http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/insider/columns/story?columnist=sheridan_chris&id=2287515
i'll break it into 2 parts to make it easier to read:
1. Ben Wallace, Detroit Pistons (Unrestricted)
Don't expect Big Ben to tower over the market. Pistons president Joe Dumars and Wallace will quietly work out a four-year contract (anything longer would bring the dreaded "over-36" rule into play) likely starting somewhere in the area of $11-12 million per year. Wallace will be eligible to earn much more -- as a 10-year veteran he can get a deal with a starting salary equal to 35 percent of the salary cap ($18.2 million if the cap comes in at $52 million) -- but all indications, including his plans to have an attorney rather than an agent do the contract, point to his staying with the powerhouse Pistons.
2. Al Harrington, Atlanta Hawks (Unrestricted)
Harrington, just 25, will have eight years of NBA service time when this season is complete. His free agent deal can be worth as much as 30 percent of the cap ($15.6 million if the cap is $52M), although few would judge the athletic small forward as a max player. Although he'll be one of the few quality free agents out there, if Chicago spends its cap space on someone else, his options might come down to New Orleans and Charlotte -- or a sign-and-trade deal to a team willing to pay Harrington's price. If Atlanta decides to trade Harrington before the Feb. 23 deadline, his new team will acquire his Bird rights and can exceed the cap to retain him.
3. Jason Terry, Dallas Mavericks (Unrestricted)
Just two years after losing Steve Nash, the Mavs could be in position to have another playmaker bolt town if the market brings Terry an offer that owner Mark Cuban would not want to match. But the Mavs have Terry's Bird rights and can give him a deal with 10.5 percent raises, while other teams could offer only 8 percent annual raises. Terry will likely succeed in getting a five- or six-year deal, and it's a safe bet at this point that the Mavs will keep him.
4. Vladimir Radmanovic, Seattle SuperSonics (Unrestricted)
They don't come much more one-dimensional than Radmanovic, the 6-foot-11 sharpshooter who knocked down eight 3-pointers Sunday against the Knicks and somehow grabbed 12 rebounds Monday against Philly. After turning down a $42 million offer from Seattle last summer in favor of a one-year tender, Radmanovic needed to play to boost his value. He wasn't playing under Bob Weiss, but Bob Hill is starting him and drawing up new plays to get him open looks. He's only 25 and many believe he has more long-term upside than his countryman and fellow free agent Peja Stojakovic.
5. Peja Stojakovic, Sacramento Kings (Early termination option)
Peja ranked below Vlad? Well, just look at the way Stojakovic's numbers have deteriorated from where they were two years ago -- his scoring average has dropped from 24.2 to 17.0, he's making less than 40 percent of his 3-pointers, and his overall shooting percentage is his worst since his rookie season. Maybe that's a product of the miserable season the Kings are having, or maybe it's a sign that Stojakovic's skills are already deteriorating at age 28, when he's on the verge of a once-in-a-lifetime contract opportunity.
6. Nene, Denver Nuggets (Restricted)
The Nuggets are of the belief that some team will make Nene an offer that they'll have no interest in matching, which is why they've been listening to trade proposals from teams interested in acquiring the 23-year-old Brazilian who blew out his knee the day after turning down an extension from Denver.
7. Mike James, Toronto Raptors (Player option)
It's time for the 30-year-old to cash in, having gone from journeyman to career backup to starter in Toronto, where he's the steadiest offensive player for the Raptors, with the exception of Chris Bosh. After Terry, he's looking like the best free agent-to-be guard out there.
8. Bobby Jackson, Memphis Grizzlies (Unrestricted)
It gets crowded quickly when you talk about the number and the quality of free agent point guards, and this former Sixth Man Award winner falls into the mix somewhere along with James, Speedy Claxton and Sam Cassell.
9. Joel Przybilla, Portland Trail Blazers (Unrestricted)
Portland has received steady, if unspectacular, production from the 7-foot-1 26-year old already in his eighth NBA season. A strong second half of the season could up his value past the mid-level exception.
10. Speedy Claxton, New Orleans Hornets (Unrestricted)
Despite being stuck all season behind Rookie of the Year front-runner Chris Paul, Claxton ranks third in scoring, second in assists and second in steals on the Hornets.
11. Sam Cassell Los Angeles Clippers (Unrestricted)
This summer will mark one of the few instances during the past decade when Cassell will not be unhappy with his contract. Believing he has been underpaid throughout his career, Sammy wants one more deal.
12. Bonzi Wells, Sacramento Kings (Unrestricted)
There remain plenty of character issues concerning Wells, who was sent home by the Grizzlies last season right when the playoffs began. He's out for the rest of this month with a torn groin muscle.
