NBA: Top 5 free agents still available

As we approach the end of July, there is no doubt in the fact that we have witnessed what was possibly the biggest off-season in terms of trades, re-signings and free agent movement in recent years. The two biggest free agents this July certainly took their time but after making the entire world wait on their decision, LeBron James announced that he would return home to sign with his home franchise of Cleveland Cavaliers while Carmelo Anthony re-signed with former team, the New York Knicks to stay put in the Big Apple.Pau Gasol and Luol Deng are a couple of players among many whose movement and futures have been influenced by the decision that Anthony and James had taken a couple of weeks to go. Lance Stephenson was the last big chip to be removed off the table after he declined a five year $44 million deal with his former team the Indiana Pacers to sign with the Hornets of Charlotte.Stephenson’s deal was reported just less than 10 days ago and since the market has gone comparatively quiet. Close to four weeks have passed since the teams were allowed to negotiate and approach players with deals and contracts, yet there are many useful and productive players still available on the block. Here are the top five players under that category:

#5 Jermaine O\'Neal

What is a 35 year old veteran center whose played for five teams over the last six years doing on the list of top free agents still available right?

Well it’s actually a surprise that teams in need of a center with genuine shot blocking ability like Miami Heat or other such teams have not approached Jermaine O’Neal after the level of production he displayed this past with the Golden State Warriors.

With the Warriors starting center Andrew Bogut out with a rib injury just prior to the start of the Playoffs, O’Neal needed to step up to the plate and grab the opportunity with both hands. In the seven games that Golden State played in the Playoffs against the Los Angeles Clippers, O’Neal did just that, proving to be a productive efficient center on the court and a dependable veteran presence in the locker room.

His averages of 6 points and 3.4 rebounds this post-season might not be impressive, but they are definitely very deceptive. The numbers have come at an average playing time of just 12 minutes with a Playoff career high shooting percentage of 56.3%.

#4 Ray Allen

Maybe only to a one year deal but numerous teams would love to sign the sharp shooting veteran Ray Allen but a road block between the teams and a possible association with the player is that the 2 time NBA Champion is considering retirement however has made nothing official.

If he puts off retirement this summer, Allen would not only be entering the 19th season of an illustrious Future Hall of Fame NBA career, but become a hot commodity in the free agency market unless he decided to announce not to retire by directly signing with a team.

After losing in the Finals with the Miami Heat to the San Antonio Spurs in five games just over a month ago, it was only in the past 3-4 days that reports suggested he was ‘leaning’ towards joining James in Cleveland. However, that is of course if he decides to continue playing.

At 39, Allen is still one of the most fittest and productive role players in the game and would be a key addition to any team in the league.

#3 Shawn Marion

While Allen might be an effective role player and a productive, efficient shooter on the offensive end, he can often times be a defensive liability. It is not so in the case of 36-year old 15 year NBA veteran Shawn Marion. Nicknamed “The Matrix” in his rookie year for his versatility of not only playing, but also defending multiple positions on the court.

Marion is probably one among very few players who have averaged double digits points in each and every season of his NBA career. Another key feature of his game that has seen its fair bit of ups and down is his shooting from beyond the arc. Despite the unorthodox shooting style that he is known for, Marion is currently in good touch from three-point range notching up an average of 36% with the Dallas Mavericks last season.

There have been no reports so far on where he intends to take his talents, but the fact that the Mavericks have acquired Chandler Parsons makes it highly unlikely that Marion will remain in Dallas.

#2 Greg Monroe

The first restricted free agent on the list, Greg Monroe is a guaranteed future All-Star who has been promised a future in Detroit by current Head Coach and President of Basketball Operations for the Pistons Stan Van Gundy.

Unlike prior players on the list, Monroe’s future at least the next season is definitely in Detroit unless another team decides to present him an offer sheet that the Pistons decide not to match. Averaging close to a double-double in the past three seasons, Monroe’s talents could be wasted in his current team with the presence of Andre Drummond and Josh Smith also on the roster.

Although the Pistons have made merry in this off-season by picking quality perimeter shooters, they are yet to solve the conundrum involving Drummond, Monroe and Smith. Any team looking for a quality Power Forward for the future must pick present him an offer sheet in a range that will have the Detroit franchise scratching their heads with a huge portion of their cap space going to the duo of Smith and point guard Brandon Jennings.

#1 Eric Bledsoe

The top available free agent currently in the NBA is also a restricted free agent-Eric Bledsoe.

Riding on his tremendous last season, Bledsoe is searching for a max contract and in the process declined to an offer that the Phoenix Suns presented him of a $48 million deal for four years. There is no denying his talent, but given his search for a max contract teams might be thinking twice before presenting him with an offer.

While the Suns seem positive about their future with Bledsoe mentioning that they would match any offer he receives without any hesitation, the arrival of point guard Isiah Thomas in a sign and trade deal with the Sacramento Kings puts question marks on the possible playing time Bledsoe could receive with the Most Improved Player of the past season Goran Dragic also still with the team.

Rumours suggested that the Los Angeles Lakers did consider bidding for him, but eventually nothing fell through. Despite being the top available free agent Bledsoe’s search for a max contract seems to have proved costly for him.