Hurry up and wait. That’s the way things work in the NBA free agency game, and we’re seeing it in action this week. Teams rushed to make contact with players when the clock struck midnight a week ago, but relatively few deals have been agreed to as players ponder their options.

Meanwhile, teams are making offers that have few specifics, because they don’t know how much they can spend. Teams won’t learn exactly what their budget is under the salary cap until the ink has dried on the league’s new collective bargaining agreement. That probably won’t happen for another three weeks.

Beyond all that, many teams have been waiting for a few big dominoes to fall before playing any other pieces. The Cavaliers, in particular, had been gumming up the works by keeping both Milwaukee’s Michael Redd and their own Zydrunas Ilgauskas in limbo. Redd finally decided to stay with Milwaukee yesterday, signing a six-year deal for between $90 and $96 million, but Ilgauskas remains at large. He is trying to get more guaranteed years than Cleveland is willing to offer, but other than the desperate Hawks, he hasn’t been able to find suitors at his price.

Since it’s hard to discuss moves when none are being made, let’s instead take a step back and look at exactly who is out there this summer. While this year’s free-agent crop may be short on star talent, it’s as deep as any in memory, especially at shooting guard and power forward. Here’s a rundown of the top 40 names on the free market, including those few who have already put pens to the paper in the last few days.

THE “A” LIST

These are the guys to whom teams will offer a maximum contract, or something close to it. While none are superstars, several are All-Star caliber players on the upward arc if their careers. Each player is listed alongside his 2004-05 Player Efficiency Rating, my measure of a player’s per-minute statistical contributions, where 15.0 represents the league average (restricted free agents are denoted by an asterisk).

1. Larry Hughes, SG, WAS (21.6)

The league leader in steals is likely to stay put, but Atlanta could make a surprise bid.

2. Zydrunas Ilgauskas, C, CLE, (19.7)

Bidders know the 30-year-old is an underrated force in the post, but the question is for how much longer? He’s testing the market but is likely to stay with the Cavs.

3. Michael Redd, SG, MIL (18.3)

This ace shooter would have been lethal paired with LeBron James, but the Bucks’ bucks won out. The most Cleveland could offer was $70 million over five years.

4. Ray Allen, SG, SEA (20.9)

He agreed to stick with Seattle this week, only to see his coach skip town.

5. Joe Johnson, SG, PHO* (15.2)

At 24, he’s a rising star who can shoot and defend, but other teams aren’t even bothering to bid because Suns will match any offer.

6. Tyson Chandler, C, CHI* (16.5)

A 22-year-old shot-blocking and rebounding machine whom Bulls would be crazy to let go.

THE B LIST

Players on this list aren’t worth the max, but at the very least should command the midlevel exception and might be able to get much more.

7. Shareef Abdur-Rahim, PF, POR (18.7)

The Nets’ primary summer target can score in bunches, but isn’t likely to come cheap.

8. Donyell Marshall, PF, TOR (19.9)

An outstanding shooter for a big man, and he hits the glass too. He could be Plan B for Nets, but the Bulls and several other teams are interested.

9. Samuel Dalembert, C, PHI* (14.4)

A productive shot-blocker and rebound machine who finished year strong. The Sixers should match any deal unless somebody offers the max.

10. Eddy Curry, C, CHI* (16.2)

The 22-year-old wide body’s ability to score in the post tempts teams despite his poor defense and recent heart problems; the Hawks could swoop in and grab him.

11. Stromile Swift, PF, MEM (16.7)

This 25-year-old talented scorer is being wooed heavily by the Rockets despite playing even less D than Curry.

12. Bobby Simmons, SF, LAC (16.1)

A great perimeter defender and deadly outside shooter who would fit well with the Knicks but seems more likely to end up in Cleveland.

THE MIDLEVEL

These are the players teams will chase after with their midlevel exception, but don’t expect anybody to break the bank.

13. Antonio Daniels, PG, SEA (18.1)

An outstanding shooter who would fit perfectly in Cleveland, but the Cavs are just one of several suitors.

14. Dan Gadzuric, C, MIL* (18.1)

He lacks muscle, but he’s one of best rebounders and shot-blockers in basketball, and could be had now that Andrew Bogut is a Buck.

15. Cuttino Mobley, SG, SAC (15.0)

Another excellent shooter, he’s the Nuggets’ main target but wants too much dough.

16. Antoine Walker, PF, BOS (15.4)

Isiah supposedly likes the 41% career shooter. The rims at MSG won’t.

17. Chris Andersen, C, NOH (18.5)

“Birdman” was much better in games than he was in the dunk contest, but he hasn’t been a hot name thus far this summer.

18. Marko Jaric, PG, LAC* (13.9)

He’s a poor man’s Ginobili when at full strength, but he hasn’t been able to stay healthy.

19. Earl Watson, PG, MEM (13.0)

He might be the game’s best defensive point guard, but his jumper makes Jason Kidd look like Rick Barry.

20. Udonis Haslem, PF, MIA*(15.6)

Losing this underrated shot-maker would be a huge blow to Heat’s hopes.

21.Vladimir Radmanovic, F, SEA* (13.7)

He wants to go someplace he can start, but the Sonics can match any offer.

22. Arvydas Macijauskas, SG, Tau Ceramica Vitoria The Lithuanian sharpshooter might have issues defensively, but he can hit from the parking lot.

23. Damon Stoudamire, PG, POR (16.7)

Mighty Mouse quietly had one of his best seasons, and is certain to leave Portland.

24. Raja Bell, SG, UTA (12.1)

The feisty swingman has already agreed to multi-year deal to join Suns.

25. Sarunas Jasikevicius, PG, Maccabi Tel Aviv This Lithuanian point guard might be overrated but has won everywhere he’s been; the Pacers are interested.

THE BEST OF THE REST

These guys will make a few million dollars next year, so don’t pity them, but they’ll be making half as much as the previous group. Both the Knicks and Nets could target multiple players from this pile if things don’t work out with the midlevel guys:

26. Robert Horry, PF, SAS (14.9)

Big Shot Bob has already agreed to come back for a try at ring number seven.

27. Damon Jones, PG, MIA (15.6)

The shooting ace burned the Nets in playoffs, but he’s a defensive liability.

28. Steven Hunter, C, PHO (14.7)

This athletic big man would be a good low-cost option for Knicks.

29. Dan Dickau, PG, NOH (14.9)

Frodo’s twin blossomed with more minutes in N’awlins.

30. Gary Payton, PG, BOS (15.2)

Fading star wants to start and play for a contender, but will have to settle for one or the other.

31. Darius Songaila, PF, SAC (14.9)

Efficient big man is very likely to stay put.

32. Gerald Wallace, SF, CHA* (14.1)

His offensive game still needs work, but his defense turned heads around the league.

33. Zaza Pachulia, C, MIL* (14.3)

An attractive prospect if his listed age (20) is true, but many insiders doubt it.

34. Bonzi Wells, SG, MEM (15.9)

A million-dollar talent with a 10-cent head. Somebody will risk it.

35. Kyle Korver, SF, PHI* (12.8)

An outstanding shooter who brings little else to the table.

36. Reggie Evans, PF, SEA* (12.9)

The Sonics’ strongman was the NBA’s best rebounder per minute, but is useless offensively.

37. Devin Brown, SF, SAS (14.6)

The San Antonio native is likely to keep same address.

38. Latrell Sprewell, SF, MIN (12.1)

Trading him for Keith Van Horn was one of Scott Layden’s few good moves.

39. Kwame Brown, PF, WAS (10.3) Isiah! No, Isiah. Put the phone down and step away from the desk.

40. Jerome James, SEA (9.8)

He was great against Kings in playoffs, but one good week does not a basketball player make.