Chris Beaven, on the NBA: Good players still out there

CHRIS BEAVEN
Canton Repository

August 03, 2008 12:00 pm

— Elton Brand left the market a month ago. So did Baron Davis and Corey Maggette. Even wild-card Ron Artest apparently is accounted for with a new home in Houston.
So who’s left for an NBA team looking to help itself in August? No true superstars are out there. But a few young and talented restricted free agents are seeking deals, and there’s some role players among the unrestricteds who can help.
Here’s a look at the best of what’s left on the market.

The restricteds
This group still has guys who can make an impact. Only problem — their current teams have the right to match any offers and likely will do so. Still, one of these players could get poached.
n Josh Smith, F, Atlanta — The Hawks need to do all they can to keep the ultra-athletic Smith unless a suitable replacement is found in a deal. Having lost Josh Childress to Europe, the Hawks can’t afford to lose Smith and get nothing in return.
n Andre Iguodala, F, Philadelphia — The Sixers made a big move up in the East by acquiring Brand. Losing the talented Iguodala would be a step back.
n Louis Williams, G, Philadelphia — Developed into a key player for the Sixers and they want to keep. Coming to terms on a contract, though, has been another matter.
n Delonte West, G Cleveland — West fit in well with LeBron James but negotiations to keep the point guard around haven’t produced a deal.
n J.R. Smith, G, Denver — High-flying streak shooter has become an important piece for the Nuggets, but how much is he worth?
n Ben Gordon, G, Chicago — He can heat up in a hurry and looked like he would be a fixture with the Bulls until the team’s disastrous 2007-08 season.

The unrestricteds
Get anyone in this group to sign a contract and they are yours, no strings attached. Finding a difference maker, though, probably is a stretch. With three Browns, a Bonzi and a Sam I Am, this collection is a grab bag with no guarantee of finding a prize.

Best Available
n Jannero Pargo, G — Reliable backup to Chris Paul put up 8.1 points and 2.4 assists during the regular season. He boosted his scoring to 14.6 in the first round of the playoffs.
n Anthony Carter, G — Averaged career highs of 7.8 points and 5.5 assists in 28 minutes a night for Denver last season, making 67 starts.
n Shaun Livingston, G — An awful knee injury two seasons ago derailed his promising career. That injury makes him a risk, but one worth taking for someone looking for help at point guard.

Fading Stars
n Sam Cassell, G — Turns 39 in November. Does he have much gas left in the tank? Someone, perhaps the Nuggets, will give him a test drive.
n Michael Finley, G — Played in all 82 games last season with the Spurs, scoring 10.1 points per game and shooting 37 percent on 3-pointer. So there’s still something there at 35, and don’t be surprised if the Spurs keep him around.
n Bonzi Wells, G-F — A 12-point-a-game scorer for his career, he’s played with five teams the last five seasons.
n Jamaal Magloire, C-F — An All-Star in 2004, his scoring numbers have declined the last four years, dipping from 13.6 in 2004 to 1.8 last season with the Nets and Mavericks.
n Jason Williams, G — Helped the Heat win a ring in 2006. After starting just 53 games and averaging 8.8 points and 4.6 assists, all career lows, that seems like a long time ago.

Odd ‘n’ Ends
n Devin Brown, G-F — Solid player off the bench for the Cavs last season, then disappeared from the playoff rotation.
n Shannon Brown, G — A bust with the Cavs, this 2006 first-round pick has plenty to prove if he gets another chance.
n Darrell Armstrong, G — Turned 40 this summer. Played for four teams the last four years after being a full-time starter in Orlando from 1999-2002.
n Devean George, G-F — Solid role player with tons of playoff experience.
n Carlos Arroyo, G — Talented point guard from Puerto Rico has shown flashes of being more than just a backup during seven seasons with five teams.

Beaven is the Cavaliers beat writer for the Canton Repository. Reach him at chris.beaven@cantonrep.com.

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