A change of scenery can do wonders for an NBA player, potentially revitalizing what was once a promising career
The team an NBA player calls home can make all the difference in the world in how their career pans out. Just imagine if Kawhi Leonard hadn’t been drafted by the San Antonio Spurs. Would he be the MVP-caliber performer that he is today?
What if James Harden had never been traded to the Rockets? Had he stayed with Oklahoma City, he would have continued to play third fiddle to Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook instead of blossoming into the offensive juggernaut we know him as today.
Heck, even Kyrie Irving called for a fresh start this past offseason despite appearing in three consecutive NBA Finals with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Time will tell whether that was the right move or not, but there is no denying that Boston is off to an impressive start, even without Gordon Hayward.
Finding the correct team is not just important for the star-caliber players, though; it’s also crucial for role players, perhaps even more so. Here are five players could benefit significantly from a fresh start with a new NBA team.