NBA: Some big names, fewer big spenders in free agency

Some big names will be out there. The big spenders will be harder to find.

Free agency opens in the NBA on Wednesday, but there should be few fireworks this July. The blockbuster trades were last week, and the real free agent bonanza is next year.

Financial difficulties, combined with the potential of one of the best classes ever in 2010, will have most teams keeping their check books closed this summer. More than a dozen have already lined themselves up to be players when LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Amare Stoudemire can all become available, and may not want to waste precious salary cap space now.

Back in February, Dallas owner Mark Cuban said he wouldn't want to be a free agent this summer. On Tuesday, he wondered if players might find it best to sign a short-term deal and try again in 2010, when there are more suitors.

"How many players will sign one year deals to be able to take advantage of the huge amount of cap room next year?" he wrote on his Twitter page.

For those who do want to buy now, there is some talent worth considering.

Teams seeking a point guard could choose among Jason Kidd, Mike Bibby and Andre Miller. Those needing a good swingman can envision Ron Artest, Hedo Turkoglu, Trevor Ariza or Shawn Marion.

Allen Iverson or Ben Gordon could provide instant offense for some team. Paul Millsap or David Lee would look nice as a young, hardworking power forward in someone's frontcourt.

Perhaps realizing better deals weren't coming this summer, Utah's Carlos Boozer and Mehmet Okur declined to become free agents Tuesday. Boozer exercised his player option for next season — he previously said he wouldn't — and Okur declined his early termination option.

Cleveland's energetic forward Anderson Varejao did decide to try out free agency, not exercising his option on a $6.2 million contract for next season. He's an unrestricted free agent.

Detroit and Oklahoma City have the most money to spend, but apparently have different strategies. The Pistons, who freed up millions when they dealt Chauncey Billups to Denver for Iverson and his expiring contract, are expected to pursue Gordon and perhaps Charlie Villanueva. The Milwaukee Bucks let Villanueva become a free agent, and he could also draw interest from the Cleveland Cavaliers.