Five NBA players who could use 2020 change of scenery

Aaron Gordon, Magic

Over the past five seasons, many have expected Gordon to turn into a star. Unfortunately for the Magic (12-17), he hasn't. He's also mired in the worst season of his career.

Pick a category -- points (13.2),  rebounds (7.0), field-goal percentage (.406), etc. -- and Gordon’s numbers are down compared to 2018-19. Worse, Orlando is outscored by 3.3 points per 100 possessions when Gordon is on the floor. 

Before we completely dismiss him, it’s important to note a lot is working against Gordon in Orlando. The Magic's best player, Nikola Vucevic, is a slow big man. Steve Clifford is a defensive-oriented coach whose teams have never played all that fast. Orlando's best prospect, Jonathan Isaac, plays Gordon’s position, and the team gambled on Markelle Fultz, an ultra-talented, athletic point guard with a shaky outside shot. He needs playing time.

On a team that plays fast, has some shooting and a clear need at power forward, Gordon might shine. 

Better fit: Rockets

Jordan Clarkson, Cavaliers

Unsurprisingly, the Cavaliers stink. At 8-21, they reside in the Eastern Conference cellar with the Hawks (6-24) and Knicks (7-23). Cleveland's woes overshadow decent play by Clarkson, a shoot-first guard with a good touch from beyond the arc.

Clarkson averages 14.6 points and 5.5 attempts from three -- the same number he shot from deep in 2018-19. The difference between this season and last, however, is he's attempting 11.2 shots per game, down from 14.6. Even better is that he is shooting 37.1 % from behind the arc (of 159 attempts), a career-high percentage if it holds up.

Before you get skeptical that this is an early season hot streak, it’s important to note that at 27, Clarkson is just entering his prime. He very well could simply be getting better as a shooter.

The problem for the veteran combo guard is his value as a scorer is diminished in Cleveland. Second-year guard Collin Sexton and rookies Darius Garland and Kevin Porter Jr. clearly are the foundation for the Cavaliers. Like Clarkson, they are at their best when looking to score, not pass. 

A few years ago, it might be hard to justify Clarkson being a rotation player on a winning team. But signs indicate he could be ready to take on a bigger role with a team with more at stake.

Better fit: Jazz

(Editor's note: Clarkson reportedly was traded to the Jazz.)

Nemanja Bjelica, Kings

Watch Bjelica play and you probably won’t be impressed. He’s not quite a forward and not quite a center. The 6-foot-10 Serbian isn't fast, and he's not a great defender. Despite these deficiencies, Bjelica -- who averaged only 23.2 minutes a game in 2018-19 -- was Sacramento’s plus/minus leader last season. The Kings were 6.6 points per 100 possessions better with him on the floor. 

Sacramento (12-17) is one of the most perplexing teams in the league this season. Bjelica’s minutes are up (26.4 per game), but his impact is way down (the team is minus-3.3 points per 100 worse when he plays). That type of swing is likely more reflective of the current state of the Kings than Bjelica’s play. He’s still one of the league’s best shooters -- 40.5 percent from deep on 4.3 attempts a game -- and has the type of game that fits on a good team that needs a solid role player.

Better fit: 76ers

D.J. Wilson, Bucks

After essentially redshirting his rookie campaign in 2017-18, we saw glimpses of what Wilson is capable of last season. In 48 games, he put up respectable numbers in limited minutes, averaging 5.8 points, 4.6 rebounds on 41.4 percent shooting from the field and 36.2 from three. Wilson filled in admirably when the Milwaukee dealt with injuries, and seemed set to become a full-fledged rotation member this season.

Unfortunately for the third-year pro, the Bucks loaded up on veteran help in the offseason. Kyle Korver, Wes Matthews and Robin Lopez joined Milwaukee, and combo guard George Hill was retained. The minutes that seemed there for the taking from Wilson now belong to more proven players.

On top of that, Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer is a shooting zealot. In limited playing time this season, Wilson has regressed slightly as a shooter, hitting only 29.7 percent of his 37 shots from beyond the arc.

In glimpses of Wilson's game, we sense a  Josh Smith-esque vibe. Although the Pelicans' Smith is often maligned for his shot selection, he is a versatile defender capable of attacking the rim off the bounce and setting up his teammates. In another situation, the Smith-esque game of Wilson could really shine. The good news for him? With Milwaukee looking like the team to beat in the East, it might be inclined to make a deal for another veteran to put around Giannis Antetokounmpo. Wilson would be an ideal trade chip. 

Better fit: Hornets