Baseball Guru
09-01-2006, 06:12 PM
http://www.sportsline.com/nba/story/9543141
By Tony Mejia
CBS SportsLine.com Staff Writer
If you're looking for help at shooting guard, you might need to wait until next year. Only the top three free agents at this position have any business starting in the league, and each of those guys has come off the bench for the better part of his career.
Teams like the Hornets, Jazz, Nuggets and Bobcats are in need of perimeter help, and because the pickings are slim, they may have to cough up a little extra in order to ensure getting some aid.
Here's the best of a crummy crop of available two guards:
1. Bonzi Wells, Sacramento: He's the most sought-after shooting guard on the market, so don't look for him to be back with the Kings if all they can offer is their mid-level exception. They might have been able to get away with that any other season, but for the reasons stated above, that won't fly now. Besides, Wells proved to be a valuable weapon during the playoffs and is one of the top rebounding guards in the league. In the right situation, he could be a tremendous performer. The Pistons, Nuggets and Pacers are said to be in pursuit.
2. Flip Murray, Cleveland: After playing second fiddle in Seattle and Cleveland, Murray wants the opportunity to start somewhere. He deserves that chance. Although he has his limitations, Murray has made the most of his chances, be it filling it up in place of an injured Ray Allen or serving as LeBron James' main tag-team partner when Larry Hughes went down. It's time to see whether Murray is cut out to be a full-time starter.
3. Fred Jones, Indiana: Like Murray, he's undersized but brimming with energy, making him a viable weapon. Indiana has put in its qualifying offer and can match anyone's offer, so that sort of limits Jones' options. He's probably best served playing 25 minutes as a sixth man, but given the resources available, someone might opt to give him a shot and make the Pacers pay extra to keep him.
4. Lindsey Hunter, Detroit: Hunter had his suitors, but he's staying put and will finish his career as a Piston. He came into the league as a gunner, but has now earned a reputation as a tenacious defender who can handle both guard spots.
5. Eddie House, Phoenix: After a breakout season, House declined his option to re-sign with the Suns and is testing the market. He's the modern-day Voshon Lenard, a 3-point specialist whose hot streaks can win you games. Having proven himself to be a clutch performer, he should earn a strong contract from someone in need of a shooter. The Suns have replaced him with another sniper, Eric Piatkowski.
6. Shandon Anderson, Miami: The defensive specialist was an underrated hero during the Heat's championship run. He made his money thanks to an unbelievably sweet deal catered by Scott Layden when he was with the New York Knicks, so that's not a concern. As it is, he's said to be considering retirement. If he doesn't hang 'em up, it would be an upset if he's not back in a Heat uniform.
7. Orien Greene, Boston: The Celtics waived him, so he's there for the taking. He had a decent rookie season, seeing more playing time than anyone could've realistically expected him to get. His future lies as a defensive specialist, although it wouldn't hurt for him to become more proficient at the point.
8. Jannero Pargo, Chicago: See Eddie House. They're pretty much the same player. If Phoenix believes he can handle point guard duties, he could be headed there.
9. Keith Bogans, Houston: He can be a contributor, and because of Houston's injury woes last season, got substantial playing time. If he can ever become a more proficient outside shooter, he'll guarantee himself a lengthy stint in the NBA.
10. Jiri Welsch, Milwaukee: He's done very little during his career, but some teams still see promise in him. Don't expect him to sign for anything more than the veteran minimum.
By Tony Mejia
CBS SportsLine.com Staff Writer
If you're looking for help at shooting guard, you might need to wait until next year. Only the top three free agents at this position have any business starting in the league, and each of those guys has come off the bench for the better part of his career.
Teams like the Hornets, Jazz, Nuggets and Bobcats are in need of perimeter help, and because the pickings are slim, they may have to cough up a little extra in order to ensure getting some aid.
Here's the best of a crummy crop of available two guards:
1. Bonzi Wells, Sacramento: He's the most sought-after shooting guard on the market, so don't look for him to be back with the Kings if all they can offer is their mid-level exception. They might have been able to get away with that any other season, but for the reasons stated above, that won't fly now. Besides, Wells proved to be a valuable weapon during the playoffs and is one of the top rebounding guards in the league. In the right situation, he could be a tremendous performer. The Pistons, Nuggets and Pacers are said to be in pursuit.
2. Flip Murray, Cleveland: After playing second fiddle in Seattle and Cleveland, Murray wants the opportunity to start somewhere. He deserves that chance. Although he has his limitations, Murray has made the most of his chances, be it filling it up in place of an injured Ray Allen or serving as LeBron James' main tag-team partner when Larry Hughes went down. It's time to see whether Murray is cut out to be a full-time starter.
3. Fred Jones, Indiana: Like Murray, he's undersized but brimming with energy, making him a viable weapon. Indiana has put in its qualifying offer and can match anyone's offer, so that sort of limits Jones' options. He's probably best served playing 25 minutes as a sixth man, but given the resources available, someone might opt to give him a shot and make the Pacers pay extra to keep him.
4. Lindsey Hunter, Detroit: Hunter had his suitors, but he's staying put and will finish his career as a Piston. He came into the league as a gunner, but has now earned a reputation as a tenacious defender who can handle both guard spots.
5. Eddie House, Phoenix: After a breakout season, House declined his option to re-sign with the Suns and is testing the market. He's the modern-day Voshon Lenard, a 3-point specialist whose hot streaks can win you games. Having proven himself to be a clutch performer, he should earn a strong contract from someone in need of a shooter. The Suns have replaced him with another sniper, Eric Piatkowski.
6. Shandon Anderson, Miami: The defensive specialist was an underrated hero during the Heat's championship run. He made his money thanks to an unbelievably sweet deal catered by Scott Layden when he was with the New York Knicks, so that's not a concern. As it is, he's said to be considering retirement. If he doesn't hang 'em up, it would be an upset if he's not back in a Heat uniform.
7. Orien Greene, Boston: The Celtics waived him, so he's there for the taking. He had a decent rookie season, seeing more playing time than anyone could've realistically expected him to get. His future lies as a defensive specialist, although it wouldn't hurt for him to become more proficient at the point.
8. Jannero Pargo, Chicago: See Eddie House. They're pretty much the same player. If Phoenix believes he can handle point guard duties, he could be headed there.
9. Keith Bogans, Houston: He can be a contributor, and because of Houston's injury woes last season, got substantial playing time. If he can ever become a more proficient outside shooter, he'll guarantee himself a lengthy stint in the NBA.
10. Jiri Welsch, Milwaukee: He's done very little during his career, but some teams still see promise in him. Don't expect him to sign for anything more than the veteran minimum.