The league saw more players change teams this offseason than ever before and not everyone on a new team is contributing equally. Let’s take a look at which players are adding the most value to their new squads (ranking via NBAMath’s TPA*).
- Kyrie Irving, Brooklyn Nets
- Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers
- Aron Baynes, Phoenix Suns
- Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers
- Russell Westbrook, Houston Rockets
- Malcolm Brogdon, Indiana Pacers
- Al Horford, Philadelphia 76ers
- Kemba Walker, Boston Celtics
- Dwight Howard, Los Angeles Lakers
- Delon Wright, Dallas Mavericks
*Entering Thursday night’s contest
As I wrote in my weekly notebook for NBA Math, there are some surprises on the list. Baynes is chief among them, as the center has found additional playing time thanks to the Deandre Ayton suspension. The 32-year-old was acquired by the Suns in what essentially amounted to a salary dump (Phoenix also netted a first-rounder from the deal) and the fact that he’s been able to step up has significantly contributed to the Suns’ hot start.
So this leads us to tonight’s community shootaround question: Now that we have over a week of action in the books, Which non-star player on a new team do you feel will contribute the most this year and which star (in a new uniform) will have the biggest impact?
Take to the comment section below to share your thoughts and opinions. We look forward to what you have to say!
#4
It’s #3
Baynes easily but it could be Brogdon. I don’t watch the Pacers though
Now it’s #5
This ranking system is broken if Anthony Davis isn’t even listed.
He was actually just mistakenly left on the list. I’ve updated it to add him where he should be.
I says which no star so that rules out Kawhi Russ Kemba and Horford. If your talking contribution I think you can rule out Delon Wright, and Dwight Howard aswell as those guys are replaceable by their other team mates they don’t contribute enough.
So I’m leaning towards Brogdon. He will have to lead this Indy team for half the season with Oladipo out, so far he has but up really strong numbers but it hasn’t resulted in wins. Once this team gels tho I feel he will be huge for them.
There is also a few guys not mentioned, Brandon Ingram has been huge for the Pelicans, DRose and Markief Morris have been good for the Pistons. IT has been good so far for the Wizards hopefully he stays healthy.
Yes, Ingram has been killing it so far. He’d be my pick for non-star, new team, huge impact.
Don’t know why this article lists 10 really good players some of which are stars then says which non star, like why even show the stars that moved if your asking to exclude them…
The biggest impact is a questionable term. Kyrie Irving will probably have the best stats just because he is the Nets right now. But I don’t expect the Nets to even have a better record than last year when all is said and done. I think Leonard will have lower stats than last year, but I expect the Clippers to be much better team.
As far as “non-stars” go, it will just depend on the opportunity they receive. Baynes would not be on that list with Ayton on the team. As soon as Ayton is back, Baynes goes back to mediocrity.
There will be some season ending injury that will allow someone to step up. I don’t know who, but it will happen. If I had to make a guess, I would go with Willie Cauley-Stein right now just because of opportunity.
If you look at the Suns roster, their issues in the last couple of years, the new coach they hired, and the way they’ve played this year, it’s actually not surprising at all what they’ve done with Baynes. They made weird deals in terms of asset management, but as was said here a couple of times, they improved their basketball IQ, their playmaking, and their defense, and ended up with what they wanted, which is an old school approach. Baynes contributes in all of those areas, and gives them multiple bigs that can stretch the floor. They give some teams matchup problems.
what is your criteria based on ?
kyrie’s team is 1 – 3
the game is about wins and loses
Kaylee Irving will take no less than a third of Nets overall shots per possession. And when he’s off (and that’s more often than not) he’ll blame everyone else. Have fun with that
Rubio isn’t on the list, but he should be. Phoenix is playing hard on both ends, and I gotta think he’s one of the main reasons why. Phoenix has been surprisingly good so far, playing hard and doing the right stuff. I’m sure Baynes is part of it, as well as the new coaching staff, but I think Rubio is underrated as a leader.
So far from the list is the first Kyrie, AD & then Westbrook.
But AD will be overall then Westbrook & either Kyrie or Kawhi at the end of the RS.