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2012 NBA Draft and Offseason Blog

Written by Paul Banks of the Washington Times, and David Kay of the The Sports Bank.
Send Paul an e-mail here: paulb05 AT hotmail DOT com.
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2013 NBA Free Agents - July 28

Updated July 28, 2012

Now that the dust has pretty much settled on the 2012 NBA free agency period, we can look ahead to next summer when big names like Dwight Howard and Chris Paul are slated to hit the open market. Here is a look at the top-10 unrestricted free agents for the 2013 offseason.

Dwight Howard, Magic.
As overdone as all the Howard trade talk has been this offseason, it could be even worse next summer if he doesn't end up signing an extension somewhere during the season. Oh joy. Let's hope for all of our sanities, something happens during the season so we can save ourselves from another summer of Howard rumors being shoved down our throat.
Chris Paul, Clippers.
Paul helped transform the Clippers last summer, and there should be enough interest and promise moving forward for him to re-sign in L.A assuming Donald Sterling gets something done early like he did with Blake Griffin's deal. There will several other teams able to make serious runs for Paul' services (Dallas, Atlanta), so he could test the market.

Andrew Bynum, Lakers.
If Bynum is not included in a Howard deal by the trade deadline, all indications suggest that he will hit the free agent market next summer as a hot commodity. There aren't many big men in the NBA with Bynum's size and skill, so he will certainly cash in on max money from some team.
Andre Iguodala (PO), 76ers.
Since Iguodala probably has one big contract left in him, there is a really good chance he will opt out of the final year of his contract which would pay him almost $16 million and look for a long-term extension. Iguodala may also be enticed to sign elsewhere in hopes of competing for a NBA Championship; something he has not done in Philly, and probably something the Sixers won't be doing anytime soon. The 76ers could also look to move him during the season if they are struggling and decide to blow things up a bit.
Josh Smith, Hawks.
Did you realize he is only 26 years old? Anyway, I'm not a huge Josh Smith fan, because he seems like a bit of a headcase and not a great teammate. However, there is no doubting his ability to impact the game. Smith and Howard have been tight friends since their AAU days and could be a package deal. If not, Smith will probably get a massive contract even though he is better suited as a complementary player as opposed to being the go-to option.

Al Jefferson, Jazz.
The Jazz will face an interesting decision next summer with both Jefferson and Paul Millsap becoming free agents. Utah has a pair of high lottery picks in Enes Kanter and Derrick Favors waiting in the wings, so the team could elect to save some money and let Big Al walk. He is never going to be the star player on a title contender, but he will draw a lot of interest due to his ability to score down low.
Manu Ginobli, Spurs.
Like Tim Duncan this summer, I can't see Ginobli leaving San Antonio unless the Spurs decide to go with a more youthful look the following season. The team does a great job of limiting its veterans' playing time to keep their legs fresh, and Ginobli would probably sign for a bit of a hometown discount. That all makes his return to San Antonio very likely.

Monta Ellis (PO), Bucks.
Ellis has an $11 million player-option for the 2013-2014 season and, assuming he doesn't want to stay in Milwaukee for another year, figures to opt out. Ellis is a gifted scorer, but the fact that he is an undersized two-guard hurts his value. Plus, he has never really played for a contending team.
Nikola Pekovic, TImberwolves.
Pekovic really blossomed in his second year in the league, becoming an effective frontcourt mate for Kevin Love in Minnesota. Pekovic is slated to make around $4.6 million next season and will be due for a hefty pay raise at this time next year. Brook Lopez and Roy Hibbert each received max contracts and JaVale McGee got $44 million over four years; Pekovic could easily get around 10 million per year in his next contract.
David West, Pacers.
West only signed a 2-year deal with the Pacers last summer, so he will once again be a free agent in 2013. West returned from an ACL injury and was productive for Indiana, but he certainly didn't play at the level he did in New Orleans.

West's experience and ability to knock down mid-range jump shots will still earn him a nice contract from a team looking for a solid role player in its starting lineup. However, a down season next year could hurt his value heading into the summer.

Fitz 06-18-2011 01:51 am xxx.xxx.xxx3.52 (total posts: 3)

Well the Tristan Thompson article is good.

The Hamilton Article has one mistake.In the 1st paragraph it says, "there are concerns about him about him being dialed in..." You put "about him" twice.

Walter 06-17-2011 01:52 am xxx.xxx.xxx4.88 (total posts: 10)

Haha thanks for that. I definitely won't hate you for it. It's hard to proofread at 2 am.

Fitz 06-16-2011 03:46 am xxx.xxx.xxx3.52 (total posts: 3)

Yea i understand. Gotta make that paper ha.

Btw, in the last paragraph of the Singleton article it needs to say, "never will BE a star". Right now its says, "never will a star".

I decided I'm gonna keep gonna keep correcting your articles until you start hating me

Walter 06-14-2011 01:28 am xxx.xxx.xxx4.88 (total posts: 10)

Haha definitely not my morals. It's what the advertisers and Google want, and since this is my main source of income, I have to do as they say.

Fitz 06-13-2011 02:17 pm xxx.xxx.xxx3.52 (total posts: 3)

Yea I figured it was probably just bad grammar on Liggins' part but I figured I would correct it just in case.

You cant say anything with a** in it or sh*t and a few others such as d*ck and so on and so forth. I understand if you have to do it because of advertisers and things like that, but I hope it's not because of your morals haha

Walter 06-13-2011 01:42 am xxx.xxx.xxx4.88 (total posts: 10)

Thanks, Fitz. I made some of the corrections.

Two of them were wrong though because that's how the quote was said. You should never fix the grammar in the quote if that's how the player said it.

What specific filter are you talking about?

Fitz 06-11-2011 11:55 pm xxx.xxx.xxx3.79 (total posts: 3)

*Hands instead of hand.

Haha i f'ed up while correcting your f ups. And you need to get rid of the bad language filter on here imo. It's annoying

Fitz 06-11-2011 11:52 pm xxx.xxx.xxx3.79 (total posts: 3)

Walt- Well the first sentence did say Every year i scratch at instead of scratch my head at, but i guess u just fixed that recently.

In the 3rd paragraph you say "the extremely talent bunch of recruits coming to Kentucky...". It should be TALENTED bunch

5th paragraph- "We had other guys who more highly recruited than me..." Should be "other guys who WERE more highly recruited than me"

7th paragraph- "but he never showed a consistency in attacking the basket." you need to take out the A.

8th paragraph- Hands instead of hands in " I didn't have the ball in my hand a lot"

I'm not trying to be a grammar nazi btw. Just trying to help out.

JimB 06-11-2011 09:13 am xxx.xxx.xxx1.14 (total posts: 1)

I believe he'll get drafted. His offense has improved year after year, he keeps improving his all around game and is reasonably athletic. I watched him play a lot at KY and his D is top notch. What team wouldn't want a wing player to come in off the bench and defend tirelessly and well, rebound, scrap for loose balls, and score if left open. He's the perfect player for that role, and a team first player as well. 2nd round to the Knicks or Celtics....

Walter 06-11-2011 01:15 am xxx.xxx.xxx4.88 (total posts: 10)

Where are the errors?

Fitz 06-10-2011 03:30 pm xxx.xxx.xxx3.79 (total posts: 3)

Walt, did you really edit this? Because there are still a ton of errors. If you ever want someone to proofread your stuff I'll be more than happy to. It's part of my job so I know what I'm doing. And trust me, you need it ha.

Walter 06-07-2011 01:28 am xxx.xxx.xxx4.88 (total posts: 10)

LOL nice pick-up, Jay. I didn't notice that when I edited it.

Jay 06-05-2011 02:51 am xxx.xxx.xxx.226 (total posts: 1)

Lol "an honest guy without an honest opinion,".
Was that a typo or just a hilarious flub by Morris?

nycsportzfan 05-28-2011 01:57 pm xxx.xxx.xxx7.20 (total posts: 1)

Faried Sucks??LOL ya, the all time college rebounder, really sucks..lol Good analysis, moron.

vbsiena 05-21-2011 09:48 am xxx.xxx.xxx9.94 (total posts: 2)

Faried sucks. A one trick pony who is on 6'6". Way to undersides for the 4. He's no Ben Wallace or Dennis Rodman. I don

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