NBA champs?

Marion or Pierce on the top 10 SF list?

Monday, June 8, 2009

Top targets at each position this offseason, free agent or not. First position: PG.

PG
1. Baron Davis. If you're looking for a run and gun, 3PT shooting, steal-happy assist-happy guard who can also get you about 4 RPG, Davis is your guy. Just because he had a bad year, doesn't mean he isn't class talent. Milwaukee, Minnesota, Sacramento, Miami, Toronto and Miami all might show interest.

2. Steve Nash. Another run and gun PG who's also one of the best shooters in the land. The 50-40-90 club is a regular hotspot for Nash, but his defensive capacity's a little worse. The Suns are probably a little less likely to part with Nash than with Richardson or Stoudemire, but in order to win a championship and fast, I think the Suns would part with anyone at the right price.

3. Tony Parker. For someone who's in his prime and poised to bring a team to a championship from Day One, there'll be someone looking for Parker. Miami is probably suspect #1 considering the fact that Miami is looking for a half-court point guard more than a runner. The problem is that Miami also needs the PG to be able to shoot, a quality Parker does not have. The only reason Parker is this high is because of the fact that the Spurs need to rebuild.

4. Jason Kidd. Kidd's still got triple double potential for one more season, given an experienced squad to work with. Kidd's unique in that he's more like a forward than a guard and that he can run, which he's doing with Dallas, and he can stop and wait like he did in New Jersey. He might just end up re-signing with Dallas, but if Dallas isn't willing to commit the kind of guaranteed years he's looking for, expect someone else to snatch up the opportunity.

5. Jameer Nelson. There's a war going on in Orlando, and I don't mean with the Lakers. No, I mean between Jameer Nelson and Rafer Alston. Both are starting caliber point guards, and only one can get those kind of minutes. Stan Van Gundy needs to start Jameer Nelson, but can't due to the fact that he's not 100%. It depends on which one gets the job and which one ultimately falls out of favor with the organization, but for the moment, expect both to be on the market as needed. Miami is probably ridiculously interested in Nelson, and will probably have to dispense a couple first-rounders to get him.

6. Jose Calderon. Given someone who can score and still shoot well, Toronto will probably give Calderon up. The rumors that Calderon might be sent to the Suns for Steve Nash were not in vain. It's actually a good idea. Besides, anyone who shoots an ungodly 95.1% FT is in demand, whether the team's willing to give that person up or not.

7. Mike Bibby. Mike Bibby shoots the 3 like it's going out of style, and it pays off. He's one of those 13 and 5 guys, ultimately, like Alston, T.J. Ford, Derek Fisher, etc., but he's got added bonus. Like Kidd, if Atlanta isn't willing to pay him top dollar, expect him to bolt. Otherwise, he'll probably just resign.

8. Andre Miller. Miller comes off the Sixers' books this year, and it just so happens that the Sixers are in need of a serious revival. The Elton Brand experiment didn't work out as planned. Their best players are Miller-Iguodala-Young-Brand-Dalembert. While Dalembert's great defensively, something's gotta give, and as it stands, Thad Young and Iguodala are the future. Brand might be shipped, given proper persuasion. It's most like Miller they'll try to make leave town, either by getting a younger PG or not. If they want to win a championship, they have to go a little bit younger.

9. Ricky Rubio. To be perfectly honest, Rubio had better have a lot of upside. I watched a little bit of Beijing, but didn't get to see the Gold Medal Game with that much quality, as I was away at the time. However, had I been there, I would've seen Jose Calderon on the floor the most. Rubio's FG% numbers, assist numbers and, quite frankly, PPG numbers are worrysome, considering that the competition will only get harder stateside. Memphis doesn't really want to draft Thabeet or Rubio, and given a young, solid PF (hint Josh Smith hint) would part with that 2nd pick in a heartbeat. I could seriously see a Josh Smith for the #2 pick straight up. Depending on whether Bibby bolts, they could take either Thabeet and move Horford back to his natural 4 spot, or Rubio and start Zaza Pachulia, who's been solid.

10. Rafer Alston. This is saying that Jameer Nelson is the PG of choice at Amway. Alston's solid, at least, and his contract's not only expiring, but small enough to move with relative ease.


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