. Ray Allen, Seattle SuperSonics
Status: Unrestricted, turns 30 on July 20, entering 10th season
2004-05 numbers: 78 games, 39.3 minutes, 23.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists, .428 FG; .376 3-point; .883 FT
Suitors: Seattle, Cleveland, Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee, Atlanta and New Orleans
Final destination: Cleveland and/or Milwaukee will tempt Allen, but he accomplished too much as a leader for the Sonics to walk away so easily. Presuming Nate McMillan and the bulk of their free agents are re-signed, Allen will finish his career with the Sonics. If they blow it with McMillan and Antonio Daniels, he'll leave for Cleveland, Milwaukee or Los Angeles.
Update: Allen agreed to a five-year, $85 million contract extension with Seattle (July 5). Full story ...





2. Michael Redd, Milwaukee Bucks
Status: Unrestricted, turns 26 on Aug. 24, entering sixth season
2004-05 numbers: 78 games, 38.0 minutes, 23.0 points, 4.2 rebound, 2.3 assists, .441 FG; .355 3-point; .854 FT
Suitors: Milwaukee, Cleveland, Clippers, Dallas, Orlando and many others
Final destination: If the Cavaliers can talk him into a five-year deal with an opt-out clause to extend the contract, he might just go to Cleveland. But $20 million guaranteed extra is, well, $20 million and he'll have a tough time leaving Milwaukee unless he doesn't like the coach they hire.
Update: Redd agreed to a six-year, max contract ($90-96 million) with Milwaukee (July 7). Full story ...





3. Larry Hughes, Washington Wizards
Status: Unrestricted, will be 27 on Jan. 23, entering eighth season
2004-05 numbers: 61 games, 38.7 minutes, 22.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists, .430 FG; .282 3-point; .777 FT
Suitors: Washington, Cleveland, Milwaukee, Charlotte, Orlando and a variety of others
Final destination: Short of someone ridiculously overpaying him, it's hard to imagine him leaving the Wizards. He's a core leader, led the league in steals and is tight with fellow former Warriors, Antawn Jamison and Gilbert Arenas.
Update: Hughes will reportedly sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. Full story ...





4. Joe Johnson, Phoenix Suns
Status: Restricted, turned 24 on June 31, entering fifth season
2004-05 numbers: 82 games, 39.5 minutes, 17.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists, .461 FG; .478 3-point; .750 FT
Suitors: Phoenix, Cleveland, Los Angeles Clippers and Milwaukee
Final destination: Unless something really bizarre happens in the contract negotiations or an offer sheet from one of the other teams, the Suns will match whatever amount of money any other team puts on the table.





5. Michael Finley, Dallas Mavericks
Status: Amnesty buyout candidate for unrestricted free agency, turned 32 on March 6 and is entering his 11th season
2004-05 numbers: 64 games, 36.8 minutes, 15.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, .427 FG; .407 3-point; .831 FT
Suitors: Detroit, Phoenix, Miami, Chicago and several other contenders
Final destination: The new CBA will allow the Mavericks to get him out of the luxury tax zone, pay his contract and allow him to be signed on the cheap. He could very well end up back with the Suns, just like Steve Nash, or even go home to Chicago. But Pistons president Joe Dumars can be very persuasive, so I'll go with Detroit.





6. Antonio Daniels, Seattle SuperSonics
Status: Unrestricted, turned 30 on March 19, and is entering ninth season
2004-05 numbers: 75 games, 27.0 minutes, 11.2 points, 2.3 rebounds and 4.1 assists; .438 FG; .297 3-point; .816 FT
Suitors: Seattle, Cleveland, Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami, Dallas, Houston and many other teams
Final destination: He's coming off his best season, and proved he was equally competent at both guard spots, with a lot of growth as a leader. The Sonics want him to stay, but aren't likely to pay him close to what others will, and chances are this Columbus native will end up with the Cavs.





7. Marko Jaric, Los Angeles Clippers
Status: Restricted, turns 28 on Oct. 12, and is entering his fourth NBA season
2004-05 numbers: 50 games, 33.1 minutes, 9.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, 6.1 assists; .414 FG; .370 3-point; .720 FT
Suitors:The Clippers, Milwaukee, Miami and Cleveland
Final destination: Unless he gets an outrageous offer sheet, or the Clippers get cheap (hardly unprecedented), they'll bring him back because of his versatility and growth over the past three seasons.





8. Jalen Rose, Toronto Raptors
Status: Amnesty buyout candidate for unrestricted free agency, turns 33 on Jan. 30, and is entering his 12th season
2004-05 numbers: 81 games, 33.5 minutes, 18.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists, .445 FG; .394 3-point; .854 FT
Suitors: Denver, Indiana, Milwaukee and Philadelphia
Final destination: Because of his versatility and ability to score, the Sixers make the most sense. But it's too early to tell.





9. Cuttino Mobley, Sacramento Kings
Status: Unrestricted, turns 31 on Sept. 1, and is entering his eighth season
2004-05 numbers: 66 games, 36.2 minutes, 17.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists; .438 FG; .439 3-point; .820 FT
Suitors: Denver, Orlando, Miami, Los Angeles Clippers and Phoenix
Final destination: Tough to tell with a guy whose game is equally loved and loathed. But considering how badly the Nuggets need shooting, that's the most logical place at this point.





10. Keyon Dooling, Miami Heat
Status: Unrestricted, turned 25 on May 8 and is entering his sixth season
2004-05 numbers: 74 games, 16.0 minutes, 5.2 points, 1.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists; .403 FG; .253 3-point; .780 FT
Suitors: New Jersey, New York, Indiana, Cleveland, Milwaukee and others.
Final destination: He might be the most interesting to watch since he's never even played 20 minutes a game, but his minutes increased as the playoffs went on and so did his effectiveness. Someone will take a gamble on his athleticism and improved decision making and play him 25-30 minutes a game. Again, Indiana is going to gobble up one of these guys and it could be Dooling.

Five more guards of intrigue: Gary Payton, Latrell Sprewell, Damon Stoudamire, Allan Houston and Jeff McInnis.