The NBA lockout has made the free agent process that bit tougher for this summer, with teams unsure of the salary cap that will be imposed and therefore unwilling to overcommit on big money contracts. It is just another area of uncertainty in the NBA world at present.
While the 2011 free agent class is not a patch on the star-studded 2010 group - featuring LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Amar'e Stoudemire and Joe Johnson - there are still several players up for grabs who could transform a franchise from also-ran to contender.
The Dallas Mavericks have a tough decision to make on Tyson Chandler, the imposing presence credited with improving the team's defense and instilling a new toughness within the locker room. Chandler will attract huge interest from a range of teams - including contenders like the Miami Heat and basement dwellers with money to spend like the Toronto Raptors - but the Mavericks appear reluctant to offer a new contract until seeing where the salary cap falls, given that they have a number of other free agents to tie down to new deals too.
Chandler has given every indication that he would prefer to stay in Dallas but the contract he is offered might not match up to other offers that come his way. The Mavericks are committed to re-signing JJ Barea, Carun Butler and potentially DeShawn Stevenson and Brian Cardinal too.
Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets risk losing skilled Brazilian Nene, who has opted to test free agency rather than sign an extention. He is expected to command offers of more than $13 million a year but again there will be hesitation in terms of committing to a big deal. The fear is that a hard salary cap emerges and teams get trapped in hefty deals agreed prior to the verdict.
Nene has won his battles with injury and cancer and has produced strong numbers over the past two seasons. He was a key part of the Nuggets' run to the Western Conference Finals in 2009, alongside Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups, and has earned a spot among the top centers in the game today. He has a solid jump shot, he rebounds well and his field goal percentage is always among the league's best.
The New Orleans Hornets' power forward David West is another intriguing talent available this summer. He has been an integral part of the Hornets team for several seasons and a real fan favourite but, while his comments suggest he would like to remain in Hornets colours next season, he is committed to winning and that may be tough in New Orleans, especially with Chris Paul having one foot out the door in 2012.
West could provide a real lift to a contending team and has provided consistent numbers throughout his career. His agent, like Chandler's and Nene's, will be receiving a barrage of calls over the weeks and months ahead.
No team wants to make a foolish move prior to the new salary cap - and other considerations - being agreed. But for some, the opportunity to snap up a proven big man might prove too tempting to resist. In a league increasingly dominated by small, quick guards, talented 6"9 to 7" presences are a rare commodity and tough to pass on.
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