At 12:01 a.m. Wednesday morning, the NBA free-agency period starts, and a minute later the summer of the free-agent point guard will be fully underway.
Some believe this summer isn't the best to be a restricted or unrestricted free-agent because the poor economic state may send the salary cap plummeting. But if you are a general manager looking to improve your team at the point, this summer is for you.
The crop includes a triple-double machine, a two-time slam dunk champion and "The Answer" among others.
Where do you start? Where will they go? How much will they cost? If you are in the market for a point guard, which one do you pick to target in free agency?
The choice is yours.
Jason Kidd (unrestricted): According to published reports, when free-agency officially opens on Wednesday, the Cleveland Cavaliers, Portland Trail Blazers, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, and possibly even the Los Angeles Lakers are expected to show interest in Jason Kidd – who earned $21 million last season in Dallas. The Knicks are said to be the front runner but can only offer their mid-level exception, which is expected to range from $5 million to $6 million. Could a sign-and-trade resolve with the Knicks resolve that issue? Not if Dallas decides to ante-up instead.
Allen Iverson (unrestricted): Iverson's time with Detroit was less than memorable, certainly a stop in a storied career he'd rather soon forget. But will his disapproval to come off the bench with the Pistons or knowing he needs the ball in his hands to be effective taint Iverson's offers. Apparently Larry Brown is willing to over look it. The Charlotte Bobcats head coach - who coached Iverson in Philadelphia - would welcome him with open arms. Ask Raymond Felton how it felt to hear those words.
Jarrett Jack (restricted): Plenty of uncertainty surrounds the Indiana Pacers backcourt this offseason, which reflects the mood from the regular season when T.J. Ford and Jarrett Jack shared the point. Will T.J. Ford be traded? Will Jack be back? It seems to be going that way. Jack posted a career-high 13.1 points per game last season and wants to return to Indiana and the Pacers have plans to extend him a qualifying offer. According to one source, both Larry Bird and General Manager David Morway are interested in retaining him. They simply have to wait for Wednesday.
Ramon Sessions (restricted): With Milwaukee drafting point guard prodigy Brandon Jennings, Sessions' role with the Bucks is a misnomer. Or is it? Published reports from Milwaukee suggest the Bucks are expected to make a qualifying offer to the second-year point guard. If he opts to test the open market though, don't be surprised if some teams place him at the top of their point guard lists. Last season Sessions averaged 12.4 points and 5.7 assists, playing just over 27 minutes per game with 39 starts (79 games played), and there is no doubt the kid can play. It comes down to if he sees his future with the Bucks now with Jennings in the mix.
Nate Robinson (restricted): David Lee or Nate Robinson: while Donnie Walsh is hopeful to bring back both free-agent players, which may not necessarily be the reality. Nevertheless, Walsh said he'll begin negations Wednesday morning when the free-agency period starts. But unlike Lee, Robinson is not expected to garnish as many offers but if you are a head coach or GM looking for an energetic point guard who can put on a show, Robinson is your man. Just don't expect a lot of defense.
Andre Miller (unrestricted): Philadelphia is starting to go young and while Miller isn't over the hill at 33, the Sixers haven't exactly said they will re-sign him. And with Philly making Jrue Holiday their first-round selection, is Miller's time up? If that is the case, Miller – as an unrestricted free-agent - could leave the Sixers empty handed and force them to being searching for another guard. Yet if General Manager Ed Stefanksi and Miller's camp reach an agreement, it might push the Sixers one step closer to the luxury tax. You can't think that's something the ownership is thrilled about.
Raymond Felton (restricted): Unlike most in this free agent point guard class, Felton and Charlotte have not been shy about continuing their relationship. Bobcats managing partner Michael Jordan wants Felton to return. Raymond wants to stay. Charlotte already exercised a qualifying offer for roughly $5.5 million, making Felton a restricted free-agent but will they ink him to a long-term extension? Even so, that won't keep teams from extending Felton an offer. Just expect Charlotte to match that number.
Stephon Marbury (unrestricted): Who knows where Stephon Marbury will land, but one thing is for certain: Marbury will continue to have the NBA Players Association – who conducted his buyout with the New York Knicks - in negotiations, instead of hiring an agent. Whatever the Celtics opt to do in free-agency, reports indicate team president Danny Ainge will focus on signing a frontcourt player or two. Where does that leave the 12-year veteran who struggled both on both ends of the floor in limited action? Not Boston (or New York, or Charlotte, or New Jersey, or Phoenix or Minnesota). That's for sure.
Mike Bibby (unrestricted): Jamal Crawford is in. Mike Bibby is out. That's the first thought that ran through many minds across the league when the Atlanta Hawks acquired Crawford on draft night from Golden State in exchange for Acie Law and Speedy Claxton. Yet according to some media outlets, it's not a matter of Crawford or Bibby, but instead Flip Murray could be the odd man out. General Manager Rick Sund hopes to re-sign Bibby, which sure beats the alternative Bibby could face from other clubs this summer: sticker shock.
