Top Remaining NBA Free Agents

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Jul 16, 2008

Top Remaining NBA Free Agents

Josh Smith

It's not typical for restricted free agents to change teams because their current club has the right to match outside offers. But Smith's situation bears watching in the wake of the Hawks' decision to retain coach Mike Woodson, who has clashed with his multitalented power forward. Smith, 22, was highly productive last season (17.2 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 2.8 bpg), and there's still potential to be tapped.

Andre Iguodala

Is the 24-year-old Iguodala a franchise player? That question was debated during the 2007-08 season. Iguodala turned down a five-year, $57 million offer last fall, then went out and produced a strong season (19.9 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 4.8 apg) before struggling against the Pistons in the first round of the playoffs. The Sixers have made keeping Iguodala a priority.

Emeka Okafor

Okafor passed on signing an extension (said to be worth $12 million a year) before last season. Despite finishing the season with a strong April, Okafor's points (13.8), rebounds (10.7) and blocks (1.7) fell from his 2006-07 averages.

Monta Ellis

Warriors vice president Chris Mullin has promised to retain Ellis as well as fellow restricted free agent Andris Biedrins, which could make for an expensive offseason if one of the few teams with significant salary-cap space extends a big offer. The Grizzlies, for instance, could make a serious run at Ellis, who has developed into a 20-point scorer in only three NBA seasons.

Luol Deng

Before the 2007-08 season, Deng reportedly rejected five-year extension offer worth more than $50 million. That, of course, was before the Bulls struggled through a surprisingly lousy regular season, and his production leveled off. Deng has been solid but not spectacular in four NBA seasons, averaging 15.6 points on 48 percent shooting.

Ben Gordon

Like Luol Deng, Gordon, before the season, turned down a five-year extension offer in excess of $50 million. Gordon's situation could be especially interesting because he wants to become a full-time starter, but the Bulls have used him mainly as a sixth man in his four seasons. Also, the Bulls are even more overstocked at guard after drafting Derrick Rose with the No. 1 pick.

Andris Biedrins

Biedrins averaged 10.5 points and 9.8 rebounds as the Warriors' starting center last season. Given the Warriors' lack of NBA-tested big men, it's no wonder they are committed to re-signing him.

Josh Childress

Along with their desire to keep Josh Smith, the Hawks say they are committed to keeping Childress, too. Childress blossomed in a sixth-man role last season, averaging 11.8 points on 57.1 percent shooting from the field.

J.R. Smith

The streaky guard was mostly "on" late in the season: In his final 33 games, Smith averaged 16.2 points on 49.5 percent shooting from the field and 42.7 percent from three-point range. The 22-year-old has butted heads with both of his NBA coaches (Byron Scott and George Karl), but his deep shooting and instant-offense ability make him attractive.

Kurt Thomas

The 35-year-old Thomas is attractive to a contender looking for toughness, cagey interior play and solid mid-range shooting. The Spurs want to re-sign Thomas, who averaged 15.8 minutes a game in the playoffs after coming over in a midseason trade with Seattle.