By Jason Palumbo

With the NFL in full swing and NBA training camps just two weeks away, our fanatical eyes are turning back to the hardcourts once more. That's right, it's time to speculate.

Free agents. Not surprisingly the crop this year is not great. The big names signed last year, and they're mostly signed for a long time. No Tim Duncans in this year's lot, and most of the top roll-player help has already been signed. The addition of Keon Clark makes a talented Sacramento team the clear-cut favorites to repeat as the Western Conference Silver Medallists. Chauncey Billups will make Detroit better - or at least he would have had they not traded their offense to Washington. No other real impact players have signed with new teams, unless Donyell Marshall surprises us in Chicago.

With two months of signings behind us and two weeks between now and the start of training camp, it's time to look at the best of the rest. There are still some real talents out there, serious veterans that could be the difference in depth that a contender needs or the push into the playoffs that a straggler covets. For brevity's sake, let's examine the top three free agents at each position rather than going through the dozens of possible contributors out there (not that it wouldn?t be fun to discuss the merits of Scott Padgett vs. Kendall Gill).

Top Three Remaining Guards:

1. Bonzi Wells - Portland must resign Wells or head in an entirely new direction. This guy is offense in a can, a big, durable, dependable can. He can play the two guard or small forward with equal effectiveness, shoots a good percentage, and plays hard-nosed defense. He is what is right with the Trailblazers. Every team in the league could benefit from the addition of this 6-6 swingman.

2. Michael Redd - He's not a starter, but he could be. When Ray Allen was injured last season, Redd lit up the scoreboards. He is a clutch shooter with range and athleticism. Not a go-to guy and not a creator for himself or others, he is quick buckets for free and would work wonderfully in any shooting guard rotation. Young and talented and somewhat untested behind the all-star, Ray Allen, Redd could really help out a team that needs perimeter scoring.

3. Rod Strickland - Yes, he's old. There are more young guns out there. He has a history of missing practices and upsetting management. But the guy has game. He can run a team, and create for everyone. He's a big, genuine point guard, which is a premium in the league today. There are a lot of teams in the NBA, especially in the East, that could use a bona fide one-guard.

Top Three Remaining Forwards:

1. Rashard Lewis - Seattle's second leading scorer last year, Lewis is a versatile forward who can do pretty much everything. At 6-10 he can play either the three or the four spot, with a guard's ball-handling abilities. A good, athletic finisher around the hoop, Lewis is also capable of making deep jumpers. If the Sonics want to maintain their place in the West, re-signing Rashard is a must. With his range of skills, Rashard could fit with almost any team.

2. Lee Nailon - Comparisons to Mark Aguire came too early last year, but this thick-bodied small forward has a knack for getting the ball through the net. Has a terrific post game for a young perimeter player and the ability to take it to the hole. He has the strength to bang and might improve on the boards with more minutes. Outside shot and ball handling both need work for today's standard small forward duties. If he remains in New Orleans, a healthy Mashburn will limit his playing time.

3. Eduardo Najera - Not to be confused with his more talented less physical teammates, Najera is pure hustle. Somewhat outsized at the power forward spot, he will bang with anybody and has good instincts and good hands around the basket. Great garbage guy, Najera picks up loose balls, sets screens, and plays real defense (in Dallas that's especially important). Any team would be lucky to land Eduardo, but I doubt Nellie is foolish enough to let him go. He is coming off a hand injury.

Top Three Remaining Centers:

1. Michael Olowokandi - Seven feet tall? Check. Strong, quick, and coordinated? Check. Rebounding and shot blocking instincts? Check. Respectable post game? Check. Inflated ego? Check. Olowokandi has the goods to be a major force in this center-depleted league, but his production has been anything but forceful. The 11 points and 9 rebounds he put up last season is no big deal, and he has not yet proven to be the impact player that he could be in a league where we can count the all-star centers on two fingers (one now that Alonzo is out for the season). He is the best of what there is, but so far he is not worth the contract extension that his agent is trying to bleed out of the Clippers.

2. Zhizhi Wang - He's seven feet tall, as well. However, the shot blocking, rebounding, and post game have been absent so far. Whether that is due to a lack of skill development, toughness, or simply the Maverick's run and gun style has yet to be determined. He has got a face up game from beyond the arc, and for those teams wishing to pull Shaq away from the basket, he could be handy to have around. He's got six fouls too.

3. Loren Woods - I'd take him. He's seven feet tall and young. He has skills around the hoop and good instincts for help defense rejections. A few more years in the league ought to put some much-needed bulk on his lanky frame. Biggest questions revolve around his health since he was injured in college. He played a decent rookie season for the Timberwolves, and some lucky team could pick up a cheap back-up center that might prove to be a diamond in the rough.

I'd like to take a moment to wish all the best to Alonzo Mourning and those close to him. Early in his career announcers tagged Alonzo as a warrior, and over his ten years in the league he has consistently lived up to the title. Alonzo is a perennial all-star and a two time Defensive Player of the Year. He has shown unflagging toughness and intensity throughout his career. Hopefully those very attributes will help him to overcome this ailment.