by James Finneral
11. Zach Randolph, PF, Memphis Grizzlies:
Big Zach Randolph is one of the more emotional players in the NBA, but he is also a great power forward. In his past seasons he has been a double- double machine as well as a leader for the Memphis Grizzlies. Randolph and Marc Gasol have caused havoc in the post against many teams. Memphis is going to want to keep that duo together along with their point guard Mike Conley. Despite Randolph swinging on players in playoff games, he is still greatly valued and respected by the Grizzlies organization. Memphis has made it clear that Randolph is a higher priority in the free agency market than power forward Pau Gasol from the Los Angeles Lakers. If the Grizzlies can re-sign Randolph they will have a solid three player base to be an efficient team, but can they keep up with the younger emerging teams?
12. Pau Gasol, PF, Los Angeles Lakers:
With the Kobe Bryant injury struggles Pau Gasol had to step up and take an even larger role on a severed Laker team. Gasol works for his fill down low like a typical big man. He plays very physically and fights for every rebound. Over his time in L.A., Gasol has become a much greater offensive threat and has developed his mid range jump shot greatly. He still can't quite adjust to three point range yet, but that didn't stop him from averaging 17 points per game. There were rumors of Gasol maybe joining his brother in Memphis, but the Grizzlies seem to want to keep Randolph as their power forward. Gasol said he would enjoy to stay with the Lakers, but would also be interested in joining the Chicago Bulls. Carlos Boozer is already Chicago's power forward and it would be interesting to see who the Bulls would start because both Boozer and Gasol have different strengths. The Bulls seem to have more promise in the future than the Lakers, but do not be surprised if you see Gasol back in purple again.
13. Lance Stephenson, SG, Indiana Pacers:
The Pacers may have not ended the season on the terms they wanted to, but shooting guard Lance Stephenson showed tremendous growth in his 2013-2014 campaign. Stephenson's ability to use his quickness to drive by athletic defenders is uncommon in this league. His defense is also strong. Stephenson is not afraid to match up against anyone, that includes LeBron James. An issue that the Pacers are having with Stephenson is his on court antics. He knows how to get under guy's skin, but sometimes he takes it too far and gives teams free points off flagrant or technical fouls. Pacers president Larry Bird has been frustrated with Stephenson's attitude during the season, but still claims he wants him back. Pacers star small forward Paul George was unsure if he wanted Stephenson back on the team after their loss to Miami in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Lakers are eyeballing many free agents including Stephenson. The Boston Celtics are another team that could sign him especially if they do not trade for Kevin Love. The Pelicans are also interested in him, but there is a long shot of that happening. Stephenson has big time potential and maybe the Pacers just aren't the right fit for him.
14. Rudy Gay, SF, Sacramento Kings:
Rudy Gay is an excellent scoring small forward who has travelled quite a bit in the past few years going from Memphis to Toronto and finally to the Sacramento Kings. No matter where he is Gay finds a way to be productive and provide strong contributions to each of his clubs. He is a typical small forward at 6'8", 230 pounds. Gay is extremely athletic is very strong enabling him to receive contact and still finish. After a rough season for the Kings it will be interesting to see if Gay will return to Sacramento. Despite the poor record the Kings have a lot of young talent such as DeMarcus Cousins and Isaiah Thomas. There have not been many rumors flying around about where Gay might land, but the Boston Celtics could be a good destination if they end up losing Jeff Green. The Charlotte Bobcats could be another spot as their small forward, Michael Kidd- Gilchrist has played decent, but could really use a mentor like Rudy Gay to show him how to be an effective offensive threat. Until anything further is released Rudy Gay will most likely be suiting up for the Kings at least for the beginning of the year.
15. Gordon Hayward, SG, Utah Jazz:
Gordon Hayward showed clear improvement this season for the Jazz. He has showed steady progression from year to year, but this year Hayward stepped up big time and became one of the leaders of this Jazz team. Hayward lead the club in scoring this year with 16 points per game. He also contributed 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 1 steal a night as well. Hayward has a decent amount of athleticism and size for his position, but it is his basketball IQ is the main reason why he has become so productive. With Al Jefferson and Paul Milsap gone Hayward is probably the best player on the Jazz and Utah should try and keep him and build around him. There are no rumors going around about Hayward leaving and he is a restricted free agent which means he will most likely end up back with the Jazz unless some issue occurs in the offseason. If his production continues to improve like the past two years Hayward will be a premier shooting guard in the NBA.
16. Isaiah Thomas, PG, Sacramento Kings:
Isaiah Thomas is another player who improved greatly this year and is deserving of a new contract. This year he blossomed into a valuable point guard who can pass, but can also score efficiently. This season Thomas averaged 20 points per game along with 6 assists as well. He is quick and shifty to go with a nice handle. He is a very hard to defend when running the fast break and can create opportunities for his teammates when he gets into the paint. Thomas enjoys the potential of the Sacramento Kings and believes they have the talent to be competitive in the Western Conference. Some potential spots for Thomas include the Dallas Mavericks where he could start over Jose Calderon, as well as the Los Angeles Lakers who have a solid amount of cap space and will probably be in search of a point guard as Steve Nash becomes older and older. The Kings can match any team's offer making it more likely that Thomas will return and try and continue to build this franchise.
17. Paul Pierce, SF, Brooklyn Nets:
"The Truth" shocked everyone when he left the team he had been with for his entire career. Pierce has been a natural scorer all of his career and seems to be a leader as well. He has a quality jump shot and can also contribute in the rebound department. With few years remaining in the league one would think Pierce would just stay with the team he is on, however it is also a possibility that he could return to Boston. The Celtics would certainly be interested in Pierce especially with the speculation around Jeff Green leaving. Pierce is at the stage of his career that he will be an asset for any club for the next two years and then he may start to really fade away. Is it a possibility we see Paul Pierce in green again?, or will he look for a title in Brooklyn for another year?
18. Marcin Gortat, C, Washington Wizards:
Marcin Gortat has been a main factor in the marked improvement from the Washington Wizards. At 6'11", 240 pounds Gortat is a force in the post and leads Washington in the rebounding department averaging 9 a night. He is a great defensive player and even scores more than 10 points a game due to his excellent rebounding. Gortat is essential to the Wizards success and they should try very hard to re-sign him. The Mavericks were going to try and sign him, but they are not sure if they will have the cap room to do so. Gortat also seems to enjoy playing for the Wizzards and is trying to recruit some players to come in such as Caron Butler. Having John Wall as his point guard as well is another reason why Gortat is more likely to stay as Wall is a very good passing point guard who feeds him the ball as opposed to shooting it himself. The Wizzards will continue to improve in the next few years and if Gortat remains with them then they have a chance to contend for the Eastern Conference Finals.
19. Evan Turner, SF, Indiana Pacers:
Evan Turner has shown that he can be a quality player in the NBA with his performance for the Philadelphia 76ers this year. For the 76ers he averaged 17 points and 6 rebounds, but things went downhill when he was traded to the Indiana Pacers and had to play behind Paul George. Turner dropped off significantly in both scoring and rebounding. With his short term deal up, Turner could be looking to go elsewhere this summer. On most other teams he could start and be efficient, but with an all star small forward, Turner will not have the chance to start. Turner has to make the decision on whether he would like to have a larger role on a worse team or stay on a quality team like the Pacers who have a shot to go far in the playoffs. If the Chicago Bulls do not land LeBron James or Carmelo Anthony it would be a perfect destination for Turner. He could start on that Bulls team and with the quality players on their roster already they could be contenders in the East. If Turner comes in and Rose can come back the Bulls will be a force that could challenge any team.
20. Nick Young, SF, Los Angeles Lakers:
Nick young is coming off his best season in the NBA so far and will explore the free agency market as well. Young recently opted out of his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. He has never been a quality passing or rebounding forward, but he certainly knows how to score the basketball. With Kobe out Young was the leading scorer for the deflated Lakers team. He has never been the star of the show wherever he has gone, but he has been moderately productive each year in the league. It is hard to say what the best scenario for Young is. The Lakers have the 7th overall pick in the draft and could potentially bring in a young big man to either replace or play alongside Pau Gasol. Whether or not Young would like to be a part of the Laker franchise is undetermined. Kobe Bryant could lead the Lakers team for one or two more years and Young will have to decide if he believes they have a shot at making a run in the Western Conference.
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