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NBA Free Agency 2008

NBA

by edwzipper on Tuesday, July 1st, 2008 at 07:11am

Marty Burns has a nice overview, including:

Three best restricted free agents

1. Josh Smith: The athletic Smith had a big year (17.2 points, 8.2 boards, 1.5 steals, 2.8 blocks) for a Hawks team on the rise. At age 22, he might just be scratching the surface. He could fetch a deal starting at $12-13 million per year, forcing the Hawks to decide whether they want to match.

2. Emeka Okafor: The ‘05 Rookie of the Year turned down a reported $60 million extension last year in hopes of cashing in this summer. Good big men are hard to find, and he’s coming off a season in which he averaged 13.8 points, 10.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocks.

3. Andre Iguodala: The 6-8 small forward is coming off a strong season in which he helped lead Philly back to the playoffs. He passed on a reported $57 million extension last year. It is possible he’ll get an offer in that range again, but the Sixers will probably match.

Best of the rest: Jose Calderon, Ellis, Deng, Gordon, Childress, J.R. Smith, Nenad Krstic, Biedrins, Sebastian Telfair

Some nice names on that list. At least there should be plenty of sign and trade rumors as free agency unfolds. I don’t suppose since Charlotte has an under-sized guard fetish they would want to collect Kyle Lowry too? As part of a deal for Okafor? No? Damn.