There is no Chris Bosh, Amare Stoudemire, or Carlos Boozer in this off-season of NBA free agent power fowards like there was a summer ago. However, Mr. Kim Kardashian (aka Kris Humphries) is on the market as too is David West who announced that he will opt out of the final year of his deal with the New Orleans Hornets. Here are my free agent power forward rankings and a list of which teams could be interested in their services.
UPDATED: 6/28/11
By: David Kay
1. David West, Hornets (UFA)
West recently announced that he will opt out of the final year of his deal with the Hornets that would have paid him $7.5 million, thus becoming an unrestricted free agent. With Chris Paul’s future in the air, I am not sure West will want to commit to the Hornets if CP3 is not signed to an extension. However, there are not many teams that will be able to afford West at the price he will deserve except for maybe the Nets, Pacers, or Kings. He could also end up re-signing with New Orleans or possibly working out a sign-and-trade.
Predicted Contract: Picks up option on his contract
Possible Destinations: NJ, IND, NO, SAC
2. Kris Humphries, Nets (UFA)
Humphries had a career best season at the perfect time; his contract year. He averaged a double-double for the first time in his career as he became the team’s starting power forward due to the trades of Troy Murphy and Derrick Favors. New Jersey does not have a lot of options at power forward but will they be willing to sign him to the long-term extension that he will surely be demanding, especially since dropping all that cash on Kim Kardashian’s wedding rock.
Predicted Contract: 5-years, $40 million
Possible Destinations: NJ, IND, SAC, DEN, NO
3. Jeff Green, F, Celtics (RFA)
One would assume Boston traded for Green with the intention of keeping him for the long haul. They will certainly extend the qualifying offer worth about $5.9 million for Green and but will they want to sign him to a long-term extension when never truly fit in with the Celtics after the deal? Other teams will probably have interest and try to pry Green from Beantown but Danny Ainge will have the option to match any offer sheet he signs.
Predicted Contract: Plays out final year of his contract
Possible Destinations: BOS
4. Carl Landry, Hornets (UFA)
New Orleans was Landry’s third team in the past two seasons which is surprising since he has proven to be a valuable commodity. I suspect several playoff teams will pursue Landry with a chunk of their mid-level exception since he bring great energy and scoring off the bench.
Predicted Contract: 4-years, $22 million
Possible Destinations: NO, IND, ATL, DAL, POR, DEN
5. Glen Davis, Celtics (UFA)
This is just my gut feeling, but I would imagine Davis is ready for a full-time starting gig which he will not get in Boston as long as Kevin Garnett is around, and I think he has earned it. I can see him accepting the biggest contract from whichever team wants him to start. If not, he may have to settle for a mid-level type deal.
Predicted Contract: 4-years, $22 million
Possible Destinations: NO, DEN, BOS, NJ, IND, DAL
6. Kenyon Martin, Nuggets (UFA)
K-Mart continues to be hampered by injury which makes him a risk for any team even thinking of signing him to a multi-year extension. He posted a career-low in points but can still be a solid rebounder and is never afraid to mix it up down low. If Denver is not interested in bringing him back as a starter, he draw interest from several teams looking to add an experienced, tough power forward.
Predicted Contract: 2-years, $8 million
Possible Destinations: DEN, NO, POR
7. Troy Murphy, Celtics (UFA)
After a decade of solid productivity, Murphy battled injury to start the season and never re-gained his old form after being traded to Golden State, released, and signed by Boston. I find it hard to believe that Murphy has nothing left, but his worth has taken a huge hit. He can still be a valuable player on the right team due to his ability to stretch defenses with his outside shot and should get looks from teams looking to add depth inside.
Predicted Contract: 1-year, $2 million
Possible Destinations: IND, DEN, NO, POR, ATL, LAL
8. Josh McRoberts, Pacers (UFA)
McRoberts posted career numbers as he found a regular role in Indiana this past season. He is probably nothing more than a reserve and the Pacers could look to bring him back but I would imagine they are looking for an up-grade alongside Tyler Hansbrough.
Predicted Contract: 3-years, $9 million
Possible Destinations: IND, DAL, NO, SA
9. Jonas Jerebko, Pistons (RFA)
After solid rookie season, Jerebko misses all of last season with a torn right Achilles tendon. All indications are that the Pistons have every intention to bring him back and I doubt any team would risk pursuing a player who is coming off a serious injury.
Predicted Contract: Plays out final year of contract
Possible Destinations: DET
10. Brandan Wright, Nets (RFA)
Can we officially label Wright as a bust? He was the eighth overall pick in the 2007 Draft but has not played more than 39 games in a single season and has career averages of 5.4 points and 3 boards per game. I would be surprised if the Nets extended the qualifying offer almost $4.6 million for next season since they could use that cap space to pursue a big named free agent. So expect him to hit the open market and some team to roll the dice that he finally can stay healthy and reach his potential.
Predicted Contract: Plays out final year of contract
Possible Destinations: NJ
Other Free Agent Power Forwards:
Jeff Adrien (UFA), Alexis Ajinca (UFA), Malik Allen (UFA), Brian Cardinal (UFA), Dante Cunningham (RFA), Ike Diogu (UFA), Joey Dorsey (RFA), Reggie Evans (UFA), Juwan Howard (UFA), Jared Jeffries (UFA), Yi Jianlian (UFA), Leon Powe (UFA), Brian Scalabrine (UFA), Craig Smith (UFA), Jason Smith (RFA), Darius Songaila (UFA), Chris Wilcox (UFA), Shelden Williams (UFA)
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David Kay is a senior feature NBA Draft, NBA, and college basketball writer for the Sports Bank. He also heads up the NBA and college basketball material at Walter Football.com and is a former contributor at The Washington Times Communities.
You can follow him on Twitter at DavidKay_TSB.