NBA training camps are opening in a few weeks and there are plenty of familiar names on the list of unsigned free agents.
Some of those players will soon get contract offers but a majority will either have to seek an overseas opportunity, bide their time waiting for a phone call, sign a G League contract or simply go into retirement.
The group of available power forwards is particularly intriguing. It includes some former franchise players and other veterans who have played major roles on contending teams.
Here are some of the more notable names on the list:
- Carmelo Anthony – In each of the last two seasons, Anthony has averaged 13-plus points per game while coming off the bench for the Trail Blazers and Lakers, respectively. It’s not a stretch to believe Anthony has one more productive year left.
- Trevor Ariza – Ariza’s season with the Lakers was wrecked by an ankle injury. When healthy, he’s a proven 3-and-D threat and has played in 106 postseason games. Those experiences could make him a major locker room addition.
- Blake Griffin – A few seasons ago, Griffin carried an otherwise unimposing Detroit team to the playoffs. Griffin is coming off his worst season as a pro in which he averaged a paltry 6.4 PPG in 17.1 MPG for the Nets. He’s still just 33 and could provide an offensive boost for a contender if his knees hold up.
- James Johnson – Johnson has been in the league since 2009 but was still enough of a factor last season to appear in 62 games with the Nets, including 10 starts. Johnson has played for five teams over the last three seasons, which can be viewed that his skills still translate to today’s position-less brand of play.
- Jabari Parker – Just three seasons ago, Parker was a consistent 15 PPG scorer. Knee and shoulder ailments have marred his career but the second pick of 2014 draft is still just 27 years old. He could be an instant offense-type factor off someone’s bench, depending on his health.
That brings us to our question of the day: Which veteran free agent power forward – Carmelo Anthony, Trevor Ariza, Blake Griffin, James Johnson or Jabari Parker – would provide the most value if signed?
Please take to the comments section to weigh in on this topic. We look forward to your input.
Jabari Parker would be a low-risk/high-reward addition. With the right team, he could be major help.
I wonder if the Heat could make him into their next diamond in the rough.
Nope!
He’s been a “low risk, high reward” addition for 5 seasons now.
Jabari Parker???? Really??? Why does he have no job prospects then????
He is no longer low risk with the certainty that he will play no defense and slack on offense when he does not have the ball.
None of those guys excite me except for perhaps carmelo. Watching him play he can still shoot. Not for my Warriors but looks like a positive addition to any team he joins. I’m surprised the Blazers let him walk a couple years ago. He really resurrected his career and played well for them.
Melo was one of the few bright spots on the Lakers roster last year .
I’d be shocked if hes not brought back ..
Griffin could be a nice pass-first center for a shooting team like GSW
the rest are marginal depth players at this point.. in reality so are Melo and Blake, but both still should have a season left
On the right system/team (Celtics?), Blake Griffin would be a good addition
I don’t think Blake Griffin is interested in playing anymore. He didn’t look like he was last year.
Melo has been in talks with Brooklyn
They are just throwing Melo a bone. No place on Brooklyn to give him minutes.
Nothing “intriguing” about any of these guys. They are all available because it is highly questionable whether or not they can actually “help” a team off the bench.
I want to say; Stop being so pessimistic Very Barry, but I think you’re right.
My guess is that the Celtics will grab one of these guys and it’ll be interesting to see if they can get anything out of whoever they pick.
This would never happen, but it would be awesome to have one team give 2 or 3 of these guys camp invites and see if anyone rises to the occasion.
Let’s have your Celtics do it. Bring in Melo and Jabari. Keep BOTH of them. Lets what you get. Your playoff opponents will salivate at the possibility of see 1 let alone both of them on the floor.
“Pessimistic”???? It’s called telling the truth!
DeMarcus Cousins can’t even make a list of best available unsigned power forwards.
I don’t know if that’s because he is a Center or what, but he is the best available free agent, wish the damn Bulls would sign him. The Knicks would be good to sign him too. But he really should be getting starters minutes somewhere in the NBA, what a racket.
Whatever DeMarcus Cousins gives you on the floor he takes away in the locker room.
Easily Melo off this list – I like the Philly fit w him for what its worth …he’s a 15 MPG popcorn machine that can a swing a game or two in the regular season while also help sell a couple tickets.
Some matchups will deem DNP’s others might allow for upwards of 22 mins if he get’s hot – Solid 15TH man who showed a pretty good attitude at his last 2 stops
Once the dust settle in Utah, I would take a flyer on Jabari. Utah would be wise to take on some reclamation projects or veterans that they could flip later for more draft assets. They would be able to provide the playing time to showcase them.
Jabri, Bledsoe, Lamb, Bradley, Boogie, Bjelica.
Sexton, THT, Vanderbilt, Markkanen, Bolmaro, Butler, Stanley Johnson, and Gay are the only ones that are likely to remain when the dust settles.
Beasley, Clarkson, Conley, Bojan, and NAW more than likely exit. Depending on who they get back, you still have to fill out a roster.
Face it, none of these guys would be hanging around at this stage if they were more than mediocre. If I was going to take a flier on one of them to contribute solid backup minutes, it would be Ariza. He wouldn’t be first string, ideally not even second string, but a guy who can deliver in case of emergencies.