July 14, 2008

Sports Look: The Top 20

The Top 20 is updated each Monday and look for free agency news and stories every Wednesday.

1:  Emeka Okafor is a beast on the boards and defensive end. The problem is he has been in Charlotte on a very bad team where he has often had to carry the load. If he could go to a team like the Jazz where he could concentrate on Defense and Rebounding, you would see his numbers increase and he would have the best year of his career. It's a good bet that he takes the one year tender to be un-restricted next year, otherwise he could get himself locked into the Bobcats organization for the next few years.

2:  Josh Smith is a hugely talented player that hopefully one day will be able to maximize that ability. I don't know if it's because he has been in Atlanta and not had the best coach or what, but this guy is a bit of a head case and that needs to be reeled in for him to become the player that many want him to be.  Philadelphia is the most likely suitor besides Atlanta. Look for the 76ers to offer him a deal with it loaded up front so that the Hawks will be less likely to match.

3:  Andre Iguodala would be hire but because of his restricted status, he's staying here. It looks like Philly will do everything they can to re-sign him.

4:  Andris Biedrins fits with almost any team in the league, being able to provide energy around the basket. Look for the Warriors to match any deal and for him to take the one year tender.  With the Warriors now having more cap room with Davis leaving, look for them to lock him up long term as long as he doesn't overestimate his value.

5:  Monta Ellis is one of the most exciting young PG/SG in the league but at the same time might be pricing himself out of a contract, thinking he is better than he actually is. He wants 10 Mil a year which is ridiculous for someone that can't even run a team full time.  The Warriors should lock him up now with Baron gone but can Monta even run the team?

6:  James Posey is going to cash in off of his championship runs with the Celtics and Heat. He is now known as that defensive stopper off the bench that has great leadership abilities. Look for someone to give him a full midlevel exception with the Pistons likely to get him.

7:  Loul Deng is also one of the players that should have taken the contract that was offered last year. He had an off year this past season and needs to prove that he will rebound from it before any team is going to spend big money on him. He will either reach a deal with the Bulls this summer or take the qualifying offer.

8:  Ben Gordon has to feel like an idiot right now. Because of bad advice last year, he turned down a $50 million deal that was way above market value. He will be lucky to get a full midlevel and will most likely take the 1 year tender and stay with the Bulls or be included in a sign and trade.

9: Nenad Krstic would be much higher on this list except for a knee injury that really derailed him and made him look very ineffective when he returned. He has a good offensive feel and should take the one year tender with the Nets so that he can get fully healthy and work himself back into a bigger deal next season.  The 76ers are rumored to be interested in him.

10: Kurt Thomas is an excellent pickup for any team needing a tough inside presence. He will most likely re-sign with the Spurs.

11: Josh Childress is an excellent sixth man and will most likely return to the Hawks but would be an amazing fit for the Jazz or Suns.  He will have to wait till his Hawks teammate Josh Smith finds a home before someone starts looking at him seriously.

12:  Jannero Pargo had an excellent run with the Hornets this past season and will try to cash in.  The problem is that teams know that he's instant offense off the bench but not much else.  It would be smart for him and extent his career if he stays in New Orleans where he can backup Chris Paul even if he has to take less money.

13:  Louis Williams had an excellent year with the 76ers and should get a look from some teams but his restricted status could scare a few people away.  Look for him to sign a decent deal with Philadelphia. 

14:  Kwame Brown will find someone to pay him.  He has size and he can play defense but his offense is atrocious.  He has been linked to the Jazz and Heat this off-season where he could come off the bench to provide inside defense for 20 minutes a night.  Look for someone to give him part of their mid-level exception. 

15:  Ricky Davis is another player that some teams will just stay away from.  While he has tried hard to change the league feeling of him being a head case, not every team is buying it.  The Heat have been rumored to be willing to take him back at the veteran minimum, if he can find a bigger deal anywhere, look for him to take it.   

16:  Anthony Johnson is a great veteran PG that could help many teams in the league.  Look for him to sign with a team later in free agency.

17:  Daniel Gibson is going to re-sign with the Cavs even if it’s just for the one year tender.  He is looking for a big contract but there isn’t anyone that is going to give him one right now knowing that the Cavs will match.

18:  Keyon Dooling is a great combo guard that looks to land in Miami or back with the Magic.  He can start or come off the bench and will be a great addition to whatever team he joins.

19:  Carlos Arroyo isn’t very well respected around the league but put together a good year as a backup in Orlando and that should land him with a team this season. 

20:  Boston Nachbar wants to stay with the Cavs and is a good shooter off of the bench.  Other teams might give him a strong look as there aren’t many shooters let in free agency.

Top 5 by position

PG
1. Monta Ellis
2. Jannero Pargo
3. Louis Williams
4. Anthony Johnson
5. Daniel Gibson

SG
1. Ben Gordon
2. Ricky Davis
3. Keyon Dooling
4. Sasha Vujacic
5. Carlos Delfino

SF
1. Andre Iguodala
2. James Posey
3. Loul Deng
4. Josh Childress
5. Boston Nachbar

PF
1. Josh Smith
2. Craig Smith
3. Carl Landry
4. Walter Herrrmann
5. Robert Horry

C
1. Emeka Okafor
2. Andris Biendrins
3. Nenad Krstic
4. Kurt Thomas
5. Kwame Brown

Recently signed players:

Antawn Jamison re-signed with the Wizards

Baron Davis signed with the Clippers

Gilbert Arenas re-signed with the Wizards

Jose Calderon re-signed with the Raptors

DeSagana Diop re-signed with the Mavericks

Beno Udrih re-signed with the Kings

Chris Duhon signed with the Knicks

Gerald Green signed with the Mavericks

Elton Brand signed with the 76ers

Corey Maggette signed with the Warriors

Mickael Pietrus singed with the Magic

James Jones signed with the Heat

Ronnie Turiaf signed an offer sheet with the Warriors, the Lakers have 7 days to match

Roger Mason signed with the Spurs

Tyrone Lue has agreed to sign with the Suns

Brent Barry has signed with the Rockets

Patrick O’Bryant has singed with the Celtics

Jarvis Hays has signed with the Nets

Antoine Wright, Keith McLeod and James Singleton all signed with the Mavericks

Dee Brown signed with the Wizards

Eduardo Najera signed with the Nets

Scott Church has been covering the NBA for six years.  He resides in Utah and you can contact him at Scott@categoryonegames.com. 

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