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2010 NBA Free Agents: Small Forwards

Written by Paul Banks of the Washington Times, and David Kay of the The Sports Bank.
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A list of the top 2010 NBA Free Agent small forwards.

UPDATED 6/30

LeBron James (PO), Cavaliers. Age: 25.
He is more sought after by NBA teams than the Russian terrorists who killed Renee Walker were being pursued by Jack Bauer this season on 24. He is the first and most important chip in free agency, and everything will fall into place after he chooses where to go. If you believe what you read, he and Bosh are headed to Chicago. But remember; the Cavs can still pay him more than any other team in the league and several other teams plan to try and woo him once the free agency period begins.

Predicted Contract: Max value (6 years, $125 if he re-signs. 5 years, $95 if he signs elsewhere.)

Possible Destinations: CHI, CLE, NY, DAL, MIA, NJ
Paul Pierce (ETO), Celtics. Age: 32.
In helping lead the Celtics back to the NBA Finals, Pierce remains one of the top players in the league. He can choose to terminate the final year of his contract that would pay him a little more than $21.5 million. I would expect Boston to show some appreciation and loyalty by signing Pierce to a long-term extension that would make him a Celtic for life. If not, he will most likely play out the final year of his deal and test the market next summer.

Predicted Contract: 3 years, $60 million extension

Possible Destinations: BOS
Rudy Gay (RFA), Grizzlies. Age: 23.
The Grizzlies have stated that they will match any offer sheet Gay signs this offseason since he is a restricted free agent. I would not be surprised if Gay tests that statement by hoping to cash in on a serious pay raise that he would likely receive. I think a team could miss out on landing one of the true marquee free agents, panic, and throw a lot of money at Gay that would scare away the Griz from re-signing him. If that doesn't happen, Gay might just have to accept the $4.4 million due to him in the final year of his rookie contract and become an unrestricted free agent in 2011.

Predicted Contract: 5 years, $65 million

Possible Destinations: MEM, LAC, WAS, NY, MIA, NJ
Josh Howard (TO), Wizards. Age: 30.
Since the Wizards are in a re-building mode, I would not expect them to pick up the $11.8 million team option on Howard, which would make him an unrestricted free agent. Injuries have plagued Howard during the past two seasons which has hurt his worth. He is nothing more than a third or fourth option on a playoff-caliber team and will likely take a decent sized pay cut this offseason. Worst-case scenario, he might even have to take the mid-level exception to go play for a contender.

Predicted Contract: 3 years, $21 million

Possible Destinations: LAC, MIA, NJ, NY, WAS
Richard Jefferson (ETO), Spurs. Age: 29.
If Jefferson turns down the $15 million owed to him in the final year of his contract and elects to become a free agent, I will stop wearing flip-flops. I LOVE wearing flip-flops. Jefferson wouldn't see one-third of that amount in free agency and will be back with the Spurs next season.

Predicted Contract: plays out final year of contract

Possible Destinations: SA
Josh Childress (RFA), Hawks. Age: 26.
Childress has until July 15 to decide whether or not he wants to opt out of his contract with Olympiakos of Greece where he has been playing the past two seasons. The Hawks will reportedly extend him the qualifying offer worth about $4.8 million to retain his rights, but if he does choose to return to the NBA could be signed by another team. Childress would be a valuable role player if he returned to the NBA and would likely draw the interest of several teams. Atlanta could use him in a sign-and-trade as well.

Predicted Contract: Accepts qualifying offer

Possible Destinations: ATL, MIA, DAL, LAC, PHX, MEM, CLE
Matt Barnes (UFA), Magic. Age: 30.
The Magic swingman has already indicated that he intends on opting out of the final year of his contract which makes sense since he is worth more than the $1.6 million he is due. Barnes proved to be a solid complementary player for Orlando this past season as he brings a toughness and edge to the floor. If he doesn't re-sign with Orlando, he would be a good fit for a playoff team in need of valuable role player.

Predicted Contract: 4 years, $18 million

Possible Destinations: ORL, MIA, NY, LAC, NJ, GS
Tracy McGrady (UFA), Knicks. Age: 31.
Tracy McGrady is dangerously close to being Stephon Marburyed or Allen Iversoned, and being out of the league. He has only played in 65 games the past two seasons and could be facing his last chance. No team is going to give him a long-term deal due to his injury issues and McGrady will probably be stubborn enough to want more than a complementary role. I could see a team who strikes out on landing a marquee free agent throw a one year, decent money offer his way and hope he resurrects his career.

Predicted Contract: 1 year, $5 million

Possible Destinations: WAS, LAC, ATL, CLE, NJ, GS, NO
Grant Hill (PO), Suns. Age: 37.
Hill picked up player option

The former Dukie keeps plugging away and being a steady contributor. He has a player option that would earn him a little more than $3.3 million nest season. Hill seems to be happy in Phoenix and I imagine he will pick up that option as winning a title seems to be more of a desire at this point of his career than anything else. However, if he feels Amare is going to leave the Suns, he may try to sign elsewhere since Phoenix would no longer be a top team in the West.

Predicted Contract: Exercises player option

Possible Destinations: PHX, BOS, NY, DAL, SA, MIA
Rasual Butler (UFA), Clippers. Age: 31.
Here is an interesting stat: Butler has started 138 games the past two seasons. He is a good shooter who can provide a spark off somebody's bench next season if he doesn't find another starting gig.

Predicted Contract: 3 years, $11 million

Possible Destinations: LAC, CHI, ATL, SA, UTAH

Other Free Agent Small Forwards: Vladimir Radmonovic (PO) (Picked up player option), Travis Outlaw (UFA), Dorell Wright (UFA), Dominic McGuire (RFA), Maurice Evans (PO), Michael Finley (UFA), Damien Wilkins (UFA), Antonie Wright (UFA), James Jones (TO), Devean George (UFA), Jerry Stackhouse (UFA), Bobby Simmons (UFA), Steve Novak (UFA), Joe Alexander (UFA), Adam Morrison (QO), Aleksandar Pavlovic (UFA), Alando Tucker (UFA), Yakhouba Diawara (UFA), Jarvis Hayes (UFA), Trenton Hassell (UFA), Jonathan Bender (UFA), Rodney Carney (UFA), Quinton Ross (PO) (Picked up player option), Cartier Martin (UFA)

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