The 2015 NBA trade deadline was a lot busier than most fans and experts predicted it would be, and even though the frenzy is over, there is still a chance a number of players could be added to the roster of a contending team. A couple of minor moves were already made when Andrei Kirilenko was waived and decided to head overseas to join CSKA Moscow while Thomas Robinson was put on waivers by the Denver Nuggets but was claimed by the Philadelphia 76ers. While they may not make the same impact that players like Goran Dragic and Michael Carter-Williams might, there is still a need for several teams to fill roles and each of the players on this list could provide the perfect compliment to the roster of a playoff team.
Andray Blatche – C (FA)
The 28-year-old center played with the Xingjiang Flying Tigers in China but their season is over and Blatche is back and ready to help a contending team. He won’t be a star big man but he could play an important depth role as a tough big man that can rebound and provide some valuable minutes at the defensive end in the playoffs. There are a number of teams that could use some big man help including the Miami Heat and maybe even the Toronto Raptors and Blatche might be the perfect fit as an inexpensive loan player. Time and again depth players find their way to a new team and excel in their new digs and Blatche could end up being another excellent example of exactly that.
Shawne Williams – G (New Orleans Pelicans)
Williams has been waived by the Pelicans and that means he’s on the free agent market…but not for long. Williams isn’t an elite guard but he does a lot of things well including a decent 40% three-point shooting percentage, which puts him in the top 25 in the NBA. He won’t play a starring role for a contender but it wouldn’t be a surprise if teams like the Milwaukee Bucks or Detroit Pistons take a chance on him. Reports indicate that the Pistons are the front runner.
Andrea Bargnani – C (New York Knicks)
Another potential piece that could fill a depth role for a contending team is Bargnani, who the Knicks spent a first round pick to acquire just a couple of years ago. Bargnani will never reach the high potential ceiling that many experts thought he had as the former first overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft but he can offer some long distance shooting. He is finally healthy again and New York is reportedly close to buying him out in order to get under the luxury tax threshold. Bargnani won’t help teams very much at the defensive end of the floor but he is a big body that can contribute off the bench in terms of both scoring and rebounding. And it also feels like a team with a good coach – say, the San Antonio Spurs with Gregg Popovich – will be able to get more out of him than the teams in his previous setups.
Tayshaun Prince – F (Detroit Pistons)
Prince landed back in Detroit at the trade deadline and it’s unlikely that he wants to stay there very long. He’s a veteran at the end of his career and would like to play on a team that is a little bit more established than the Pistons. While he’s not going to get a ton of playing time wherever he goes, he can still provide some quality minutes as well as leadership. If he does hit the open market, expect the Los Angeles Clippers to be in the mix.
Randy Foye – G (Denver Nuggets)
The Nuggets are having a fire sale as they’ve already shipped away two key pieces. Arron Afflalo was moved as well as JaVale McGee. The Nuggets got virtually nothing back other than draft picks. They’re building around a core that includes Ty Lawsom and Kenneth Faried, and Foye is not part of the long term plans – especially since the team aren’t expected to exercise his option after this season.
A buying makes sense as Foye is having a bad year and needs to be cut loose. The Nuggets would rather develop youngsters anyways. And if he does get bought out, a new situation is likely to invigorate him and his game.
