Top free agents in the NBA

Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Top free agents in the NBA
Vincent Goodwill / The Detroit News

1. Ron Artest (Houston)

• 2008-09 salary/stats: $7.4M/ 17.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists

• Age: 29

• Outlook: Artest has transformed himself from combustible to dependable. When Tracy McGrady went down last season, Artest stepped up in every way possible. He helped the overachieving Rockets push the Lakers to seven games in the West semifinals, which boosted his value. He's still one of the top five perimeter defenders in the game, and in the right situation, could be extremely helpful to teams looking to get over the hump. With the recent news about Yao Ming, Houston may go into full-bore rebuilding mode.

• Interested teams: L.A. Lakers, Houston, Cleveland

• Likely landing: Houston

2. Hedo Turkoglu (Orlando)
• 2008-09 salary/stats: $6.8M/16.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.9 assists

• Age: 30

• Outlook: Turkoglu helped carry the Magic to the Finals. His ballhandling skills are rare for his size (6-foot-11) and he's more than capable of running an offense. He makes difficult shots and isn't afraid to shoot with the game on the line. But since Orlando acquired Vince Carter, it's clear Turkoglu will be hitting the open market, although teams may be hesitant to give a 30-year-old $10M per year.

• Interested teams: Toronto, Portland, Sacramento

• Likely landing: Portland

3. Trevor Ariza (L.A. Lakers)
• 2008-09 salary/stats: $3.1M/8.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.6 steals

• Age: 23

• Outlook: Ariza's one of few who should get a raise. His game has grown by leaps and bounds after missing the 2008 playoff run, and it showed how much he worked on his game in the meantime. He shot nearly 50 percent from 3-point range during the playoffs, and "stole" two games from Denver in the West finals. He's only tapped the surface of his potential and is a top priority for the Lakers.

• Interested teams: L.A. Lakers, Detroit

• Likely landing: L.A. Lakers

4. Paul Millsap (Utah)

• 2008-09 salary/stats: $797K/13.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, .96 blocks

• Age: 24

• Outlook: Millsap always was viewed as a valuable backup, but in 2009, he stepped up in a major way after Carlos Boozer went down for extended periods. At 250 pounds, he's built to take the extra beating, and is the kind of player Jazz coach Jerry Sloan craves. He's aggressive on the glass, averaging almost nine rebounds in 30 minutes.

• Interested teams: Detroit, Utah, Oklahoma City

• Likely landing: Oklahoma City

5. Lamar Odom (L.A. Lakers)

• 2008-09 salary/stats: $14.1M/11.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.2 blocks

• Age: 29

• Outlook: Odom's inconsistency always has worried GMs, but his willingness to come off the bench during a contract year has to earn him some brownie points. He's easily one of the most versatile players in the game when motivated. His efficient performance in the playoffs turned some heads.

• Interested teams: L.A. Lakers, New Orleans

• Likely landing: L.A. Lakers

6. Ben Gordon (Chicago)

• 2008-09 salary/stats: $6.4M/20.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists

• Age: 26

• Outlook: Gordon has signed one-year deals in the past after failing to agree to long-term deals with the Bulls, and logic would indicate he's looking. He's one of the better clutch shooters, evidenced by his performance in the playoffs against Boston. Because of his height (6-3), he's a smallish shooting guard in the Vinnie Johnson-mode, but for the money he's looking to make ($10-11M), coming off the bench might not be best.

• Interested teams: Chicago, Detroit

• Likely landing: Detroit

7. David Lee (New York)

• 2008-09 salary/stats: $1.7M/16.0 points, 11.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists

• Age: 26

• Outlook: Lee led the NBA in double-doubles (65) and is an ideal role player. He excelled in Mike D'Antoni's system, willing to do all the dirty work necessary to complement anyone. He turned down a three-year, $8M offer to test the market, so he's expecting at least $10M, and the Knicks can match any offer. But the acquisition of Darko Milicic and drafting Jordan Hill would seem to indicate Lee's expendable.

• Interested teams: New York, Oklahoma City, Atlanta

• Likely landing: New York

8. Jason Kidd (Dallas)

• 2008-09 salary/stats: $21.3M/9 points, 8.7 assists, 6.2 rebounds, 1.98 steals

• Age: 36

• Outlook: Even though Dallas was bounced in the second round, Kidd's teammates Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry had career years, thanks to Kidd. His veteran leadership still is valued, and he's a triple-double waiting to happen. His age would be a concern, but he keeps himself in excellent shape and his shooting percentages are up from his career averages. He wants a ring, badly, so L.A. is an obvious destination. But Dallas owner Mark Cuban has deeper pockets than most, so it wouldn't be shocking if Kidd returned to Dallas.

• Interested teams: Dallas, New York, L.A. Lakers

• Likely landing: Dallas

9. Charlie Villanueva (Milwaukee)

• 2008-09 salary/stats: $3.4M/16.2 points, 6.7 rebounds

• Age: 24

• Outlook: Villanueva is a big man who can score from all angles, and is just tapping the surface of his potential. He's not as strong on the boards as you'd expect from a guy who's 6-11, and his defense could use some work. After seeing guys in the same mold, however, lead Orlando to the NBA Finals (Hedo Turkoglu, Rashard Lewis), he will be in high demand. He's never played big minutes before, so his production should rise.

• Interested teams: Detroit, Cleveland

• Likely landing: Detroit

10. Mike Bibby (Atlanta)

• 2008-09 salary/stats: $14.9M/14.9 points, 5 assists

• Age: 31

• Outlook: Bibby's 2009 stats were down in almost every category from his career stats, but his savvy and big-game experience will make him a valued asset. Since Atlanta traded for Jamal Crawford and drafted Jeff Teague, it's unlikely he'll return. There was no way Bibby was going to command a high salary before the economy went in the tank.

• Interested teams: Atlanta, Cleveland, L.A. Lakers

• Likely landing: L.A. Lakers

Why would Bibby go to the Lakers?

Thursday, July 2, 2009
Pistons reach 5-year deals with Ben Gordon, Charlie Villanueva
Chris McCosky / The Detroit News

Auburn Hills -- Joe Dumars proved Wednesday he is a very swift and efficient shopper.

On the first day teams could negotiate with free agents, Dumars locked up commitments from his two top choices.

He got scoring guard Ben Gordon to agree in principle on a five-year deal worth close to $55 million. Less than an hour later, he got a commitment from 6-foot-11 forward Charlie Villanueva on a five-year deal worth $35 million.

Free agents cannot sign with any team until July 8.

Depending on the exact salary-cap figure, which should be released by the NBA soon, the Pistons could have more than $3 million to offer Antonio McDyess.

McDyess' agent said Wednesday the Pistons remain on his short list.

"He's digesting it all right now," Andy Miller said. "The bulk of teams that have called understand the criteria we've outlined. We have our group and now it's up to Antonio to survey the situation and try to put them in some kind of order."

Detroit, Washington, Houston, Cleveland, San Antonio and Boston are believed to be among McDyess' suitors. McDyess, 35, left $8 million on the table last year when he took a buyout from Denver to return to the Pistons. He would like to recoup most of that in a two-year deal, but he told Miller it was more important to be on a team with serious championship aspirations.

When asked if the firing of Michael Curry helped put the Pistons back on McDyess' radar, Miller said, "I think he would have considered them anyway, regardless, but that certainly didn't hurt."

With Gordon and Villanueva in place, the Pistons' new look is starting to take shape -- and this isn't going to be your older brother's Pistons team.

It is not going to be the rugged, half-court, defensive-oriented team of 2004. It is not going to be a team that looks to keep games under 90 points.

This is going to be a younger, quicker and more offensively-potent team featuring three guards capable scoring of 30-plus points on any given night -- Richard Hamilton, Rodney Stuckey and Gordon.

There are concerns about those three finding chemistry. But by accepting the offer, Gordon understands he will be coming off the bench for the Pistons. The Pistons are expected to use Gordon much like Dallas uses sixth man of the year Jason Terry -- as a closer.

Gordon will play 30-plus minutes a night and be on the floor down the stretch of close games.

The Pistons will use a lot of three-guard sets, with Hamilton playing a hybrid small forward spot spelling Tayshaun Prince.

Stuckey and Will Bynum will share the point guard spot, with Stuckey playing more off the ball than he has the past two years.

But in Gordon, 26, they have a bona fide scorer, one who can get his shot off anytime, anywhere and one completely unafraid to take big shots in big spots. He silenced all critics with his performance in the playoffs last season (24 ppg).

Of course, defense and rebounding remains a question mark. Villanueva, 24 and entering his fifth season, appears to be coming into his own after four seasons. He had a career year for the Bucks last season, averaging 16.2 points and 6.7 rebounds.

But he is not known to be a lock-down defender. And if they don't get McDyess, they will have only Kwame Brown, Jason Maxiell, Villanueva and three young, thin rookies to man the front court.

Collins withdraws name

Dumars spoke to Avery Johnson on Tuesday about the coaching vacancy. As for Doug Collins , he told Dumars on Wednesday he has withdrawn his name from consideration. Dumars wants a coach before the start of the summer league in Las Vegas on July 7.
chris.mccosky@detnews.com (313) 222-1489

Ben Gordon

Pos: Shooting guard
Age: 26
Ht/Wt: 6-3, 200
School/Draft selection: Connecticut/3rd, 2004
2008-09 stats:
20.7 ppg, 3.4 apg, 3.5 rpg, MVP for Connecticut in 2004 Final Four. Had
eight 30-point games in 2008-09, including two 30-point games in the
playoffs against Boston. Native of London, England.
Charlie Villanueva

Pos: Forward
Age: 24
Ht/Wt: 6-11, 232
School/Draft selection: Connecticut/7th, 2005
2008-09 stats: 16.2 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 1.8 apg, .447 FG, .347 3FG, .838 FT
Notable:
Never been a full-time starter, starting a career-high 47 games in
2008-09. Can play both forward positions. Can score from all angles and
is very versatile; 18 games of 25 points or more in 2008-09; 14
double-doubles in 2008-09