2010 Free Agents | Diamonds in the Rough

[Bentley]

The summer of 2010 is the biggest thing in every NBA front office right now. Every team is making moves to secure enough cap room to make an offer the max free agent offer to names like LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh. Those are the big names that are being pursued, but there are many hidden gem's within this free agency class.

First of all, let’s discuss what I define as a hidden gem. These are the guys that teams are not looking at and thinking, we are ready to make a run at him, he is our first priority. Now, of course, LeBron James will be the first priority of every single NBA team that has the ability to make an offer to him. Which is an understandable decision, considering LeBron is the most physically dominating player in the NBA, and during the 2010 summer he will be only 26 years of age. But the gems are the guys that everybody is looking for after LeBron, Wade, and Bosh go off the market. After Amare leaves, Joe Johnson signs, and Paul Piece returns to Boston. These guys are mostly rookies from the 2006 draft class that can opt-out and become free agents, but some also are guys that have always been solid players on good teams, and are seeking chances to win championships, or to finally become a team’s number 1 guy.

So let's get started, the top 10 hidden gem's of the 2010 NBA Free Agent class:

10. Luis Scola - Houston Rockets

Scola is a hardnosed, defensive basketball player. He has accomplished a lot in his couple of years in the NBA, he has been an exciting role player on some talented Houston teams, but playoff disappointment has been the story of the Rockets for the past several seasons. Scola has proven he can score and rebound, but he has never been a volume scorer simply because he has had team-mates such as Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming. In a place that needs a post scorer, Scola could be a 18 PPG player.

9. Josh Boone – New Jersey Nets

Josh Boone looked like a bust much of this past season, but his numbers from the 07-08 show that Boone can be an effective player in the right situation. He averaged 8 points and 7 boards that season, while starting 53 games. In a situation where he starts every game, he could be a 14 point, 10 rebound guy. Not to mention, he is young, and young players can always get stronger and better with coaching.

8. Ronnie Brewer – Utah Jazz

Brewer has made tremendous improvements in his 3 NBA seasons, going from 4.7 PPG in his rookie season, to 13.7 PPG this past season. He has made those improvements as a 4th or 5th scoring option in Utah. If he went to a place where he was a 1st or 2nd scoring option, I don’t think that 20 PPG is out of the question. Ronnie Brewer could be an absolute steal in 2010.

7. Ray Allen

Ray Ray will turn 35 in late July. But seriously, this guy will be a great spot up shooter till he is 50.

6. Tyrus Thomas

Thomas has crazy amounts of athleticism. He shown that at LSU and has shown that at times with the Bulls. No question that his offensive skills need to develop, but that will happen with age, Thomas will be only 23 once the 2010 summer hits. He has shown improvement has his playing time has increased, and his rebound and defensive efforts will be there regardless of him scoring 10 PPG or 2 PPG.

5. Randy Foye

Randy Foye has improved each season of his career by 3 PPG. Most NBA scouts swear the guy is talented enough to score 22 PPG in the NBA and I’m not going to question that, he scored 16 PPG this past season on a bad team. What he does in Washington this season will determine his true value on this market.

4.LaMarcus Aldridge

Aldridge was easily the 2nd best player the Trail Blazers put on the floor last season. He averaged 18 PPG and grabbed 7 boards per. He is still very young, and while I don’t think it is very likely he will opt out, it’s always possible. He is still the number 2 option on his team offensively, behind Brandon Roy obviously. As the first option for a team 20 and 10 looks possible, he could easily be a future All-NBA 1st teamer in the right situation.

3.Rajon Rondo

Has any player made more improvement in the past 2 seasons than Rajon Rondo? Culminating to him averaging a triple double in the playoffs this past season. His offensive game is leaps and bounds over what it was when he entered the NBA, and defensively he is a night mare for NBA point guards. Rondo has proven he is a floor general, and he can lead a team. Easily the best Point Guard in this class.

2. Rudy Gay

Rudy Gay will be 24 years old in 2010, and he has already averaged 20 PPG in his NBA career. His numbers did take a slight dip this past season, but there is no question he is going to be one of the most pursued players in this class past the big 3. His athletic ability is absolutely insane, and he has a special touch from the 3 point line. One of my favorite players in this entire class.

1. Brandon Roy

Roy is a future MVP. No questions asked. He is already one of the most clutch players in the NBA. Only thing about Roy is his age, he will be close to 30 when he hits this market, he is older simply because he spent 4 years in college. But those 4 years made him a much more developed player than most in this class. And if you lose out on the Dwyane Wade race, the I think Brandon Roy would be one hell of a second option.

This list is always open for discussion. And I’m open to suggestions and changes. Share your list with us and maybe we can make an edit before 2010.

[Rich-E]

Everything was well put.

[Spens1]

The Knicks might want to look at the Top 2 and LMA instead of just Lebron and someone, Surprised no one is paying much attention to the Players on this list and their movement

[Kevin Nash]

The Knicks might want to look at the Top 2 and LMA instead of just Lebron and someone, Surprised no one is paying much attention to the Players on this list and their movement

Yeah, it's just like they forgot about these players. Pretty wild.



Good article Mitch.

[Bentley]

Everything was well put.

Thanks.

Yeah, it's just like they forgot about these players. Pretty wild.



Good article Mitch.

Sanks James.