11. Brandon Jennings [R] (Point Guard, Milwaukee Bucks)
We are still trying to figure out how good of a floor general Jennings is. He is the epitome of a feast-or-famine player and may end up getting squeezed. During four years in Milwaukee, Jennings’ teams have made two playoff appearances (good), but “Young Money” (his back tattoo) has shot just 39 percent from the field over his career (not good). He, Teague and Jose Calderon are probably the top point guards on the market.
12. Paul Millsap (Power Forward, Utah Jazz)
Millsap has been one of the NBA’s more solid power forwards for quite a few years. Backing up Carlos Boozer and sharing time with Derrick Favors in Utah kept his minutes somewhat low. In 30 minutes per game this past season, his 14.6 points and 7.1 rebounds paid huge dividends. Now it is his turn to collect. He will either leave Utah for greener pastures and make some GM look smart, or stay with the Jazz if the price is right for both sides.
13. Tony Allen (Shooting Guard, Memphis Grizzlies)
Always a virtuoso on the defensive end and got Sheridan’s DPOY vote, but let’s note that Allen has quietly developed an effective offensive repertoire. Not many guards in the league are better at slashing and finishing in traffic, especially not any of the few who are nearly as effective at guarding the perimeter. Could be Exhibit A in the “defenders get paid” new economy. Big sign-and-trade candidate if he is made a monster offer the Grizzlies can’t swallow.
14. Andrew Bynum (Center, Philadelphia 76ers)
Despite not playing a single game for the Philadelphia 76ers this past season, Bynum is going to get paid by someone. If he can get right—and yes, it is a big “if”—he is arguably a better two-way player than Howard. The real question is not where Bynum will land (it’s anyone’s guess), but how much guaranteed money he will get. Let’s not forget that he was a starter in the 2012 All-Star Game.
15. O.J. Mayo (Shooting Guard, Dallas Mavericks)
One of the more respectable rookie campaigns in recent history has become a distant memory, just like the above-average expectations of Mayo being a no-brainer prolific scorer in the NBA. One of our personal favorites, Mayo will likely end up with the highest bidder that promises him a starting role, because he feels he has been miscast as a reserve in the NBA. We agree. Best served by playing with a post-up big and playmaking point guard.
16. Jarrett Jack (Point Guard, Golden State Warriors)
After finishing third in the league in Sixth Man voting, Jack played an integral role in the Dubs’ first playoff series win since 2007. Showed combo guard ability and made big shots all season long. Jack can fairly hope for a $5-$7 million payday from a team looking for a solid point guard. He probably deserves more. Depends how GMs feel about him. Could be a value signing as $7-$8 million per.
17. J.J. Hickson (Power Forward/Center, Portland Trail Blazers)
Hickson can easily be the “next” Andray Blatche—the type of player who rewards a GM’s gamble on him despite seeming to lose his hunger. Coming off by far his best season, Hickson’s 40 double-doubles could earn him a $10 million salary, although we are not counting on that. Bigs tend to get overpaid, though, so it would not a total shock. He appeared as “center” in many box scores, and need we repeat the point about centers?
18. Andrei Kirilenko, (Power Forward, Minnesota)
Opted out of a guaranteed $10.2 million on Saturday — two days before the start of free agency — because at 32 he wants a one more long-term deal that will keep him in the NBA for three or four more years. He is no longer the 5X5 guy he was back in his Utah days but is a smart and savvy player who is effective on both ends. His free agency increases the chance that someone backloads a poison pill offer to Pekovic.
19. J.R.
Smith (Shooting Guard, New York Knicks)
Seemed destined to end up with a $8-million-per-year paycheck from some team looking for a prolific scorer, but his poor playoff performance against Indiana and the attention paid to his nightlife activities may have adversely affected his market value to the point where the Knicks can pay him closer to what he is really worth—$5 million. Early word suggests that the Milwaukee Bucks are interested, so we will see.
20. Jose Calderon (Point Guard, Detroit Pistons)
Was one of the game’s best in assist-to-turnover ratio just a few short years ago. Still a capable backup point guard, but at 31 won’t sniff anywhere near the $12 million he made this past season from Toronto and (after being traded) Detroit. Calderon is arguably the best floor general on the market, so it will be interesting to see how much love he gets once he is free.
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this is a terrible article and sheridan hoops should know better. Lamar Odom still valuable?????????????????????? He barely knows he is in a basketball game anymore. Did you not watch the clips last year?? He is a joke. Bailed on dallas…quit really….and then turned up out of shape and in need of meds. He was never effective for them. About all you can say is that he’s 6 10 . Kristic??? seriously?? WHy not darko too. Oh and calderon had among his best stats just last season. This is a joke. Comeon……really. I think there are other guys….Jason Maxiell for example, for more valuable……a great rebounder but has been on some pretty bad teams in Detroit, or Mogzov at denver….a kid with a high upside and much better than he has displayed so far and the first to tell you that would be his teammates on the nuggets.
no al jefferson is not a max player. For sure or otherwise. Its always a sign of someone who doesnt know basketball to wildly overrate a stiff like big Al. NO DEFENSE…..perhaps the worst defense in the history of big men in the league. He wont get a max deal, or even close to it. He’ll get paid…because GMs sign people like Bargnani and lamar odom…so they’ll ofens sign anyone in desperation.
How does Ginobili’s salary impact George HIll’s salary?
Blatche doesn’t get any extra money from a bigger deal than Brooklyn can offer- it just helps out the Wizards- and that’s on his mind. Is anyone really crazy enough to give him a longer term deal than Brooklyn will, for significant money? He’s had one good year, in reaction to being amnestied. Let’s see him do that again…
On Ginobili… Should have been Kawhi Leonard. It’s been corrected, Arky. Thanks!
On Blatche, that is only half of the story. Blatche’s new salary will allow the Wizards to “set off” what they owe him, but Blatche himself does stand to earn more with his new deal. GMs pay for bigs who have upside, but we agree, Blatche is a risk.
Jefferson is a max player for sure?
Well, that will certainly be a sign of a GM who cares not for analytics. Jefferson’s deficiencies on defence are well known. The team which expends a max slot on Jefferson is not going to be a contender. I would give a max to Josh Smith before I’d give a max deal to Jefferson, especially if I had a coach I thought could get through to Smith to stop taking long jumpers period.
How on earth can you say that Calderón was “one of the best in the game in assist-to-turnover ratio just a few short years ago”? How about right now? No. 2 in the league in 2012-13. Also No. 5 in assists per 48 minutes.
Nice thorough write-up. Would be nice if you made more clear which FAs are Restricted.
I hope you are correct about CJ Watson being so lowly regarded. Kidd wants an up tempo offense and Watson fits the bill. Nets may be able to split the mMLE in two, between Bojan and Watson, and offer CJ as much as 1.8 M for 3 years.
Regarding Blatche, he is an usual situation, because he is getting about 8 million for next two years from Wiz and any big contract (8-10 M) would be almost cut in half for next 2 years. If he stays 1 year as Lopez’ and KG’s backup, he could get a 25 million 4 year Early Bird contract next summer and be KG’s successor at PF when he retires.