7 NBA Stars Who Desperately Need a Change of Scenery

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We're merely a third of the way through the 2012-13 NBA season, but it's already clear that some NBA stars need a change of address.

A quartet of Eastern Conference forwards require a new location, as they're either miscast or on dead-end teams.

Meanwhile, a pair of young Sacramento Kings stars are failing to direct the franchise in the right direction.

In some cases, the change is necessary for both the player and the team. In others, it isn't quite mutually beneficial.

Who else should change teams? Find out as we break down the major stars who need a change of scenery.

 

*Statistics gathered from Basketball Reference, accurate as of Dec. 23, 2012

Anderson Varejao, Cleveland Cavaliers Forward/Center

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Anderson Varejao has given thousands of minutes of high-energy basketball to the Cleveland Cavaliers over the years, and he has little to show for it in the way of playoff success or accolades.

If anyone merits a chance to compete on a winning club right now, it's Varejao.

He's having a breakout season in his ninth year with the Cavs (14.1 points per game and 14.4 rebounds per game), but Cleveland is miles away from postseason contention.

Even if Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters were healthy for the entire season, Byron Scott's squad would be too weak at forward to truly compete.

Varejao may not actually get traded in the near future, but he sure as heck deserves it.

Glen Davis, Orlando Magic Forward

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Statistically, Glen Davis is having the best season of his young career.

He's helping Orlando flirt with .500, but it's counting on him to be a featured player in that offense. Davis is putting up just under 15 shots per game. Unfortunately, he doesn't have the makeup to be an offensive workhorse.

Is he talented? Yes. But despite his inside and outside skills, he doesn't have the dynamic playmaking ability to be a club's leading scoring forward.

Unless Orlando can get a marquee player in the near future, which is unlikely, it's best for both Davis and the Magic that he finds a team where he'll be used in a more suitable role.

He has a reasonably tradeable contract ($19.4 million over the next three years), so it's something Rob Hennigan should consider.

DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings Forward

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Sacramento Kings forward DeMarcus Cousins might need more than a change of scenery to turn his career around.

Nevertheless, a change of scenery is a much-needed start for remodeling his future.

Whether it's bickering with coaches, switching agents or getting into unnecessary confrontations with opponents, Cousins has consistently found ways to negatively impact the franchise.

His latest dispute with head coach Keith Smart landed him a suspension, as he's out indefinitely due to "unprofessional behavior and conduct detrimental to the team," according to ESPN. (Update, Dec. 24: Cousins has been reinstated, per Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee.)

It's a shame that his partnership with the Kings has gone sour, especially because Cousins is still so young and promising as a player. Both Cousins and the team would benefit from a split.

Tyreke Evans, Sacramento Kings Guard

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Sensing a theme here?

Tyreke Evans hasn't worked out in Sacramento either, as the Kings combo guard has failed to progress in almost every area throughout his three-plus years in the league.

He's played multiple positions during his time in Sactown, but it hasn't resulted in an efficient offense or winning team.

Evans' per-minute scoring and passing numbers aren't anything to brag about: He's notching 17.6 points and 3.8 assists per 36 minutes. Contrary to what his rookie year may have indicated, he's not really the type of player who makes his teammates better.

Evans is a restricted free agent in 2013, but the sooner he leaves, the better...for everyone involved.

Andrea Bargnani, Toronto Raptors Forward

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The No. 1 selection in the 2006 NBA draft hasn't turned out to be the foundation of a winning franchise for the Toronto Raptors.

It's time for Andrea Bargnani to go.

CBS Sports columnist Matt Moore noted that Bargnani isn't a good fit in Dwane Casey's system, and that it's unnerving that he's seemingly comfortable with trade rumors:

Fans want to hear Bargnani desperate to stay, angry at the criticism of him, fighting for rebounds and scrapping out plays. ... But Bargnani dug this hole. His performance has simply not lived up to the expectations of his draft spot (No. 1 overall) or his contract. And it's time for a change in many people's eyes.

Bargnani is shooting less than 40 percent from the field and just 32 percent from distance. He's not making a great case to remain in Toronto, even if his contract will be tricky to move.

Carlos Boozer, Chicago Bulls Forward

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Chicago Bulls forward Carlos Boozer is still rebounding the ball well, but he's not scoring, hitting his free throws or shooting from the field at a high clip.

With and without Derrick Rose, Boozer isn't playing up to his capabilities in the Windy City.

Whether he actually gets amnestied or not remains to be seen, and it might not make a ton of financial sense, as Bleacher Report Bulls guru Kelly Scaletta explains.

But from Boozer's perspective, an amnesty or a trade might be the only thing that can refurbish his previously magnificent career.

At age 31, he has some potentially productive years left in him, but only if he makes the most of his next opportunity.

Brandon Jennings, Milwaukee Bucks Guard

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You could argue that Monta Ellis needs a change of scenery just as much as Brandon Jennings, and you wouldn't necessarily be wrong. But we tabbed Jennings because Ellis has already had a scenery change recently.

Jennings was drafted in 2009 to be a playmaking floor general who could lead the Milwaukee Bucks to Eastern Conference contention. But the Bucks haven't been to the playoffs since his rookie campaign.

His assist-to-turnover ratio hasn't improved at all (it's currently at 2.3), and his scoring has taken a dip to accommodate the high-volume shooter Ellis.

To be fair, Jennings hasn't had an ideal lineup surrounding him in Milwaukee. But that's part of the reason he needs a change of scenery.

 

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