NBA: Three Teams That Should Pursue Larry Sanders
Dec 15, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Larry Sanders (8) drives on Phoenix Suns center Alex Len (21) during the first half at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
It’s been about a year since Milwaukee Bucks center Larry Sanders made a sudden disappearance from the NBA. Here are three teams that should pursue him in his potential comeback attempt
Larry Sanders‘ numbers were never jaw-dropping, but they were decent enough that he could fit into the Milwaukee Bucks’ system. In the 2012-13 season, it appeared Sanders was going to become a phenomenal talent as he finished the season averaging 9.8 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game in 55 starts.
He was seventh in voting for Defensive Player of the Year that season, which would have been a nice accolade to add to the resume for the budding big man.
In 2015, he decided he no longer wanted to be a part of the NBA. Reports circulated indicating the big man wanted to quit, while others said he was merely dealing with personal issues. He was suspended for violating the NBA’s drug-usage protocol, and shortly after he was gone for good, for his own reasons.
Sanders played a total of 50 games in his last two seasons, and his numbers regressed as a result of this. But the ex-Milwaukee center had talent that could be fruitful today, and there are definitely some teams that could use him.
Though Sanders hasn’t given any signs of returning, yet, it would still be interesting to see where he could end up. Here are three teams that should pursue him in the even he makes an NBA comeback.
Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans are 7-16 at the moment, but the season is still young. Anthony Davis is going to be a monster on defense all year, so long as he maintains his health, and we should expect that. The only issue is, the remaining big men on this roster cannot provide what Davis can while he’s off the floor.
Omer Asik and Alexis Ajinca are the only centers this team has, and neither of them has scoring consistency or shot-blocking prowess. In the old days, Asik was regarded as one of the better defensive bigs, but with his injury history and limited minutes, he’s regressed to a minor role. Both guys are around 7-foot, yet their rim-protection has little impact on the flow of the game.
Perhaps the most crucial element here is Sanders is more mobile than these two as well, which gives him the upper hand from a defensive standpoint.
To be fair, Asik and Ajinca weigh in at around 255 and 248 pounds, respectively, and that enhances their ability to keep position in the post. With a new group of growing centers, Sanders could potentially find it difficult to keep stronger centers out of the paint, but even DeAndre Jordan has had that problem and look how he’s turned out.
The defensive potential of a Davis and Sanders frontcourt duo is too good to pass up, and they could certainly use a shot-blocker like Sanders to make a push for the playoffs this season.
Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Charlotte Hornets
The Charlotte Hornets lack a quality rim protector.
Roy Hibbert has the size for the job, but his shot-blocking and overall defense has declined since his days with Indiana. Also, Hibbert’s offensive value is near nonexistent at this point in his career, which hurts the Hornets in the event of a post-playh or offensive rebound.
Spencer Hawes is mainly an offensive threat, and Frank Kaminsky is moving along that same path. Neither has managed to make a name for themselves through rim protection
Cody Zeller is the only other potential shot-blocker the Hornets have, and he’s a bit more reliable on offense than the other big men on this roster. Sanders could provide similar production so long as he’s healthy and conditioned.
Charlotte inked Hibbert to a $5 million contract this past summer, and that money could be better utilized with Sanders for his larger margin of upside.
Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Golden State Warriors
JaVale McGee is the only legitimate rim-protector the Warriors have, and quite frankly, he’s a bit useless.
He’s only playing 7.3 minutes per game, and has averaged significantly less than his career average of 1.7 blocks per game.
From an offensive standpoint, McGee has only been good for one thing: dunks. Although we’ve seen this from quite a few centers in today’s NBA, those centers have other qualities that compensate for their lack of offensive skill. McGee ends up on Shaqtin-a-fool more often than not, which reduces his prospects for helping the Warriors out on defense.
Golden State likes to utilize their small-ball lineup relatively often, and it has its upsides. However, utilizing a generally shorter lineup has also proven to have defensive downside due to players scoring with ease off the drive.
Sanders might also have a limited offensive game, but he can extend his range beyond the paint with mid-range jumpers, and that’s the key to rounding out his value on any roster.
He can keep up with smaller players as well, which makes him that much scarier as a defensive center.
Again, he has not indicated he’s returning any time soon, but his value at the center position is up there. Of course, he’d have to condition himself for the pace of the NBA again – and he’d have to abide by all the regulations – but Sanders could certainly be a top-tier center if he ever plays in the NBA again.
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