Following what has been described as a weak NBA draft, we rush towards what will be described as a weak free agent crop, but perhaps that feeling is just the result of the exceptionally strong free agent pool last year.  Any team looking for help at shooting guard or on the wing should be able to find a free agent target that will boost their roster for next season.

HOOPSWORLD has a complete list of pending free agents, but we have pared down that list to the top prospects here. 

#1 Jason Richardson, Orlando Magic – Unrestricted

This former slam dunk champion has a decade of reliable NBA experience behind him.  If you need a guy to put up points, Richardson averaged over 19 per game for Phoenix before he was traded to Orlando last season.  If you want your starting two guard to play a solid all-round game and spread the floor for others with his highly effective three-point shooting, he can give you that as well.

At 30 years old Richardson has a lot to offer any NBA team in need of a quality starting shooting guard but he may come with the highest price tag of this group of free agents.  He can still exceed his career averages of 18 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.2 steals on a good team with a pass-first point guard.

With under $45 million in player salaries committed to next season (after David West exercised his Early Termination Option), if New Orleans wants to send a message to Chris Paul that they plan on being a contending playoff team again, acquiring Richardson would be a step in the right direction.

#2 Jamal Crawford, Atlanta Hawks – Unrestricted

Jamal Crawford defines instant offense.  Coming off the bench these past two seasons, Crawford put up big scoring numbers playing near starter’s minutes for the Hawks.  However, as a starter in New York and Golden State the two seasons before, Crawford was a 20 point per game contributor.  He can effectively fill either role.

At 31 years old with 11 seasons in the NBA, Crawford was noticeably unhappy when the Hawks declined to extend his contract and it showed as he averaged an uncharacteristically low 14.2 points per game and averaged 2.5 fewer shots than he did the season before.

A volume shooter who needs to score to be effective, Crawford is best suited to play for a contending team in need of points.  The Chicago Bulls could have certainly used this zero-conscience player versus Miami in the playoffs this year.  While the Bulls are not expected to have the salary cap space to pursue free agents, they do have the mid-price veteran help that the Hawks might be interested in with a sign and trade.

#3 Nick Young, Washington Wizards – Restricted ($3.7 million Qualifying Offer)

The Wizards have extended a qualifying offer to their leading scorer last season, Nick Young, who averaged 17.4 points per game.

Head coach Flip Saunders explained the reason behind Young’s increased playing time was the 26-year-old had finally figured out that in order to stay on the floor he had to play some defense as well.  The team always knew he could score.

Young may be flying under the radar in Washington, but teams in need of help on the wing will have taken notice of this high-flyer.  Young will be a sought after commodity.  The only issue will be that it will take a lot to get him out of Washington now, expect the Wizards to match offers for their restricted free agent.

#4 Wilson Chandler, Denver Nuggets – Restricted ($3.1 million Qualifying Offer)

Chandler only arrived in Denver at the trade deadline, but with several very attractive free agent wings on the Nuggets, teams will believe that they can pry at least one of them away.  Chandler is well worth the effort.

After four NBA seasons, the 24-year-old is averaging 13.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.4 blocks, and 0.7 steals, and last year he finally starting hitting his three-pointers at a reasonable rate.  Denver knew what they were doing when they held out for most of New York’s best young talent when they traded Carmelo Anthony.

Denver has made qualifying offers to Arron Afflalo, Wilson Chandler and Gary Forbes.  The Nuggets are not going to give up their prized young talent without a fight or a return on their investment.

{AUTHOR_BOX}#5 Marcus Thornton, Sacramento Kings – Restricted ($1.1 million Qualifying Offer)

This 24-year-old former second-round pick of the New Orleans Hornets got his shot when he was traded to the Kings at the deadline and he took full advantage of his opportunity.  Thornton averaged 21.3 points on 45 percent shooting, 4.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.7 steals in 38.1 minutes over the final 27 games of last season, a line that looks almost exactly like what he put up in two seasons at LSU.

It is hard to evaluate how much Thornton can bring from his one-third of a season in Sacramento to next year, but the list of players who have turned this type of showing into a long term lucrative contract is extensive and some team is going to make an offer that the Kings will feel uneasy about matching.

The Kings did not want to leave any doubt that they were going to protect this asset however as they extended Thornton a qualifying offer two weeks earlier than necessary.

Some more free agent shooting guards sure to be in high demand (in no particular order):

Arron Afflalo, Denver Nuggets – Restricted ($2.9 million Qualifying Offer)

Afflalo puts up the best numbers of his career last season and this solid two-way player will be in high demand, but getting this restricted free agent out of Denver is going to be challenge.

J.R. Smith, Denver Nuggets – Unrestricted

Smith is another productive Nuggets wing player, however in this case, don’t expect Denver to pull out all the stops to keep him.  It’s time for Smith to get a fresh start, and this 25-year-old seven-year veteran may finally be mature enough to be a big contributor without the headaches on his next team.

C.J. Miles, Utah Jazz – Team Option ($3.7 million)

It appears that Utah Jazz are going to wait until the last minute before deciding whether or not they will pick up C.J. Miles’ $3.7 million option for next season.  You can blame this on the uncertainty of the new collective bargaining agreement, but if Miles is available, this reliable wing player will find suitors waiting. (UPDATE: Utah has exercised the option.)

DeShawn Stevenson, Dallas Mavericks – Unrestricted

The starting guard for the NBA Champion Mavericks may have just been replaced by Rudy Fernandez, but any team wanting a defensive wing who can hit the three and play with an edge will be taking a look here.

Plus there are some well known veterans who are going to get a hard look and should find a deal if their salary demands match their recent production and play.

Vince Carter, Phoenix Suns– Non-guaranteed contract
Michael Redd, Milwaukee Bucks – Unrestricted
Mike Dunleavy, Indiana Pacers – Unrestricted
Tracy McGrady, Detroit Pistons – Unrestricted

There will be some good talent available in free agency once the league figures out a new collective bargaining agreement with its players, and this free agent pool is not as bad as it has been made out to be, depending on what your team’s needs are.

Identifying shooting guards in today’s game can be challenging.  Some players listed as points often can and do play off guard, and some players considered small forwards are better identified as true wings who can easily play at either position.  We have used the Hoopsworld list of free agents by position here.

Send me your comments or questions about free agency, the draft, trade scenarios, the Toronto Raptors or anything else in the NBA to my weekly NBA chat and check back on Thursday at noon ET for a response.