Superstar talent drives the NBA but if you look back at the championship rosters from over the years it is plain to see the impact role players had in those organizations. Whether it was Shane Battier for the Miami Heat, Boris Diaw for the San Antonio Spurs or Andre Iguodola for the Golden State Warriors there are plenty examples of role players that stepped up with big performances when it mattered the most in order to put their teams over the top. So who will teams target with the hope that it can help put them over the top this summer? Here is a look at the best role players set to hit the NBA free agent market.
SG: Jamal Crawford
Los Angeles Clippers
Fresh off his second straight Sixth Man of the Year award, Crawford will be highly sought after as a veteran scorer that can provide a team with a spark off the bench on a consistent basis. Crawford averaged 14.2 points including 1.5 three-point shots per game, 2.3 assists and 1.8 rebounds per game this season and while his three-point shooting percentage was down there is still a good chance he bounces back next season. Crawford will be 37 by the time next year’s playoffs roll around but he is a strong veteran shooter that can help a contending team stretch the floor. He could become that much more efficient as a role player in the right situation. Whether that situation is with the Clippers or someone else is still to be seen.
C: Bismack Biyombo
Toronto Raptors
Biyombo has substantially increased the amount of money he will get this summer with an incredible playoff run for the Raptors. He was already eyeing a big payday with solid work off the bench but an injury to Jonas Valanciunas opened the door for Biyombo to start. He has made the most out of the opportunity with some excellent play against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals. Biyombo has averaged 6.0 points, 20.0 rebounds, 3.5 blocks and 1.0 assist in two wins over the Cavaliers with his energy and defensive play helping to shift the momentum of the series. There has been a lot of talk about the teams that will line up for Biyombo’s services this summer and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he was overpaid this offseason.
PG: Jeremy Lin
Charlotte Hornets
Lin is coming off a year in which he had enough hot spells – especially in the playoffs – to show that he can be a real asset to a team that’s contending. He averaged 11.7 points per game in the regular season but that number climbed to 12.4 in the playoffs. The problem is that he didn’t do much else as his assists, rebounds and threes don’t offer a whole lot given his role in Charlotte.
However, Lin is a creative point guard that can stretch the floor with his shot and even in a limited role with Charlotte, he still averaged 11.7 points and 3.0 assists per game off the bench. The hype has slowed significantly since he broke in to the NBA with the New York Knicks, but he still has the potential to be a key role player under the right circumstances.
SF: Joe Johnson
Miami Heat
Johnson will turn 35 this summer and while he has substantial miles on his body, he can still be a strong contributor off the bench in the right situation. Johnson averaged 12.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 35.1 minutes for the Heat in the playoffs and he has the potential to improve his efficiency in a more limited role. At this point in his career, Johnson is more of a spot-up shooter that could be a starter, but someone that a contender would likely have as their third or fourth primary scorer. He’d be a quality body off the bench that can come in and provide some shooting and scoring. He has plenty of experience in pressure situations and he will provide a strong veteran presence off the bench for whatever team signs him this summer.
