.3 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 2.6 apg
The buzz: We'll see if the Lakers are willing to spend on both Ariza and Odom. If they have to choose between the two, Odom is more likely to stay in L.A.

3. Paul Millsap, Utah (Restricted)
Age: 24
Key stats: 13.5 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 1.8 apg
The buzz: The Jazz would probably prefer that Boozer move on, so that they can invest in the younger, more durable Millsap.

4. Charlie Villanueva, Milwaukee
Age: 25
Key stats: 16.2 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 1.8 apg
The buzz: Villanueva didn't get a qualifying offer from the Bucks, so teams don't have to worry about them matching whatever deal he signs. Cleveland looks like a good fit, especially if Anderson Varejao leaves.

5. David Lee, New York (Restricted)
Age: 26
Key stats: 16.0 ppg, 11.7 rpg, 2.1 apg
The buzz: To keep Lee, the Knicks will have to eat into their 2010 cap space. So if another team is willing to pay him close to $10 million a year, they may not match.

The Next Five: Shawn Marion (Raptors), Anderson Varejao (Cavaliers -- PO), Glen Davis (Celtics -- R), Antonio McDyess (Pistons), Brandon Bass (Mavericks)

CENTERS

In the Market: Detroit, Orlando, San Antonio, Boston, Houston, Dallas

1. Mehmet Okur, Utah (Early Termination Option)
Age: 30
Key stats: 17.0 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 1.7 apg
The buzz: Like Boozer, Okur is waiting until the last minute to exercise or decline his option.

2. Rasheed Wallace, Detroit
Age: 35
Key stats: 12.0 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 1.3 bpg
The buzz: Wallace can still get a good team over the hump, as long as their locker room is in order.

3. Marcin Gortat, Orlando (Restricted)
Age: 25
Key stats: 3.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 0.7 bpg
The buzz: With Tony Battie gone, the Magic can't afford to let the young-and-improving Gortat go.

4. Zaza Pachulia, Atlanta
Age: 25
Key stats: 6.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 0.4 apg
The buzz: He's solid, relatively young and could be a good addition for a playoff team's frontcourt depth.

5. Chris Andersen, Denver
Age: 31
Key stats: 6.4 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 2.5 bpg
The buzz: Andersen's energy and shot-blocking made an impact in the postseason. A lot of teams could use a shot-blocker off the bench, but he is on the wrong side of 30.

The Next Five: Ryan Hollins (DAL -- R), Johan Petro (DEN -- R), Aaron Gray (CHI -- R), Rasho Nesterovic (IND), Mikki Moore (BOS)

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