Back in June, the 2008 free agency season looked to be less than impressive.
There were few marquee names available and there were fewer teams with significant cap room. Many of the most desirable free agents, such as Jose Calderon, Josh Smith and Monta Ellis, were restricted and therefore unlikely to change teams.
Of course, the summer of 2008 saw some unexpected fireworks when Baron Davis and Elton Brand opted out of their contracts and joined new teams. Davis found the long-term deal he was searching for with the Clippers, while Brand shocked the NBA and headed back East to Philly.
Now, with the 2008 free agency season mostly finished, it's time to take a sneak peak ahead.
A number of teams, including the New York Knicks, New Jersey Nets and, if reports are to be believed, several teams in Europe, have focused on the summer of 2010, when players such as LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh could all become unrestricted free agents.
But not so fast. While 2010 has gotten many of the headlines, the summer of 2009 could see some pretty impressive names hit the open market, including two former MVPs, a defensive player of the year and one of the best point guards of his generation. Whereas some of the best free agents in 2008 were restricted, most of the best free agents in 2009 will be unrestricted.
Check out the complete list here.
Tier One
- Allen Iverson
- Jason Kidd
- Kobe Bryant - the Lakers guard owns an Early Termination Option that would allow him to void
Tier Two
- Mike Bibby
- Shawn Marion
- Ron Artest
- Rasheed Wallace
- Andre Miller
- Lamar Odom
- Richard Hamilton - like Bryant, Hamilton own an ETO
- Carlos Boozer - the Jazz forward has a player option
- Mehmet Okur - ETO
Tier Three
- Kyle Korver - ETO
- Wally Szczerbiak
- Drew Gooden
- Anthony Parker
- Chris Wilcox
- Marvin Williams - restricted
