Top 5: NBA Free agent bargains for 2015

(June, 11th 2015) By: Ira Barasch

Welcome to Top 5, where once a week we will be making a ranking of random NBA topics. This week is affordable free agents.

Honorable mentions: these players didn't quite make the Top 5, but deserve a mention regardless 

Al Jefferson (19.2 ppg, 9.6 rbpg last 2 seasons) 

 Tyson Chandler (9.5 ppg, 10.5 rbpg last 2 seasons) 

Corey Brewer (11.2 ppg last 2 seasons) 

Jeremy Lin (11.85 ppg, 4.35 apg last 2 seasons) 

Andrea Bargnani (14.05 ppg last 2 seasons) 

Gerald Green (13.8 ppg last 2 seasons) 

Top 5:

5) Louis Scola (8.5 ppg 5.65 rbpg last 2 seasons) Sneaking into the 5 is Scola, who admittedly hasn't been his best the last few seasons. Yet this is about finding a bargain, a diamond in the rough. For a team looking for some depth in the front court and is willing to take a risk and hope he returns to form, it might be worth signing him. 

4) Robin Lopez (10.35 ppg, 7.6 rbpg) Lopez is an under the radar steal this year. He might not be as effective or high profile as his twin brother, but he is also bery effective. While others are worried about big names such as Rajon Rondo, Kevin Love, Marc Gasol, and Lamarcus Aldridge; Lopez is effective and can be snatched up by anyone needing a potential dominant big man. 

3) Jeff Green (15.18 ppg last 2 seasons) in our 3 spot is a man who can flat out score, but not much else. Green was traded from the Celtics to the Grizzlies over this past season and his scoring suffered as a result. Yet he's a perfect one or two year contract for a team looking for a second option or looking for some help off the bench. 

2) Amar'e Stoudamire (11.45 ppg last 2 seasons) Standing Tall And Talented at number 2 is the biggest question mark on this list. Amar'e is injury prone but the past 2 seasons have showed a lot of promise. When looking at his average over 36 minutes his scoring skyrocketed to 23.5 pts. Any team lacking in the front court and willing to take a risk might just strike it big with S.T.A.T if he's used primarily off the bench and only in spurts. 

1) Thaddeus Young (14.08 ppg 5.45 rbpg last 2 seasons) Our number one bargain of the off season is Thad Young. This man needs a stable job on a team. After bouncing over 3 teams the past 2 seasons (Phi → Min → Bklyn) his talent has been misused and he has been taken for granted. Easily one of the most serviceable big men in the league, he could be a big piece for any team looking for a starting big man or an edge to get them over the hump. A must sign.