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Almost half a month of NBA basketball has passed, and we have seen a snippet of the true contenders and the pretenders. For the contending teams, it’s all about staying healthy through the playoffs. But for teams still finding an identity in the league, it will be about patience and the commitment to improve each and every day.

Still, every team would benefit from going through the market and searching for the right player who can contribute right away. May it be a veteran who could be a valuable locker room presence, or a young player with loads of potential, teams will be interested to have these players on their team.

Patrick McCaw

The 23-year old McCaw has raised eyebrows not with his game this offseason, but for his reluctance to sign an offer from the Golden State Warriors. Reports have it that McCaw and his camp are still waiting for a more lucrative deal from the defending champs, but don’t be surprised if the restricted free agent receive offers from other teams.

Standing at 6-foot-7, McCaw has the potential to be a deadly 3-and-D player in the league. He has cracked a consistent roster spot in the Warriors ever since he was drafted, and that’s a positive indicator of his talent and attitude. His horrible-looking injury last season could be a thing of the past, considering how the Warriors are still going after his services.

Per 36 Minutes Averages (2017-18 Season): 8.6 points, 4.1 assists, 4.1 rebounds, 1.6 steals

2017-18 Salary: $1,312,611

Arron Afflalo

Afflalo, a 32-year old vet, played for the Orlando Magic last season. A consistent starter throughout his career, Afflalo just played an average of 12.9 minutes last year, his lowest since his rookie season. It’s a surprise that no team has signed him up yet, given his pedigree and knack for scoring.

Just two years ago, he was averaging 12.8 points per game for the New York Knicks. If injury bugs hit contending teams leading up to the second half of the season, expect them to line up for the services of the 6-foot-5 scorer.

Per 36 Minutes Averages (2017-18 Season): 9.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists

2017-18 Salary: $2,328,652

Joe Johnson

It’s a light argument on whether Johnson is a backcourt player or a frontcourt one. After all, versatility is the ultimate trump card for the seven-time All-Star. But Johnson’s knack for playmaking and scoring made me decide to put him in the guard position.

Johnson last played for the Houston Rockets, the 2018 Western Conference runner-up. But he didn’t contribute much to the team’s success as he averaged a career-low in points in his brief stint with the Rockets. It’s not a surprise though, considering how the ball was always in the hands of superstars Chris Paul and James Harden.

The 6-foot-7 heavy-built guard would not do much for you off the ball. But if you are looking for someone to create his own shots and set up scoring opportunities for his teammates, Johnson could be that player.

Per 36 Minutes Averages (2017-18 Season): 11.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists

2017-18 Salary: $749,905

Nick Young

It was a surprise that the Golden State Warriors signed Young last year, an often-erratic player who takes a large volume of inefficient shots. But what’s more surprising was that Young was able to carve a niche in the Dubs’ rotation, averaging 17.4 minutes per game.

While his shooting percentages last year were a bit decent, he turned heads with his discipline on the floor and a commitment to the Warriors’ culture. He was more active and consistent on the defensive end while being patient and selective with his shots on offense.

Per 36 Minutes Averages (2017-18 Season): 15.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 1.0 steals

2017-18 Salary: $5,192,000