The most skilled basketball players in the entire world reside in the NBA but it takes more than just talent to excel at the highest level with intelligence, work ethic and drive all relevant factors. Another important aspect of success in the NBA is opportunity, as players need to consistently play enough minutes in order to produce at a high level. There are plenty of examples of players around the association that simply aren’t performing to their potential based on bad situations and perhaps the most important thing for them now is to shake things up and get an opportunity somewhere new. Here is a look at four NBA players that simply need a fresh start.
Markieff Morris
Phoenix Suns
Morris appeared to be on his way to becoming a star for the Phoenix Suns before his brother Marcus was traded to the Detroit Pistons last season in a move that sent shockwaves throughout the organization and has ultimately devastated the franchise. Morris made it clear that he no longer wants to play in Phoenix but the club’s unwillingness to trade him has led to a tenuous situation in which he is averaging just over 22.8 minutes per game with his numbers down across the board. The Suns as a team have dropped nine of their last 10 to fall out of the playoff picture in the Western Conference and while they have listened to offers for Morris from other teams the fact that the rest of the association knows that he wants out has kept other NBA teams from making sufficient offers. Morris is still just 26-years-old and he has incredible potential but at this point both he and the Phoenix organization both need a fresh start to get back on track.
Lance Stephenson
Los Angeles Clippers
The expectation was that Stephenson would become a star when he moved from the Indiana Pacers to the Charlotte Hornets in 2014-15 but even after that didn’t happen the Los Angeles Clippers came calling with a trade offer that landed him out west this past offseason. Stephenson hasn’t done much with this opportunity either as he is averaging just 16.3 minutes per game off the bench with his numbers down across the board from a year ago including just 4.1 points and 2.5 rebounds per game this season. Stephenson’s numbers declined when he got a fresh start in Charlotte and now again in Los Angeles but the reality is things couldn’t get much worse for the 25-year-old right now so another change of scenario could be the best thing for him at this point.
Brandon Jennings
Detroit Pistons
Detroit found its franchise point guard when it acquired Reggie Jackson from the Oklahoma City Thunder and his dominance since his arrival has left Jennings with a reduced role coming off the bench for the Pistons this season. Part of the problem is that Jennings suffered a season-ending injury last season that precipitated the trade. At the time, he was playing stellar basketball but without him, the Pistons made a move to get Jackson. that has made the Pistons back court very crowded and there isn’t much room for Jennings anymore.
Jennings has played in just four games because of injury but he has averaged 7.1 points and 3.9 assists in just 17.9 minutes per game off the bench for Detroit this season and there is no doubt he would benefit from a fresh start with a team that is looking for someone to fill their starting point guard role.
Dennis Schroder
Speaking of potential starting point guards that have been relegated to coming off the bench, Schroder’s transition in to a starter in the NBA has been hindered by the fact that he plays behind an All-Star in Jeff Teague and while he is still just 22-years-old it appears as though he is ready to take that next step now. Schroder has averaged 10.5 points, 4.6 assists, 2.7 rebounds and 1.1 steals in just 21.6 minutes per game this season and the consensus around the association is that his numbers would be that much better with a fresh start somewhere new where he would be able to start for an NBA team.
