2015 NBA Off-Season: Old Faces in New Places
After a wild free agency period, players were officially allowed to sign with new teams last week. As usual, many clubs were able to re-sign their free agents. Most notably, the Clippers retained big man DeAndre Jordan and Chicago held onto shooting guard Jimmy Butler.
But there were a few of moves that could change the entire NBA landscape. Here’s a look at the familiar faces who are now in new places.
LaMarcus Aldridge
Old Team: Portland Trailblazers
New Team: San Antonio Spurs
Aldridge is a four-time NBA All-Star and three-time All-NBA selection since being traded to the Portland Trailblazers on draft day in 2006. But after failing to advance past the first round for the fourth time in five playoff appearances, Aldridge opted to bring his 23.4 points and 10.2 rebounds per game to his home-state San Antonio Spurs in pursuit of his first NBA championship.
Greg Monroe
Old Team: Detroit Pistons
New Team: Milwaukee Bucks
Monroe has never been considered a star. But he has been consistently productive for Detroit over the past few years. He is one of only three players to average at least 15 points and nine rebounds in each of the past four years. The others? DeMarcus Cousins, Kevin Love, and Dwight Howard. Monroe will be a breath of fresh air on a Milwaukee roster that ranked No. 22 in scoring last season.
Wesley Matthews
Old Team: Portland Trailblazers
New Team: Dallas Mavericks
Surprisingly, Matthews was undrafted in 2009 after a standout four-year career at Marquette. He played one season with the Utah Jazz before Portland signed him to a five-year contract in 2010. Until he tore his Achilles tendon, Matthews was one of the most prolific three-point shooters in the NBA. Even though he missed the last 22 games of the year, Matthews still finished No. 9 overall with 173 made threes. His shooting will be welcomed on a depleted Mavs roster.
DeMarre Carroll
Old Team: Atlanta Hawks
New Team: Toronto Raptors
Carroll was a journeyman before joining the Hawks, but emerged as a key piece on the top team in the Eastern Conference. His numbers will not blow you away (12.6 points, 5.3 rebounds), but Carroll brings much more to the table. He can score either with or without the ball. He draws the opposing team’s toughest defensive assignment. And he brings a tough-nosed mentality that should make a big impact for the Toronto Raptors.
Tiago Splitter
Old Team: San Antonio Spurs
New Team: Atlanta Hawks
Splitter has spent his whole career as a Spur, but he could finally get the opportunity to be a featured player for the Atlanta. Hawks. Atlanta runs a Spurs-like system, which is built around versatile big men. Adding a player of Splitter’s caliber should help take Atlanta’s defensive rotation to the next level.
Photos: D. Clarke Evans/NBAE via Getty Images (Aldridge), Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images (Monroe), Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images (Matthews, Splitter), Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images (Carroll)
