Luis Scola

Now 35 years old, Scola is no longer the dynamic power forward he was when he first came to the NBA, but as a tough, wily veteran he still has his uses. In 81 games for the Pacers last season, he averaged 21 minutes, 9.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.2 blocks while shooting 47 percent from the floor and 70 percent from the free-throw line. Signed to a one-year deal by the Raptors, Scola will likely replace Amir Johnson as a frontcourt defensive stopper, coming off the bench when some additional muscle in the paint is required. Patrick Patterson will get the first look as the starter at the four, but he's never held down a starting job for any length of time, so it's possible that, if Patterson falters, Scola could get some starts, but at this point in his career, a significant increase in minutes would likely just reduce his effectiveness. If Toronto can keep him in the same narrowly-defined role he filled in Indiana, the grizzled Argentine should be able to earn his keep.

Scola transitioned to a bench role in 2013-14 in his first season with the Pacers, and it resulted in career-low averages in points (7.6), rebounds (4.8), and assists (1.0). The 34-year-old veteran was stuck playing behind Roy Hibbert and David West all season, limiting his minutes and production. As long as West and Hibbert are healthy, there's little reason for optimism heading into the 2014-15 campaign. Scola will remain the primary backup to West and could also see time at center when the Pacers decide to go small.

After coming over from the Suns in an offseason trade, Scola will provide the Pacers with yet another scoring option off the bench. The veteran will provide leadership and help the younger big men with their offensive game, but his defensive limitations will ultimately cut into his minutes on a defense-oriented squad. He may not be the fantasy performer he once was, but the praise he has earned from coach Frank Vogel likely means he will get his fair share of opportunities to put up points.

Scola was amnestied this offseason after five successful seasons with the Rockets, who were committed to shedding cap space in an effort to land Dwight Howard. Scola averaged nearly three less points and 1.7 less rebounds less per game in 2011-12 than he did in 2010-11. Phoenix won Scola’s contract off amnesty waivers. He’s joining a Phoenix team that underwent a significant roster overhaul this offseason. On the plus side, Scola’s new point guard is also his odl running mate from Houston, Goran Dragic. The two were teammates in Houston the last two seasons. Where he fits in the offensive pecking order will be determined, but we Scola should hold similar value to what he’s had the last three seasons. Scola participated for Team Argentina in the Olympic Games, playing nearly 30 minutes a game. This may have some affect on him at the start of the season, but hopefully the Suns simply manage his activity during the preseason to offset the extra wear and tear he put on in the Olympics.

With Yao Ming missing all but five games, Scola stepped up to anchor the Rockets’ frontcourt. The 31-year-old big man averaged a career-high 18.3 points per game while posting his usual efficient rates from the floor (50.4) and charity stripe (73.8). He once again remained steady on the glass, grabbing 8.2 rebounds per night. As with past seasons, Scola’s one glaring weakness was on the defensive end of the court. With averages of 0.7 steals and 0.6 blocks, he doesn’t provide much help in either category. The Rockets have promising young big men Patrick Patterson, Hasheem Thabeet and rookie Marcus Morris to work into the rotation, but Scola figures to still see his normal 30 minutes per game. With Yao now retired and none of the Rockets’ younger frontcourt options ready to take on a feature role, Scola should once again be the team’s primary low-post scoring threat. At 31, he doesn’t have the upside of other players available, but Scola has proven to be a reliable fantasy option.

Scola had his best season in the NBA in 2009-10, posting averages of 16.2 points, 8.6 boards and 2.1 assists in 32.6 minutes per game, shooting 51.4 percent from the field and just under 78 percent from the line. But there's an important caveat – with Yao Ming on the shelf and Carl Landry traded at the deadline, Scola was also Houston's best (and only) frontcourt option for most of the year. That situation could change in 2010-11. With Yao expected back in the lineup, Scola will transition from emergency fill-in center to regular power forward. Scola is a highly efficient player who will produce even if his playing time takes a hit – and given Yao's injury history, there's always the possibility that his role could increase substantially should the big fella miss a significant amount of playing time.

Scola improved across the board during his second year in the league, starting all 82 games for the Rockets. Even though he’s 6-9, Scola offers nothing as a shot-blocker, averaging just 0.1 bpg last year. However, he’s a very good rebounder, evidenced by his 10.1 rpg mark during the second half of last season while seeing just 33 minutes per game. With Yao Ming (foot) likely out for all of the upcoming season, Scola should move to center; expect an even greater impact on the boards without Yao around. Since Tracy McGrady (knee) is questionable, and Ron Artest is now in Los Angeles, Houston has a dearth of scoring options, so Scola’s field-goal attempts are likely to increase as well. Scola is a solid, if unspectacular player who won’t kill you in free-throw percentage and should rack up double-doubles while improving during his third year in the league.

Quick – who did the Spurs get in exchange for Luis Scola? If you came up with Vassilis Spanoulis without resorting to Google, you get a prize. Think the Spurs will come to regret that deal? A 27-year-old rookie from Argentina, Scola emerged as a key contributor down the stretch for the Rockets – stepping up as their main low-post scoring option after Yao Ming was injured. He played more than 30 minutes per game in March and April, averaging a near double-double with over 13 points and just under nine boards per game. It might be difficult for him to match those numbers in 2008-09, with Yao back in the lineup and Ron Artest around as another offensive option – but he’ll be a nice player to have, particularly if one of the Rockets’ other stars misses time due to another injury.

Acquired from the Spurs this summer, the 6-9 Scola, who was the Spanish League MVP last season and one of the stars of Argentina's gold medal-winning national team, is a versatile offensive player, able to can the mid-range jumper or score in the post. He's also a good ball-handler for his size and an excellent passer. He'll give the Rockets more offensive flexibility and could conceivably push Chuck Hayes out of a job.