Lots of people are looking at the upcoming NBA Draft as the way to make their team better.

Some of that is probably because of the hype of Durant and Oden.

Some of that is probably because last year’s Free Agent market was headlined by Ben Wallace, a good defensive player but one on his way down. In fact, it is arguable on whether he actually helped the Chicago Bulls much or not this year.

Here are the list of the 2007 NBA Free Agents (including those likely to opt out of their current contracts to test the free agent waters):

The Best Free Agents

1. Vince Carter (player option) – Although he has been in the league for several years, he’s still a very good player and would be great for a team in need of more scoring. He’s said that he is favoring staying in New Jersey, but that’s the politically correct thing to say. The New Jersey Nets made it to the second round of the playoffs this year mainly due to his talent and that of the also veteran Jason Kidd.
2. Chauncey Billups (player option) – Though he tends to shoot first and pass second, Chauncey is one of the top 5 point guards in the NBA. The Los Angeles Lakers have expressed a lot of interest in him, but like Carter, he has said that he favors staying with his current team. Any team lacking a good point guard ought to make a push for him because they aren’t likely to find a player like him in the NBA Draft.
3. Rashard Lewis (player option) – Most Seattle fans have only ever been lukewarm towards Lewis, but despite perceived defensive lapses, Lewis can really score. Like Vince Carter, he would be a steal for any team lacking a good scorer. He and Ray Allen have carried Seattle single-handedly over the past couple of years. If the Sonics do indeed draft Kevin Durant (as most 2007 NBA Draft predictions have them doing), Lewis will likely be expendable, so a sign-and-trade is a very definite possibility, especially with teams that are over the salary cap.
4. Gerald Wallace (player option) – Though nobody ever gets to see the Charlotte Bobcats play (because they never make it into the television schedule), Gerald Wallace has easily been the best player on Charlotte ever since he was picked up in the expansion draft. He is a very versatile wing man with the ability to score as well as to help in a variety of other ways.
5. Luke Walton – Injuries limited his production this year, but Luke is another versatile swingman. He was often the second best guy on the Los Angeles Lakers.
6. Jason Kapono – Kapono can really shoot, especially the long ball. He was also limited by injuries this year, but he managed to crack the starting line-up in Miami and did well in that role. Any team looking for a shooting guard or small forward to stretch the defenses would do well to take a long, hard look at Kapono.
7. Mo Williams – Williams is probably the second best point guard in the free agent market. Backing up T.J. Ford again after he came back from his injury, Williams shined when T.J. was out. You’ve got to think that any team willing to offer him their starting point guard job can steal him away from the Milwaukee Bucks. If the Lakers can’t entice Billups, they ought to turn their efforts towards Williams next.
8. Earl Boykins (Player Option) – Boykins often has problems because of his height, but Boykins has managed to shine because he can really shoot the ball. Most teams won’t be willing to offer them their starting point guard position because of his height, preferring him to come off the bench and speed things up and shoot the lights out. He is very good at both. He’s probably the third best point guard on the free agent market (and the third best point guard on the Milwaukee Bucks).
9. Andres Nocioni (Restricted) – A hard-nosed defender on a team packed with young talent, it’s hard to say if Nocioni would leave for a team where he would get more playing time and more money. Teams in need of some more defense would be foolish not to give Nocioni a look.

Top Veterans Available
I list these guys separately, because the only teams likely to pick them up are ones hoping that a veteran or two are all they need to win them the NBA Championship this year. Likely candidates to vie for them include Dallas, Miami, Detroit, San Antonio, and Phoenix. Cleveland, New Jersey, and Minnesota might also give them a look because some of their own stars are aging and they might want to make the push now. The Lakers might also decide to enter this mix.

We all know about them, so there is no need for commentary on each of these veterans.

In no particular order…

• Grant Hill
• Chris Webber
• Ruben Patterson
• Jerry Stackhouse
• Mo Peterson
• Desmond Mason
• Bonzi Wells
• James Posey
• Michael Olowokandi
• Austin Croshere
• Eddie Jones
• Michael Doleac
• Dikembe Mutombo
• Chucky Atkins
• Gary Payton
• Kurt Thomas
• Michael Finley