These five free agents could provide boost off the bench

When the free agent frenzy begins on July 1, virtually all of the focus will be on the headliners -- LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Amar'e Stoudemire, etc. -- that could change the fortunes of several teams merely by changing addresses.

But landing a superstar is only the first step in eventually hoisting the shiny gold Larry O'Brien Trophy. One of the key ingredients in building any championship team is assembling a deep and capable bench. Here is a look at five free agents who'd make a nice bench and could help their teams play into next June.

Pos: SF
Height: 6-7
Age: 30
Status: Team option; unrestricted free agent

Every bench needs an X-factor, a guy with plenty of athletic ability, a nose for the ball and penchant to mix it up. With all that he's been through in the past couple of seasons, it might seem like ages ago when Howard was a key cog in the Dallas lineup that made a run to the NBA Finals in 2006. He's jumped off the tracks thanks to poor personal choices and that will cost him the $11.8 million in a team option from the Wizards. After being traded to Washington, he played just four games before a torn left ACL ended his season. Despite all of that, there are more than a few teams that would like to see if they can tap into that old wild-card style and spark that was able to make things happen around the basket and get up in opponents' faces to play tough defense. Assuming he's chastened by recent events and is willing to play nice with his coaches from now on, there's reason to think he could be a nice weapon to bring off the bench of a playoff team.

Pos: PG
Height: 6-3
Age: 30
Status: Unrestricted free agent

The only thing better than having a smart, heady point guard is having another one. A change of pace with a jumper. A classic case of brains over brawn. Blake is nobody's impression of a tough guy on the court, but he has always been a favorite of coaches, who put a premium on making the right decisions and taking care of the basketball. No turnovers, or very few, that's what you get with him. He's a solid backup man who can come off the bench to run the point, while also slinging in shots from behind the 3-point line (38.8 percent). Push him inside the arc and he becomes only a so-so shooter. But with this guy it's all about having a solid insurance policy at the most vital position on the court. His talent went to waste when he was traded from Portland to the L.A. Clippers for the second half of last season.

Pos: C
Height: 7-0
Age: 30
Status: Unrestricted free agent

You can never have too much size or bulk in the middle to get through those nights of foul trouble or just to beat up the opposition to make things easier for your starter. What was the old line that Frank Layden used to toss out about 7-foot-5 Mark Eaton in Utah? You can't teach height. Haywood is a solid 7-footer with limited range, but doesn't usually try to play outside of himself and is a wide body who is capable of clearing out space and getting rebounds. Maybe there was disappointment when he got to Dallas and didn't supplant Erick Dampier to get starter's minutes. But if he can wrap his head around playing a key role off the bench, there are plenty of teams that love to have that size in reserve.

Pos: SG
Height: 6-4
Age: 26
Status: Restricted free agent

There are times and games and situations that call for a specialist who can ride into town and clean up problems. Nothing covers mistakes better than raw shooting. It would have been easy for Redick to come into the league as the latest big name from Duke, fail at making the adjustment to a newer and higher level of competition and slink away into oblivion. But he stuck with it, went back to work and has became decent enough at doing the other things to make the demanding Stan Van Gundy move him into the Magic rotation as their designated shooter. He's always going to present more defensive matchup problems than he solves and you can't depend on him to get rebounds except by accident. But he's the solid and confident, even cocky 3-point shooter that every team likes to bring off the bench when the offense needs a jumpstart.

Pos: C
Height: 6-11
Age: 27
Status: Player option; Unrestricted free agent

The best benches often present a change of pace. So what's more of a change and completely different look than a big man who can force the other team to guard him at the 3-point line? There were a few snorts of derision when the Suns signed Frye as a free agent last summer. But soon-to-be departed GM Steve Kerr was adamant that the big man with the long range shot was just what the doctor ordered to keep space open in the middle of the Phoenix offense for Steve Nash and Amar'e Stoudemire. No question he benefited playing with Nash. Who doesn't? But he became more confident as the season progressed and became more comfortable when he began coming off the bench as a designated bomber. He's not a consistent high-level rebounder, but can get his share when he sets his mind to it. Will likely return with the hometown Suns, but there are plenty of teams that could use him to stretch defenses.

Fran Blinebury has covered the NBA since 1977. You can e-mail him here and follow him on twitter.

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