This is the third in a five part series in which I analyze the 2011 Free Agent market by position.  As a source I used ESPN's list of 2011 NBA Free Agents and for statistics I used Basketball-Reference.  This list of Free Agents only includes players that were on a teams roster at the end of last season.  Also, please keep in mind that while I will use John Hollinger's PER (Player Efficiency Rating), this is not a be-all, end-all stat.  There are several deficiencies, particularly that it is not a reliable measure for a player's defensive acumen, so keep that in mind.

We might not be as desperate for help as we once were, but if we want it, there are guys available who can help.

Statistics used are career averages to give a larger sample size.  Players with  ® next to their name are Restricted Free Agents.

Pre-John Salmons trade, I would've stumped for acquiring one of Tayshaun Prince, Andrei Kirilenko, Caron Butler or Shane Battier.  My thoughts on those guys can already be found here so I won't spend too much time on them, other than to say that other than Battier, the door has probably closed on signing one of them.  Even Battier, who I'd love to sign purely as a veteran mentor for the young guys on this roster, is probably going to sign with a contender, as he doesn't have many years left to win that elusive ring.

Reggie Williams would've been interesting, although he's purely a scorer, even if he's an efficient and prolific one.  Jeff Green is made of a similar mold, but he's more of a volume scorer than an efficient one, and he's a big defensive sieve.  Luc Mbah a Moute is on the opposite spectrum in that he's a terrific defender and good rebounder, but he has no offensive game whatsoever.

These RFAs are all interesting but acquiring any of them (especially now with Salmons on board) is unlikely. Other options exist; We know the Kings want defense and three point shooting from their wings, and there are some guys who can help in those categories

If we purely want another shooter, there is the possibility of bringing back Peja Stojakovic to play one more year and retire with the Kings.  He might not be much else anymore, but he's still an amazing shooter.  If we're keeping sentimentality out of it though, James Jones would probably a better option.  He knows and accepts his role as a spot-up three point shooter and few do better.  Last year 84% of his made Field Goals were three-pointers, and he hit them at a great percentage (42.9%).  Then there are the Steve Novak and Jason Kaponos of the world.  They're both so bad at everything that is not three-point shooting though that its not worth it.

The best options though would probably have to be Anthony Parker or Maurice Evans.  Evans is probably the better defender (its not like either of them are elite though), but Parker is better at everything else, especially shooting, where he's hit almost 41% of his career threes.  Both players can play either wing position too as a bonus.  Would they want to come here instead of a contender? Eh, probably not (this is a recurring theme in these Free Agent posts), but it can't hurt to make an offer right?

Aside from those guys there are a couple of other guys I am interested in, although they'd be projects.  Dominic McGuire intrigued me when he was here for his defense, and while he's not much of a shooter or scorer at all, he could develop into a designated stopper.  Chris Douglas-Roberts is another guy with potential, although his lies on the offensive end.

Those guys aren't realistic targets though.  Potential is nice, but its probably more prudent for the Kings to sign veterans like Parker or Evans who can play now.  We don't need any more projects.

 (Tomorrow, we take a look at the available Power Forwards)