So we all know that come July, all of the free agent talk will be on LeBron, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, and Joe Johnson. As amazing as those players are, there are plenty of high value guys available in this years’ class.

Luis Scola (Forward/Houston Rockets): Scola is the type of guy that any team would want. He’s an undersized power forward who filled in, in a big way with the absence of Yao Ming this past season. He averaged 16.2 ppg and 8.6rpg. He’s 30 years old, but has only been in the NBA for a few seasons. What separates Scola from most big men is that he is very polished around the basket, and has a solid mid range jumpshot. The only concern teams will have with Scola is that he is a restricted free agent, which means the Rockets have the right to match any offer a team makes.

Raymond Felton (PG, Charlotte Bobcats) Felton has been in the Larry Brown system the past few seasons, and really hasn’t developed into the all around player we thought he would coming out of UNC. Maybe I was the only one who thought that way? Regardless, Felton can put the ball in the basket and at the end of the day is as fast as lightning. He averaged about a dozen points a game, and shot 46% from the field. He’s only 26 years old, and could be a player to look out for this season in the right situation.

J.J. Redick (SG, Orlando Magic): It has taken Redick some time to get used to the NBA, but if you had asked me down the line who would be a better player, J.J. or Adam Morrison? I would have said Morrison without doubt. Adam has the rings, but Redick has the game. He’s become a sparkplug on offense and should have been starting in Orlando this past season. That’s right. He’s also a restricted free agent, but look for a team to make an offer that Orlando is unwilling to match. Imagine Redick in D’Antoni’s system? Whew.

Shaquille O’Neal (C, Cleveland Cavaliers): I will always have a soft spot for The Diesel, minus his domination of the Sixers in the 01′ Finals. I think his problem now, is that he has become somewhat of a distraction. He is nowhere near where he was a few seasons ago, and needs to realize that. However, I still think he’s better than the majority of both centers he faces and is still unstoppable on the low block. He claims to want to play 3 more seasons. Will that be with a contender or a random team? Will he complain about playing time? These are things that need to be figured out for The Big Aristotle so that he doesn’t distract any team from their goals.

John Salmons (SF, Milwaukee Bucks): John Salmons was a big reason the Bucks made it to the playoffs. He almost even caused an upset of the Atlanta Hawks in the playoffs. Interestingly enough, with the acquisitions of Corey Maggette and Chris Douglas-Roberts, Salmons will opt out of his deal becoming a free agent. To me, Salmons is a viable 6th man option on a contender, or a legit 3rd weapon offensively. He plays defense and is a gritty player. He’s 30 years old, so he still has plenty of game left in him. Keep an eye on where he signs this season.

-G