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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 shortly after being drafted.
For the following young players, the time for a trade is now, at the start of their careers, before crucial months or years are wasted.
Based on development needs and list situations, those prospects on rookie contracts should expect to hear their purchased names before the deadline.
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Phelan M. Ebenhack / Associated Press
The only reasonable explanation for Mohamed Bamba who still plays for the Orlando Magic: they ask too much in the trades.
He’s of little value to Orlando as a third-string center, and Bamba, who is now averaging 8.6 minutes per game in his third season, needs an opportunity to start playing consistent minutes.
Injuries and lack of tenacity have been frustrating with Bamba, but the 22-year-old still has some unassailable and useful tools for finishing and rim protection, and he’s flashed enough touching throughout his career to that teams feel they can get something out of his jump shot.
The Washington Wizards lost Thomas Bryant to an ACL injury. The Toronto Raptors may have to think about retooling. The Oklahoma City Thunder are in the process of rebuilding and could improve their center depth and the Charlotte Hornets could represent a positive change of scenery for Bamba.
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David Zalubowski / Associated Press
Since the Minnesota Timberwolves drafted Jarrett Culver, the team added D’Angelo Russell, selected Anthony Edwards at No.1, saw Malik Beasley become a 20-point goalscorer and watched the 2019 second-round pick. Jaylen Nowell surpass his lottery choice.
Culver isn’t faultless for the slow start of his career, but looking to the future, with so much overlap at the 2 guard and wing level in Minnesota, his role in the offensive pecking order might not be conducive to development. . Prior to his ankle injury, Culver’s use rate (18.2%) and field goal attempts (6.9) were down from his rookie season.
He is ninth on the team in touches per game, according to NBA.com. Shooting remains a problem for Culver, but he could benefit from a different roster that offers more opportunities on the ball to play and build confidence. And he could use a more consistent role. There was no continuity with his minutes. One evening, he was 30, the next 20, then 10.
While Minnesota can use Culver’s defense, that clearly isn’t a difference factor for the Timberwolves 7-21. They have to make personnel changes, whether it’s buying veterans or shooters, and despite Culver’s unconvincing start, there should still be enough interest around the league for the 21-year-old.
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Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated Press
At full strength, the Boston Celtics won’t be using Carsen Edwards, who will likely lose minutes to Payton Pritchard and possibly Romeo Langford and Aaron Nesmith.
And Edwards didn’t shoot well, so he deserves some criticism. Either way, he should be interested in seeing what other opportunities are available to you – those for offensive lacking teams that can offer bigger roles with longer leashes.
Confidence is ultimately Edwards’ fuel. He would benefit from a lesser pressure situation that would allow him to play through mistakes to catch fire.
The Atlanta Hawks are hit and are ranked last in bench points. The Orlando Magic’s backcourt and roster broke down. The Houston Rockets are No. 25 in the offensive standings and could use more firepower for their second unit. The Detroit Pistons might as well try to find any low-cost value they can get.
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Tony Dejak / Associated Press
Mfiondu Kabengele has recorded a total of 128 NBA minutes since the Los Angeles Clippers took him to the first round of 2019. And there is no way in the rotation this season after the front office charges forwards and big veterans.
The 27th pick last year was productive as a rookie in G League, where he averaged 18.7 points and hit 53 threes in 27 games.
Knowing that Kabangele is not useful for the Clippers at the moment, opposing teams should check his availability and assume that there is still noticeable value attached to his athletic finish and to shoot for a 6’9 “, 250 pounds. .
At 23, Kabengele should be looking forward to playing and starting his career.
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Kathy Willens / Associated Press
At 38.5% of three, Kevin Knox is having his best season as a shooter and has consistently fallen out of the New York Knicks rotation.
He needs a change of scenery. It’s impossible to measure a player’s ability to gain or lose confidence, but Knox’s has appeared vulnerable from the start in New York. And the constant benching didn’t do any good.
At this point it’s important to recognize Knox’s limitations, and no matter where he goes his coach won’t want him to handle the ball or try to score on his own creativity. However, he has a nice shot, and other teams could use him for an athletic stretch 4.
Ideally, he would go into a winning organization that could offer a streamlined, cohesive role as a corner, wing, and off-screen shooter. But realistically for Knox, he should be interested in going anywhere outside of New York where next to nothing has worked out and there doesn’t seem to be a path to 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 2017 NBA Draft Class who haven’t been extended, this is the last year to make a good impression and increase the value of their second contract. Malik Monk is doing exactly that now with the Charlotte Hornets. But Frank Ntilikina, who has managed to stay with the New York Knicks through multiple front office and coaching changes, has been limited to just four games this season due to injuries and COVID-19 protocols.
And with the emergence of Emmanuel Quickley and the addition of Derrick Rose in New York, there won’t 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 cheaply on Ntilikina, who has become a well-known defender who can still help by making life difficult for opposing guards, even if it is for short periods of a game.
Meanwhile, Ntilikina is expected to welcome a deal with a team that needs depth in the background. While he struggled to make a convincing case as the primary ball manager, he brings enough passing, open shooting and defensive versatility to a combo role.
The Milwaukee Bucks could use a perimeter defense specialist off the bench for their playoff series. The Dallas Mavericks are ranked 27th in the defensive standings. The Washington Wizards and Cleveland Cavaliers have low reserves behind their starting guards.
There will be teams interested in Ntilikina, and he should have an interest in seeing the ground regularly as a fourth year pro.
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