NBA Redeem Team: 10 Players Who Need a Fresh Start
This season has been rather uneventful outside of a few trades by the Orlando Magic. Throughout the NBA there is an abundance of players who are being restricted by their place on the depth charts. There are also various other veterans on teams with no shot at a title who deserve a last run before they are put out to pasture. If there is one thing that NBA fans love, it is mid-season trades!
So let's look at a few players who need to find out if the grass is greener on the other side...
Hasheem Thabeet
1 of 10
Why He Needs To Go:
Ever since being drafted second overall by the Memphis Grizzlies, Hasheem Thabeet has been a major disappointment. He became the highest pick to ever get a stint in the NBA D-League. While he has been a disappointment to Grizzlies fans, I believe he still has a lot of potential in his seven-foot frame.
The situation in Memphis just isn't right for a player who needs plenty of game experience to shape up. Playing behind Marc Gasol (and getting minutes taken away by the equally deserving Haddadi) means that Thabeet will need to move someplace else if he wants to improve his fortune.
Where I Wish He Would Land:
Orlando Magic. They desperately need some size after shipping out Marcin Gortat in the Phoenix deal. He can learn timing and proper defensive rotations from the best big man in the league in Dwight Howard. With these two monsters patrolling the paint, the Magic could average the most blocks in the league by a wide margin.
Carmelo Anthony
2 of 10
Why He Needs To Go:
I can't really use the word "needs" here because I don't feel it applies. He is still in his prime and isn't hurting for minutes or shot attempts. The only thing forcing Carmelo Anthony out of Denver is Carmelo Anthony. While his play hasn't fallen off, he has become such a nuisance that Denver is most likely looking forward to the day he departs.
Where I Wish He Would Land:
New Jersey Nets. The downtrodden Nets represent the best team available for Anthony's arrival. While some would argue that Chicago would be a better fit, they are already set with who they have now.
The Nets are one piece away from competing in the East. If they acquire Carmelo, Andre Miller and Al Harrington while only giving up Derrick Favors and Devin Harris, the Nets could challenge any team in a seven-game series. The Nets are deceptively deep with role players who would benefit from someone stealing attention from defenders.
O.J. Mayo
3 of 10
Why He Needs To Go:
With Xavier Henry getting some starts, it is becoming obvious that this team is looking to move on without O.J. Mayo. What was once a power struggle between Mayo and Rudy Gay over alpha dog status is over. Rudy Gay has won.
After paying Gay a huge amount of money and then dishing an extension to Michael Conley, the Grizzlies are looking like a team that is spending too much money with no results. If the team plans to resign Zach Randolph, they will most likely be letting go of Mayo.
Where I Wish He Would Land:
Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder are in need of a scoring two who can further open the lanes for Westbrook and Durant. If the Thunder are able to get Mayo without giving up Harden, they would have the best shooting guards in the league. If they do have to give up Harden, there wouldn't be much of a difference outside of a change in upside. Mayo is a slightly better shooter who has proven himself against the starters.
Thaddeus Young
4 of 10
Why He Needs To Go:
The 76ers are one of the worst teams in the league. The whole Andre Iguodala saga has left this team unable to move forward. Lost in all the shuffling is Thaddeus Young, who is quietly one of the best young forwards in the NBA. He has the size and length to defend both small and power forwards and can shoot the three as well. While the offense should have shifted to feature him, it is still predominately Iggy's team.
The only way for Young to get the recognition he deserves is to start off fresh on a new team.
Where I Wish He Lands:
Cleveland Cavaliers. While this team has a good young power forward in J.J. Hickson, they have a glaring weakness at the small forward position. While he may not be able to score as many points as the last star forward to play in Cleveland, Young would give them a scorer who can cause match-up problems and set the table for others.
Tayshaun Prince
5 of 10
Why He Needs To Go:
The Detroit Pistons are horrible. There is no other way to put it.The Pistons need to destroy this current roster and recoup some young talent or draft picks.
Tayshaun Prince may not be the player he was during the run a few years ago, but he is still a force on defense who can shoot the three and post up smaller players.
Where I Wish He Lands:
San Antonio Spurs. While Richard Jefferson is playing much better than in his first year with the Spurs, he still doesn't bring what Prince brings to the table. Prince has the size and length to disturb even the top players in the league and would benefit from the head coach's system in San Antonio.
This move could push the Spurs over the top in the Western Conference.
J.R. Smith
6 of 10
Why He Needs To Go:
J.R. Smith is always wearing out his welcome. He is a mopey, whiny quitter who tends to wear on everyone's nerves.
That being said, he is still one of the most explosive scorers in the NBA. He can drop 20 points per game in his sleep. He is also a good defender when his attitude gets adjusted.
Where I Wish He Lands:
Chicago Bulls. Yes, I know it didn't work out before. This is a whole different team this time around. If he were to come off the bench he would provide the second unit with a strong scoring presence who could also make strides under the teams defense-first head coach.
This move would move the Bulls up the ladder in the East and allow them to make up for missing out on J.J. Redick in the offseason.
Shane Battier
7 of 10
Why He Needs To Go:
Houston is sort of in basketball limbo. They have plenty of young talent but have lost their centerpiece in Yao Ming. Now that Yao is most likely done, the team has to admit to itself that it isn't a championship contender. Where that leaves Shane Battier is anybody's guess.
Houston has plenty of young forwards who need to play heavier minutes in order to develop.
Where I Wish He Lands:
Boston Celtics. The last two Celtics teams that went to the NBA Finals had a designated wing defender. In 2008 it was James Posey and last year it was Tony Allen. This year's team is lacking that defender. Battier could fill that role perfectly while giving them a sharp shooter off the bench.
Gerald Wallace
8 of 10
Why He Needs To Go:
With the departure of Larry Brown as head coach, it is safe to say this team is no longer shooting for the playoffs. While there is still some talent left on the team, I think Michael Jordan is looking to clean house and start with some fresh talent.
Wallace deserves a shot at the postseason with a team who can compete for a championship in the future. That team is definitely not the Bobcats.
Where I Wish He Lands:
Los Angeles Clippers. The Clippers have plenty of talent but a deficiency of star power at the small forward position. Wallace instantly transforms them into a playoff team. He gives them a strong defender on the wing and a strong finisher.
Baron Davis
9 of 10
Why He Needs To Go:
There have been plenty of reports out of Clipper nation that the team is moving on without Baron Davis. This is mostly due to the emergence of Eric Gordon and the pleasant surprise that is Eric Bledsoe. Add this to reports of the owner heckling Baron and it seems to be the end of days for Davis in Clipperland.
While I am not a fan of Baron Davis' decision-making, his ability to put the ball through the hoop cannot be denied. He is one of the strongest point guards in the league and can dominate both sides of the ball when he feels up to it. The problem is that he rarely feels like doing it.
Where I Wish He Lands:
Charlotte Bobcats. Michael Jordan's team is in dire need of a player who can drop points by any means necessary. For that, there is not a better player in the league than Baron Davis. He can bring about a new, more offensive-minded brand of basketball in Charlotte. While he would've never worked with Larry Brown as coach, he can come in and establish a faster pace that will sit well with former teammate Stephen Jackson. With The Baron and Captain Jack, the Bobcats will finally have a clear cut core to work around.
Steve Nash
10 of 10
Why He Needs To Go:
When I think of where Steve Nash is in his career, it reminds me of the song "Should I Stay or Should I Go" by The Clash. At this point, it is becoming painfully evident that Nash won't be able to carry this Phoenix team as he has in the past.
All of the changes around him must be disheartening; in a stretch of a year he lost his best post and perimeter teammates. Did these moves mean that the Suns are rebuilding? Either way, if Nash begins to falter, the team won't hesitate to play Goran Dragic more minutes.
While the Suns can't decide whether they want a championship or to rebuild, Nash is left wondering where his career is going to end.
Where I Wish He Lands:
New York Knicks. Let's get the band back together again, shall we?
If Nash were to wind up in New York, it would make them instant contenders out East. While it may not put them over the top, that team would be unpredictable and could upset anyone in the East on any given night.
