NBA Free Agents: Where Will Brian Scalabrine Play in 2011-12?

Having quality role players on an NBA roster are a necessity in professional basketball, as these players offer skills and knowledge to the rest of the roster based upon their individual and unique experiences.

Being able to use this knowledge to make one better is a big step in the right direction for the growth of a young NBA player.

One unrestricted free agent currently on the open market that fits in this category is veteran forward Brian Scalabrine. He played for the Chicago Bulls during the 2010-11 NBA season, where he averaged 1.1 points per game in 18 appearances.

However, Scalabrine has had a very unique NBA career and has become a notable role player that makes the most of his opportunities.

Whether that means starting games, rarely playing in games or providing veteran friendly advice to the younger players in the locker room, Scalabrine has added all this to his resume.

Scalabrine has made a total of three NBA Finals appearances—in 2002 with the Nets in a losing effort, winning a championship in 2008 as a member of the Boston Celtics and another appearance in 2010 in a losing effort.

Scalabrine spent four years with the New Jersey Nets, who drafted him in the second round of the 2001 NBA draft after playing college basketball at the University of Southern California (USC).

He then signed a five-year contract with the Boston Celtics and played behind Kevin Garnett, Glen Davis and Kendrick Perkins.

Former Boston Celtics assistant coach Tom Thibodeau, now the head coach of the Chicago Bulls, was a big fan of Scalabrine and spoke with Bulls management about offering a contract to the veteran forward last season.

Scalabrine did spend two months playing for Benetton Treviso due to the NBA lockout but left the team in order to find a job in the NBA. Look for Scalabrine to find a roster spot on a playoff-bound team wanting to add some depth at the power forward position.

Teams such as Miami, Dallas, Chicago and the Boston Celtics come to mind, as they may be saving a final roster spot for an experienced veteran who can contribute both on and off the court.