The regular season is getting closer and closer to starting and with most teams in the NBA already filling out their rosters, there are a number of players that are free agents on the market that still can contribute, including names like Drew Gooden, Stephen Jackson and Tyrus Thomas among others.
All three players have their strengths and weaknesses and while none are likely going to be an All-Star or a game changer, each could add something to a winning team that could help them get over the top for a championship. Gooden and Jackson have previous playoffs experience and while Thomas has not been through much winning while playing for a Bobcats team that has won 28 games over the past two seasons, that may be the drive he needs as he tries to make it back onto a roster.
Thomas was released to make room for Al Jefferson, while Gooden and Jackson were released from the Bucks and Spurs respectively for money and performance reasons. Gooden had some attention from teams earlier in the offseason, but now things have cooled mostly and one team that fits is the New York Knicks, as they are trying to add the final player to their roster. The team made a number of moves this offseason already, including signing Metta World Peace, Pablo Prigioni, JR Smith and trading for Andrea Bargnani and bringing on someone like Gooden could add depth to a frontcourt that will need it behind Tyson Chandler, Amaer Stoudemire and Kenyon Martin.
Gooden was released by the Bucks since he was owed some money and had problems with injuries, but now that he appears healthy, he could provide some depth for the Knicks. Last season he averaged less than 10 minutes per game and his numbers suffered for it, but just a year before that he was averaging 13.7 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 26.2 minutes and if the Knicks got anything close to that, they would be pleased. Gooden is looked at as a fit with a number of teams, including the Clippers, Oklahoma City Thunder as well as the Chicago Bulls.
Jackson is older at 35, but after playing with the Spurs he could end up moving to the Houston Rockets, as Pro Basketball Talk reports there is mutual interest. The Rockets already have superstars in James Harden and Dwight Howard and with Aaron Brooks, Marcus Camby, Francisco Garcia, Patrick Beverley, Omri Casspi and others on the bench, he could add to the crop of players for depth.
Thomas has been in the NBA for seven seasons and while he has not been a part of a winning culture yet, he could provide some solid depth for teams up front after being released by the Bobcats. He is still a very young player at 26 and after getting taken number six overall in 2006, he may have the chance to salvage that potential if he signs with a contender or another team where he can get more playing time.
