5 Players Frustrated by Their New Role After Trade Deadline

We saw a plethora of moves at this year's trade deadline, with many teams attempting to add that final piece as they geared up for postseason runs. 

While there weren't many blockbuster deals with involving superstars this season, fans saw a slew of role players swapped at the 11th hour of the deadline. Contenders bought on the cheap, and losers sold for hope in the future.

However, not everyone might have been satisfied after the deadline. Players dealt from contenders to losers might feel a bit abandoned as their franchises move forward without them.

Which players got the short end of the shaft? Here a few names that might not be feeling their new clubs.

Ekpe Udoh, F Milwaukee Bucks

Udoh was on a tear in Golden State, as the sixth overall pick in the 2010 draft started to show signs of his highly touted NBA potential.

Udoh had recently usurped the starting center role from veteran Andris Biedrins, and it appeared as if the 24-year-old Udoh finally figured out how to be productive in the NBA.

Included alongside Monta Ellis in the Andrew Bogut trade, Udoh now finds himself out of the starting rotation, competing with minutes with Drew Gooden and Ersan Ilyasova.

Udoh hasn't played more than 20 minutes in two games since the trade, and he can't be happy with his new role considering the strides he was making in Oakland.

Richard Jefferson, SF Golden State Warriors

Richard Jefferson was never a good fit in San Antonio, averaging his lowest career averages in scoring and rebounding in his two seasons with the Spurs since his rookie season, but he can't be too excited about his new job in Golden State.

Along with playing for a non-contender like the Warriors, Jefferson will likely see a reduced roll as he goes from starting small forward to reserve swingman in Golden State. This is a less than ideal situation for the 10-year veteran.

Gerald Wallace, F New Jersey Nets

Gerald Wallace is a solid addition to any NBA club with his hard-nosed defensive prowess and his ability to penetrate the lane, but he won't be enough to help bring the struggling New Jersey Nets into contention.

With the team shipping away all of its draft picks to acquire Deron Williams and Wallace, and with Dwight Howard choosing to opt-in to the final year of his contract, help might not be on the way soon enough.

Williams can become a free agent in the summer if he so chooses, and the way the franchise is tanking, Wallace might find himself on a depleted roster as the team moves to Brooklyn.

There's enough uncertainty with the Nets to certainly leave Wallace frustrated. 

Nene, F/C Washington Wizards

The Wizards made an excellent move for their franchise by trading away the inconsistent play of JaVale McGee and Nick Young in exchange for a proven NBA veteran center in Nene.

However, Nene can't be too excited about playing for the NBA's third worst team in 2011-12. The Nuggets were a playoff team in the West, and it might take some time for Washington to reestablish themselves as a contender, even with star talent in point guard John Wall.

LaMarcus Aldridge, PF Portland Trailblazers

His sidekick Gerald Wallace was dealt to the Nets, he saw veteran brick-wall defender Marcus Camby shipped away to Houston for virtually nothing and his coach axed all within 24 hours of each other.

The team obviously wants to build a better roster around star power forward LaMarcus Aldridge, so the franchise effectively pulled the on the season by shipping away all of their talent in exchange for draft picks and expiring contracts.

Portland will now enter rebuilding mode with ample cap room and (likely) two lottery picks to look forward to this offseason. Aldridge, however, might be frustrated as he waits for the Blazers to work their way back to the playoffs.