Top Free Agent Small Forwards
Do you want Ricky on your team?This week marks the beginning of NBA free agency. Who’s out there that can make your team better (or worse)? We’ll go position by position…
Josh Smith (22 y/o, 17.2 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 2.8 bpg, 1.5 spg) — A breakout performance in the playoffs solidified J-Smoove’s place as one of the most important free agents on the market. He can turn a borderline team into a contender with his all-over-the-court skills.
Andre Iguodala (24 y/o, 19.9 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 4.8 apg, 2.1 spg) — Can he be the #1 option on a title-contending team? Iguodala led Philly to a playoff berth this year, but is better suited as a #2 guy.
Luol Deng (23 y/o, 17.0 ppg, 6.3 rpg) — His stock dropped significantly from where it was one year ago, but he’s still a difference-maker who should command a hefty payday.
Corey Maggette (28 y/o, 22.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg) — Was his shameless gunning this past season a result of being in a contract year, a necessary evil with the Clippers not having Elton Brand’s offense for 70-plus games, or just a reflection of what a team is gonna get if it signs Maggette?
James Posey (31 y/o, 7.4 ppg, 4.4 rpg) — Rocking two championship rings now and coming off an NBA Finals showing where he did a better job of containing Kobe Bryant as anyone could have imagined, Posey is a hot commodity right now.
Josh Childress (25 y/o, 11.8 ppg, 4.9 rpg) — Developed into a solid role player who can help a playoff team.
Ricky Davis (28 y/o, 13.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.4 apg) — Is the fact that Ricky Buckets always seems to be on bad teams a matter of circumstance, or his own fault? He’s considered poison in most NBA circles.
Bostjan Nachbar (27 y/o, 9.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg) — He’s got some game coming off the bench, and will get the occasional highlight-reel banger.
Dorell Wright (22 y/o, 7.9 ppg, 5.0 rpg) — Will the production ever catch up to the potential? At this point it’s not looking like it’s gonna happen, but Dorell is still young.
Kelenna Azubuike (24 y/o, 8.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg) — Athletic, strong, and would thrive in an up-tempo system. Doesn’t have much of a jumper, but has the tools to be a great defender and transition scorer.
Quinton Ross (27 y/o, 4.1 ppg, 2.3 rpg) — His rep as a younger, skinnier Bruce Bowen isn’t as strong as it was when the Clippers were good, but he’s valuable nonetheless.
James Jones (27 y/o, 8.0 ppg, 2.8 rpg) — Anyone looking for an inexpensive three-point sniper off the bench should take a look at Jones.
Eduardo Najera (31 y/o, 4.0 ppg, 3.3 rpg) — Added a three-pointer to his repertoire, which had previously consisted of broken noses, floor burns and hard fouls.
Matt Barnes (28 y/o, 6.7 ppg, 4.4 rpg) — Remember last summer when people thought he was worth more than the $3 million Golden State gave him? He’d be lucky to get that kind of money now.
Mickael Pietrus (26 y/o, 7.2 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 1.0 spg) — Once upon a time he was a kinda highly-coveted player. He’s got the physical tools but just isn’t that good of a ballplayer.
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:39 pm
mavid says:
Josh Smith is best as a power forward. Any team trying to play him at sf best have either a pf or center who can stretch the D with an outside shot.
July 2nd, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Kudabeen says:
Is Josh more valuable than Iguodala?
There have been light reports that Josh Smith’s signing is a higher priority than signing Andre for Philly. Neither players have proven to be #1 guys, though the closest is Dre to me. They offering in the ballpark of 5yrs $67mil…10+ mil more than they offered Dre last year. Is Iguodala worth more now?
It’s hard to argue in Iguodala’s favor. I’d hate to see a great 2nd tier guy like Andre go…
Philly’s best bet is to get both of these guys.
July 2nd, 2008 at 3:07 pm
K Dizzle says:
Smoove was only good as a power forward cuz he was matched up against KG. Defesively, he can guard 1-5s.
I agree that if you got good shootin 4s and 5s, it increases his effectiveness, but his game’s never really been halfcourt.
And why is Dre Iggy bein downgraded like he’s just some average ballplayer? He had one bad series and heads actin like 20, 5 and 5 with top level defense is common.
If the Celtics had lost in the first 2 rounds, Ray Allen would be a scrub now too.
Sixers better stop messin around and take care of in-house before chasin dreams of J-Smoove
July 2nd, 2008 at 3:15 pm
Kermit the Washington says:
Ricky Davis, AKA “Smush Parker VISTA”, can stay where he is. Get that crap outa here; he’s definitely gonna be poison to whatever team he lands on.
July 2nd, 2008 at 3:16 pm
C Burner says:
So much hate for Ricky Buckets..the dude can hoop, and would be a solid third option on any decent team. Look at the Heat last year, what did you expect? His stats got better without Shaq, hate on that Big Fat Bastard for not makin’ anybody better. That should be his nickname by the way, Big Fat Bastard.
July 2nd, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Dave says:
Deng is the top small forward on the market
Then Iggy
Then Maggette
Josh Smith has transformed himself into a power forward over the past two years and plays as such. He doesn’t have the perimeter skills (shooting, dribbling, passing) to hang at small forward anymore. Even if I considered him a small forward, he’d still be behind the other three.
There’s a lot of really good role player small forwards once you get past those guys. Good market place for teams in need of wings. Wonder who’ll be the guys to drop to the veteran’s minimum.
July 2nd, 2008 at 3:27 pm
doc says:
Iggy stats look great to all u dudes who dont see the sixers every night but he not no top dog in this game.He not even a all star.Give me Josh and if that mean Iggy holla back oh well it was nice watching you throw up bricks.When people throw out stats that tell me they didnt watch the player.Stats can get inflated easy.Its a lot of dudes who if they played for the sixers in iggy spot would’ve got 20 5 and 5.Everybody got a real star on they team in a big city and this is ours.It pisses me off just thinking about it.
July 2nd, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Reed Ewing Frazier says:
@ C Burner Yeah I agree with you Ricky hasn’t had bad pub since he left Cleveland and that was three teams ago(Wolves,Celtics and Heat) he is a solid player on the right team.
Josh Andre and Deng are the top three small forwards I know it won’t happen but I would like to see the Lakers pick up one of those players and trade Lamar to someone else.
KNICKS UP!! all the rest down!!
July 2nd, 2008 at 3:58 pm
Kobeef says:
Deng might as well not be considered becase the Bulls are making him a priority now that they got Rose in the draft.
Iggy needs a reality check. He really isn’t a #1 player buit can’t seem to accept it. Dre Miller has as much (or more) to do with Philly’s playoff run as iggy.
Barnes is on thin ice but I could see pietrus landing in Toronto b/c they need some more swingmen now that they’ve thrown in the towel on Bust-nani.
July 2nd, 2008 at 4:07 pm
K Dizzle says:
Damn, doc. You think every big city team got a real star, then who’s reppin the NY and who Chicago got? Rose ain’t played yet
Kobeef
Raps ain’t givin up on Bargnani yet but they probably hopin movin him down one notch in responsibility brings something, but this could be his last chance. If he has a good season, that front line could be the best in the east…..should be
July 2nd, 2008 at 5:22 pm
Diego says:
Josh Smith is more in the power forward mold because he really just does not have the ballhandling or passing skills of a small forward–plus he is a pretty big fella. His outside shot (including 3-pointer) is streaky but not all that bad (unlike his ballhandling and passing), but nevertheless he is not a small forward.
July 2nd, 2008 at 5:30 pm
Kudabeen says:
I hear you Doc, but I will say Iguodala has improved every year and his Jumper was much better this year. His defense is the reason why he is elevated to the status where people speak of him as if it’s possible for him to be a #1. He has guys like Kobe and Paul Pierce saying how good he is and praising his work ethic.
I like Iguodala, because he Desires to be better and works. He doesn’t twist an ankle and sit out for two weeks. He is a worker, but he needs another guy that’s down for team that can also get buckets. Dre is an excellent passer at his position too. Very underrated aspect of his game. When Iverson was there, Sixers made a huge mistake in trying to make Andre a point forward, because his handle until this year was very shaky.
I like him and replacing him with just one overpaid Josh Smith (because sixers would have to give a contract 12-15 mil a year to out bid atlanta) is not enough. Dre came through a lot this year and grew a lot as well. Don’t be so Philly and toss guys away before the mature, because management was too inept to build a team. Give him a chance. I don’t think he hit his ceiling just yet.
July 2nd, 2008 at 5:57 pm
djKianoosh says:
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA.070208.Spurs.EN.14978daf.html
looks like Spurs are going after Maggette.
interesting for both parties if it works out.
the spurs do have to get younger and more athletic, but can maggette play good D? i dont know, i’m asking, i dont get to see too many clipper games
July 2nd, 2008 at 6:11 pm
Kudabeen says:
They used to believe that was his specialty when he came in for Orlando. He can be a tough defender, but like most guys it’s about buy-in. A great organization like the Spurs know how to get guys to by in to the program and define roles.
Maggette with Spurs would be an upgrade, but that still doesn’t help their front-court. Duncan has no help down their.
July 2nd, 2008 at 6:29 pm
doc says:
I know he hasnt reached his ceiling Kuda but I dont think its that high thats all.He got d and hustle but thats 35 mill range not 60.@ K-Dizz New York got Lebron he just waiting and give me D-Rose for the whole Sixers right now.
July 2nd, 2008 at 7:18 pm
Kudabeen says:
Come on Doc. If the sixers is prepared to give Josh Smith 67 mil, why not Iguodala. We both know he is durable and won’t ever quit on the team. He’s not a max guy, but he’s worth way more than 5years 35mil. I don’t know why our city is so down on our guys. We have a high character, elite level athlete, who is wants to be the best, works to be the best and is a gym rat. And you are ready to low ball him and toss him to someone else for Josh Smith…You are better than that Doc.
But I know how it is. We live in a Frustrated Sports city…Here’s a little reminder of how special Andre Iguodala has been. Check. IF he hasn’t hit his ceiling yet at 20 5 and 5 plus 2+ steals then we can’t lock this guy up for 5 years and get another guy?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZ34wEUOQuY&feature=related
July 2nd, 2008 at 7:29 pm
Len Bias says:
just dont let Ricky Davis get close to a triple double…
July 3rd, 2008 at 1:48 am
LakeShow84 says:
I bet both Iggy & Smoove resign with their original teams.. And Maggette..
Wait who cares??
The sleeper is Luol Deng..
July 3rd, 2008 at 2:55 am
todd says:
I think the Sixers would be better off going after Deng. They have a ton of athletic wings/ streaky shooters. J-Smoove’s more of the same (plus shot-blocking). Deng is a very good catch and shoot player, Iggy and Dre would give tons of easy shots.
July 3rd, 2008 at 6:25 am
fLaVa says:
To think the Raps could of drafted Iggy instead of Rafeal Arujo…
July 3rd, 2008 at 9:08 am
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July 3rd, 2008 at 12:09 pm
eyeused2b says:
How can a role player garner so much blame? Unless he’s a cancer in the locker room, what’s the big problem with Ricky Davis?
Dude was the 21st pick in the draft, so obviously he wasn’t selected to be a franchise player. Since he started getting decent minutes in his fourth season, he’s put up good overall numbers. He’s never been mistaken for an All-Star, so why do people throw so many darts his way?
In Cleveland, he was placed in a role in which he didn’t belong. Boston was Pierce’s team, so their failures should fall on him. Likewise, in Minny and Miami, the blame should fall onto KG, Wade, and Shaq.