With the NBA preseason recently tipping off, there are many players who are on non-guaranteed deals trying to make names for themselves. They know they have to outwork everyone if they want to secure a spot on the NBA roster.
Often times, these players are undrafted rookies just a year or two out of college. Sometimes though, there is a veteran in this predicament trying to extend their career. They may be towards the twilight of their basketball-playing career, or they may have been a lottery pick trying to once again prove themselves to others after a subpar start in the NBA.
Here are some notable players on training camp deals who will be trying to claw their way onto an NBA roster come opening day of the regular season.
Cole Aldrich - Atlanta Hawks
The 29-year-old (turning 30 on October 31) Aldrich was the 11th overall pick in 2010 out of Kansas. He hasn’t had many successes as a pro averaging just 3.1 points and 3.3 rebounds in 339 games. He played a grand total of only 49 minutes in 21 games for the Timberwolves last season.
Lavoy Allen - Washington Wizards
Allen would like another chance in the NBA after spending last season in the G-League. The 29-year-old is a veteran of six NBA seasons with the 76ers and Pacers. In 388 games, he has averaged 4.8 points and 4.8 rebounds.
Jarrett Jack - New Orleans Pelicans
Jack will get the opportunity to rejoin a New Orleans team that he has played 117 games for in parts of three seasons. The 13-year-veteran started 56 games at point guard for the Knicks last season and averaged 7.5 points and 5.6 assists. Turning 35 on October 28, he is 117th in NBA history with 3,952 assists.
In a recent article on NBA.com, Jack mentions how he was surprised that he remained unsigned until the Pelicans added him to their training camp roster.
Shabazz Muhammad - Milwaukee Bucks
The 14th overall selection in 2013, Muhammad averaged 13.5 points in 38 games during his second season in the league. Last season was a major disappointment for the soon-to-be 26-year-old though as he scored just 3.8 points per game for the Timberwolves before he was waived in March.
He was picked up by the Bucks and went on to average 8.5 points in 11 outings.
Emeka Okafor - Philadelphia 76ers
The 36-year-old Okafor was out of the NBA for four seasons before signing with the Pelicans last February. He went on to start 19 of his 26 games there and posted averages of 4.4 points and 4.6 rebounds. The second overall pick in 2004 is 90th in league history with 1,003 career blocks. According to ESPN's box score, he did not play in Friday's preseason opener for the 76ers against Melbourne United.
Thomas Robinson - Atlanta Hawks
Thus far in his career, most would label the 27-year-old Robinson as a bust after he was selected fifth overall in 2012. He last played in the NBA during the 2016-17 season for the Lakers as he spent last season playing overseas in Russia. Career averages of 4.9 points and 4.8 rebounds in five seasons have not given him a distinguishable career.