<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The free agent frenzy is starting to wind down, as the big names have all been spoken for and the league's general managers are now picking through the scraps. But that doesn't mean you can't find good players out there. Some of the best free agent deals have come late in the summer after the fanfare has long since departed ? witness, for instance, the impact of afterthought free agents like San Antonio's Fabricio Oberto and Golden State's Matt Barnes in last year's playoffs. Thus, digging through the scrap heap can pay dividends. And while the Nets and Knicks seem mostly done with their free agent shopping, in a couple of cases one can see opportunity for the locals to upgrade the roster. With that in mind, let's take a look at the leftovers and see what morsels look tasty: Ime Udoka, Portland ? The Blazers' defensive ace is exactly the kind of player the Knicks need ? he works hard, battles on defense, and he doesn't need the ball to be effective. Too bad they cut him a year ago. Instead look for Udoka to take a payday as a role player for a contender, with San Antonio in the driver's seat. Matt Barnes, Golden State ? The Knicks cut Barnes, too ? but they kept Jerome James. P.J. Brown, Chicago ? Exactly the kind of solid pro that both the Nets and Knicks could use in their frontcourt, but don't expect him to show up in a local uniform. He's either hanging up his sneaks or joining a contender ? don't be shocked if he becomes a Maverick.</div> Source: New York Sun This article has a good listing of the top remaining free agents, but if anything, what I got from the article is that the Knicks have basically screwed up their chances at getting any of the "next tier" free agents by cutting them in seasons pasts or not winning enough games last year to be attractive to a veteran looking to play on an immediate title contender.
