Remaining free agents

and a writeup per ESPN Insider. Are the Bobcats even talking to anyone with their full cap? I am starting to wonder if those Bob Johnson/Donald Sterling comparisons are true? :banginghe

2. Al Harrington, Hawks
The Hawks' unsettled ownership situation is throwing a huge wrench into Harrington's future plans; GM Billy Knight is certain to be out of a job if Steve Belkin is successful in the courtroom in his fight to take over from his former ownership partners. Atlanta will have first dibs on Harrington, but Knight might be better served to go with the best sign-and-trade offer -- and there will be lots. Count on Indiana, Golden State and Minnesota making a run, and don't count out the Lakers. Another idea that might sound far-fetched but could become plausible is a sign-and-trade with Detroit for Ben Wallace.

5. Bonzi Wells, Kings
In a market short on two guards, especially two guards who can score, Wells is a hotter commodity than his résumé and his reputation might warrant. The general feeling around the league is that no one will step up with an immediate offer to Wells worth more than the mid-level exception, unless they can interest the Kings in a sign-and-trade that bumps Bonzi into the $6-7 million starting salary range.


9. Jared Jeffries, Wizards (restricted)
Another hard-to-find talented, young swingman, and easily the one impending free agent whose stock rose the most in the playoffs. Only 24 years old and a rangy 6-foot-10, his ability to defend on the perimeter will enhance his value as teams look for players with abilities suited to the league's new defensive rules. The Bulls like him, and they'll have enough cap room to get both Jeffries and either of the top two guys on this list. Note: Teams now have seven days to match offers to restricted free agents, down from 15.


11. Mike James, Raptors
Hopefully he hasn't taken too many head shots while taking up boxing -- not exactly the brightest hobby we've ever heard of a guy picking up on the eve of going after the biggest payday of his career. Toronto is not interested in making a five-year commitment to a player who will be 31 when next season begins, so look for the Raptors to let him go. If Dallas is really as interested as Insider is hearing, it'll impact the Mavs' decision on Terry.


13. Marcus Banks, Timberwolves
He wasn't happy when the Celtics declined to pick up his fourth-year option, but it's going to end up being worth millions to him. Other teams were impressed by his play for the Wolves over the second half of the season when he displaced Marko Jaric as the starter, and a few teams might be prepared to offer him mid-level money. Are the Lakers one of them?


16. DeShawn Stevenson, Magic
Took a big risk by opting out of the final year of his contract, forfeiting a guaranteed $3 million, and is counting on being a sleeper free agent whose value as a perimeter defender will be recognized and rewarded. Few, if any, benefit more from the dearth of free agent two guards. Eddie House joins that category if he opts out in Phoenix.

17. Drew Gooden, Cavs (restricted)
Had one great playoff game in the opener against Washington, then fell off the face of the earth as Anderson Varejao showed himself to be more than capable of taking over as LeBron James' starting power forward. Look for a sign-and-trade here.


18 . Rasual Butler, Hornets
The outside shooting specialist has come a long way since being the 11th man on the Heat's bench two years ago, and he's earned a payday somewhere in the area of $3 million. If anyone is willing to go north of that number, the Hornets will have to think extra hard about whether they're willing to pay the same. A set and shoot kind of guy would be a nice compliment to Wallace and Morrison

19. Jackie Butler, Knicks (restricted)
For whatever it's worth, Larry Brown liked him a whole lot more than he liked Eddy Curry. The Cavs like him, and they're looking for someone to be ready to step in behind Zydrunas Ilgauskas. With New York committed to Curry and Jerome James, the Knicks might not match anything long-term.


20. Ronald (Flip) Murray, Cavaliers
Another player who waived his Bird rights by agreeing to a midseason trade last February, he's more valuable to the Cavs than he'd be anywhere else. We'd put Fred Jones here, but Insider believes the Pacers will match any offer the restricted free agent receives.

21. Chris Wilcox, SuperSonics (restricted)
Seattle was quite happy with him after dealing Radmanovic to get him, and they're not about to let him leave. Unless, perhaps, an absurdly front-loaded contract is offered by someone else.


22. Reggie Evans, Nuggets
Would be a nice fit for New Jersey, which is resigned to bringing back Cliff Robinson if nothing better comes along this summer. Melvin Ely of Charlotte would occupy this spot if he weren't a restricted free agent.


23. Lorenzen Wright, Grizzlies
This is where we'll see the Jerome James rule (unproductive centers still get paid) come into effect. Wright is finished in Memphis, but somebody will pick him up for a lot less money than the $7.7 million he made last year.

25. Dalibor Bagaric, Fortitudo Bologna (Italy)
Had a brief stint with the Bulls earlier this decade, but popped back up on scouts' radars after playing against Andrea Bargnani in the Italian League Finals. At 7-2 and 270 pounds, there's a market for him.

 

Frankly outside of Ben Wallace there wasn't one person in this year's free agent market that I gave a rats ass about. Holding out till next year is a good move.

 

say what you want about bickerstaff as a coach, but i'm having a hard time finding many faults with him as a GM.

 

I would like to see them make a splash in free agency but no one on that list does much for me. Maybe it is smart to hold off.

If they suck again this year then they get another high draft pick and can spend the free agent money. Maybe year four is the year to make noise.

 

• Bobcats coach-general manager Bernie Bickerstaff confirmed the Pistons called, inquiring about point guard Brevin Knight's availability in trade. Bickerstaff said there's nothing the Pistons would give up that interests the Bobcats. To justify trading Knight, Bickerstaff expects a future draft pick or a young player.

That doesn't mean they couldn't take on a veteran contract to make an appealing deal work. Currently at about $26 million in payroll, the Bobcats will have to spend roughly $6 million more to reach the anticipated NBA minimum for the season. However, some of that money will likely go to Bernard Robinson and Kevin Burleson and the team also could re-sign reserve center Jake Voskuhl.