Around this time last year, the nation was wowed by one of the best free-agent offseasons the NBA has ever seen. Lebron James, Amare Stoudemire and Chris Bosh topped the list of free agents ready to win big contracts with their respective new teams.
On July 8, 2010, James made the decision to “bring his talents to South Beach” and all hell broke loose.
A year later, with an NBA lockout looming, basketball has given us a list of free agents that can’t even compare to last year’s standout cast.
Many will agree that Tyson Chandler will be the most sought-after free agent this offseason given the way he played in the NBA Finals.
Goal by Tyson Chandler?
10 PPG and nine RPG?
It’s safe to say that the 2011 NBA Free Agency will be shallow at best.
However, there are players on this list who can make a difference on teams, but maybe we’re still stuck in 2010 where superstar free agents were up for grabs.
Now, in 2011, we’re looking for available young players looking for paydays from a weak class of free agents.
Good for them, and probably bad for their team if they need top-tier talent, or want to overpay for any part of this mediocre 2011 Free Agency.
Here are 10 young players who will get paid this offseason.
(For the sake of this list, I’ve set the “young” limit at 30 years old.)
10. Glen Davis
“Big Baby” himself will be on the market this offseason and will be looking to get a big paycheck for all the work he’s done in Boston over the past four seasons.
Primarily off the bench, Davis played an important role for the Celtics as someone who could produce in limited minutes.
He averaged 11 PPG and seven RPG while in Boston, and is ranked in the top 14 or 15 players available in free agency this offseason.
For that reason, the $3.3 million Davis earned last season will likely increase in free agency.
Is it worth it though?
Look for Davis to make around $5 million next season.
9. Kris Humphries
Mr. Kim Kardashian won’t have any money problems any time soon, now that he’s engaged to the reality star cash cow, but he may want to give himself some kind of dignity by earning a paycheck or two next season. .
Humphries made $3.2 million last season. It doesn’t matter, though, that the ring he bought for Kardashian cost $2.5 million.
Fortunately for Humphries, he had a breakout season for the New Jersey Nets last season, averaging 10 PPG and 10 RPG. With those numbers, he should be claiming a raise next season whether he needs it or not.
Expect around $5 million next season Mr. Kardashian-Humphries.
8.Nick Young
In addition to Young’s standout plays last season, his 17 PPG for the Washington Wizards should be enough.
He’s gotten better every year since he’s been in the league, culminating in a nice 2010-11.
Young is a restricted free agent, which means all Washington would have to do is make him a qualifying offer to retain his services for another season.
The 26-year-old won’t get much in free agency, so expect him to get $3 million to $4 million next season.
7. Carlos Landry
Many teams are starting to take notice of the good brand of basketball Landry is playing in the NBA.
The 6’9″ forward racked up 11 PPG last season while making a living cleaning backboards and doing the things that go unnoticed on the basketball court.
Landry received $3 million last season, but the free agent market still isn’t sure what to make of it.
Expect around $5 million next season for the 27-year-old.
6.Aaron Brooks
The speedy restricted free agent will receive several offers from teams this offseason. Many teams would love a quick and confident ball handler at the point guard position.
He is already being pursued by the Sacramento Kings, who could use his services to deliver the ball to the duo of Tyreke Evans and Jimmer Fredette.
That wouldn’t be a bad job for Brooks.
Last season, Brooks made $2.02 million. But he expects close to $4 million next season.
5. Greg Oden
Has the public forgotten about this type?
Ohio State’s No. 1 pick in 2007 is a free agent this season, putting teams at a crossroads over whether or not he can be a great center in this league.
Injuries have plagued him his entire career thus far, but he will be paid off this offseason due to the “what if” factor.
What if Oden bounces back and lives up to his No. 1 overall pick status in the draft?
If he’s healthy, Oden is one of the best centers in the game, so why not take a chance on him?
Expect him to land a contract for next season of around $7 million, despite playing in just 82 NBA games overall.
4.Rodney Stuckey
Stuckey won’t get very high offers this offseason, but he can still be a fantastic acquisition at point guard for many NBA teams.
He put up 15 PPG and 5 APG last season for the terrible Detroit Pistons, but they may be his highest-paying team this offseason.
Does Stuckey want to stay in Detroit or try something new somewhere else?
Let’s find out.
The most he’s getting in Detroit would be around $4 million, but he expects Stuckey to get $3-4 million for next season.
3.Jeff Green
Green was involved in the trade that reportedly destroyed basketball culture in Boston.
The Celtics gave up Kendrick Perkins for Green to become younger and more athletic, when in fact they ruined the team’s chemistry and, most of all, the team’s rebounding ability.
Because of that move, Green is in it for the long haul with the Celtics. Boston has no other choice.
Expect him to get a nice pay raise this offseason, around $7 million over several years.
2.Marc Gasol
Gasol’s 11 PPG and 7 RPG have teams drooling over the 7’1″ center this offseason.
Is he someone a young team can build around?
At times it seems so, but he still has a lot to prove to the NBA teams.
Due to his size and skills on both the defensive and offensive sides of the ball, look for Gasol as one of the highest-paid players this offseason.
A deep-pocketed team could spend as much as $9 million on the 26-year-old next season.
1.Tyson Chandler
Chandler, for better or worse, is the best player on the free agency market this offseason.
He is a player who can change the complexion of a team by contributing his fast-paced and bold style of play.
At 7’1″, Chandler is not someone a team can build on, but we all saw what happened this past season with the Dallas Mavericks and how his team changed with him in the lineup.
With his ability to bring energy to a team from the center position, Chandler is expected to land a healthy deal this offseason worth around $10 million.
