Post by New Orleans on Nov 1, 2016 17:18:11 GMT
Free Agency isn’t as juicy in years past and that has shaped the trade market as well. In recent years you’ve been able to find some guys in Free Agency to make a difference but the majority of guys are shoe-ins to return to their former team. Last season provided a unique opportunity with players not having a former team which opened the door for plenty of player movement.
Here I will take a look at the best bigs, wings, and guards available in Free Agency. There are loads of game changing bigs and guards this year but if you’re looking for forwards, well you may be playing someone out of position if you plan on signing one.
Top Bigs (Age, Height, Position, Previous Team):
Greg Oden (27, 7’0 PF/C, Knicks) – Oden is one of the top players in the league with the ability to dominate both sides of the floor in the lane. He’ll provide around 3.5 Steals/Blocks combined while adding beyond 20/10. Plenty of athleticism to play both positions and is safe from TC.
Myles Turner (24, 6’11 PF/C, Bulls) – Turner has been coming off the bench behind the Horford/Embiid duo but is poised for a breakout once he sees more minutes. He’s a true stretch big with the potential to become even more efficient but may lack the athleticism to become elite.
Marc Gasol (28, 7’1 C, Grizzlies) – Gasol may be only a center these days but is still a walking 20-10-3-1-2 line with efficiency and plenty good enough to be one of your top players on a championship team. His numbers fell a bit last year but that won’t stop him from getting a max deal.
Ben Wallace (31, 6’9 PF/C, Maccabi) – Wallace is still one the more dominant forces on the defensive end and is likely in line for one of those vaunted 2+1 type deals if a team wants to keep his value. He doesn’t provide much on offense but his impact is still incredible.
Darko Milicic (24, 7’0 PF/C, KK Partizan) – Darko came off the bench for Belgrade last year but has the makings of a legit starter at either big man position. There were plenty of options for the 5th spot but his passing potential gives him an edge in the right system. I could easily see a max being worth every penny.
Top Wings (Age, Height, Position, Previous Team):
Devin Booker (23, 6’6 SG/SF, Nets) – Booker isn’t an elite athlete but that didn’t stop him from increasing his efficiency each season. He scores at a high level and if featured could easily be a 20+ PPG wing. He would likely struggle to guard some SFs but has the size and strength to make it work.
Justise Winslow (23, 6’7 SF, Eagles) – Winslow is one of those players on the cusp of being a massive difference maker on both ends. His rebounding will always hamper him to some extent but he should score and defend at a high level for the next 5-6 seasons and is One of my personal favorites.
Mario Hezonja (23, 6’8 SF, Grizzlies) – Hezonja is a guy who hasn’t seen a ton of minutes the past couple seasons but has been very effective scoring while not being a liability on defense. He won’t provide much outside of scoring but at his size he can be very valuable as a 4th or 5th starter.
Bruce Bowen (29, 6’7 SG/SF/PF, Brose Baskets) – Bowen is the ideal three and D player and can likely play all three different positions without much of an issue. He is nearly a career 40% three point shooter and one of the best wing defenders in the game while providing steals and blocks.
Joe Johnson (29, 6’7 SG/SF, Sonics) – Iso Joe really only provides offense these days but is still one of the more athletic players in the league as is highlighted by his 2nd Dunk Contest win this past season. The right system can still get 2-3 years of above average play out of him.
Top Guards (Age, Height, Position, Previous Team):
Dwayne Wade (25, 6’4 SG/PG, Wildcats) – Wade remains one of the top guards in the league and has continued to get better and more efficient in each of his four seasons. Can easily play either guard position and be a lock for an All-League team.
D’Angelo Russell (23, 6’5 SG/PG, Cavs) – In most seasons, Russell would hands down be the top guard available as a young guard with the ability to score at the highest level and do so on great percentages. He likely makes a few more All-League teams before it’s over with.
Gail Goodrich (26, 6’1 PG/SG, Warriors) – Goodrich has been a legit starter from the day he entered the league and the two time all-star will likely continue that for another 4-5 seasons. Best at the point, he provides everything you could want and has proven he can play well in the playoffs.
Tal Brody (26, 6’2 PG/SG, Celtics) – Brody could likely be a spot higher but he just hasn’t performed to his ratings yet. He’s got the makings of a 20/10 point guard with elite level athleticism, size, and plenty of scoring ability. Maybe it’s the lack of usage but he’s a proven max level point guard.
John Stockton (34, 6’1 PG, Brose Baskets) – Stockton will likely get a load of 1+1 offers but may still be worth a 2+1 deal as well. His skill level is still high and he’s never relied on athleticism. He can be the starting point guard on a title team without any issue and still one of the best passers in league.
Here I will take a look at the best bigs, wings, and guards available in Free Agency. There are loads of game changing bigs and guards this year but if you’re looking for forwards, well you may be playing someone out of position if you plan on signing one.
Top Bigs (Age, Height, Position, Previous Team):
Greg Oden (27, 7’0 PF/C, Knicks) – Oden is one of the top players in the league with the ability to dominate both sides of the floor in the lane. He’ll provide around 3.5 Steals/Blocks combined while adding beyond 20/10. Plenty of athleticism to play both positions and is safe from TC.
Myles Turner (24, 6’11 PF/C, Bulls) – Turner has been coming off the bench behind the Horford/Embiid duo but is poised for a breakout once he sees more minutes. He’s a true stretch big with the potential to become even more efficient but may lack the athleticism to become elite.
Marc Gasol (28, 7’1 C, Grizzlies) – Gasol may be only a center these days but is still a walking 20-10-3-1-2 line with efficiency and plenty good enough to be one of your top players on a championship team. His numbers fell a bit last year but that won’t stop him from getting a max deal.
Ben Wallace (31, 6’9 PF/C, Maccabi) – Wallace is still one the more dominant forces on the defensive end and is likely in line for one of those vaunted 2+1 type deals if a team wants to keep his value. He doesn’t provide much on offense but his impact is still incredible.
Darko Milicic (24, 7’0 PF/C, KK Partizan) – Darko came off the bench for Belgrade last year but has the makings of a legit starter at either big man position. There were plenty of options for the 5th spot but his passing potential gives him an edge in the right system. I could easily see a max being worth every penny.
Top Wings (Age, Height, Position, Previous Team):
Devin Booker (23, 6’6 SG/SF, Nets) – Booker isn’t an elite athlete but that didn’t stop him from increasing his efficiency each season. He scores at a high level and if featured could easily be a 20+ PPG wing. He would likely struggle to guard some SFs but has the size and strength to make it work.
Justise Winslow (23, 6’7 SF, Eagles) – Winslow is one of those players on the cusp of being a massive difference maker on both ends. His rebounding will always hamper him to some extent but he should score and defend at a high level for the next 5-6 seasons and is One of my personal favorites.
Mario Hezonja (23, 6’8 SF, Grizzlies) – Hezonja is a guy who hasn’t seen a ton of minutes the past couple seasons but has been very effective scoring while not being a liability on defense. He won’t provide much outside of scoring but at his size he can be very valuable as a 4th or 5th starter.
Bruce Bowen (29, 6’7 SG/SF/PF, Brose Baskets) – Bowen is the ideal three and D player and can likely play all three different positions without much of an issue. He is nearly a career 40% three point shooter and one of the best wing defenders in the game while providing steals and blocks.
Joe Johnson (29, 6’7 SG/SF, Sonics) – Iso Joe really only provides offense these days but is still one of the more athletic players in the league as is highlighted by his 2nd Dunk Contest win this past season. The right system can still get 2-3 years of above average play out of him.
Top Guards (Age, Height, Position, Previous Team):
Dwayne Wade (25, 6’4 SG/PG, Wildcats) – Wade remains one of the top guards in the league and has continued to get better and more efficient in each of his four seasons. Can easily play either guard position and be a lock for an All-League team.
D’Angelo Russell (23, 6’5 SG/PG, Cavs) – In most seasons, Russell would hands down be the top guard available as a young guard with the ability to score at the highest level and do so on great percentages. He likely makes a few more All-League teams before it’s over with.
Gail Goodrich (26, 6’1 PG/SG, Warriors) – Goodrich has been a legit starter from the day he entered the league and the two time all-star will likely continue that for another 4-5 seasons. Best at the point, he provides everything you could want and has proven he can play well in the playoffs.
Tal Brody (26, 6’2 PG/SG, Celtics) – Brody could likely be a spot higher but he just hasn’t performed to his ratings yet. He’s got the makings of a 20/10 point guard with elite level athleticism, size, and plenty of scoring ability. Maybe it’s the lack of usage but he’s a proven max level point guard.
John Stockton (34, 6’1 PG, Brose Baskets) – Stockton will likely get a load of 1+1 offers but may still be worth a 2+1 deal as well. His skill level is still high and he’s never relied on athleticism. He can be the starting point guard on a title team without any issue and still one of the best passers in league.
