Mitnick: 10 Overseas Players Who Can Help NBA Playoff Teams

NBA playoff teams in need of help can still find a difference maker before the deadline arrives for setting postseason rosters.

All they need to do is look overseas.

With the playoffs less than a month away, and the trade deadline and “February free agency” in the distant past, NBA teams are typically left to rely on the D-League to provide injury replacement players at this point of the season.

With players needing to have been released by their previous NBA team by March 1 to be playoff-eligible, there is a limited market of guys who can sign to fill in for an injured player. One month ago, a team like the Clippers could make a big upgrade, as they did in signing Danny Granger and Glen Davis.

However, at this stage in the game it becomes a little more tricky – unless you cast a wider net.

With the Chinese CBA Finals coming to a close and many European league regular seasons winding down, there is a market of high-level players who have not played in the NBA this season and are eligible for the NBA playoffs.

While the domestic leagues in Europe are still going on, there are teams who are in the no-man’s land of being out of the playoff race and comfortably ahead of relegation. Additionally, there are several European teams who are struggling financially, since some clubs are still being affected by the economic crisis, giving their players a way to negotiate their way out of their deals should a better opportunity arise.

Playoff contending teams with open roster spots include the Bulls (13 under contract, two below the maximum), Bobcats (14), Cavs (14), Spurs (14), Clippers (14) and Warriors (14). That makes for seven empty roster spots that stand a likelihood of being filled by mid-April

Here is my Top 10:

Bobby Brown, Guard, DongGuan Leopards (China)

After a successful season with the DongGuan Leopards of the Chinese CBA, the PG known as LB (Little Bobby) is ready to make his return to “the league.” The high- scoring guard managed to break the 40-point barrier five times this season, going for a whopping 74 points this past December, on his way to averaging 30.7 points this season.

Since slipping through the cracks of the NBA following the 2009-10 season, Brown has steadily climbed the ladder overseas and more than earned another shot at the big time. Last season, Brown was the Euroleague scoring champ with Montepaschi Siena, and as we mentioned here in the summer, Brown probably warranted a chance with an NBA team this season.

With his confidence sky-high after two highly successful seasons, Brown could be a high-impact player off the bench for a playoff team. There were rumors that Olympiacos of Greece was going to make a big offer to Brown for a run at a Euroleague title, but it appears negotiations have stalled.

Pooh Jeter, Guard, Shandong Flaming Bulls (China)

After spending his past three seasons abroad – one with Joventut Badalona of the Spanish ACB league, then two with the Shandong Flaming Bulls of the Chinese CBA – Jeter may be next in line to get an opportunity. The Phoenix Suns were rumored to have interest in Jeter one month ago, when the CBA regular season ended and Eric Bledsoe was recovering. But nothing materialized.

While not quite as undersized or super athletic as Nate Robinson, Jeter is the same sparkplug type of player who can light it up in a hurry.

He makes up for his lack of size with his intensity and competitive spirit, and has a knack for making timely 3-point shots.

Jeter is  the kind of player who can give you a huge quarter in a road playoff game that could be the difference between winning and losing a series.

Justin Dentmon, Guard, Zalgiris Kaunas (Lithuania)

Currently playing for Zalgiris Kaunas, where he is averaging 16.5 points on 44 percent 3-point shooting  with 4.4 assists, Dentmon may be on the move in the next few weeks. Zalgiris is in deep financial trouble, and with the Euroleague Final Eight now out of reach, it is very likely Dentmon could be had if a team so desired.

The Mavericks gave Dentmon a look last season after an excellent stint with the Texas Legends. There may be some teams who still remember him and his 26.8 points in the D-League last season.

Dentmon has some issues with his shot selection but is an excellent difficult shot maker. He may not be the complete package, but he is a fearless gunner who will not shy away from a challenge.

Hakim Warrick, Forward, Liaoning Jiebao Hunter (China)

After an NBA career that included stints with the Grizzlies, Bucks, Suns and Bobcats, Warrick found himself in the Far East this season trying to revitalize his career with Liaoning Jiebao Hunter of the CBA.

Warrick’s weaknesses are well-known among NBA circles, but you cannot deny his experience.

In a market with very few options, Warrick is a playoff-eligible athletic forward who brings significantly more NBA experience than most of the competition.

Should a team have an injured forward, Warrick is a guy who can step in and fill a bench role. As we have seen with the performance of Drew Gooden with the Wizards, at this point in the season, an experienced player can make a transition much quicker and smoother than a younger player.

Shelden Williams, Center, Tianjin Steel (China)

One of the bigger draft busts of the past decade, Williams has brought his steady defensive and rebounding effort abroad these past two seasons. While once a star at Duke, Williams was mediocre at best during his stops in Atlanta, Sacramento, Minnesota, Denver, Boston, New York and New Jersey throughout his six-year NBA career.

That said, Williams is a good defender and consistent rebounder who could fill the role of playing 5-15 minutes as a big off the bench. While Williams was a focal player this season with the Tianjin Steel of the CBA and last season with the French club Chalon, he is suited to be a role player. For a team needing a guy to get a crucial stop, commit fouls and grab rebounds, Williams could be a decent option in this market.

Jonathan Gibson, Guard, Zhejiang Guangsha Lions (China)

The lone player on this list without NBA experience, Gibson has become one of the most prolific scorers overseas. Since a rough rookie year out of New Mexico State in 2010-2011, where he struggled in both Turkey and Israel, Gibson has made a quick rise through the overseas ranks.

Gibson signed with Brindisi at the tail end of the 2011-2012 season and helped them take a championship and move to the first division, where he was the second-leading scorer in the Italian Serie A last season. After helping Brindisi establish itself as a top club in Italy, Gibson moved to China, where he averaged over 32 points, more than earning what was likely a hefty salary.

Gibson may not have the name and reputation among NBA circles, but this kid can get to the rim with the best of them. He is extremely quick off the dribble, can weave through defenders to finish in traffic and get himself to the line.

While it may be risky for a playoff contender to take Gibson due to his lack of NBA experience, lottery teams should jump on him now to secure his services for next season. This is a kid on the rise, and his game seems very fit for the NBA, meaning he could be a big time steal if he hits the right situation.

Lester Hudson, Guard, Xinjiang Flying Tigers (China)

Since entering the NBA as the 58^th pick in the 2009 draft, Hudson has seemingly been in and out of the league on a consistent basis, making stops in Boston, Memphis, Washington and Cleveland.

While Hudson still does not possess the mentality of a point guard nor the height of a shooting guard, he has shot almost 40 percent from 3-point range on nearly 10 attempts per game this season.

For a team desperate for shooting off the bench, it will know it is bringing in a guy not afraid to shoot it every time, for better or worse.

With his team currently facing Stephon Marbury’s Beijing Ducks in the CBA Finals (Hudson’s team trails 3-1), there has been some talk that several NBA teams have been considering Hudson’s services.

Coming off his most successful professional season, Hudson may be able to ride this wave of momentum into an NBA career that includes a playoff appearance.