2013 Free Agent Market

The Rockets introduced free agent signee Dwight Howard this month with a flashy press conference that doubled as a parade of Rockets Hall of Famers, many of whom showed up to take part in the event that NBA TV broadcast nationwide. In Detroit, Pistons president of basketball ops Joe Dumars could barely contain his excitement as he put new acqusition Josh Smith on display in front of the media. 

It's safe to say the Bulls were a bit more subdued when they announcing their signing of Mike Dunleavy.

Just about every team has waded into the free agent market in July, with widely varying results. The Rockets handed out a max contract to Howard, while the Clippers did the same in re-signing Chris Paul. The most lavish commitment the Lakers made was a one-year contract for Chris Kaman for the value of the mini mid-level exception.

The offseason has been even quieter for the Thunder and Heat. Their minimum-salary agreements with Derek Fisher and Chris Andersen, respectively, are their only forays into free agency so far. The Kings, too, have only made one free agent pickup, signing Carl Landry to a long-term deal.

That's a spending spree compared to what's happened in Philadelphia and Phoenix. Neither the Sixers nor the Suns have signed any free agents. That will surely change as teams begin to invite players to training camp, but both rebuilding clubs have passed on the chance to spend for upgrades.

With the help of the Hoops Rumors Free Agent Tracker, we've put together a list of each team's greatest expenditure in free agency this summer. In most cases, the players receiving the most lucrative multiyear deals are also getting the highest average annual salaries, but there are a few exceptions, as we note. The list includes free agent signees and players acquired via sign-and-trade, but it doesn't include signed draft picks. Some of the signings have yet to become official.

• 76ers — None
• Hawks — Jeff Teague: four years, $32MM (by total value); Paul Millsap: two years, $19MM (by average annual value)
• Bobcats — Al Jefferson: three years, $40.5MM
• Bulls — Mike Dunleavy: two years, $6.509MM
• Bucks — O.J. Mayo: three years, $24MM
• Cavaliers — Jarrett Jack: four years, $25.2MM (by total value); Andrew Bynum: two years, $24.79MM (by average annual value)
• Celtics — Keith Bogans: three years, $15.857MM
• Clippers — Chris Paul: five years, $107.343MM
• Grizzlies — Tony Allen: four years, $20MM
• Heat — Chris Andersen: two years, $3.434MM
• Jazz — John Lucas III: two years, $3.2MM
• Kings — Carl Landry: four years, $26.047MM
• Knicks — J.R. Smith: three years, $17.947MM
• Lakers — Chris Kaman: one year, $3.183MM
• Magic — Jason Maxiell: two years, $5MM
• Mavericks — Jose Calderon: four years, $29MM (by total value); Monta Ellis: three years, $25.08MM (by average annual value)
• Nets — Andrei Kirilenko: two years, $6.509MM
• Nuggets — J.J. Hickson: three years, $16.145MM
• Pacers — David West: three years, $36.6MM
• Pelicans — Tyreke Evans: four years, $44MM
• Pistons — Josh Smith: four years, $54MM
• Raptors — Tyler Hansbrough: two years, $5.112MM
• Rockets — Dwight Howard, four years, $87.591MM
• Spurs — Tiago Splitter: four years, $36MM
• Suns — None
• Thunder — Derek Fisher: one year, $1.4MM 
• Timberwolves — Kevin Martin: four years, $27.805MM
• Trail Blazers — Dorell Wright: three years, $6MM
• Warriors — Andre Iguodala: four years, $48MM
• Wizards — Martell Webster: four years, $21.991MM

Over the last week, we've been taking a closer look at this summer's free agent market by position, starting with point guards, and progressing through shooting guards, small forwards, and power forwards. Our tour of the 2013/14 free agent class comes to an end today with a look at this year's centers, perhaps the most intriguing FA position this year.

2013's group of free agent centers features the player most likely to land the year's biggest contract (Dwight Howard), a player who may have the summer's most fascinating free agent case after missing a full season (Andrew Bynum), and an intriguing human-interest story that even non-NBA fans will be following (Jason Collins).

Let's dive in and break down this year's free agent centers….

Unrestricted free agents

Assuming Dwight Howard re-signs with the Lakers, the $117.95MM he'd receive this summer would be the largest contract signed this year or last. It's not a lock that Howard will return to L.A., but considering the Lakers can offer him $30MM+ more in guaranteed money than any other team, they have to be considered the favorites.

A year ago, we would have assumed Andrew Bynum would be heading for a maximum contract of his own, but a lost season in Philadelphia means Bynum's future is up in the air. I have to think there will be at least one team willing to roll the dice on a potential franchise player, offering him a big-money, multiyear deal. But there's so much uncertainty surrounded Bynum that you could conceivably picture him signing for anywhere between $8MM and $80MM. For teams not interested in gambling on Bynum, Al Jefferson represents a more stable (and more healthy) top-tier option, though you'll have to be willing to live with some shortcomings on the defensive end.

Beyond the big three in this group, there are still plenty of interesting options, including Chris Kaman, Samuel Dalembert, and Zaza Pachulia. Additionally, Chris Andersen, Nazr Mohammed, and Jermaine O'Neal all played on minimum-salary deals in 2012/13, but were productive enough that they could draw interest at a slightly higher price this summer.

We'll definitely be keeping a closer eye on Jason Collins than we typically would on a backup free agent center (say, Johan Petro), as he attempts to become the first active gay athlete in one of North America's major sports leagues. And if the coverage of Collins' free agency is disproportionate to his career production, the same could be said of Greg Oden, the former first overall pick, who will look to return to action for the first time since 2009/10. I'll be pulling for both guys to find NBA jobs this offseason.

Restricted free agents

Eight of this summer's potential restricted free agents, including Blake Griffin, James Harden, and Stephen Curry, signed long-term extensions last fall, so there aren't a ton of big names among this year's restricted FAs. Still, compared to the other positions, center is relatively stacked.

Nikola Pekovic figures to receive an annual salary of at least $10-12MM from the Timberwolves or another club. Tiago Splitter will be in line for a raise of his own after playing crucial minutes for the Spurs all year. And even Byron Mullens had his moments for the Bobcats this season, though he's not close to being in Pekovic's class, or even Splitter's.

Team and player options

Expensive player options like Andris Biedrins' ($9MM) and Emeka Okafor's ($14.49MM) are certain to be exercised, but it's not just those big-money options that figure to be picked up. I'd be surprised to see either Kwame Brown ($2.95MM) or Aaron Gray ($2.69MM) opt out of their deals, since they'd be hard-pressed to land new multiyear contracts or even to sign for more than the minimum.

Even once we get past the player options, there don't seem to be many candidates to hit the market among this group. Robin Lopez ($5.12MM) and Gustavo Ayon ($1.5MM) are on non-guaranteed deals, but their price tags are affordable enough that I'd be surprised to see the Pelicans or Bucks, respectively, cut them loose. Perhaps the most notable likely free agent in this group is Greg Stiemsma, who has a non-guaranteed $2.69MM and wasn't exactly indispensable in Minnesota in 2012/13.

Previously:
Free agent market for power forwards
Free agent market for small forwards
Free agent market for shooting guards
Free agent market for point guards

With more teams than ever employing small-ball lineups this season, the lines between frontcourt positions are becoming increasingly blurred. Many of the players we have listed as this year's free agent power forwards could easily end up logging more minutes at the three or the five next season, depending on where they sign and how their respective teams are constructed.

Regardless of what position these bigs ultimately end up playing though, there's plenty of talent among this group, including a handful of the summer's top unrestricted free agents. Let's dive in and take a closer look at 2013's power forward market….

Unrestricted free agents

Dwight Howard and Chris Paul are probably this year's only locks to receive maximum-salary contract, but it's not out of the realm of possibility that Josh Smith lands one too. It would be an overpay, but Smith is still just 27 years old, and his versatility makes him a very valuable piece. He's probably the most talented all-around player in this group, but I'm not sure he can be the best player on a title contender.

After Smith, David West and Paul Millsap represent the other strong bets to earn eight-digit annual salaries. I expect the Pacers to do everything they can to keep West around, given what a great fit he's been in Indiana, but with Utah's offseason plans unclear, I don't think there's a clear frontrunner for Millsap at this point.

Those three are the big names, but there are plenty of intriguing options here, including young guys like J.J. Hickson and Brandan Wright, who are coming off breakout seasons. Antawn Jamison, Lamar Odom, Elton Brand, and Kenyon Martin are affordable veterans who should be able to contribute to contending teams. Jason Maxiell and Hakim Warrick could also be decent bench pieces in the right situations.

Three more free agent cases I'll be keeping an eye on, in this group: DeJuan Blair, who just turned 24 last month, and has always felt like he should be playing more than he did in San Antonio; Earl Clark, who showed flashes of promise in an otherwise disappointing year for the Lakers; and Andray Blatche, who returned to relevance in Brooklyn this year after a disappointing run in Washington.

Restricted free agents

The pickings are fairly slim when it comes to restricted power forwards, but there are a couple players who should draw some interest from teams besides their own. Chris Copeland played his way into the Knicks' rotation this year as a 28-year-old rookie, averaging an impressive 8.7 PPG in just 15.4 MPG. If he draws interest from rival suitors, the in-the-tax Knicks may be priced out of the bidding.

Tyler Hansbrough will also hit the restricted market this summer, assuming the Pacers extend him a $4.14MM qualifying offer, which isn't a given. Like West, I would think Hansbrough is a player the Pacers would like to bring back, but he's the kind of off-the-bench energy guy that any number of teams would love to add if the price is right.

Team and player options

There won't be any drama when it comes to Charlie Villanueva's option decision, as the Pistons forward isn't about to leave $8.58MM on the table. That doesn't mean Villanueva won't hit the market though, considering Detroit still has its amnesty provision in hand. Al Harrington is another Eastern Conference forward who may find himself on the market, since the Magic essentially have a team option on him — he has two years remaining on his deal, but both years are only 50% guaranteed, so Orlando could save more than $7MM by cutting him.

Villanueva and Harrington may not be huge contributors no matter where they end up, but there are some potential impact players in this group. Carl Landry's $4MM player option with the Warriors could go either way, but I'd lean toward him turning it down to secure a multiyear contract. The same might be true of Marreese Speights ($4.52MM), though I would guess his value on the open market will be a little lower than Landry's.

I don't expect an address change for Dante Cunningham, who has an affordable $2.18MM team option and had a good season for the Timberwolves. Boris Diaw ($4.7MM player option) and Matt Bonner (partially-guaranteed $3.95MM salary) are also good bets to be back with their current team, unless the Spurs' roster undergoes a bigger-than-anticipated shakeup this summer.

Previously:
Free agent market for small forwards
Free agent market for shooting guards
Free agent market for point guards

This year's crop of free agent small forwards is far from star-studded, particularly when it comes to the unrestricted and restricted players. Many of the top small forwards that could be available this summer have some form of team or player option, meaning there's a chance they don't even hit the market.

When we do eventually figure out which players will be free agents in July, there should be plenty of teams jostling to get to the front of the line to sign them. Playoff clubs like the Clippers, Hawks, Lakers, Nets, Grizzlies, and Bucks might all have holes at small forward or at least be in the market for an upgrade. And that list doesn't include lottery teams with lots of cap space, like the Cavs, Jazz, and Pistons, or playoff teams like the Nuggets and Celtics, whose small forwards (Andre Iguodala and Paul Pierce) have player options.

Let's dive in and check out a few of the names expected to be on the small forward market this summer….

Unrestricted free agents

While there are no stars in this group, there are a number of potential value plays for teams seeking contributors, rather than go-to guys. Matt Barnes and Corey Brewer have exhibited the ability to play key roles on contending clubs, while the shooting prowess of Mike Dunleavy and Kyle Korver will ensure they draw plenty of interest this summer. Alan Anderson can also shoot from the outside and is coming off his best season as a pro, while Dorell Wright established a career-high in PER in 2012/13.

Stephen Jackson and Corey Maggette represent a pair of veterans coming off of albatross contracts. They'll be taking significant pay cuts, so if they still have something left in the tank, they actually could become potential bargains for the minimum. Al-Farouq Aminu is another notable member of this group, given his age (22), his ability to play both forward positions, and his production on the glass.

Restricted free agents

Look away, there's nothing to see here. There's also no guarantee any of this year's potential restricted small forwards even receive qualifying offers this June, considering the fairly uninspiring numbers posted by the likes of Omri Casspi, Austin Daye, and James Johnson in '12/13.

Devin Ebanks, who has averaged 11.3 MPG in 63 career games in three seasons with the Lakers, may be the best bet to receive a qualifying offer, since the Lakers clearly like him. But given L.A.'s tax situation, even Ebanks' inexpensive QO ($1,317,986) may be too pricey for a player who has yet to consistently crack the team's rotation.

Team and player options

Before we get into the most intriguing names in this group, we can eliminate a few players who are virtual locks to opt in to the final years of their respective contracts. Richard Jefferson ($11.05MM), Shawn Marion ($9.32MM), Marvin Williams ($7.5MM), Trevor Ariza ($7.73MM), and Brandon Rush ($4MM) almost certainly won't turn down those 2013/14 guarantees, since they'd be very hard-pressed to approach those kinds of annual salaries on new contracts.

There are a few other player options that aren't so cut-and-dried though. Paul Pierce and Hedo Turkoglu are expected to exercise their player options, but both are only partially guaranteed, meaning their teams could trade or release them even after those options are picked up. Andre Iguodala ($16.15MM) and Andrei Kirilenko ($10.22MM) could exercise their options, but unlike the players mentioned earlier, both Iguodala and Kirilenko will probably be able to secure longer-term deals without taking huge pay cuts, if they were to opt out.

Metta World Peace's contract situation is another that could go in any number of directions. Taking into account how much World Peace likes playing for the Lakers, you'd expect him to pick up his $7.73MM option, but if he does, he'll immediately becomes a prime amnesty candidate. There's a chance he'll opt out, but only if he feels confident that the Lakers would be willing to negotiate a new multiyear deal.

The Rockets will guarantee Chandler Parsons' contract, and figure to do the same for Carlos Delfino's, unless his $3MM salary gets in the way of their pursuit of a star. Francisco Garcia and C.J. Miles are bench options whose teams will likely decide to let them hit the open market. Grant Hill is in a similar boat with the Clippers, coming off the worst season of his career. If he wants to continue his playing career, I can see him signing a minimum deal somewhere, but I'd guess the Clips will view his $2MM+ non-guaranteed salary for 2013/14 as exorbitant.

Previously:
Free agent market for shooting guards
Free agent market for point guards

Last summer, many of the top shooting guards on the market signed contracts for the mid-level exception or at least for a salary in that neighborhood. Jamal Crawford, Louis Williams, Nick Young, O.J. Mayo, Ray Allen, Courtney Lee, and Jason Terry were among the two guards that landed deals worth between $3-6MM annually, while only Eric Gordon and his four-year max contract exceeded that $6MM threshold.

This year's class of shooting guards probably doesn't include a maximum-salary player like Gordon, but it does feature plenty of players seemingly capable of earning multiyear pacts worth more than $6MM annually. Let's check out a few of the key names set to hit the shooting guard market this summer.

Unrestricted free agents

A number of this year's notable unrestricted shooting guards have expressed a desire to return to their current teams, and not just in the generic way you'd expect from every player. Kevin Martin seems to geniunely want to find a way to return to the Thunder if they can afford him, the Bucks acquired J.J. Redick in hopes of locking him up long-term, Martell Webster and the Wizards have mutual interest in a reunion, and it's hard to imagine Manu Ginobili playing anywhere but San Antonio.

That doesn't mean we should expect every unrestricted free agent to simply be back with his current club. There will be rival suitors pursuing Martin and Redick, putting pressure on the Thunder and Bucks, and it may also be a challenge for the Grizzlies to bring back Tony Allen, given the team's reluctance to approach tax territory. I'd also expect guys like Marco Belinelli and Nick Young to change addresses, with Randy Foye and Wesley Johnson among the other unrestricted SGs who could be on the move.

Restricted free agents

After four years in the NBA, Tyreke Evans still doesn't really have a set-in-stone position, but if we consider him a two guard, he probably ranks atop this year's restricted options. Evans' free agent case will be interesting, considering all the factors in play — Evans' PPG and MPG rates in 2012/13 were career-lows, but he became a more efficient player, setting a career-high in FG% and 3PT%. If the Kings have a new ownership group and basketball operations team in place, we'll have to see if Evans is part of their plans going forward.

The rest of the restricted shooting guards may not inspire many bidding wars, but Gerald Henderson is a solid piece coming off a career-best season, and Wayne Ellington could be a valuable off-the-bench shooter for a playoff team. Gary Neal also appears to be in line for a raise, though like Ginobili, it seems unlikely that the Spurs would let him get away.

Team and player options

Here's where things get interesting. Monta Ellis, O.J. Mayo, and J.R. Smith all seem like good bets to opt out of the final year of their respective contracts, and I'd expect at least two of them to be playing for new teams next season. Given how Smith has excelled in New York, I can see him re-signing with the Knicks, but it won't be an easy decision if another suitor presents a lucrative offer than New York can't match.

Ben Gordon (player option) and Lance Stephenson (non-guaranteed deal) almost certainly aren't going anywhere, barring trades, and I think Ray Allen will likely be inclined to exercise his player option to remain with the NBA's best team, but there are a few other interesting cases here.

Shannon Brown's role was reduced by the Suns in the second half of the season, so it would be a surprise if the team guaranteed his contract for next season. Richard Hamilton and his partially-guaranteed contract may be a cap casualty in Chicago, while Jodie Meeks' inexpensive team option may end up being too pricey for the Lakers if they want to reduce their tax bill as much as possible.

Others to keep an eye on: Terrence Williams, who has played a few postseason minutes for the Celtics and could have his 2013/14 contract guaranteed; Willie Green, who has fallen out of the Clippers' rotation in the playoffs; and Brandon Roy, whose contract is believed to be non-guaranteed and whose knee problems have jeopardized his playing career once again.

Previously:
Free agent market for point guards

Depending on how this year's free agent market develops, a handful of this year's playoff teams could be seeking a new point guard in July. The Clippers, Hawks, and Bucks are among the clubs who will see their own impact starters become free agents, while the Warriors will have a key backup hitting the open market. A pair of teams who just missed the postseason, the Mavericks and Jazz, also figure to be in the hunt for a long-term solution at the position.

With that in mind, and with the help of our list of free agents, let's take a look at this year's point guard market.

Unrestricted free agents

Chris Paul is the obvious headliner of this year's point guard class, if not the entire free agent class. However, unlike a year ago, when both Brooklyn and Dallas seemed like viable options for Deron Williams, it's hard to imagine Paul leaving Los Angeles. Various reports throughout the year have indicated Paul is leaning strongly toward re-upping with the Clippers, so while he may listen to other pitches, it'd be a huge shock if CP3 ends up anywhere else.

Besides Paul, there aren't any star-caliber players becoming unrestricted free agents this offseason, but there are a number of intriguing veterans that could be key pieces for contending teams. Jose Calderon and Jarrett Jack lead the second tier of unrestricted point guards, along with Mo Williams, Devin Harris, and Nate Robinson, who has been an important contributor in Chicago with Derrick Rose out. This group offers a little of everything, whether it's Calderon's ability to facilitate, Robinson's knack for scoring in bunches, or Jack's flexibility to guard both backcourt positions.

Outside of the top five, there probably aren't any unrestricted point guards capable of running a team, but there are still a handful of guys with upside that should be able to handle backup duties. D.J. Augustin, Will Bynum, and Shaun Livingston are among the players that fall into this group.

Restricted free agents

Paul is a lock to receive the biggest payday of any point guard this summer, but Brandon Jennings is a good bet to be second. Jennings has recently softened his stance on wanting to leave the Bucks, probably because he and his agent recognize there's a very good chance the team will match any offer sheet he signs. Players who hit the open market typically land bigger deals than comparable players who sign extensions, so it wouldn't be surprising to see Jennings' new deal exceed those signed by fellow fourth-year point guards Ty Lawson, Stephen Curry, and Jrue Holiday last fall.

With Jennings atop this year's restricted point guards, Jeff Teague has flown under the radar a little. But Teague set career-highs virtually across the board in his contract year, and figures to be in line for a nice raise. Whether that comes from the Hawks or another club could depend on what other free agents the Hawks pursue, but Atlanta certainly has the room and flexibility to bring him back.

Eric Maynor's and Darren Collison's stocks weren't exactly boosted by their 2012/13 numbers, so it wouldn't be a surprise if the Trail Blazers and Mavericks, respectively, declined to offer qualifying offers, making Maynor and Collison unrestricted. Nonetheless, they probably represent the next-best options in the group of potentially restricted point guards.

Team and player options

It's hard to get too excited about potential free agents with team options or non-guaranteed deals, since the best of the bunch will invariably be brought back by their current teams. Kyle Lowry, for instance, is on a contract that's mostly non-guaranteed, but after trading a lottery pick for him, the Raptors aren't about to let him walk to save $5.21MM.

Still, there should be at least a couple intriguing point guards with options who ultimately hit the market. Jerryd Bayless might be one, if he elects to turn down his $3.14MM option with the Grizzlies in favor of a longer-term deal. Patrick Mills and Aaron Brooks will also be worth keeping an eye on, since both guys could become free agents and have shown flashes of upside in the past.