Updated: May 4, 2006, 12:26 PM ET
Stock Watch: Who's the next Jerome James?
By Chris Sheridan
Nobody wants to be the next Jerome James, but there are 29 million reasons why that might not necessarily be such a bad thing.
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One good playoff series last season got Jerome James paid.
The portly 7-footer parlayed a strong first-round playoff series last season for Seattle into a $29 million free agent contract with the New York Knicks, reaping a windfall reward for the one and only productive stint of his career.
The stakes are higher in the playoffs, especially for the players trying to impress the buyers who will be out shopping for free agents two months from now.
Entering the playoffs, it looked like a ho-hum free agent market, especially at shooting guard, but Bonzi Wells and Jared Jeffries are establishing some enhanced value.
Wells was the offensive star for the Kings on Sunday with 25 points and 17 rebounds as Sacramento evened its series with San Antonio at 2-2. That same day in Washington, Jeffries was the defensive difference-maker for the Wizards. He drew LeBron James' fourth charging foul with 2½ minutes left, then fouled out Larry Hughes 30 seconds later on another charge as the Wizards tied the Cavaliers 2-2.
"Jared has done a tremendous job of helping himself," said his agent, Andy Miller. "The impact he makes on both ends of the floor, he does a lot of things that don't show up in the box score, the types of things teams are looking for."
Here's a look at how a few other upcoming free agents (listed alphabetically) are doing in the playoffs, and whether their stock is up or down (all free agents are unrestricted unless otherwise noted):
Stock: Low.
Chucky Atkins, Grizzlies: A decent Game 3 with 20 points, but his mediocrity in Games 1, 2 and 4 (19 points, nine assists combined in those three games) against Dallas made everyone in Memphis miss Damon Stoudamire a little more.
Stock: Down.
Antonio Burks, Grizzlies (restricted): Played eight inconsequential minutes (no points, one assist) in Game 2, and scored three points in five garbage-time minutes as Memphis was swept in Game 4. A DNP-CD in Games 1 and 3.
Stock: Low.
Sam Cassell, Clippers: Averaged 14.6 points and 5.4 assists in the Clips' five games against Denver. A proven winner, he's eager to cash out in what may be his final NBA contract.
Stock: Up.
Stock: Low.
Tony Delk, Pistons: Getting spot duty behind Rip Hamilton and shooting 58 percent against the Bucks. One or two big games down the road could earn him some money.
Stock: Even.
Francisco Elson, Nuggets (restricted): The suspension of Kenyon Martin has pressed the third-year big man into duty, but his totals against the Clippers were 13 fouls, six points and 11 rebounds in 76 minutes.
Stock: Down.
Reggie Evans, Nuggets: He'll make some money off what he did for Denver in the regular season after his trade from Seattle, but he was a dud in the postseason (3.8 points, 4.6 rebounds).
Stock: Down.
Stock: Even.
Eddie Gill, Pacers: Logged 57 stat-free seconds in Game 2 at New Jersey.
Stock: Low.
Drew Gooden, Cavaliers (restricted): Has had one outstanding game (24 points on 11-for-12 shooting, 16 rebounds in Game 2) and three mediocre ones against Washington.
Stock: Even.
Adrian Griffin, Mavericks: Does what he does, and is good at it. Had four steals in Game 1 vs. Memphis, and is shooting 58 percent in the series.
Stock: Up.
Stock: Down.
Lindsey Hunter, Pistons: Still one of the league's best on-the-ball backcourt defenders, he's happy contending for titles in Detroit.
Stock: Even.
Bobby Jackson, Grizzlies: Didn't increase his value in the playoffs, committing 14 turnovers against the Mavs.
Stock: Down.
Jermaine Jackson, Bucks: Keeps finding places to land on an NBA roster, but might need to become part of another sign-and-trade (he went from NY to Chicago in the Eddy Curry trade) to avoid having to extend his career overseas.
Stock: Low.
Stock: Down.
Jared Jeffries, Wizards: Washington doesn't want to lose another shooting guard after refusing to overpay for Larry Hughes last summer, but will they match if someone else wants to overpay Jeffries?
Stock: Up.
DerMarr Johnson, Nuggets: Shot only 3-for-13 from the field against the Clips. Still making a living on his potential.
Stock: Down.
Ervin Johnson, Bucks: Hard to believe he's been around for 13 seasons, and hard to see anyone bringing him back for a 14th.
Stock: Low.
Stock: Up.
Toni Kukoc, Bucks: After missing two games with back spasms, went 3-for-4 on 3-pointers and had six assists in Game 3 -- proving he can still help someone win a playoff game.
Stock: Even.
DJ Mbenga, Mavericks (restricted): A player to keep an eye on in the later rounds. Will be paid this summer on potential.
Stock: Even.
Walter McCarty, Clippers: No playoff stats other than two fouls in seven minutes against Denver.
Stock: Even.
Stock: Down slightly.
Alonzo Mourning, Heat: Just back from a torn calf muscle, has played only 22 minutes against Chicago but did take time to rip Stu Jackson.
Stock: Down.
Lamond Murray, Nets: Six points and seven fouls in four games against Indiana.
Stock: Low.
Flip Murray, Cavaliers: Gave up his Bird rights when he waived his trade veto to come to Cleveland; might have established mid-level exception value.
Stock: Up.
Stock: Up.
Jannero Pargo, Bulls: An energy guy but an expendable part for the scrappy Bulls.
Stock: Even.
Gary Payton, Heat: Might have earned himself a job elsewhere next year by arguing so vehemently with teammate Dwyane Wade on Sunday.
Stock: Down.
Eric Piatkowski, Bulls: As expendable as Pargo for Chicago, but might land a veteran's minimum deal somewhere.
Stock: Even.
Stock: Even.
Vladimir Radmanovic, Clippers: Knocked down seven threes in Games 1-4 against Denver, and rebounded a little, too, then went 0-for-4 in the Game 5 clincher.
Stock: Even.
Peja Stojakovic: This is a heck of a time for him for Peja's knee injuries to have flared up. They were 0-2 without him and 2-0 with him heading into Game 5 in New Jersey on Tuesday.
Stock: Down.
Jason Terry, Mavericks: Dominated the point guard matchup against Chucky Atkins and Bobby Jackson in the sweep of Memphis, averaging 17.5 points and 5.5 assists.
Stock: Up.
Tim Thomas, Suns: Can't blame him for the 3-1 deficit to the Lakers. Thomas is averaging 15.8 points on 53 percent shooting, including 13-for-23 from 3-point range, with a team-high 9.3 rebounds.
Stock: Up.
Stock: Down.
Keith Van Horn, Mavericks: Out with a broken hand but on the Mavericks' postseason roster, he conceivably could play if the Mavs reach the NBA Finals.
Stock: Down.
Jacque Vaughn, Nets: The first guard off the bench for New Jersey, an often overlooked key contributor for his smarts and leadership.
Stock: Even.
Ben Wallace, Pistons: The Bucks attacked him in Game 3 Saturday and got away with it, but it's a virtual certainty Detroit will keep its defensive anchor.
Stock: Even.
Stock: Up.
Jiri Welsch, Bucks: Has stayed in the league only because of the three-year rookie deal he signed. Will likely play in Europe next season.
Stock: Down.
Lorenzen Wright, Grizzlies: Played 40 minutes off the bench and had 10 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks in Game 3 after totaling just 27 minutes in Games 1 and 2. Didn't do much in Game 4.
Stock: Low
Stock Watch: Who's the next Jerome James?
By Chris Sheridan
Nobody wants to be the next Jerome James, but there are 29 million reasons why that might not necessarily be such a bad thing.
You must be registered for see images
Getty Images
One good playoff series last season got Jerome James paid.
The portly 7-footer parlayed a strong first-round playoff series last season for Seattle into a $29 million free agent contract with the New York Knicks, reaping a windfall reward for the one and only productive stint of his career.
The stakes are higher in the playoffs, especially for the players trying to impress the buyers who will be out shopping for free agents two months from now.
Entering the playoffs, it looked like a ho-hum free agent market, especially at shooting guard, but Bonzi Wells and Jared Jeffries are establishing some enhanced value.
Wells was the offensive star for the Kings on Sunday with 25 points and 17 rebounds as Sacramento evened its series with San Antonio at 2-2. That same day in Washington, Jeffries was the defensive difference-maker for the Wizards. He drew LeBron James' fourth charging foul with 2½ minutes left, then fouled out Larry Hughes 30 seconds later on another charge as the Wizards tied the Cavaliers 2-2.
"Jared has done a tremendous job of helping himself," said his agent, Andy Miller. "The impact he makes on both ends of the floor, he does a lot of things that don't show up in the box score, the types of things teams are looking for."
Here's a look at how a few other upcoming free agents (listed alphabetically) are doing in the playoffs, and whether their stock is up or down (all free agents are unrestricted unless otherwise noted):
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Shandon Anderson, Heat: Still chuckling over the $19 million buyout he got from the Knicks, count on him re-signing with Miami or finding another warm weather city. Stock: Low.
Chucky Atkins, Grizzlies: A decent Game 3 with 20 points, but his mediocrity in Games 1, 2 and 4 (19 points, nine assists combined in those three games) against Dallas made everyone in Memphis miss Damon Stoudamire a little more.
Stock: Down.
Antonio Burks, Grizzlies (restricted): Played eight inconsequential minutes (no points, one assist) in Game 2, and scored three points in five garbage-time minutes as Memphis was swept in Game 4. A DNP-CD in Games 1 and 3.
Stock: Low.
Sam Cassell, Clippers: Averaged 14.6 points and 5.4 assists in the Clips' five games against Denver. A proven winner, he's eager to cash out in what may be his final NBA contract.
Stock: Up.
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Kelvin Cato, Pistons: Taking up space on the end of Detroit's bench for now, but could be used against Shaquille O'Neal in the conference finals. Stock: Low.
Tony Delk, Pistons: Getting spot duty behind Rip Hamilton and shooting 58 percent against the Bucks. One or two big games down the road could earn him some money.
Stock: Even.
Francisco Elson, Nuggets (restricted): The suspension of Kenyon Martin has pressed the third-year big man into duty, but his totals against the Clippers were 13 fouls, six points and 11 rebounds in 76 minutes.
Stock: Down.
Reggie Evans, Nuggets: He'll make some money off what he did for Denver in the regular season after his trade from Seattle, but he was a dud in the postseason (3.8 points, 4.6 rebounds).
Stock: Down.
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Devean George, Lakers: He's been steady and has made a few timely 3s for the Lakers, but he won't supplant Luke Walton in the rotation. Stock: Even.
Eddie Gill, Pacers: Logged 57 stat-free seconds in Game 2 at New Jersey.
Stock: Low.
Drew Gooden, Cavaliers (restricted): Has had one outstanding game (24 points on 11-for-12 shooting, 16 rebounds in Game 2) and three mediocre ones against Washington.
Stock: Even.
Adrian Griffin, Mavericks: Does what he does, and is good at it. Had four steals in Game 1 vs. Memphis, and is shooting 58 percent in the series.
Stock: Up.
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Alan Henderson, Cavaliers: On the end of the bench in Cleveland, the 11-year vet probably can make some money overseas next season. Stock: Down.
Lindsey Hunter, Pistons: Still one of the league's best on-the-ball backcourt defenders, he's happy contending for titles in Detroit.
Stock: Even.
Bobby Jackson, Grizzlies: Didn't increase his value in the playoffs, committing 14 turnovers against the Mavs.
Stock: Down.
Jermaine Jackson, Bucks: Keeps finding places to land on an NBA roster, but might need to become part of another sign-and-trade (he went from NY to Chicago in the Eddy Curry trade) to avoid having to extend his career overseas.
Stock: Low.
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Jim Jackson, Lakers: An insurance policy for the Lakers, but could earn himself a one-year deal and a 15th NBA season with one big game. One wrinkle: Kobe Bryant has requested his No. 24 jersey for next season. Stock: Down.
Jared Jeffries, Wizards: Washington doesn't want to lose another shooting guard after refusing to overpay for Larry Hughes last summer, but will they match if someone else wants to overpay Jeffries?
Stock: Up.
DerMarr Johnson, Nuggets: Shot only 3-for-13 from the field against the Clips. Still making a living on his potential.
Stock: Down.
Ervin Johnson, Bucks: Hard to believe he's been around for 13 seasons, and hard to see anyone bringing him back for a 14th.
Stock: Low.
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Fred Jones, Pacers (restricted): Averaging 8.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists against the Nets. Started in Game 4 when Peja Stojakovic sat out. Stock: Up.
Toni Kukoc, Bucks: After missing two games with back spasms, went 3-for-4 on 3-pointers and had six assists in Game 3 -- proving he can still help someone win a playoff game.
Stock: Even.
DJ Mbenga, Mavericks (restricted): A player to keep an eye on in the later rounds. Will be paid this summer on potential.
Stock: Even.
Walter McCarty, Clippers: No playoff stats other than two fouls in seven minutes against Denver.
Stock: Even.
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Nazr Mohammed, Spurs: Lost his spot in the starting lineup Sunday night to Rasho Nesterovic in San Antonio's Game 4 loss at Sacramento. Stock: Down slightly.
Alonzo Mourning, Heat: Just back from a torn calf muscle, has played only 22 minutes against Chicago but did take time to rip Stu Jackson.
Stock: Down.
Lamond Murray, Nets: Six points and seven fouls in four games against Indiana.
Stock: Low.
Flip Murray, Cavaliers: Gave up his Bird rights when he waived his trade veto to come to Cleveland; might have established mid-level exception value.
Stock: Up.
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Nene, Nuggets: The feud between Kenyon Martin and George Karl has increased the value of the injured Brazilian forward, who stands a better chance than Martin of being back for Denver's training camp. Stock: Up.
Jannero Pargo, Bulls: An energy guy but an expendable part for the scrappy Bulls.
Stock: Even.
Gary Payton, Heat: Might have earned himself a job elsewhere next year by arguing so vehemently with teammate Dwyane Wade on Sunday.
Stock: Down.
Eric Piatkowski, Bulls: As expendable as Pargo for Chicago, but might land a veteran's minimum deal somewhere.
Stock: Even.
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Scot Pollard, Pacers: With big bodies in short supply, will find employment for a 10th NBA season. Scoreless in four playoff games vs. Nets. Stock: Even.
Vladimir Radmanovic, Clippers: Knocked down seven threes in Games 1-4 against Denver, and rebounded a little, too, then went 0-for-4 in the Game 5 clincher.
Stock: Even.
Peja Stojakovic: This is a heck of a time for him for Peja's knee injuries to have flared up. They were 0-2 without him and 2-0 with him heading into Game 5 in New Jersey on Tuesday.
Stock: Down.
Jason Terry, Mavericks: Dominated the point guard matchup against Chucky Atkins and Bobby Jackson in the sweep of Memphis, averaging 17.5 points and 5.5 assists.
Stock: Up.
Tim Thomas, Suns: Can't blame him for the 3-1 deficit to the Lakers. Thomas is averaging 15.8 points on 53 percent shooting, including 13-for-23 from 3-point range, with a team-high 9.3 rebounds.
Stock: Up.
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Nick Van Exel, Spurs: Had a DNP-CD Sunday night after going 0-for-3 and 0-for-5 from the field in Games 2 and 3 against the Kings. Stock: Down.
Keith Van Horn, Mavericks: Out with a broken hand but on the Mavericks' postseason roster, he conceivably could play if the Mavs reach the NBA Finals.
Stock: Down.
Jacque Vaughn, Nets: The first guard off the bench for New Jersey, an often overlooked key contributor for his smarts and leadership.
Stock: Even.
Ben Wallace, Pistons: The Bucks attacked him in Game 3 Saturday and got away with it, but it's a virtual certainty Detroit will keep its defensive anchor.
Stock: Even.
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Bonzi Wells, Kings: His less-than-stellar reputation will scare some teams away, but he's the No. 1 shooting guard on the market for a position that's tough to fill. Stock: Up.
Jiri Welsch, Bucks: Has stayed in the league only because of the three-year rookie deal he signed. Will likely play in Europe next season.
Stock: Down.
Lorenzen Wright, Grizzlies: Played 40 minutes off the bench and had 10 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks in Game 3 after totaling just 27 minutes in Games 1 and 2. Didn't do much in Game 4.
Stock: Low
