As the market for the free agent class of 2012 continues to dry up, there are a number of guys who will enter training camp for the 2013 campaign with an incentive to bring their “A” games next season.

The 2013 unrestricted free agency class will be headlined by stars such as Chris Paul, Dwight Howard and Andrew Bynum. In the next tier top performer such as Josh Smith, Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap are also sure to generate plenty of interest. The class could also be potentially strengthened by Monta Ellis and Andre Iguodala if they decide to exercise the early termination options in their respective deals.

But after the chips fall into place for the upper tier players there is a group of guys who, depending on their play next season, can also land lucrative deals in free agency in the summer of 2013.

The Criteria

1. Player slated to earn less than $5.5m in salary for the 2013 season
2. Player will can become a free Agent in 2013;  list excludes players on rookie scale contracts and contracts with a team option for 2013
3. Player is under 30 years of age

Zaza Pachulia, Center
Current Team: Atlanta Hawks
2013 Salary: $5.2 million
Free Agency Type: Unrestricted

If there is one thing this summer strongly reinforced about the NBA, it is the fact big men will be paid for their ability to clog the middle – case in point Omer Asik’s three-year $25 million deal with the Houston Rockets.

While Pachulia’s name won’t ring out with Howard, Bynum or Jefferson, the nine year veteran is more than capable of providing a team with a starter in the middle. In 2012, Pachulia started 44 games for the Hawks in place of the injured Al Horford and averaged 8.7 points and 8.8 rebounds on 512 percent shooting.

J.R. Smith, Shooting Guard
Current Team: New York Knicks
2013 Salary: $2.8 million
Free Agency Type: Player Option for 2014

It is still somewhat surprising Smith hasn’t significantly cashed in on his considerable on court skills after eight NBA campaigns, but it may only be a matter of time if he performs well in the Knicks’ revamped backcourt this season.

Smith has averaged double-digits every year he’s been in the league with the exception of the 2006 season. The New Jersey native has also established himself as a dangerous three-point threat, averaging 154 long range connects from 2007-2011.

O.J. Mayo, Shooting Guard
Current Team: Dallas Mavericks
2013 Salary: $4 million
Free Agency Type: Player Option for 2014

Mayo entered the league as a touted can’t miss prospect, but after four seasons he’s gone from lottery pick and potential face of the Memphis Grizzlies franchise to losing his starting job, being placed on the trading block and ultimately landing in Dallas in search of a fresh start.

With the Mavericks, Mayo will have every opportunity to emerge as a full-time starter playing in a backcourt with the aging Vince Carter and the relatively unproven Dominique Jones.

Aaron Brooks, Point Guard
Current Team: Sacramento Kings
2013 Salary: $3.2 million
Free Agency Type: Player Option for 2014

According to Sacramento Kings head coach Keith Smart, Brooks had more lucrative deals on the table in free agency but decided to sign his name on the dotted line with the building Kings.

Part of the reason Brooks decided to roll with Sacramento is the fact he will have an opportunity to lock down the majority of minutes as the team’s starting point guard. Brooks, the league’s 2010 Most Improved Player, also figures to have his number called a lot on offense with the struggling Kings which will further showcase his talents for free agency next summer if he chooses to exercise his player option.

J.J. Hickson, Power Forward
Current Team: Portland Trail Blazers
2013 Salary: $4 million
Free Agency Type: Unrestricted

We’ve been down this road before with Hickson. Most expected Hickson to breakout in 2011 with the Cavs in the first year post LeBron James, but Hickson fell flat losing his starting job in head coach Byron Scott’s rotation and his work ethic coming into question. In 2011 most predicted Hickson would thrive alongside center DeMarcus Cousins and the rest of Sacramento’s youth movement, but he was waived this past March.

The Blazers took a chance on him and Hickson responded by averaging 15.1 points and 8.3 rebounds in 19 games with the franchise. Now with expectations for Hickson to produce in 2013 rising how will he handle the opportunity in his third shot?

Carl Landry, Power Forward
Current Team: Golden State Warriors
2013 Salary: $4 million
Free Agency Type: Player Option for 2014

Landry has consistently demonstrated the talent to be a full-time starter in the league, but the opportunity won’t likely be in Golden State who has a boatload of dollars invested in David Lee holding down the power forward spot.

Landry will likely serve as the Warriors’ sixth man this season and his play from his reserve spot will once again dictate his value in the market next summer.

DeJuan Blair, Power Forward
Current Team: San Antonio Spurs
2013 Salary: $1 million
Free Agency Type: Unrestricted

For whatever reason, over the past three seasons Blair consistently plays strong minutes during the regular season but is relegated to spot duty come playoff time for the Spurs. Nevertheless, Blair’s on court production since entering the league in 2010 has been solid and yes, remarkably consistent.

Blair could become a victim of a frontcourt logjam in San Antonio this season with Tiago Splitter, Boris Diaw and Matt Bonner all expected to contribute, but if he breaks the rotation he’ll likely be auditioning for a new team come 2014.

What do you think? Based on the criteria who are some other guys ready to breakthrough next season and play into the money? Leave your comments below.

Will Taj Gibson Take The Step To The Next Level?

Ever since the torn ACL diagnosis for former league MVP Derrick Rose was delivered in last season’s playoffs, the large majority of the NBA community began to write off the Chicago Bulls’ title dreams for next season. Although the Bulls compiled an 18-9 record without Rose in 2012, the odds will be stacked against the franchise making much noise without him in the lineup.

Reserve forward Taj Gibson insists the team’s approach and goals for the 2013 campaign remained unchanged despite Rose’s absence.

“Our mindset hasn’t changed. It’s about staying focused and taking one game at a time,” Gibson told Scott Powers of ESPN Chicago. “We understand it’s going to be up and down at the beginning of the season. We can’t look forward to the end. We got to look forward to one game at a time and playing to our strengths and just listening to coach (Tom Thibodeau). I know it’s going to be a long season, but I’m really optimistic about what’s going to happen.”

If the Bulls are to remain relevant in the Eastern Conference playoff discussion, the need for Gibson to raise his game is more important than ever. Gibson averaged 7.9 points and 5.2 rebounds last season, but without some prominent members of the team’s ‘bench mob’ returning this season he’ll have to show continued growth.

“Thibs already told me he wants my role to change, be more of a leader now,” Gibson said. “I worked out with him a lot during the summer. I worked out with him before the (Team) USA camp. He just wanted me to work out this whole year, build confidence and get better. He thinks I can do a lot more on and off the court. I’m ready to take that next step.”

Gibson, while ready to accept a larger role, was also quick to point out that it will be much more of a collective team effort than in years past due to the absence of Rose.

“The one thing about our team — most of our core is still intact,” Gibson said. “This next step is going to be big for us because we’re not going to have Derrick, and it’s going to be a chance for guys to develop and mature. Not knowing when Derrick is going to come back, it’s going to put a lot more pressure on guys to step up and perform. We understand that. We have guys who can play big-time minutes. Now it’s up to us just to perform.”

Josh Harrellson Attempting To Make Miami HEAT’s Roster

The Miami HEAT are seemingly always in the market for size, the latest to get an extended look will be former New York Knicks big man Josh Harrellson according to Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel.

According to the report, Harrellson will be evaluated in a pre-training camp session before the team’s formal training camp opens at the end of the month. The tryout is expected to be for one-week and there are no guarantees in place.

Harrellson averaged 4.4 points and 3.9 rebounds in 37 appearances as a rookie in New York.

The only other true centers currently under contract with the HEAT are Joel Anthony and infrequently utilized used Dexter Pittman. Numerous HEAT officials have spoken publicly throughout the summer on the team’s desire to use All-Star forward Chris Bosh more at center next season,  but have remained open to bringing in additional frontcourt help.

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