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By Christopher Plain

This summers free agency pool has been raided by the leagues GM’s. First went the superstars and the “impact” players. Next was the ever valuable “role players”. What they left behind was a scrap heap of also-rans and angry old guys. However, in the last few days a handful of bargains were dusted off and shined up for the upcoming feast. The last couple of centers still in under 35, and possessing a heartbeat found homes (Pedrag Drobnjak, Jelani McCoy, Cherokee Parks). The Rockets picked up a potential starter in Jim Jackson.

So where does this latest pillage of the free agency market leave teams still looking for that final slot filler? Lets take one last peek into the NBA’s Free Agency Bargain Bin.

A Whiff of Upside

Speaking of Pat Riley, last year’s back-up center, Vladimir Stepania, is still looking for work. Although his shooting percentage is below average for a center, he cleaned the glass to a clip of almost 7 bpg last year in like 20 minutes per contest. When guys like Ike Austin, Stanley Roberts and Olden “Put Your Hands On the Car” Polyniece are being dragged from their rocking chairs, I’m amazed that this guy is still looking for a job.

Savvy For Sale

Mark Jackson, Steve Smith, Tyrone Hill, LaPhonso Ellis

These guys all still feel they can make a contribution. Whether it’s tutoring a young protégé or filling a spot on a playoff roster, all of these players still have a couple of drops in the tank. Look for most of them to sit out the next month or two, and then start plugging holes once injuries or poor play open them up. Plus, if you sign any three of them, Dan Fagan will throw in Tracy Murray for Free.

More Trouble Than They’re Worth

Rod Strickland, Joe Forte, Anthony Mason (likely to be free soon)

Wasted talent is always sad. A guy like Mase or Rod could help in the right situation, but who need the headaches. I hear J.R. Rider and Dennis Rodman are available as well.

Geezers

Charles Oakley, Tracy Murray, Walt Williams, Shawn Kemp

What did Ferris Bueller say at the end of the movie? “Go home! It’s Over….GO!”

Scrap Heap

Even a NBA turbo-geek like myself can’t find any category to put the rest of these hoopsters in. Even still, one or two of these leftovers will pop up on NBA rosters. This usually means that someone needs to justify his scouting paycheck before the next draft, and talked his coach and/or GM into a project. So here they are:

Mark Bryant, Grant Long, Donny Marshall, Lavar Postell, Pat Burke, Emanual Davis, Tierre Brown, Smush Parker, Don Reid, Robert Pack, Juaqin Hawkins, Terence Morris, Felipe Lopez, Dan Langhi, Charles Smith, Mateen Cleaves, Ansu Sesay, Tito Maddox, Jermaine Jackson, Tito Jackson, Janet Jackson, Latoya Jackson, Action Jackson and Jackson Pollack.