With the start of the NBA free agency period upon us, let’s take a look at the top five free agents available at the power forward position.
Josh Smith is the top power forward available in free agency. (Photo Credit: Mark Runyon, Basketball Schedule)
1. Josh Smith, age 27, 6’9″, 225 lbs
2012-13 Stats: 17.5ppg, 8.4rpg, 4.2apg, 1.2spg, 1.8bpg
One of the league’s great stat-sheet fillers, Josh Smith is among the NBA’s most versatile forwards who could be a huge addition to any team in free agency. Seemingly unlikely to return to the Hawks, Smith already has a number of suitors and the interest will no doubt rise once Dwight Howard makes his decision and is off the table. Smith, who is 27 years old, still has a number of prime years left ahead of him and his elite athleticism is still well and truly present. His is a force defensively as one of the league’s premier shot blockers and has the ability to defend in the post, but is also quick enough to spend time on the league’s elite wing players. Offensively it can be a mixed bag for Smith, who too often settles for long jump shots rather than attacking the rim where he is much more efficient. In the right situation and with a defined role he could be one the league’s best forwards and potentially find his way into an All-Star debut. Another interesting twist to Smith’s free agency is his close relationship with both Howard and Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo who will be wildly thrown around in trade rumors, there are a few teams who could potentially look to team up Smith with one of his long-time friends. With the ability to impact the game on both ends, fill up the stat sheet and excite the crowd, Smith could be the most coveted free agent of them all once Howard decides where he is signing.
2. Paul Millsap, age 28, 6’8″, 245 lbs
2012-13 Stats: 14.6ppg, 7.1rpg, 2.6apg, 1.3spg, 1bpg
While the Utah Jazz seem poised to enter the next phase of their rebuilding and promote Enes Kanter and Derrick Favors to the starting lineup, Paul Millsap enters free agency and will garner a ton of attention from teams all over the league. Millsap, who has spent his entire career in Utah, is a hard-nosed, two-way player with great range on his jump shot and the ability to contribute all over the court. A great rebounder for his size, Millsap is a solid defensive player in the paint as well as out on the perimeter against the league’s stretch forwards. He works hard and hustles for loose balls, often coming up with multiple steals in a game as well as being a threat to block shots. Offensively he is versatile enough to fit in with any team; he can stretch the floor with his shooting or go to work inside with his strong, albeit undersized frame. Millsap would be a huge addition and greatly improve any team in the league. Like Smith, once Howard has decided on his destination many teams will turn their attention to Millsap.
It appears that David West will be sticking with the Indiana Pacers. Photo: Mark Runyon, Basketball Schedule
3. David West, age 32, 6’9″, 240 lbs
2012-13 Stats: 17.1ppg, 7.7rpg, 2.9apg, 1spg, 0.9bpg
When David West first joined the young Indiana Pacers team, he brought a tough-minded veteran leader to a locker room that desperately needed one. Since then, the Pacers have become a force in the Eastern Conference, pushing the Miami Heat to Game 7 in the Conference Finals and one of the keys to their success is the gritty leadership of West. He has been essential to their success both as an on-court contributor as well as an off-court mentor for the young stars in Indiana. West is a tremendous scorer at the power forward position, he has an automatic mid-range jumper and the ability to bully his way inside for finishes at the rim. A solid rebounder, good passer and high effort defensive player, West has become a fan favorite in Indiana and an inspiration to his younger teammates. While he would have garnered considerable attention in free agency it appears that the Pacers were quick to lock up their veteran leader with an additional three-year deal. Nothing official yet, but it appears that West will remain in Indiana which is really the ideal fit for both the team and the player.
4. Carl Landry, age 29, 6’9″, 248 lbs
2012-13 Stats: 10.8ppg, 6rpg, 0.8apg, 0.4spg, 0.4bpg
The Warriors were one of the most exciting teams in the Western Conference playoffs this season and while their outside shooting was getting the headlines, Carl Landry was doing the dirty work inside and providing an invaluable post presence for the young Warriors. Landry, who spent the majority of the season coming off the bench, is a bull in the post offensively and one of the more efficient front court scorers in the league. He has great hands, a strong body and great positioning on offense that allows him to get high percentage shots around the basket. While not an elite defender by any stretch of the imagination, Landry is a tough, hard worker on that end and will fight to keep opposing big men out of the paint, then seal them off the offensive boards. In limited minutes he provided substantial scoring and rebounding for the Warriors and a number of teams may be willing to give him an increased role next season. Teams are always looking for high-efficiency scorers in the paint and much like David West did for Indiana, Landry could provide a hard-nosed, veteran presence to a number of the league’s younger teams. Will not command a huge salary, but could be on the move if other teams offer him a longer contract and/or a larger role.
5. J.J. Hickson, age 24, 6’9″, 242 lbs
2012-13 Stats: 12.7ppg, 10.4rpg, 1.1apg, 0.6spg, 0.6bpg
J.J. Hickson was among the league’s elite rebounders this season and after proving his ability to clean the glass and score inside, he will look to cash in after a breakout season in Portland. Hickson, who is still young at just 24 years old, started at center all season for the Trail Blazers and despite being undersized, put up great numbers playing alongside All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge. A great athlete with tremendous finishing ability around the rim and quick leaping ability that he utilizes to rack up the boards, Hickson still has room for improvement and teams interested could continue to develop him, especially defensively. It is on that end where Hickson struggles, his lack of size allows bigger players to work him over in the paint and he has little in the way of shot-blocking ability. While Hickson is not a player to build your team around, there are a number of teams that could use a high-energy, athletic, rebounding big man who can convert easy buckets inside as well as potentially developing more of a face-up game. Once the top free agents are signed and teams with cap space are left wondering what to do with it, Hickson could find himself set for a big payday. It is highly unlikely that he returns to Portland, which are looking for a defensive big man to play the 5.
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