SNEAK PEEK AT FREE AGENCY 2011

While the free agent class of 2011 doesn't have the entire NBA holding their breath like the class of 2010, there will still be plenty of opportunities for teams to spend money and get better.

Here we list the 2011 class position by position, followed by their 2010-11 salary. Also, there is the status of the free agent (unrestricted or restricted) and whether or not their free agency is dependent on any kind of option. Players marked with an asterisk are not on rookie scale contracts (for former first-round picks) but are eligible for restricted free agency as a player with three years or less of NBA experience. This also assumes restricted free agency is a part of the new collective bargaining agreement, which will be a major determination as to how money is spent in 2011. Players finishing their rookie scale contracts are marked as restricted and their Qualifying Offer is listed. Teams need to officially issue that Offer by June 30, 2010, to make the player restricted.

For a more detailed explanation of restricted free agency, check out BELOW.

Lastly, these players are roughly sorted in value, with the presumed most desirable player at the top of each list. Players who play multiple positions are listed where they play most often.

Point Guard
(name, team – 2010-11 salary – status)

Aaron Brooks, Phoenix Suns - $2.0 million – Restricted ($3.0 million Qualifying Offer)
Andre Miller, Portland Trail Blazers - $7.3 million – Team Option ($7.8 million)
Mo Williams, L.A. Clippers - $9.3 million – Early Termination Option ($8.3 million)
Goran Dragic, Houston Rockets - $2.0 million – Team Option ($2.1 million)
Leandro Barbosa, Toronto Raptors - $7.1 million – Player Option ($7.6 million)
Rodney Stuckey, Detroit Pistons - $2.8 million – Restricted ($3.9 million Qualifying Offer)
T.J. Ford, Indiana Pacers - $8.5 million – Unrestricted
Carlos Arroyo, Boston Celtics - $1.2 million – Unrestricted
Ronnie Price, Utah Jazz - $1.3 million - Unrestricted
Patrick Mills, Portland Trail Blazers - $0.9 million – Unrestricted*
Sasha Vujacic, New Jersey Nets - $5.5 million – Unrestricted
Sebastian Telfair, Minnesota Timberwolves - $2.7 million – Unrestricted
Charlie Bell, Golden State Warriors - $3.9 million – Early Termination Option ($4.1 million)
Willie Green, New Orleans Hornets - $4.0 million - Unrestricted
Mario Chalmers, Miami HEAT - $0.9 million – Unrestricted*
Jason Williams, Memphis Grizzlies - $1.4 million – Unrestricted
Earl Watson, Utah Jazz – $1.2 million - Unrestricted
Pooh Jeter, Sacramento Kings - $0.5 million – Team Option ($0.8 million)
Jose Barea, Dallas Mavericks - $1.7 million – Unrestricted
Sundiata Gaines, New Jersey Nets - $0.7 million – Unrestricted*
Chris Quinn, San Antonio Spurs - $0.9 million - Unrestricted
Royal Ivey, Oklahoma City Thunder - $1.1 million - Unrestricted
Marcus Banks, New Orleans Hornets - $4.9 million - Unrestricted
Earl Boykins, Milwaukee Bucks - $1.4 million - Unrestricted
Anthony Carter, New York Knicks - $1.4 million – Unrestricted
Acie Law, Golden State Warriors - $0.7 million - Unrestricted
John Lucas, Chicago Bulls - $0.7 million – Unrestricted*
Ben Uzoh, New Jersey Nets - $0.5 million – Unrestricted*

Shooting Guard
(name, team – 2010-11 salary – status)

Ray Allen, Boston Celtics - $10.0 million – Player Option ($10.0 million)
Jason Richardson, Orlando Magic - $14.4 million - Unrestricted
Jamal Crawford, Atlanta Hawks - $10.1 million – Unrestricted
Arron Afflalo, Denver Nuggets - $2.0 million – Restricted ($2.9 million Qualifying Offer)
Wilson Chandler, Denver Nuggets - $2.1 million – Restricted ($3.1 million Qualifying Offer)
Shannon Brown, L.A. Lakers - $2.1 million – Player Option ($2.4 million)
C.J. Miles, Utah Jazz - $3.7 million – Team Option ($3.7 million)
J.R. Smith, Denver Nuggets - $6.0 million – Unrestricted
DeShawn Stevenson, Dallas Mavericks - $4.2 million – Unrestricted
Mike Dunleavy, Indiana Pacers - $10.6 million – Unrestricted
Chris Douglas-Roberts, Milwaukee Bucks - $0.9 million – Unrestricted*
Nick Young, Washington Wizards - $2.6 million – Restricted ($3.7 million Qualifying Offer)
Sonny Weems, Toronto Raptors - $0.9 million – Unrestricted*
Mo Evans, Washington Wizards - $2.5 million – Unrestricted
Daequan Cook, Oklahoma City Thunder - $2.2 million – Restricted ($3.1 million Qualifying Offer)
Anthony Parker, Cleveland Cavaliers - $2.9 million – Unrestricted
Eddie House, Miami HEAT - $1.4 million – Player Option ($1.4 million)
Marquis Daniels, Boston Celtics - $2.5 million – Unrestricted
Marcus Thornton, Sacramento Kings - $0.8 million – Unrestricted*
Roger Mason, New York Knicks - $1.4 million - Unrestricted
Marco Belinelli, New Orleans Hornets - $2.4 million – Restricted ($3.4 million Qualifying Offer)
Gary Forbes, Denver Nuggets - $0.5 million – Unrestricted*
Michael Redd, Milwaukee Bucks - $18.3 million - Unrestricted
Delonte West, Boston Celtics - $1.1 million – Unrestricted
Stephen Graham, New Jersey Nets - $1.0 million – Team Option ($1.1 million)
Dominic McGuire, Charlotte Bobcats - $0.9 million – Unrestricted
Alonzo Gee, Washington Wizards - $0.6 million – Unrestricted*
Jeremy Lin, Golden State Warriors - $0.5 million – Team Option ($0.8 million)
Von Wafer, Boston Celtics - $0.9 million – Unrestricted

Small Forward
(name, team – 2010-11 salary – status)

Caron Butler, Dallas Mavericks - $10.8 million – Unrestricted
Thaddeus Young, Philadelphia 76ers - $2.9 million – Restricted ($4.0 million Qualifying Offer)
Grant Hill, Phoenix Suns - $3.2 million - Unrestricted
Tayshaun Prince, Detroit Pistons – $11.1 million – Unrestricted
Shane Battier, Memphis Grizzlies - $7.4 million - Unrestricted
Reggie Williams, Golden State Warriors - $0.8 million – Unrestricted*
James Jones, Miami HEAT - $1.1 million – Unrestricted
Al Thornton, Golden State Warriors - $0.9 million – Unrestricted
Jason Kapono, Philadelphia 76ers - $6.6 million - Unrestricted
Josh Howard, Washington Wizards - $3.0 million - Unrestricted
Rasual Butler, Chicago Bulls - $0.9 million - Unrestricted
Jamario Moon, L.A. Clippers - $3.0 million – Unrestricted
Julian Wright, Toronto Raptors - $2.9 million – Restricted ($4.0 million Qualifying Offer)
Peja Stojakovic, Dallas Mavericks - $0.9 million - Unrestricted
Earl Clark, Orlando Magic - $1.9 million – Unrestricted
Kelenna Azubuike, New York Knicks - $3.3 million - Unrestricted
Quinton Ross, New Jersey Nets - $1.1 million – Unrestricted
Shawne Williams, New York Knicks - $0.9 million – Unrestricted
Ime Udoka, San Antonio Spurs - $0.9 million - Unrestricted
Vladimir Radmanovic, Golden State Warriors - $6.9 million - Unrestricted
Joey Graham, Cleveland Cavaliers - $1.0 million – Team Option ($1.1 million)
Jawad Williams, Cleveland Cavaliers - $1.1 million – Unrestricted*
Rodney Carney, Golden State Warriors - $0.9 million – Unrestricted
Jeremy Evans, Utah Jazz - $0.5 million – Unrestricted*
DaJuan Summers, Detroit Pistons - $0.8 million – Unrestricted*
Damien Wilkins, Atlanta Hawks - $0.8 million – Unrestricted
Steve Novak, Dallas Mavericks - $0.9 million - Unrestricted
Derrick Brown, New York Knicks - $0.7 million – Unrestricted*
Darnell Jackson, Sacramento Kings - $0.9 million – Unrestricted*
Cartier Martin, Washington Wizards - $0.9 million – Unrestricted*

Power Forward
(name, team – 2010-11 salary – status)

Zach Randolph, Memphis Grizzlies - $17.3 million – Unrestricted
David West, New Orleans Hornets - $8.3 million – Early Termination Option ($7.5 million)
Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs - $18.8 million – Early Termination Option ($21.1 million)
Andrei Kirilenko, Utah Jazz - $17.8 million - Unrestricted
Jeff Green, Boston Celtics - $4.5 million – Restricted ($5.9 million Qualifying Offer)
Boris Diaw, Charlotte Bobcats - $9.0 million – Player Option ($9.0 million)
Troy Murphy, Boston Celtics - $0.9 million – Unrestricted
Carl Landry, New Orleans Hornets - $3.0 million - Unrestricted
Kenyon Martin, Denver Nuggets - $16.5 million – Unrestricted
Glen Davis, Boston Celtics – $3.3 million – Unrestricted
Ronny Turiaf, New York Knicks - $4.2 million – Player Option ($4.1 million)
Kris Humphries, New Jersey Nets - $3.2 million – Unrestricted
Reggie Evans, Toronto Raptors - $5.1 million – Unrestricted
Louis Amundson, Golden State Warriors – $2.2 million – Player Option ($2.4 million)
Chuck Hayes, Houston Rockets - $2.3 million – Unrestricted
Yi Jianlian, Washington Wizards - $4.1 million – Restricted ($5.4 million Qualifying Offer)
Josh McRoberts, Indiana Pacers - $0.9 million – Unrestricted*
Jared Jeffries, New York Knicks - $0.9 million - Unrestricted
Luc Mbah a Moute, Milwaukee Bucks - $0.9 million – Unrestricted*
Jason Smith, New Orleans Hornets - $2.2 million – Restricted ($3.1 million Qualifying Offer)
Craig Smith, L.A. Clippers - $2.3 million – Unrestricted
Dante Cunningham, Charlotte Bobcats - $0.8 million – Unrestricted*
Joey Dorsey, Toronto Raptors - $0.9 million – Unrestricted*
Joe Smith, L.A. Lakers - $1.4 million – Unrestricted
Malik Allen, Orlando Magic - $1.2 million - Unrestricted
Jonas Jerebko, Detroit Pistons - $0.8 million – Unrestricted*
Sam Young, Memphis Grizzlies - $0.9 million – Team Option ($0.9 million)
Juwan Howard, Miami HEAT - $1.4 million - Unrestricted
Brandan Wright, New Jersey Nets - $3.4 million – Restricted ($4.6 million Qualifying Offer)
Darius Songaila, Philadelphia 76ers - $4.8 million - Unrestricted
Leon Powe, Boston Celtics - $0.9 million – Unrestricted
Shelden Williams, New York Knicks - $0.9 million – Unrestricted
Chris Wilcox, Detroit Pistons - $3.0 million – Unrestricted
DJ Mbenga, New Orleans Hornets - $0.9 million - Unrestricted
Brian Skinner, Milwaukee Bucks - $1.0 million – Unrestricted
Hamady Ndiaye, Washington Wizards - $0.5 million – Unrestricted*
DeMarre Carroll, Houston Rockets - $1.1 million – Unrestricted
Solomon Jones, Indiana Pacers - $1.5 million - Unrestricted
Brian Cardinal, Dallas Mavericks - $1.4 million - Unrestricted
Brian Scalabrine, Chicago Bulls - $1.2 million - Unrestricted
Josh Powell, Atlanta Hawks - $1.0 million – Unrestricted
Melvin Ely, Denver Nuggets - $1.1 million - Unrestricted

Center
(name, team – 2010-11 salary – status)

Nene, Denver Nuggets - $11.4 million – Early Termination Option ($11.6 million)
Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies - $3.6 million – Unrestricted*
Tyson Chandler, Dallas Mavericks - $12.6 million – Unrestricted
Yao Ming, Houston Rockets - $17.7 million - Unrestricted
Joel Przybilla, Charlotte Bobcats - $7.4 million – Unrestricted
Samuel Dalembert, Sacramento Kings – $13.4 million - Unrestricted
Greg Oden, Portland Trail Blazers - $6.8 million – Restricted ($8.8 million Qualifying Offer)
Spencer Hawes, Philadelphia 76ers - $3.0 million – Restricted ($4.1 million Qualifying Offer)
Nenad Krstic, Boston Celtics - $5.7 million – Unrestricted
Tony Battie, Philadelphia 76ers - $1.4 million – Unrestricted
Kyrylo Fesenko, Utah Jazz - $1.1 million - Unrestricted
Erick Dampier, Miami HEAT - $1.1 million - Unrestricted
Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Miami HEAT - $1.4 million - Unrestricted
Jeff Foster, Indiana Pacers - $6.7 million - Unrestricted
Nazr Mohammed, Oklahoma City Thunder - $6.9 million – Unrestricted
DeAndre Jordan, L.A. Clippers - $0.9 million – Unrestricted*
Kurt Thomas, Chicago Bulls - $1.4 million – Unrestricted
Francisco Elson, Utah Jazz - $1.1 million – Unrestricted
Hilton Armstrong, Atlanta Hawks - $0.9 million - Unrestricted
Aaron Gray, New Orleans Hornets - $0.9 million – Player Option ($0.9 million)
Jamaal Magloire, Miami HEAT - $1.4 million - Unrestricted
Dan Gadzuric, New Jersey Nets - $7.2 million - Unrestricted
Ryan Hollins, Cleveland Cavaliers - $2.3 million – Player Option ($2.5 million)
Kwame Brown, Charlotte Bobcats - $1.3 million – Unrestricted
Theo Ratliff, L.A. Lakers - $1.4 million - Unrestricted
Etan Thomas, Atlanta Hawks - $1.2 million – Unrestricted
Jason Collins, Atlanta Hawks - $1.2 million – Unrestricted
Eddy Curry - $11.3 million - Unrestricted
Hamed Haddadi, Memphis Grizzlies - $1.8 million – Unrestricted*
Alexis Ajinca, Toronto Raptors - $1.5 million – Unrestricted

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

DEFINITION OF CLASSES OF FREE AGENTS

There are two types of free agency: unrestricted and restricted. An unrestricted free agent is free to sign with any other team, and there's nothing the player's original team can do to prevent it. Restricted free agency gives the player's original team the right to keep the player by matching an offer sheet the player signs with another team. This is called the "right of first refusal."

Restricted free agency exists only on a limited basis. It is allowed following the fourth year of rookie "scale" contracts for first round draft picks. It is also allowed for all veteran free agents who have been in the league three or fewer seasons. However, a first round draft pick becomes an unrestricted free agent following his second or third season if his team does not exercise its option to extend the player's rookie scale contract for the next season. All other free agency is limited to unrestricted free agency.

In order to make their free agent a restricted free agent, a team must submit a qualifying offer to the player by June 30. This prevents the team from not offering a contract and waiting to swoop in when the player tries to sign elsewhere. The qualifying offer ensures that the team does not gain the right of first refusal without also offering a contract themselves. The amount of the qualifying offer for players on rookie "scale" contracts is based on the player's draft position.

The qualifying offer for all other players must be for 125% of the player's previous salary, or the player's minimum salary plus $175,000, whichever is greater. The qualifying offer must be for one season. A player can elect to accept his qualifying offer (the qualifying offer must be accepted by March 1) and play the following season under its terms. This is sometimes done in order to become an unrestricted free agent the following summer.

A qualifying offer cannot be accepted after March 1. Teams may place a shorter time limit on their qualifying offer, specifying any date between October 1 and March 1 by which it must be accepted. If the deadline passes and the qualifying offer is neither withdrawn nor accepted, then the player continues to be a restricted free agent. The team and player are also still free to negotiate a new contract after the qualifying offer ends -- the deadline only affects the player's ability to accept the qualifying offer.

Teams may also withdraw an outstanding qualifying offer in which case the player becomes unrestricted. This happened with Toronto and Keon Clark in 2002. The qualifying offer cannot be withdrawn after July 23 without the player's approval.

If the player is coming off the fourth year of his rookie scale contract, then in addition to a qualifying offer, his team can also submit a maximum qualifying offer. A maximum qualifying offer is for six seasons at the maximum salary with 10.5% annual raises. It can contain no options, ETOs or bonuses of any kind, and must be fully guaranteed. When a team submits a maximum qualifying offer (in essence "stepping up" with a maximum contract offer before the player even hits the market), it places a more stringent requirement on other teams' offer sheets (see below).

When another team wants to sign a restricted free agent, it signs the player to an offer sheet, the principal terms of which the original team is given seven days to match. The offer sheet must be for at least two seasons (not including option years). If the player's prior team also submitted a maximum qualifying offer, then the offer sheet must be for at least three seasons (not including option years). If the player's original team exercises its right of first refusal by matching the principal terms of the offer sheet, the player is then under contract to his original team. If the player's original team does not exercise its right of first refusal within seven days, the offer sheet becomes an official contract with the new team.

To summarize, a restricted free agent essentially has four options:

He can accept his prior team's qualifying offer, play for one season, and become a free agent again the following summer.
He can accept his prior team's maximum qualifying offer (if applicable, and if one has been submitted) and play under a long-term contract at the maximum salary.
He can sign an offer sheet with another team, which his prior team is given the opportunity to match.
He can negotiate a new contract with his prior team that is independent of the qualifying offer or maximum qualifying offer.
There are additional restrictions placed on offer sheets for players with one or two years in the league.

There can be no compensation given to a team in return for their not matching an offer to a restricted free agent. For example, Houston could not sign Golden State's restricted free agent, then send Golden State a draft pick in exchange for their not matching the offer and retaining the player.

If the team matches an offer sheet, they cannot trade the player in a sign-and-trade arrangement.

A signed offer sheet can be rescinded within the seven day waiting period if all three parties (the player and the two teams) agree.