The NBA equivalent of Christmas in July is approaching fast, with free agency starting July 1, and teams are already filling out their wish lists with stars and role players.

if you look closely, you'll see that list contains more Latino stars than the common eye might see.

Hispanics have been becoming a bigger part of the NBA recently, with more players with Latin heritage being named All-Stars, winning individual accolades and earning NBA championships, as San Antonio Spurs players Manu Ginobili (Argentina) and Tiago Splitter (Brazil) did recently when they helped their team beat the reigning world champion Miami Heat in five games this month.

With the promising crop of free agents due to hit the market this summer, teams can add Hispanic stars to their rosters. Latin Post looks at the most promising Latino free agents up for grabs this summer. And a few may surprise you. Let's start with...

Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks

Hey, don't look so surprised.

While Melo's mother is African-American, his late father, whom Carmelo was named after, was Puerto Rican. Last season's NBA scoring champion, the seven-time NBA All-Star will be the belle of the free agency ball this summer. The Houston Rockets want him. The Miami Heat wants him. The New York Knicks, his current team, need him. Who will win the services of the superstar forward this summer? Stay tuned to find out.

Pau Gasol, Los Angeles Lakers

Although injuries slowed him last season, the big Spaniard is still very effective in the post, and he's got two NBA titles and three NBA Finals appearances with the Lakers to his name. Not only can he get a team to the big dance, but he can dance all night, if need be. A change of scenery might breathe some life into Gasol's career and bring some much-needed momentum to any team looking for some postseason magic.

Greivis Vasquez, Toronto Raptors

At age 27, this Venezuelan point guard has youth and quickness on his side, and he continues to improve. He is a solid starting point guard, and with a little more time to develop under the right circumstances, he may have an All-Star Game or two in his future. Whether he stays with the Raptors this summer is anyone's guess, but wherever he lands, Vasquez will make some team very happy.

Gustavo Ayon, Atlanta Hawks

Ayon has been in the NBA for three years. He stands at an imposing 6'10", 250 pounds at power forward. Is it any wonder, with that impressive body, that the Nayarit, Mexico, native was known as "El Titán de Nayarit" when he played pro ball in Mexico? Ayon led Team Mexico in scoring last year on its way to the FIBA Americas title. An effective scorer when he has a chance, Ayon, a restricted free agent who signed with the Atlanta Hawks in 2013, is also fast enough to cause teams problems on defense. But since he's coming off season-ending shoulder surgery, teams may be wary of him. Still, you can't argue with his size and strength, so someone will surely take him.

Charlie Villanueva, Detroit Pistons

This Queens native with Dominican Republic roots is a solid range shooter and provided a spark off the bench for the Detroit Pistons at times last season. When healthy, Villanueva can make a difference on offense. And that might make him hard to pass up this summer.

Francisco Garcia, Houston Rockets

This 32-year-old shooting guard from the Dominican Republic has made his bread and butter in the NBA over his eight-year career by being an extremely accurate and deadly shooter. A career 43.0 percent shooter with 36.1 percent accuracy from three-point range, Garcia would make a great addition to any team looking for decent shooters on the bench. And his veteran savvy wouldn't hurt either.