After a busy offseason that has been loaded with drama, the 2017-18 NBA regular season is now right around the corner. While there has been a lot of optimism surrounding the majority of the offseason moves, there is also some pessimism when it comes to some of the familiar faces that arrived in new places over the course of the summer. We attempted to project which players will make for poor fits with their new clubs for one reason or another. Here is a look at the worst newcomers of the 2017 NBA free agency period.
Dwight Howard, Charlotte Hornets
There might not be a bigger gap between perception and production among NBA free agents that were on the move this summer than there is with Howard. The former All-Star is no longer the type of player that can change the complexion of a franchise. Howard is still one of the best rebounders in the NBA, but his offensive game isn’t the perfect fit for Charlotte and he isn’t as good defensively as he was in the prime of his career. Hornets head coach Steve Clifford was an assistant coach for the Orlando Magic during Howard’s best years so perhaps he understands how to get the most out of him. However, considering his limited potential and the fact that he will turn 32-years-old in December, Howard likely won’t have as big of an impact for Charlotte as some are expecting this season.
Howard is the type of player that is likely to have a bigger impact in reality than NBA fantasy. His days of being a fantasy stud are behind him. He won’t be one of the primary scorers on this team.
Tim Hardaway Jr., New York Knicks
Hardaway posted a solid Real Plus-Minus last season and averaged 17.5 points per game on 47-percent shooting after the All-Star break. He is an athletic shooting guard with decent size and he is still just 25-years-old so there is some upside there. However, it’s hard to believe he will live up to the massive contract he signed with the Knicks in the offseason. Hardaway signed a four-year, $71 million deal with New York that ranked among the biggest surprises of the summer in terms of sheer dollar value of a contract handed out. With Derrick Rose out and Carmelo Anthony potentially on the move it makes sense that he will have a bigger role for the Knicks this season. Still, it’s hard to justify the amount of money Hardaway will be paid over the next four seasons.
Rajon Rondo, New Orleans Pelicans
Rondo’s season in Chicago featured plenty of highs and lows so it will be interesting to see how he fares in New Orleans. The Pelicans have the best big-man tandem in the NBA with Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins. Now they have somebody that can get those two the basketball. However, Rondo will turn 32 this season and his best days are clearly behind him. His limitations as a shooter could cap his overall potential with New Orleans. It will be very interesting to see whether Rondo can help maximize the potential of Davis and Cousins or if he struggles with the Pelicans as a poor fit this season.
Derrick Rose, Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers haven’t traded Kyrie Irving but their star point guard wants out and that means they could look much different on paper this coming season. Rose’s ability to attack off the dribble will be a positive but he won’t be able to replace what Irving brought to the table during Cleveland’s playoff runs. Rose isn’t a great shooter. His inability to stay healthy is an even greater concern. Rose turns 29 in October and while he managed to play in 64 games for the Knicks last season there are no guarantees he will be able to hit that mark for the second consecutive season. Rose might still have something left in the tank. However, it’s hard to envision him staying healthy as the starting point guard for a championship team in 2017-18.
The 2017 NBA futures are out. It’s been a wild offseason already, but keep an eye on the betting lines as they move around at Diamond Sportsbook! Get the latest NBA betting lines right here.
