'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
In perhaps the most exciting offseason this year, we have seen teams make insane trades, experienced the most-anticipated draft and also seen all-star calibre players sign for various teams across the league. But what about those role players that either signed or got traded this offseason? These players may not have been talked about as much as they are now. Their impacts have either improved their team or their career stats. This lists highlights some of the transactions that actually helped teams more than they could have ever imagined.
5) Lou Williams, Los Angeles Clippers
Previous season: 14.9 points per game, 3 rebounds per game, 2.4 assists per game, 0.7 steals per game, 0.4 blocks per game.
Regular season: 19 points per game, 2.7 rebounds per game, 4.6 assists per game, 1 steal per game, 0.2 blocks per game
In the biggest trade of the offseason, Williams made his return to Los Angeles. In exchange for Chris Paul, the LA Clippers received seven players as well as a 2018 first-round pick from the Houston Rockets.
This trade saw Williams join his sixth NBA team, the others being the Philadelphia 76ers, Atlanta Hawks, Toronto Raptors, LA Lakers as well as the Rockets.
Williams himself is a great player but one who has not been able to fit into the various teams' systems throughout his career. This season though, he has already posted career bests in terms of both points and assists.
After the Clippers suffered injuries to players in their starting five, Williams has a golden opportunity to prove his worth to the team - something that he has not failed to produce, either.
In his last five games, he has averaged 25.2 points per game with 6.4 assists to go with it. One of those games, he dropped 42 points, shooting an efficient 57.1%. With this production, he is proving to many that his arrival was a valuable one this year.
4) Taj Gibson, Minnesota Timberwolves
Previous season: 9.0 points per game, 4.5 rebounds per game, 0.6 assists per game, 0.6 steals per game, 0.7 blocks per game
This season: 11.4 points per game, 8.3 rebounds per game, 0.9 assists per game, 0.9 steals per game, 0.6 blocks per game
Gibson signed with the Timberwolves for $14m in the offseason after a drab season with the Oklahoma City Thunder. This is a great acquisition, a veteran player to help a youthful Timberwolves side - which also reunited Gibson with Tom Thibodeau, who was Chicago Bulls' head coach while the 32-year-old was there.
Gibson mainly played from the bench with the Thunder, which was a significant contrast to life with the Bulls. His reduced minutes ultimately showed in his production on the court, though Thibodeau has faith in his ability and from past experiences, clearly trusts him with responsibilities too.
He provides key rebounds as well as a strong presence in the paint. The Timberwolves, who missed out on the playoffs last season, have improved to 15-11 this term so far - placing them fourth in the Western Conference.
3) Tyreke Evans, Memphis Grizzlies
Previous season: 11.6 points per game, 3.6 rebounds per game, 2.4 assists per game, 0.9 steals per game, 0.4 blocks per game
This season: 17.7 points per game, 4.8 rebounds per game, 4.0 assists per game, 1 steal per game, 0.5 blocks per game
Evans signed with the Grizzlies for $3.29m in the offseason. At 6ft 6in, he primarily plays in the small forward or shooting guard positions. Mike Conley's injury has since seen him step up to play as their point guard, which has also helped his development as a player too.
There are major improvements to his overall game and he has been posting numbers that we have not seen since the 2014/15 season. With some big performances against tough opponents, this move may be the confidence boost that Evans needed to take his game to the next level. We will have to see how Evans adapts his play once Conley makes his return to the starting lineup, but it's already clear that the Grizzlies got a steal in acquiring Evans' services.
2) Domantas Sabonis, Indiana Pacers
Previous season: 5.9 points per game, 3.6 rebounds per game, 1.0 assists per game, 0.5 steals per game, 0.4 blocks per game
This season: 12.2 points per game, 8.7 rebounds per game, 2.2 assists per game, 0.3 steals per game, 0.3 blocks per game
This was one of the surprising trades across the offseason, which saw Paul George get traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Victor Oladipo and Sabonis. This trade was actually beneficial for the 21-year-old, as the team dynamics suit his style of play much better in comparison to his previous employers.
Admittedly, Sabonis did not have a spectacular rookie season. However, it was really hard to earn much recognition when Russell Westbrook was averaging triple-doubles throughout last season. The main ball handler and one who rarely passed to his team-mates, Westbrook's excellent year meant others suffered - Sabonis included.
With the lack of shots and experience, he was underwhelming. Now on a new team though, he has a fresh start to establish himself in a youthful Pacers side.
He has already doubled the majority of his stats with a similar amount of minutes played per game. It is impressive to say the least and shows how much he has grown in recent months.
1) Victor Oladipo, Indiana Pacers
Previous season: 15.9 points per game, 4.3 rebounds per game, 2.6 assists per game, 1.2 steals per game, 0.3 blocks per game
This season: 23.3 points per game, 5.2 rebounds per game, 3.9 assists per game, 1.9 steals per game, 1.1 blocks per game
Oladipo was also acquired as part of the Paul George trade and we are beginning to see that perhaps it was the Pacers who ultimately prevailed in this instance.
George looked increasingly likely to leave in the next season or so, which meant it would be counter-productive for him to waste time on a team who were potentially transitioning into rebuild mode.
OKC offered two players who were not producing the levels of output they wanted, which the Pacers have taken full advantage of.
Oladipo is now being given his time to shine, in his own team. Doing his utmost to prove the trade was not a robbery, he has been performing better defensively while improving his three-point shot in the offseason too. His field goal percentage from the three-point line has increased from 35.6% to 43.7%, which could potentially help his chances of winning the accolade for Most Improved player this season.
Currently 14-11 to start the campaign, they are sixth in the Eastern Conference and Oladipo's influential performances have certainly not gone unnoticed.
Guess the Lakers players!
