Nuggets Offseason: Free Agent Options Part 2

Part 11 of 14

Few more, lets just say, outside of the box free agent options for the Denver Nuggets this offseason.

• Grant Hill, Phoenix – Two seasons ago when Hill was a free agent the Nuggets tried their best to get the former All-Star’s services, but with no success. And don’t think they won’t try again this summer, especially with the recent success of fellow veterans, Shawn Marion and Jason Kidd, who are over the hill past their prime. Hill, who will at least be 39 when the next NBA season begins, has been drinking from the fountain of youth. Despite being injury-prone earlier in his career, Hill has been injury-free as of late (missing three games in three years) and has also added range on his jumper (making and shooting a career high in 3-pointers last season). He has always been a very versatile player, who can bring the ball up the court and find his teammates. He also is a very good rebounder and defender as well. And despite his age, he is just as good of a perimeter defender as he is in the post.
• Vince Carter, Phoenix (Team option) – Carter is also past his prime, but unlike Hill he isn’t getting better with age. The former All-Star used to be the most feared scorer in the NBA during his days in Toronto. He, like Carmelo Anthony, could score 20 points with ease. But seven seasons, four teams and a bad back later and Carter has become just an adequate scorer. His athleticism that once dubbed him Vinsanity has become average and he gets by now with a good jump shot and veteran savvy. The Suns do have a team option on Carter’s final season, but considering it is worth $18 million they will probably let him walk. Would Carter accept being a leader and closer on a young playoff team and would he be willing to come at the right price?
• Reggie Williams, Golden State – Williams is another player who came out of nowhere to become a top-notch scorer for the Warriors. He isn’t a great defender or rebounder, but is a top of the line shooter and scorer. He also is a bit undersized at small forward, but when he is hot look out. In one game last season he hit eight three-pointers against the San Antonio Spurs. He was the top scorer coming out of college in 2008 and at 24 years old he just continues to grow.
• Earl Clark, Orlando – Three seasons ago, Clark was one of the top players in the NBA Draft. However, after playing only 95 games in the three seasons he is one of the few from his class who didn’t get his option picked up before his third season. It isn’t that Clark isn’t talented, he just doesn’t have a take-charge personality. Even without that personality he is an intriguing player. His length and ballhandling skills have him compared to Lamar Odom and in his few minutes on the floor he has done an adequate job defending Paul Pierce and Antawn Jamison.
• Reggie Evans, Toronto – It has been four seasons since Evans left the Nuggets and not a lot have changed. He still can’t hit his free throws (.545) or score (4.4 points last season), but the boy can surely rebound (11.5) and flop. Evans doesn’t get by with talent, but instead he outworks the opposing players or at least frustrate them enough to get the rebound. He’ll never be a great scorer but he could be valuable for any team that needs a dirty rebounder.
• Kwame Brown, Charlotte – Like I said these are out of left field. But don’t worry there isn’t a need for Brown on the team or it is likely the Nuggets would offer Brown more money than another team. To his credit, Brown had maybe the best season of his career. He’ll never live up to being the No. 1 overall pick, but he has proven to be a capable big man.
• Tracy McGrady, Detroit – See Vince Carter and you get McGrady. McGrady has already lost his burst thanks in part his recent back injuries. McGrady signed with the Pistons at the veteran minimum in the offseason and wasn’t overly terrible. He was solid all-around, and force  too bad of shots. He also filled in at times at point guard. He’ll never be a defensive stopper, but he wouldn’t be a bad closer for the Nuggets late in game.
• Patrick Mills, Portland – Mills has been in the League for two seasons, but is still a relatively unknown. He has only played 74 games during his injury-plagued short career. But Mills is another 6-foot guard, from Australia, who has a fiery side. He doesn’t bring a lot of size, but he can hit from behind the arc and is a great competitor. He has long arms that help him on defense, but will always be outmatched. However, in the right role he could become another JJ Barea-type.