DWIGHT HOWARD
Center, Orlando Magic
2011-12 salary: $17.9 million
Early termination option ($19.5 million)
Assuming Howard makes it to free agency without signing an extension or getting dealt first, he is the prize of the class. There are only a handful of players that can slow him down on offense, and he is a terror in the paint on defense.
2012 NBA free agent rankings
Here is the best of the 2012 NBA free agent class, in order from top to bottom.
These rankings will update as the season progresses based on player performances. We'll also remove free agents as they sign during the regular season. For example, the extensions given to Russell Westbrook, Kevin Love and Danilo Gallinari.
As a note, we've excluded players that are all but certain to return to their teams. For example, Greg Monroe and DeJuan Blair's modest team options, and Elton Brand's huge player option.
Updated Feb. 22, 2012.
By Bobby Bonett
