NBA Rumors: Quincy Miller and Other Free Agents Gaining Interest on Open Market

While the NBA season has already started, it does not mean all rosters are final.

In order to for teams to remain ahead of the curve, it is important for front offices to stay aggressive. If there is someone out there capable of improving the squad, adding him to the roster is a smart move no matter what time of year it is.

Although it is unlikely anyone will find a superstar on the open market at this point of the season, a few quality contributors can be added over the next few weeks and make a positive impact on the rosters.

Gal Mekel

Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press

The Oklahoma City Thunder were hoping to contend for a championship this season, but a couple of key injuries have really caused problems in the early going. After Kevin Durant fractured his foot, Russell Westbrook broke his hand and will also be out for about a month.

General manager Sam Presti explained that it is important to play through the problems until the stars can return, per ESPN.com's Royce Young:

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The circumstances that we're being presented with right now are temporary. It's our job to eliminate the dramatics and harness our mentality and make sure that we're productively using the time so that when those guys do come back and we start to get our full complement of players, we have built a collective mentality and momentum that's only going to be accelerated when we get our group together.

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That being said, it still makes sense for the team to make moves to hold everything together until it is back at full strength.

David Pick of Eurobasket.com notes Gal Mekel could be a possible option for the Thunder:

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I noted yesterday that the OKC Thunder express interest in Gal Mekel. Wonder if deal could materialize with Russell Westbrook out.

— David Pick (@IAmDPick) October 31, 2014"

Mekel only played 31 games last season with the Dallas Mavericks, averaging 2.4 points and two assists in 9.4 minutes per game. However, the 26-year-old player has shown the ability to handle the responsibilities of a point guard when given the opportunity.

Considering Oklahoma City only has one healthy point guard at the moment—journeyman Sebastian Telfair, who was out of the NBA last season—it is clear the team needs someone to help out. Mekel represents a solid option and could be an important addition for a desperate squad.

Ish Smith

John Raoux/Associated Press

If the Thunder do not want to bring in Mekel for point guard depth, they will always have another option in Ish Smith.

David Aldridge of NBA.com notes this is a possibility going forward:

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The Thunder have applied for a hardship exception from the NBA, which would allow Oklahoma City to sign a 16th player because of all the injuries, despite the 15-player limit on teams. ...The Thunder have contacted a few veteran point guards like Ish Smith, but no decision on a replacement, if any, has been made yet.

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Aldridge also notes Smith was one of the few point guards available who was on a team until late in the preseason:

The 26-year-old player should still be in good shape and be ready to contribute immediately. On the downside, there are other teams who might be interested in signing the talented player. 

Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders believes the Los Angeles Lakers are a team that should get involved:

Of course, it is important not to overlook Smith's struggles. The point guard has only hit 21.7 percent of his shots from beyond the arc in his career. Last season, he was just 1-of-23 from three-point range.

Still, he could be a solid contributor on a short-term basis to hold Oklahoma City over until the team gets healthier.

Quincy Miller

Despite big improvements in his second year with the Denver Nuggets, Quincy Miller finds himself without a job at the start of the 2014-15 season.

The good news is the 21-year-old small forward has a few teams interested in signing him, according to Shams Charania of RealGM:

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Free agent Quincy Miller has received several inquiries from NBA teams since joining the available market on Monday, with the Los Angeles Lakers as leading suitors for the forward, league sources told RealGM.

The Houston Rockets and Indiana Pacers also have registered levels of intrigue in Miller, sources said.

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Each of these teams could use a player like Miller off the bench, but the Lakers might make the most sense due to the increased opportunity he could have on the court.

The young player averaged 11.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per 36 minutes last season, so it is clear he can make an impact if given the chance. The problem is he was limited to just 15.2 minutes per game last season.

With some time to work on his game in a stress-free environment, Miller could turn into a quality starter in the NBA. All he needs is an opportunity, and he can get that with the Lakers.

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