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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted at 11:25 p.m., Monday, June 30, 2008

NBA: The unrestricted free agents

By Tim Povtak
The Orlando Sentinel

Elton Brand

Team: Los Angeles Clippers

Position: PF

Buzz: Brand missed much of last season with an Achilles' tendon injury, but he still is viewed as one of the best power forwards in basketball.

What will happen: The Clippers say they want to re-sign him, but don't be surprised to see him land in Miami in a sign-and-trade deal.

———

Gilbert Arenas

Team: Washington Wizards

Position: G

Buzz: An original second-round draft pick, he opted out of the final year of his contract—worth $12.8 million—to become an unrestricted free agent, despite playing only 13 games last season. He was out with a bad knee but everyone expects him to heal fine.

What will happen: Arenas will get the multiyear deal he wants in Washington, likely worth close to $100 million.

———

James Posey

Team: Boston Celtics

Position: SF

Buzz: He was big in the Celtics' run to the championship. Not a great scorer, but a great glue-type guy who doesn't mind playing defense and doing the dirty work. He wants to capitalize on the championship, opting out of his previous contract that would have paid him $3.4 million.

What will happen: Celtics like what he did, but they won't break the bank for a role player, bringing him back because no one else will pay the price.

———

Kurt Thomas

Team: San Antonio Spurs

Position: PF/C

Buzz: At age 35 he is past his prime, yet there just aren't enough big guys to go around, assuring him another contract, and another one for more than the minimum.

What will happen: Likely to resign with the Spurs, who believe they still have enough in the Tim Duncan era to stay competitive.

———

Kwame Brown

Team: Memphis Grizzlies

Position: PF/C

Buzz: The former No. 1 pick in the 2001 draft has played seven years in the league, yet he still hasn't figured out how to use his outstanding athletic ability. He remains a blotch on the front-office record of Michael Jordan, who made that No. 1 pick for Washington.

What will happen: He is only 26 years old, so maybe there still is hope. Someone desperate for size will take a chance.