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Andy Clayton-King / Associated Press
Almost every NBA player needs a change of scenery at some point. For some, this point comes quickly, even after it is worked out.
For the following young players, the time for an exchange is now, at the beginning of their careers, before crucial months or years are wasted.
Based on development needs and list situations, these potential customers with newbie contracts should expect to hear their names purchased before the deadline.
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Phelan M. Ebenhack / Associated Press
The only reasonable explanation for Mohamed Bamba still playing at the Orlando Magic: they are asking a lot in the exchanges.
He has little value for Orlando as his center, and Bamba, now averaging 8.6 minutes per game in his third season, needs an opportunity to start playing consistent minutes.
Injuries and lack of endurance have been frustrating with Bamba, but the 22-year-old still has useful and unsearchable tools for finishing and protecting the rim, and he has shown enough touch throughout his career for teams to feel that can take something out of your pitch.
The Washington Wizards lost Thomas Bryant to an ACL injury. Toronto Raptors may need to think about retrofitting. Oklahoma City Thunder is being rebuilt and could improve its central depth and Charlotte Hornets could represent a positive change of scenery for Bamba.
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David Zalubowski / Associated Press
Since the Minnesota Timberwolves summoned Jarrett Culver, the team added D’Angelo Russell, selected Anthony Edwards in first place, saw Malik Beasley become the 20-point scorer and saw Jaylen Nowell in the second round of 2019 overcome his lottery pick.
Culver is not without blame for the slow start of his career, but looking ahead, with so much overlap in the guard and wing points in Minnesota, his role in the offensive hierarchy may not be favorable for development. Before hurting an ankle, Culver’s use rate (18.2 percent) and field goal attempts (6.9) fell in his debut season.
He is ninth on the team in touches per game, according to NBA.com. Kicking remains a problem for Culver, but he can benefit from going to a different squad, which offers more opportunities with the ball to make plays and build confidence. And he could use a more consistent role. There was no continuity with their minutes. One night he’s turning 30, the next he’s 20, so it’s 10.
While Minnesota could use Culver’s defense, it clearly makes no difference to the 7-21 Timberwolves. They need to make some personnel changes, whether that means buying veterans or snipers, and despite Culver’s unconvincing start, there should still be enough interest around the league in the 21-year-old.
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Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated Press
At full strength, the Boston Celtics will not use Carsen Edwards, who is likely to lose minutes to Payton Pritchard and eventually Romeo Langford and Aaron Nesmith.
And Edwards didn’t shoot well, so he deserves some criticism. Regardless, he must be interested in seeing what other opportunities exist – those for starving offensive teams that can offer bigger roles with longer collars.
Ultimately, confidence represents the fuel for Edwards’ shooting. He would benefit from a low pressure situation that would allow him to play with mistakes to catch fire.
The Atlanta Hawks were defeated and placed last in the bank’s score. The defense court and the Orlando Magic squad broke down. The Houston Rockets are 25th in the offensive rank and could use more firepower for their second unit. The Detroit Pistons can also try to find whatever low-cost value they can get.
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Tony Dejak / Associated Press
Mfiondu Kabengele has recorded a total of 128 minutes in the NBA since the Los Angeles Clippers took him in the first round of 2019. And there is no way for the rotation this season, after the front office was filled with veteran and big strikers.
Last year’s 27th pick was productive as a rookie in Liga G, where he averaged 18.7 points and reached 53 trios in 27 games.
Knowing that Kabangele is not useful now for the Clippers, the opposing teams must check his availability and assume that there is still a remarkable amount attached to his athletic finish and kick for a 6’9 “and 250 pounds.
At 23, Kabengele must be eager to play and pursue his career.
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Kathy Willens / Associated Press
With 38.5 percent of three, Kevin Knox is having his best season as a sniper, and he still fell out of the New York Knicks’ rotation.
He needs a change of scenery. It is impossible to measure a player’s ability to gain or lose confidence, but Knox seemed vulnerable from the start in New York. And the steady bank did no good.
At this stage, it is important to recognize Knox’s limitations, and no matter where he goes, his coach will not want him to handle the ball or try to score with his own creativity. However, he has a beautiful style, and other teams can benefit from athletic stretching 4.
Ideally, he would go to a winning organization that could offer a simplified and consistent role as a corner, wing and off-screen shooter. But realistically, for Knox, he must be interested in going anywhere outside of New York, where almost nothing has worked and there seems to be no way for regular minutes behind RJ Barrett and Julius Randle after the Knicks added Obi Toppin, Reggie Bullock and Alec Burks.
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Duane Burleson / Associated Press
For players in the NBA 2017 recruiting class who have not been extended, this is the last year to impress and increase the value of their second contract. Malik Monk is doing just that now with Charlotte Hornets. But Frank Ntilikina, who managed to stay with the New York Knicks through several front office and coach changes, was limited to just four games this season due to injuries and COVID-19 protocols.
And with the appearance of Immanuel Quickley and the addition of Derrick Rose in New York, there will not be many opportunities for Ntilikina this year with the Knicks.
An exchange makes sense for both parties. Other teams should see an opportunity to buy under Ntilikina, who has become a respectable defender who can still contribute by making life difficult for opponent guards, even for short periods of play.
Meanwhile, Ntilikina must welcome an agreement for a team that needs depth in the defense zone. While he strives to make a convincing case as a leading ball handler, he brings in enough passes, open kicks and defensive versatility for a combo role.
The Milwaukee Bucks could use an off-the-bench perimeter defense specialist for its playoff race. The Dallas Mavericks occupies the 27th position in the defensive classification. The Washington Wizards and Cleveland Cavaliers have few reserves behind their regular guards.
There will be teams interested in Ntilikina, and he should be interested in actually seeing the ground regularly as a fourth-year professional.