
In addition to the recent list of possible D-League call-ups, there exist many other veteran free agents who could help an NBA team as a midseason pick-up. In light of 10-day contracts becoming available to use as of next week, here’s an unnecessary, emphatic list of some possible ones.
It’s important to note that only free agents are listed here, not all non-NBA players. So as much fun as it would be to list the likes of Eddy Curry and Quincy Douby — who this week combined for 95 points in a Chinese league game — they’re taken.
Guards
Carlos Arroyo – Out of the league for nearly two years, Arroyo is no less of an NBA player now than when he was in it. However, having declined steadily since 2005, his place within it was already tenuous. Arroyo is reportedly about to sign to Turkish team Galatasaray, where he’ll need to show improvement to be seriously considered in the NBA again.
Mike Bibby – Having fallen away dramatically in the last three seasons, Bibby achieved something difficult last season when he made the Knicks roster as a shooting specialist who couldn’t shoot. His career numbers suggest this was an outlier, yet after back to back poor seasons, Bibby will find it tough to make it back to the league.
Earl Boykins – Boykins was a rare veteran presence on a young Rockets team last season, where he showed the usual Boykins package: no fear, plenty of long twos, and a desperate need to prove himself as a scorer. He was adequate in his backup role, and was a good NBA player as recently as the 2010-11 season, but his age (36) might be the death knell.
Anthony Carter – Carter will inevitably go on to coach, yet he still believes he can contribute as an NBA player. The statistics do not reconcile with this belief, and haven’t done since 2008, yet perception is a much more important resource. “Coach on the floor,” et cetera.
Antonio Daniels – In 2011, Daniels proved you’re never too old to use the D-League as a gateway back to the NBA, getting a late call-up to the 76ers from the Texas Legends. In 2012, he posted 8.7 apg for the Legends, but couldn’t do the same again. And in 2013, Daniels is trying to lose 10,000 lbs.
Baron Davis – Davis tore his ACL last year, the latest in a decade’s worth of serious injuries. But he showed enough before the injury to warrant another look when he’s healthy again.
Derek Fisher – Fisher asked to be released by the Mavericks so that he could be nearer his family in Los Angeles. So he’s pretty much only an option for the Clippers and Lakers. Or the Sparks.
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