The NBA has always been a land of opportunity.
The global popularity of basketball and the structure of the NBA allows for players to develop and blossom at different times of their physical prime. Players who have floated on benches for years can emerge as a role player on a contender when the circumstances allow it. Some don’t begin their careers in the ideal location and need to take a few detours before arriving in the best location.
Some players emerge as contributing members of the rotation due to injury or a transaction that requires more playing time from players still on the team.
The buyout market gives players a more short-term opportunity to prove they can make an impact elsewhere. There’s numerous amount of ways important players make their presence known in the NBA and Detroit has two players with very unique paths to crucial roles on a contending team.