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NBA: 5 Veterans That Will Be Coveted Free Agents

By Colby Giacubeno

Apr 13, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) leaves the court after the loss to the San Antonio Spurs at the American Airlines Center. The Spurs defeat the Mavericks 96-91. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 13, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) leaves the court after the loss to the San Antonio Spurs at the American Airlines Center. The Spurs defeat the Mavericks 96-91. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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This summer in NBA free agency is set to be one of the most anticipated in league history. Here are the top five veterans that teams will be hot commodities.

Feb 29, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Jamal Crawford (11) brings the ball up court against the Brooklyn Nets during an NBA game at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 29, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Jamal Crawford (11) brings the ball up court against the Brooklyn Nets during an NBA game at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

This summer is set to be the most anticipated free agency periods possibly in the history of all sports. The reason for this is that projections have the salary cap for the 2016-17 season rising to $92 million, according to USA Today’s Jeff Zillgitt.

Compared to the 2015-16 season, it will be about a $20 million increase for teams, which helps with offering players such as Kevin Durant a boatload of money, but it also means that average players will strike gold with contracts worth more than their abilities.

There is a formula for building championship contenders, and in simple terms it consists of a mix of one or two superstars, young players that can develop and learn how to become successful professionals, and veterans who play a vital role both on and off the court helping the team stay focused.

This is proven each season with whomever is lucky enough to hoist the trophy in June. Most recently, the Golden State Warriors have displayed perfection in building a team, including veterans like Andre Iguodala and Leandro Barbosa.

This summer’s free agent market has plenty of players who have years of experience in the NBA. Some have already adjusted their game to be equipped as a veteran that can produce when their number is called, whereas others on the list have comfortably been making their living off doing so for the past couple of seasons.

Now, let’s take a look at the top five veterans that will be unrestricted free agents this summer and will be atop of many team’s priority list.

Next: No. 5