Under Used players with value to target

[CFAN38]

I wanted to start a post for players who are currently under utilized by there teams and might gain value if placed in a new situation.

Bigs

1. Biyombo, center for bobcats. Has no offense but in limited minutes puts up good RB and BLK numbers. His stats as a rim protector are elite (opponent FG% at rim).

2. Leonard, center for portland. Big and mobile had decent stats as rookie bet fell out of favore. reported maturity issues.

3. Ekpe Udoh, already 26 but  has a nice combo of size and mobility. In the right system could be a defensive role player 4/5

Wings


Guards

1. Fredette, still think he has potential scoring off the bench just needs a chance.

 

[LooseCannon]

I'd rather concentrate on under-used players who look like they have more potential to be a starter in the right system rather than the guys you named.

[Who]

I really like Ezeli in GSW.

New version of Perk (genuine physical toughness, team defense, man defense, rebounding, screens) with better mobility and defends face-up bigs better than Perk did. I would be open to moving the #17 pick for Ezeli if Capela is off the board.

[LooseCannon]

Given Bogut's health, I can't imagine Golden State giving up Ezeli without first acquiring another young center who they believe is capable of stepping in and starting if Bogut has to miss time.

Ezili may become available if he looks bad recovering from his knee surgery.   Will you still want him if that is the case?

[CFAN38]

I really like Ezeli in GSW.

New version of Perk (genuine physical toughness, team defense, man defense, rebounding, screens) with better mobility and defends face-up bigs better than Perk did. I would be open to moving the #17 pick for Ezeli if Capela is off the board.

I have always been a Festus fan and couldn't figure out why he went as late as he did. Especially after Fab Melo but with his injury's I think the Cs should stay away.

I really think Biyombo has the potential to flourish in the right system. Lets not forget he is only 21.

[LooseCannon]

I can understand why Ezeli went late.  He was an old project big who was a raw prospect despite four years of college and he didn't show the desired level of improvement between his junior and senior seasons.  He had an injury history with his knee that was cause for concern.  He was projected to be a defensive specialist back-up center who wouldn't be ready immediately. 

[MISSERY]

i'll take Tyler Zeller and Kris Middleton

[pokeKingCurtis]

What do the Bobcats think of Biyombo (or appear to think of Biyombo)? For cheap I'm highly interested.

Jason Thompson would look interesting next to Sully and Olynyk...in theory. Which is the problem with players who don't play with the right mindset. But in theory I'm interested. A legit big body could look nice next to our finesse PFs.

Ezeli is probably not going to be undervalued at all. They found a diamond in the rough.

[MISSERY]

What do the Bobcats think of Biyombo (or appear to think of Biyombo)? For cheap I'm highly interested.

Jason Thompson would look interesting next to Sully and Olynyk...in theory. Which is the problem with players who don't play with the right mindset. But in theory I'm interested. A legit big body could look nice next to our finesse PFs.

Ezeli is probably not going to be undervalued at all. They found a diamond in the rough.

biyombo is not that of a great player, PF?  i can gamble on kris middleton anytime

[CFAN38]

What do the Bobcats think of Biyombo (or appear to think of Biyombo)? For cheap I'm highly interested.

Jason Thompson would look interesting next to Sully and Olynyk...in theory. Which is the problem with players who don't play with the right mindset. But in theory I'm interested. A legit big body could look nice next to our finesse PFs.

Ezeli is probably not going to be undervalued at all. They found a diamond in the rough.

biyombo is not that of a great player, PF?  i can gamble on kris middleton anytime

Biyombo is not a PF, he is a center despite being under 6'10. I can really see his career following a similar path to Ben Wallace. I'm not saying he hits the peak of wallace and is a DPY. If he is on a team that can cover for his offence and get him 25-30MPG I could see him anchoring the D and getting 9+ RB per game. 

[slamtheking]

good forum topic.  unfortunately, none of the names offered up here are really appealing.  all end-of-bench players.

I'd consider Henderson in Charlotte as the type of player to target.  he started off his career promising but seems to have plateaued.  I think he could be a very solid SG on the right team

[PhoSita]

Some of the most productive / efficient players getting 20 minutes or less per game this season:

- Patrick Mills
- Jordan Hamilton
- Wayne Ellington
- Brandan Wright
- James Johnson
- Drew Gooden
- Jeremy Evans

In particular, centers of note:

Cole Aldrich
Gorgui Dieng
Ian Mahinmi
Henry Sims

[Who]

Some of the most productive / efficient players getting 20 minutes or less per game this season:

 - Patrick Mills
- Jordan Hamilton
- Wayne Ellington
- Brandan Wright
- James Johnson
- Drew Gooden
- Jeremy Evans

- Patrick Mills -- not a good enough passer/playmaker to be starting PG. Classic change of pace scoring PG off bench. Good backup PG.
- Jordan Hamilton -- very impressive scoring SF off the bench. Good athlete with size. Has potential to be quality starting SF. Worried and disappointed at lack of development since entering the league though. Red flag.
- Wayne Ellington -- solid two way SG. Not a good enough ball-handler/passer to be quality starter. Quality backup SG. Serviceable starter if team is desperate for shooter.
- Brandan Wright -- a mediocre backup C. Too much of a lightweight defender + mediocre rebounder to be anything more than what he is.
- James Johnson -- strong defender/rebounder. Offense too limited (lacks jump-shot) to be regular starter which is a shame because he is a really really good defensive player. Can be a short-term option as starter if team is desperate but teams will always upgrade on him and he'll end up back on the bench sooner rather than later. Has some ball-handling and passing ability. Can play some PF also. Good player who is lacking a bit of refinement on his jumper and it's holding his career back in a major way.
- Drew Gooden -- adequate backup PF. Can shoot the jumper, post up and rebound. Bad defender and passer. Shouldn't play C (too bad defensively).
- Jeremy Evans -- Too limited to play a bigger role. Ceiling as 8th/9th man. End of rotation/bench player. A tweener forward. Not big enough to play long minutes at PF and not skilled enough to play long minutes at SF. Hence, end of bench player. Utility player (combo forward) defender/rebounder.

I'd say Jordan Hamilton, James Johnson and Wayne Ellington have the best capacity to play bigger roles out of those players.

The other players - I think they are in the right roles for their respective talents.

[Who]

I really like Patrick Patterson for the Raptors.

I think he is very close to be ready for a starting PF job. Has a terrific long range and mid-range jump-shot. Can score in transition. A bit undersized but strong physically and quick laterally. Good man-to-man defensive player at PF. Team defense still needs work. Rebounding below par. I think with offensive skill-set, Patterson would be a great 4th option for someone. A floor spacing PF.

I think his defense is similar to where Bass' was a few years ago. Offensively, not as prolific a 3 point shooter as Ryan Anderson, maybe more like Troy Murphy (with more diversified non-three point shooting scoring). Accurate shooter who should be able to increase his attempts in right situation.

[slamtheking]

Some of the most productive / efficient players getting 20 minutes or less per game this season:

- Patrick Mills
- Jordan Hamilton
- Wayne Ellington
- Brandan Wright
- James Johnson
- Drew Gooden
- Jeremy Evans

In particular, centers of note:

Cole Aldrich
Gorgui Dieng
Ian Mahinmi
Henry Sims

nothing exciting here except Dieng (who I wanted to draft) but he's not going anywhere.  a lot of vets or lower-level players that won't really improve much.

In addition to Henderson who I mentioned above, I like Orlando forward trio as potential targets - O'Quinn, Harkless and Nicholson.  These guys could continue to improve into legit rotation-quality players.  I thought they'd be a little further along by now but I don't think they've progressed as far as they can yet.  Maybe one of the Jones boys - Perry or Terrence.

Considering we're still on the rebuild, I wouldn't look at vets that may be having an unappreciated year but young players that may be unappreciated by their teams that we could pry away in a year or two.  Something along the lines of Mcgrady getting taken away by Orlando from Toronto.