Galloway is learning to become a high-value NBA point guard. He will be given a contract to the end of the year and maybe longer. NBA guards take 3 to 5 years to fully season. Galloway is playing at an accelerated pace. Assuming no injuries hamper his development, he's going to be one of the truly fine point guards in this league for years to come.
Lou Amundson, as I described in an earlier post, is a Phil Jackson player. He hustles, he bangs, he's tenacious. He's going to get signed for the rest of the season.
Lance Thomas, again as I described in an earlier post, too is a Phil Jackson archetype player. A Captain Obvious description of Thomas is that he hustles, he's a glue player, he's not afraid to mix it up. He'll be signed for the rest of the season as well. Thomas is a bit of a tweener and somewhat redundant but in small ball line-ups it matters little. He has shown flashes of scoring ability as well.
Injuries in Portland to both Aldrich and Batum make it a prime destination for Amare Stoudemire to contribute should he request a buyout.
Otherwise, the teams that likely believe they are still in competition for playoff berths or who need obvious hardening of their rosters appear to be;
- Detroit - SVG just lost Jennings for the season
- Indiana - their tradition of making the playoffs with Charlotte in striking distance must make them re-evaluate what they'll need
- Charlotte - hanging on to that last playoff spot with a dubious roster
- Houston - though securely in the playoff mix, they may be the weakest team in the bunch
- Clippers - like Houston, a weak team that's gotten weaker with the addition of Austin Rivers who will become the fall guy for any playoff woes
- Phoenix - battling for that final playoff spot
- New Orleans - battling for that final playoff spot
- OKC - battling for that final playoff spot
Calderon, Prigioni, and Larkin are all available.
Augustine will step in for Detroit but he's a limited player. Prigioni would be a good fit for SVG if they were making a playoff push and they have a second rounder (40) to offer.
Prigioni for Houston's #42 or OKC's #47 are worth exploring.
Prigioni for Phoenix's Reggie Bullock might be worth exploring as a trade for a risky talent. Prigioni is an inexpensive PG in the event they move one of their pricier players.
Acey and THJ are two other players who can be moved.
It is almost certain that Bargnani is bought out.
Assuming he and Stat are no longer here and no trades are made, two roster spots will open up.
If OKC is willing to package Reggie Jackson and Jeremy Lamb for a combination of talent, the Knicks obvious interest in Jackson is fulfilled and OKC is not left empty handed this summer.
Maurice Harkless or Jeremy Lamb might be available under a trade exception.
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