2009 NBA Free Agent Round-Up
Hedo Turkoglu (30) SF: Turkoglu is a point forward. He’ll run the offense in crunch time. He’s a good scorer and can shoot from outside. A clutch player, the irony of his Finals run is that he’s a hotter name now than last year, and his number are down from last year. Sounds like Orlando has made him priority number one.
Drew Gooden (27 — 28 when the season starts) PF (C in an emergency): Gooden has gotten unfairly knocked for not being an all-star as the 4th overall pick. While he likes jumping shooting a bit too much, he has range. He can score inside a little, though he shies away from it at times. Decent, if not dominant rebounder. He’s not going to lead your team, but Gooden is a solid PF.
Mehmet Okur (30) PF/C: One of the best outside shooting big men in the game, coming off a great season from 3-point range. You might want a little more rebounding out of the 5-spot, but if you need a big man to step out and open the lane for your PF or slashers, Okur is ideal.
Shawn Marion (31) SF/PF: Let’s just say it. Marion isn’t the same player away from Phoenix. His rebounding numbers were probably a bit inflated by the pace of games. His 3-point shooting has nearly abandoned him away from Steve Nash and the D’Antoni system. He may be starting to age, but he can still defend and you don’t find too many players who can rebound as well from the small forward position.
*Channing Frye (26) PF: A very promising rookie with the Knicks, he’s been stuck behind LaMarcus Aldridge. Not as soft as his reputation, he probably could stand to rebound a little better, but he’s seen little enough playing time over the last two years, it isn’t clear where his skill level is at. First team All-Rookie to bench warmer. Frye is a big question mark, but would the Blazers want to match dollars on a back-up?
*Josh Childress (26) SG/SF: Yes, this year he’s still a restricted free agent. Does this super-athletic swingman feel like coming back from Europe and would the Hawks match offers?
Anderson Varejo (26) PF/C: An extreme energy player, he’s not a polished post threat, but is an upper tier garbage man who isn’t afraid to sit at home if the right contract doesn’t materialize.
Chris Andersen (30) PF/C: Another effective energy player, Anderson rebounds well and blocks even better. If he’s scores, it’s probably going to be a dunk. The question is, how much will his drug suspension past dampen long-term offers?
Mike Bibby (31) PG: Bibby might be an “old 31,” but you’ve got a veteran point guard who can score a little when he needs to. He’s still a viable starter, so there will be takers.
Chris Wilcox (26 — will be 27 when the season starts): Wilcox has never turned out to be quite the player everyone was expecting. He can score a little, but doesn’t really rebound for his size. He can play a little undersized center in a pinch, and you know how short on centers the league is.
Flip Murray (29) SG: Settling into the “bench scorer” role, Murray is one of the better backcourt options for that slot. A spot starter, you just want avoid using him at the point.
** Eddie House (31) SG: We’ve all seen him in the play-offs. House is another good example of the bench scorer, albeit one that can really get hot.
Matt Barnes (29) SF: A hard-nosed player who shoots from beyond the arc a lot, Barnes has been a part-time starter in Phoenix, but hasn’t really made the jump from coveted bench player to full-time starter.
Dahntay Jones (28) SG: Jones made it to the finals as a bench defender, getting right up the opposing player’s nostrils. Not somebody you want on an offensively-challenged team, but there’s always demand for a solid defender.
Fred Jones (30) SG: Turning into the definition of a journeyman veteran, Jones doesn’t seem to want for opportunity, but also doesn’t start very often.
*Steve Novak (26) SF: A tall pure shooter who hasn’t perfected other aspects of the game. While getting a bit old for a project, he’s a candidate for anyone who needs a 3-point specialist.
*Ike Diogu (25 – - 26 when the season starts) PF: his strong end of season with Sacramento might raise some eyebrows. Potential getting met with playing time or end of contract fluke?
Kareem Rush (28) SG: Once considered promising, Rush had a disastrous misstep with Philly. He might get another chance, but if he does, he needs to generate some numbers.
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You forgot Jason Williams, who’s techniqueally a free agent july 1st, when his contract with the Clippers ends. I would describe him as:
‘Great passer, a highlight waiting to happen. Hasn’t played in a year, which should have a good effect on his body and game. Could be the PG of the bench for a team with an unexperienced player at the 1-spot.’