1. Andray Blatche, Brooklyn Nets

Averaging only 18.7 minutes per game with the Nets, Blatche is posting 10.1 points and 5.2 rebounds per game on 50% shooting from the floor. Blatche will be an unrestricted free agent at season’s end, and the versatile big man will probably look for an opportunity to play more minutes, and possibly even start.

To show just how impressive his numbers are this season, Blatche is averaging over 21 points and 11 boards per 40 minutes. The 26-year old is much improved from his seven years in Washington. The talent has never been the question for Blatche, but this year more than ever, he has shown his true potential and ability to help an NBA team.

2. J.J. Hickson, Portland Trailblazers

Hickson has had a breakout season with the Blazers in 2013. He is averaging more than 13 points and 10 rebounds through 69 games. Hickson has also been impressively efficient from the floor, shooting over 56% on the year.

After a failed run with the Kings for part of last season, the fifth-year man from North Carolina State has proven himself as a threat in the post and on the boards. At just 25 years of age, it seems as though the big man is just scratching the surface of the type of player he could become in the future. 

3. Tyler Hansbrough, Indiana Pacers

This one may be a bit of a stretch, but if Doug Collins is still the head coach of the Sixers going into next year, this makes complete sense. Hansbrough’s game is predicated on effort at both ends of the court. From his North Carolina days, we’ve always known that Hansbrough was neither an elite athlete or a top-tier skill set. Regardless, this is the type of player Doug Collins loves.

His numbers are far from impressive, but his high IQ and motor make him valuable to an NBA team. Everybody knows what to expect from the former-Tar Heel every night, solid minutes off the bench. While Tyler is not an elite shot blocker by any means, he does do a great job of battling and not allowing deep post position. Every team needs a player like Tyler Hansbrough, and the Sixers do not have one. 

With Andrew Bynum unlikely to re-sign in Philadelphia and Chris Paul almost a lock to re-sign in Lob City, the next free agent on the list is Atlanta Hawks’ forward, Josh Smith. The 6-foot-9 swingman has had his share of ups and downs in Atlanta, and has shown his disgust with the front office at different points this season. While no one knows for sure, it is seeming more and more unlikely that Smith will be back in a Hawks’ uniform for the 2013-2014 season.

The 28-year old forward is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent at season’s end. After countless trade rumors, Atlanta decided to hold on to the face of their franchise and take their chances at re-signing him. Smith has shown flashes of greatness and at the same time, more than his fair share of inconsistency. What NBA teams rave most about is his freakish athletic ability for his size. At 6-foot-9, 225 pounds, Josh runs the floor like a guard and is an explosive leaper. Many of his emphatic dunks and blocks sent into the stands make him a nightly highlight reel.

Smith has averaged good numbers across the board this year. Entering Friday, his stat line consisted of 17.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 2 blocks per game while shooting a solid 45.7% from the field. What drives his coaches and fans insane is his fascination with being a guard. Too often, Smith settles for contested mid-range jumpers and 3-pointers instead of using his rare combination of size, length, strength, and athleticism to attack the basket. Atlanta’s superstar is averaging a mediocre 0.85 points per possession, but that does not reflect his full ability, but instead the head-scratching shots he falls in love with. For instance, Smith averages 0.95 points per possession when he is the pick-and-roll man, and an even more impressive 1.16 in transition.

While Josh Smith has the potential to be an explosive offensive player, his defense is consistently solid. Opponents are averaging just 0.78 points per possession and an even lower 0.72 in the post. Smith possesses the strength and size to defend big men in the post, and the lateral quickness and length to guard perimeter players. He does a great job of hedging and defending the pick-and-roll as well. His overall skill set allows him to switch on screens, fight over the top, or go underneath. Potentially, Josh Smith could do everything you could ask for in a basketball player, but it all comes down to shot selection and work ethic.

In the month of February, Josh put up All-Star caliber numbers. Perhaps an audition for a possible max-contract in free agency this summer, but nevertheless, he has been impressive. Smith averaged 19.6 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 5.4 assists on 50.9% shooting from the floor and 43.2% from behind the arc in the year’s shortest month.

The potential is there, the cap room will be there if Bynum doesn’t re-sign, and the need for a 6-foot-9 forward that possesses the athleticism that Josh Smith does is always there. Many teams will be giving the future free agent a call this summer, should the Sixers be one of those teams? What do you think?