Dec 27, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks center Andrew Bogut (6) reacts during the game against the Houston Rockets at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Center Andrew Bogut didn't pan out with the Dallas Mavericks. Here's a look at five teams who could use Bogut's services, the right way.
The Dallas Mavericks acquired Andrew Bogut last summer from to the Golden State Warriors for a future second-round draft pick and since then it hasn't paid off.
So in turn, the Mavericks traded Bogut again, along with the young and developing Justin Anderson to the Philadelphia 76ers for 22-year-old center Nerlens Noel.
A 12-year-starter, Bogut was moved to the Mavericks bench on Jan. 30. He is averaging a career-low 3.0 points to go with 8.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.0 blocks per game. Bogut started in just 21 games and appeared in 26 total games for the Mavericks this season.
With a record of 22-34, Dallas decided to go in a different direction. As a result, it puts Bogut in a very interesting position.
Will be a free for all for Bogut if he hits the buyout market. Half dozen teams–or more–will show strong interest. https://t.co/WwfcXKuu7T
— Chris Mannix (@ChrisMannixYS) February 23, 2017
Bogut's agent, David Bauman, will negotiate a buyout with the 76ers. With that being the final outcome, Bogut will be highly sought out by teams looking to make playoff runs.
He started in 66 of 70 games last season for the Golden State Warriors before being traded to Dallas to allow the Warriors the necessary cap space to sign Kevin Durant.
Since then, his pairing with Dirk Nowitzki has soured. It hasn't helped Nowitzki looks to have lost a step since returning from injury, so trading for a younger Noel essentially became a no-brainer. As for Bogut, deciding on a new team is up to him. Here are five teams he could possibly sign with.
Feb 23, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier (right) and Portland Trail Blazers guard Shabazz Napier (left] battle for loose ball with Portland Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic (top) during the second quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
5. Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers are having a disappointing season with a 24-33 record. The team already traded starting center Mason Plumlee, a 2018 second-round draft pick and cash to the Denver Nuggets for Jusuf Nurkic and a 2017 first-round draft pick.
However, there's still Festus Ezeli on the roster to deal with.
Ezeli has yet to appear in a game since receiving an injection in his knee to improve things. His contract is guaranteed for just $1 million next season.
However, the team was unable to trade him before the NBA trade deadline and he will now miss the rest of the season to undergo knee surgery.
With Nurkic as the only other center on the roster, the Trail Blazers could use Bogut's rebounding and defending in the paint. The team ranks 26th in the NBA in opponents points per game (110.0) and 19th in rebounds per game (43.4).
Bogut is averaging 3.0 points, 8.3 rebounds and a block per game despite playing just 22.4 minutes per game for Dallas this season. While Portland doesn't necessarily need his scoring ability, his presence on the boards and in the paint is definitely something they could benefit from.
Feb 24, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (15) looks to pass the ball around Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the first quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
4. Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks are another team that could use a boost with their interior defense. Since losing Jabari Parker to a torn ACL injury, the team has gone 3-1, but is it sustainable? Parker was the team's third leading rebounder (6.1 per game).
Without him, they're desperate for another rebounder.
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The Bucks are 25-31, 10th in the Eastern Conference, and as they reach their final stretch of games pushing for a playoff spot, an Andrew Bogut reunion may be necessary. Bogut was drafted by Milwaukee back in the 2005 NBA Draft as the first overall pick.
He spent 2005-12 with the team before being traded to the Golden State Warriors, averaging 12.7 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.6 blocks per game as a member of the Bucks.
The team recently traded center Miles Plumlee to the Charlotte Hornets for Spencer Hawes and Roy Hibbert on Feb. 2. Then, just hours before the trade deadline, the team traded Hibbert to the Denver Nuggets for a 2019 second-round draft pick.
With only centers Greg Monroe and Hawes on the roster, the Bucks could use Bogut's services, even off the bench.
Monroe is second on the team, averaging 6.8 rebounds per game with zero starts.
Feb 24, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) looks on as he prepares for a free throw against the LA Clippers during the fourth quarter at Staples Center. The San Antonio Spurs won 105-97. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
3. San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are a team in search of a bit more balance. They have their fair share of veterans but they also have three rookies and a second-year player in Jonathon Simmons on the roster.
Back on Feb. 12, they signed center Joel Anthony. But since being signed, Anthony has appeared in just nine games, averaging 1.3 points and 1.8 rebounds in 6.2 minutes per game.
This could be a spot more reserved for Andrew Bogut. Bogut, in his 12th NBA season, is aware of his limits but he's still useful in the pick-and-roll offense. With a 44-13 record, the Spurs aren't in terrible shape in the Western Conference.
However, signing Bogut could give them a definite edge in the strategy department.
Granted, teams can adjust but Bogut can offer the team more than just minutes. He can also give an idea at what Golden State looks to do against the Spurs. After all, if both teams finish first and second in the West, they'd be on a collision course for a Western Conference Finals matchup.
Feb 25, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard Lou Williams (12) passes agains the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second half at Toyota Center. Houston Rockets won 142 to 130. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
2. Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are a team that is currently top-heavy on offense, but on the defensive side of things, there's much to be desired. Granted, if they plan on scoring 140 points every game, I wouldn't be surprised with the roster they currently have.
However, in the playoffs, you need defense to survive basketball and its game of runs. Center Andrew Bogut can serve that purpose for the Rockets.
He's played on a top-heavy offensive team already in the Golden State Warriors and when in the fold, he was considered their defensive stopper in the paint. Bogut was responsible for stopping a lot of LeBron James' drives back in the playoffs for Golden State.
With Kevin Durant on the Warriors, Bogut can play a similar role. Now, completely stopping KD is a different story altogether. But with the way defenses work, team-oriented rotations help alleviate guys getting in foul trouble.
If the Rockets can sign Bogut, who knows, maybe they can jump San Antonio for number two in the West.
Feb 25, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) drives to the basket against Chicago Bulls center Robin Lopez (8) during the first quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
1. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers are a team that have had their eyes on Andrew Bogut for awhile. Bogut is a center, who at 32 years old, still has some juice left in the tank.
While things didn't work out for him in Dallas, team fit is what its all about. Cleveland wouldn't need Bogut for more than screens to get shooters open or off the pick-and-roll. Defensively, they could use Bogut's presence in the paint. The team allows 106.1 points per game, 20th in the NBA.
Tristan Thompson and Channing Frye are the centers listed on the roster but Frye could be considered a stretch-4 in most scenarios. Bogut could definitely serve as a formidable backup behind Thompson, allowing Frye to play more at the power forward position.
It would be a big help considering forward Kevin Love is out for six weeks due to knee surgery. And there's also shooting guard J.R. Smith who may not be back until the end of March after having thumb surgery.
