41. Lamar Odom (Power Forward, Los Angeles Clippers)
The days of being an offensive jackknife appear to be over, but Odom is still a valuable player off the bench and a great investment for less than a non-taxpayer mid-level exception type deal. If he finds a role in an offensive system that can take advantage of his talents, he can be quite valuable. Still one of the best ball handling and passing bigs in the league. Can he play anywhere besides LA? JULY 1 UPDATE — Wants to stay in L.A., but will probably have to take $1.4 vet’s minimum to do so.
42. Samuel Dalembert (Center, Milwaukee Bucks)
Not done just yet, as evidenced by his eight double-doubles and an eye-popping 35-point, 12-rebound effort in February. The Haitian sensation is far from the shot-blocking juggernaut he was in his days with the 76ers but could be a valuable addition somewhere. Put him on any of the East’s top four teams from last season, and they are all better. JULY 1 UPDATE — Scrap Heap, but 7 feet tall. Candidate to remain unsigned into the season and wait for a team to lose a center to free agency. JULY 3 UPDATE: Portland has spoken to him, but Blazrs have spoken to a lot of centers.
43. Rodrigue Beaubois (Point Guard, Dallas Mavericks)
Speed kills, but his questionable health may scare teams. Playing only 182 games over four years is not a good thing. With the Mavericks in a full-on rebuild, Cuban may let Beaubois walk if a team gives him an offer sheet for more than $4 million. That does not seem likely. Beaubois still has a lot to prove and is hitting the free agent market at a bad time for him. JULY 1 UPDATE — Was not given a qualifying offer, and thus is unrestricted — as is Darren Collison.
44. Will Bynum (Point Guard, Detroit Pistons)
A player who has taken quite a while to come into his own and may have done so a bit too late. The “other Bynum” has had some big moments for the Pistons this past season, but clearly was not a difference-maker so will fly under the radar. Has shown an ability to take over games late, but not much of a floor general. JULY 2 UPDATE — Bulls are interested, just as they are in Mo Williams. JULY 3 UPDATE — A return to the Pistons has not been ruled out for Bynum.
45. C.J. Watson (Point Guard, Brooklyn Nets)
Perceived value took a major hit after an eventless tenure in Brooklyn in which he earned the minimum. We like Watson and think he is one of the league’s better reserve point men, but often once a player takes one minimum deal, his market value does not recover. So we do not expect Watson to get significant money. He will probably leave Brooklyn for more playing time, but not more money. JULY 2 UPDATE — Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld was first to report his two-year deal with Indiana, where he will replace D.J. Augustin.
46. Nenad Krstic (Center, CSKA Moscow)
Once known as “Curly” when he plied his trade in East Rutherford, he remains an NBA talent – but also a guy who stands to make more money in Europe than in the United States, where he would be a better-than-decent 15-20 minute backup center. Could see him signing in Brooklyn, where his talents are appreciated by Jason Kidd and Lawrence Frank.
47. Marco Belinelli (Shooting Guard, Chicago Bulls)
A few timely playoff performances for the undermanned Bulls opened at least a few eyes around the league. Belinelli has also shown a better than advertised ability to put the ball on the floor and create his own shot. He is still viewed mostly as a ninth or 10th man and probably will not command much on the market unless his playoff performances resonate more than we think. JULY 2 UPDATE — Nets have discussed a multi-year deal at taxpayers’ mid-level exception.
48. Nick Young (Shooting Guard, Philadelphia 76ers)
Barely got burn for the 76ers, but most GMs know he can score the ball. Showed some flashes with Washington and the LA Clippers but will be looking for a fourth team in as many years. That is usually a red flag for GMs around the league. Young still has some upside but will not be cashing a huge check this year. JULY 2 UPDATE — Has spoken with Lakers, which means he, too, is waiting on Dwight. T-Wolves are interested.
49. Kyle Korver (Shooting Guard, Atlanta Hawks)
Teams simply can never have enough 3-point shooting. If you can shoot, you will wind up on some roster, somewhere. That is the primary reason why Korver has never had a problem finding a job. Under the new CBA, though, we will likely see one-dimensional players get pinched. Still the same player he was three years ago and has not improved much. His value diminishes. JULY 1 UPDATE — Early reports had him going to Nets, but they can’t get both Korver and Belinelli unless one takes the vet’s minimum. Nets can only offer $3.2M. ESPN says bucks considering $20M over 3 years.
50. Elton Brand (Power Forward, Dallas Mavericks)
Best days are far, far behind but can easily find a job if he wants it. Timing is still there, even if athletic ability is not. Kenyon Martin and Chris Andersen have shown that a veteran big who can protect the rim still has value, and Brand fits the bill, except with a better jump shot. At his age, winning is more important than dollars. July 2 UPDATE: Will likely sign for vet’s minimum in a place where he feels he can contend for a championship. That could mean staying in Dallas or joining Knicks. JULY 3 UPDATE — Brand is being courted most heavily by the New York Knicks, but is keeping his options and has not ruled out a return to the Mavericks.
(RELATED: Moke Hamilton discusses NBA Free Agency with YahooSportsRadio.)
Hamilton is and always will be a garbage writer, plus he has a ridiculously stupid name
sheridan hoops should be able to afford writers better than this. OKC did not get *nothing* our losing harden. They got jeremy lamb for one thing, perry jones for another, and Steven Adams for a third. Now i happen to think Lamb is going to be good, and adams might be great. This sort of journalistic laziness is annoying. Plus….sam presti had few options. It was harden or westbrook….at that time ibaka wasnt a possibility. He did ok. Now martin seems not worth his price… which is correct…and they probably move on to Lamb. Little Moke seems to know better,,,maybe he would share with his readers how he would have handled that.
wanted to say the exact thing. into paragraph two and writer cred is blown. lazy shi*stirring indeed.
That really careputs the spirit of it. Thanks for posting.
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