10 best free-agent fits
Matching up the available players and teams that would go best together
2011 NBA FREE AGENCY BUYER'S GUIDE:
TOP 20 FREE AGENTS | BEST FITS | WORST FITS | TAKE A FLYER
Now the fun begins.
The NBA and the players shook hands on a tentative agreement early Saturday morning, which means that players will be putting on their NBA uniforms soon -- and some will be wearing new ones. Although there's still some fine print to be ironed out in the new labor deal, we can already see where the best fits will be. The combination of an amnesty clause and a harsher luxury tax will undoubtedly produce some more free agents, but they won't have the kind of impact as the players below.
(Note: "R" denotes restricted free agent.)
1. David West -- Indiana Pacers
On one hand, West couldn't have picked a worse time to hit the market, having just undergone surgery to repair an ACL. On the other hand, he's probably the biggest fish on the free-agent menu and also clearly the best available player at his position.
The Pacers are the rare organization with the ability to open up their wallet, and they could use an upgrade at the 4. Tyler Hansbrough has starter-level effort but not contender-level talent. West can be that guy for the Pacers, a team expected to make a big splash next season.
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