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The Milwaukee Bucks decided to pass on making a qualifying offer to restricted free agent Charlie Villanueva today, adding him to the growing list of unrestricted free agents this summer. Why is this worth noting? Because Charlie V. is right there in the middle of this Top 10 True Unrestricted Free Agents list, which goes to show just how weak this year’s class is. Next summer it would be a stretch putting him in the top 15 of a group that could feature names like LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Amare Stoudemire. Take a look at who’s the best of the 2009 free-agent class and let us know what you think. (Keep in mind that this list only consists of the true unrestricted free agents at this point. No early termination or player option candidates are listed.)
10. Jason Kidd, Dallas Mavericks – Let me start off by saying Kidd is mad old, but at 36 he still has enough in the tank to give a team one or two more decent years. My guess would be he either re-signs with Dallas or joins another playoff team in hopes of finally winning a ring. What would be the point of him playing for a team rebuilding?
9. Andre Miller, Philadelphia 76ers – Miller’s best years are likely behind him, but the 33-year-old is a perfect fit for any squad looking to add a veteran to their backcourt. He will still put up big assist numbers over the next few years, but is it asking too much for him to be a scorer as well?
8. Allen Iverson, Detroit Pistons – Iverson can still play ball. But can he win? A.I. ruined his chance of playing for a winning team last season by not accepting his role and shutting himself down with over a month left in the season with a “back injury”. The Pistons lost in the first round of the playoffs, while Chauncey Billups, who was traded for A.I., led the Nuggets to the Western Conference Finals.
7. Charlie Villanueva, Milwaukee Bucks – The Bucks decided to let Villanueva walk in what appears to be a financial move to re-sign guard Ramon Sessions. Villanueva will get paid by someone after averaging a career-high 16.7 points and 6.7 rebounds last season.
6. Ron Artest, Houston Rockets – Despite the loss of Tracy McGrady, the Rockets were able to make a surprising run in the playoffs, nearly knocking off the eventual-champion Los Angeles Lakers. The main reason for their success was the play of Artest, who averaged 16, 4 and 4 in the postseason and helped lockdown Kobe Bryant in the second round.
5. Trevor Ariza, Los Angeles Lakers – Ariza and Lamar Odom are both free agents and the Lakers might be forced to choose one. I’d go with Odom for his size and experience, but Ariza will draw a ton of interest if he becomes available. He is 23 years old and is clearly one of the more athletic players in the league.
4. Shawn Marion, Toronto Raptors – Marion still puts up good scoring and rebounding numbers and he defends well, but he isn’t the same player he once was in Phoenix. Plus, the fact that he’s 31 years old and relies a lot on his athleticism doesn’t make him the most desired free agent this summer.
3. Hedo Turkoglu, Orlando Magic – I’m going to go out and say right now that Hedo was the best player on the Magic during their magical run to the NBA Finals last season. He’s their go-to guy on offense and can spread the floor with his long-range shooting. For some reason the Magic think Vince Carter can replace him.
2. Ben Gordon, Chicago Bulls – Gordon can score the rock, but can he be a superstar in the league or just a super-sub? Not quite a point guard and undersized at the two, Gordon would provide a great burst off the bench for any team, but I just can’t see a team wanting to build around him.
1. Lamar Odom, Los Angeles Lakers – At 6-foot-11, Odom can just about do it all. He can takeover the game on both ends of the floor and he’s only 29 years old. I don’t see why the Lakers, if they had to choose, would go with Ariza over Odom. Ariza still has more to prove in this league.
Notable mentions: Mike Bibby, Atlanta Hawks; Rasheed Wallace, Detroit Pistons; Chris "Birdman" Andersen, Denver Nuggets; Antonio McDyess, Detroit Pistons
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