SI's Top 20 NBA Free Agents

#1

The Dude

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#1
1) PG Chauncey Billups (Pistons), Potential suitors: Pistons, Bucks, Hawks

He has said he wants to stay in Detroit, and Pistons boss Joe Dumars is on record as saying he intends to get a deal done.

2) SF Rashard Lewis (Supersonics), Potential suitors: Magic, Sonics, Rockets

The 6-10 sharpshooter is expected to command as much as $75 million over five years. The Magic reportedly have made him their No. 1 priority and could have the cap room if they decide not to re-sign Darko Milicic. The Sonics could offer him an extra year and more money, but they now have Kevin Durant at his position. His hometown Rockets would need to do a sign-and-trade.

3) SG Vince Carter (Nets), Potential suitors: Nets, Magic

The Nets are expected to lock up the eight-time All-Star, who declined his $16.4 million option for next season. Carter has been rumored to be a target of Orlando, which could offer him a chance to play in his native Florida, but the Magic appear to be looking in another direction.

4) SF Gerald Wallace (Bobcats), Potential suitors: Bobcats, Magic, Bucks

It will likely be hard to pry him out of Charlotte, which has plenty of salary-cap space and will be keen to retain one of the few bright spots in its struggle to graduate from expansion team to playoff contender.

5) PF Mo Williams (Bucks), Potential suitors: Bucks, Magic, Hawks

6) SF Andres Nocion (Bulls), Potential suitors: Bulls, Raptors

7) PF/C Darko Milicic (Magic), Potential suitors: Magic, TBD

While an increase in playing time last season revealed a skilled shot-blocker, good rebounder and solid shooter, it also demonstrated that the 22-year-old Milicic wasn't capable of being those things on a consistent basis yet. That won't make it easy for the Magic to match the $50 million deal he is likely to receive. But as one East scout said, ''Considering his age, his development and his potential -- and when you factor in what a lot of big men make -- $50 million for Milicic could be a bargain."

8) SG Jerry Stackhouse (Mavericks), Potential suitors: Mavs, Nuggets, Bobcats

Stackhouse's age (he turns 33 in November) and a lack of teams with cap room likely will prevent him from getting a long-term offer over the mid-level exception (about $6 million per year). He has said he is willing to continue his bench role in Dallas, so the Mavs should be able to get a deal done.

9) SG Mickael Pietrus (Warriors), Potential suitors: Warriors, Raptors, Bulls

Although a scout worried about his lack of consistency, he added that ''as Pietrus matures ... he could be a cross between Bruce Bowen and Michael Finley.''

10) PF/C Anderson Varejao (Cavs), Potential suitors: Cavs, Rockets, Grizzlies
11) SF Desmond Mason (Hornets), Potential suitors: Hornets, Mavericks
12) SF Grant Hills (Magic), Potential suitors: Suns, Pistons, Magic
13) SF Luke Walton (Lakers), Potential suitors: Lakers, Raptors, Jazz
14) SF Travis Outlaw (Trail Blazers), Potential suitors: Trail Blazers, Bucks, Bobcats, Spurs
15) PF Chris Webber (Pistons), Potential suitors: Pistons, Lakers, Knicks
16) SF Matt Barnes (Warriors), Potential suitors: Warriors, Suns, Nuggets, Mavericks
17) SF Matt Carroll (Bobcats), Potential suitors: Bobcats, Mavericks, Nuggets
18) C Mikki Moore (Nets), Potential suitors: Nets, Bulls
19) SF Ruben Patterson (Bucks), Potential suitors: Bucks, Heat, Wizards
20) SF DeShawn Stevenson (Wizards), Potential suitors: Wizards, Nuggets
 
#3
#3
You can cross Vince Carter off the list. He is staying with the Nets. Although I wish he would come back home to Central Florida and play for the Magic.
 
#6
#6
Now that Carter has his contract expect a raptors style drop in play.
 
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