Jarrett Jack (25) PG: You’d like to see more than 4.1 assists in 33 minutes, but Jack’s got experience starting 152 games.  He might be a good back-up, rather than a starter.

*Leon Powe (25) PF: Powe is a load on the low blocks and seems to rebound decently, but is also a bit more of an x-factor, due to inconsistent minutes.  He didn’t get the post-Garnett play-off showcase that Big Baby did, going down to an injury.  Looks like he has upside.

*Aaron Gray (24) C: A legit 7-foot big man on the wrong team.  Gray can score in the post, and will occasionally command a double team.  He’s good at the offensive boards.  Unfortunately, he’s also slow and his footwork leaves a bit to be desired, so he’s prone to picking up fouls, especially on penetrating guards and small forwards.  He’s also not suited to running teams.  As the Bulls were trying to be up tempo, he had very inconsistent minutes and disappeared when Brad Miller was acquired.  On a half-court team, he’s a borderline starter, on a transition team he might not get off the bench.

*Marvin Williams (23) SF/PF: If Williams were a little heavier, he’d be a power forward.  As it is, he’s a taller version of your standard issue small forward.  His 3-point shot improved drastically this past season, and he’s young.  The question is whether he would break out somewhere there was more ball to go around than Atlanta, as he’s the 4th option there.

Zaza Pachulia (25) C: Often criticized for being soft, Pachulia still has adequate size and good agility.  You’d like to see a bit stronger rebounding, but he’s a part-time starter on a play-off team.

Gerald Green (23) SG: He of slam dunk fame, Green really didn’t get off the bench much for the Mav’s, with wildly inconsistent minutes.  It isn’t clear how much he’s progressed, but is still young enough for potential to get him some looks, though what he really needs is playing time.

*Sean May (25) PF: May had decent numbers for what little he was able to play in ’06-07, but he’s been injured so much as to make it hard to evaluate him.  If he could stay healthy, the potential is there, but only 82 game in four years isn’t a lot of experience.  Medical bust or reclamation project?  That’s the question here.

In their Prime: Age 26-32

Lamar Odom (29) SF/PF: Something of a career sidekick, the only time Odom has lead a team in scoring average was a woeful Clippers team in 2000-1.  He’s normally content as the second or third option.  A natural small forward, he frequently sees time as a fast-break power forward, and was the leading rebounder for some of the center-challenged post-Shaq Laker teams.  Odom’s game has never really meshed that well with Kobe Bryant, especially when he plays at the three.  As a result, we don’t really know how good Odom really is, though everyone suspects he’s very good.  As interesting as it would be to see him unleashed as a first option scorer and facilitator on a team where he could dominate the ball, Odom seems to like being in LA and may end up a Laker again.  Mind you, if Bynum and Ariza squeeze more minutes of out the SF and PF positions, a trade could end up happening.

Ron Artest (29) SG/SF(/PF in a pinch): Lockdown defender.  A threat to go for 30 points.  Able to play 3 positions and defend 4.  Artest’s downsides are a tendency to jack up a few two many 3-point shots when he’s cold and being the victim of exceptionally quick whistles from nervous referees.  He probably should resign for Houston, since he seems to work well with Rick Adelman, however, a lockdown defender and secondary scorer will be in demand.  The questions are how much would a team spend against Artest’s preceding reputation and how comfortable is Artest in Houston?

**Carlos Boozer (27) PF: Boozer might be the best player available, but he’s missed significant portions from 3 out of 7 seasons and you have to wonder about his durability.  No reason he shouldn’t a steady 20/10 guy if healthy.  Just make sure you sign him quickly before he bolts.

*Ben Gordon (26) SG: He’s a little short, and he could play better defense, but Gordon can flat out score and has a killer’s mentality in crunch time.  Completely unstoppable when he’s hot and able to create his own shot.  Rumor has it Detroit’s reading an $11 million/year offer.

David Lee (26) PF: You wonder how much his stats are inflated, playing in a D’Antoni system, but Lee is a superior rebounder, adequate scorer and his hustle is unquestioned.  Possibly less of a scorer in a half-court setting (certainly not at center, where the Knicks have been using him).  A guaranteed fan favorite wherever he lands and a headache for Knicks management as they try to figure out how to sign him and keep cap space open for 2010.

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