We kicked off our look at the top available free agents on Monday by having a look at the best point guards.
We will now turn out attention to this summer’s best shooting guards.
The NBA currently has a dearth of truly great two-guards and that has led to this summer’s free agent crop at that position being one of the weaker spots.
There are some useful players who will be free agents but some of the better shooting guards available are either getting long in the tooth or have flaws in their game.
There are plenty of teams with available cap space this summer but it would be a surprise to see them splash heavy cash at this position.
1. Monta Ellis (Player Option), Milwaukee Bucks
Ellis has already said that he will opt out of his deal although most players wait until the last minute to make that decision. The major flaw to his game is the fact that he can’t shoot from long range although he does get to the rim nicely and is an above-average passer. The fact that he reportedly almost got into a fight with teammate Larry Sanders in the playoffs has to worry a few teams as does his substandard defence. The Bucks will have to decide if it makes more sense to pursue Ellis and shift him to the point or hang onto Brandon Jennings.
Potential Suitors: Milwaukee, Sacramento, Minnesota, Phoenix.
2. J.R. Smith (Player Option), New York Knicks
It would be a stunner if Smith didn’t opt out of the final year of a contract which will pay him $2.9 million next season. It would also be a stunner if the Knicks were able to retain his services as they can only offer him $5 million in the first year of a new deal. Whether that proves to be enough appears to be unlikely although the Knicks could keep his brother Chris around for a while to circumvent the rules as most believe the younger Smith is not an NBA player. Smith had an outstanding regular season campaign but disappeared in the playoffs amid rumours of late nights in clubs.
Potential Suitors: New York, Atlanta, Dallas, Minnesota, Phoenix.
3. Manu Ginobili, San Antonio Spurs
If Ginobili returns next season it would be hard to see him wearing anything other than the Silver & Black of San Antonio although stranger things have happened. At some point the Spurs will have to try to switch to a youth movement but watching their current cast perform in the playoffs I don’t think it will be this summer.
Potential Suitors: San Antonio.
4. O.J. Mayo (Player Option), Dallas Mavericks
It was a tale of two seasons in Dallas for Mayo as he almost singlehandedly carried the team over the first few months of the season before he seemed to hit the wall. While he is expected to opt out of his current deal, he isn’t guaranteed the same payday he once seemed destined for. Much like last summer, he may be the odd man out and have to take a lesser deal when everything shakes out.
Potential Suitors: Dallas, Minnesota, Indiana, Phoenix.
5. Tyreke Evans (Restricted), Sacramento Kings
It would be a surprise to see the Sacramento Kings allow Evans to walk without seeing the Kings try to at least get an asset in return but with new ownership/management in town, they are not tied to keeping him around. The Kings would have a lack of size in the backcourt if they do let him walk. One of the major issues with Evans is the fact that he sees himself as point guard but he is more suited to being a two-guard. He is talented but may need more veteran leadership around him to bring it out.
Potential Suitors: Sacramento, Minnesota.
6. Ray Allen (Player Option), Miami Heat
There have been rumblings that Allen might opt out of his contract and try to return to Boston but that seemed like a bit of a farfetched idea, especially since the Celtics appear to be ready to tear it all down and start over. If Allen decides to return next season, it would be hard to see him leaving Miami.
Potential Suitors: Miami, Los Angeles Clippers, Boston, Memphis.
7. Tony Allen, Memphis Grizzlies
It will be interesting to see what happens to Tony Allen this summer as he is one of the top defenders in the league although his offence creates a big hole at the other end of the floor. Will he be rewarded for all of the intangibles that he brings to the floor or will his numbers cost him?
Potential Suitors: Memphis, Houston, Oklahoma City.
8. Kevin Martin, Oklahoma City Thunder
If the Rockets hadn’t dealt Martin to Oklahoma City we would likely be discussing him in the same breath as Monta Ellis but his performances fell off in the playoffs once Russell Westbrook went down. Some of that blame likely falls on coaching but it definitely has to affect his value.
Potential Suitors: Oklahoma City, Minnesota, Sacramento.
9. J.J. Redick, Milwaukee Bucks
Much like Kevin Martin, a mid-season trade damaged Redick’s stock. When he was one of the few options on a young Orlando team, he looked like a world-beater but a move to Milwaukee slowed his roll. He could still be a valuable asset for a team like Memphis looking to space the floor better as he remains one of the game’s best long-range shooters but his defensive liabilities certainly could hinder him from collecting a big payday.
Potential Suitors: Oklahoma City, Minnesota, Sacramento.
10. Gerald Henderson (Restricted), Charlotte Bobcats
Being stuck in Charlotte, not many people were aware of the fact that Gerald Henderson put up decent numbers last season. Of course, that leads to the question, were the numbers good because he was good or because he got plenty of burn for a bad team?
Potential Suitors: Charlotte, Minnesota, Sacramento, Phoenix.
Others: Marco Belinelli, Chicago Bulls, Ben Gordon (Player Option), Charlotte Bobcats, Kyle Korver, Atlanta Hawks, Jodie Meeks (Team option), Los Angeles Lakers, Anthony Morrow, Dallas Mavericks, Nick Young, Philadelphia 76ers.
