Jamaal Magloire

He’s a 33-year-old veteran who won’t play many minutes for the Raptors. He may start, but between Amir Johnson, Andrea Bargnani, Ed Davis and Aaron Gray, Magloire might won’t see any noteworthy minutes. He was brought to the team for leadership and mentorship, so other than a block or two, and some grittiness under the rim, he will have another quiet season. He hasn’t averaged more than 21 mpg since the 2005-06 season.

The "Big Cat" brings a lot of bulk and a decent offensive game to the low post. That double-double in 2003-04 is a long time ago, with Magloire bouncing between part-time gigs in various locations since, but he is a productive rebounder in limited minutes. He's no longer viewed as a 30-minute per night guy, but that could change in 2009-10. Jermaine O'Neal has averaged 35 games missed per year for the last six seasons.

Now with his fifth team in as many seasons, Magloire looks to regain his form on the floor. With Mark Blount under-performing and Udonis Haslem much too undersized to play consistent minutes at the center position, there could be minutes for Magloire in the middle. Will he post a season like 2003-2004 where he averaged 13.6 points per game and 10.3 rebounds per game, probably not, so expect him to be strictly a role player.

Canada's second-best basketball player finds himself on his fourth team in four years, having spent last year languishing in Portland. While there, Magloire posted near-career lows across the board, including points (6.5), rebounds, (6.1) blocks (0.8) and minutes (21.1). While we expect Magloire to play more this year in New Jersey, he will certainly be the team's fifth offensive option, and pushed for playing time by Jason Collins and Josh Boone.

We’re left wondering why the Blazers acquired Magloire. He’s definitely a player at center – though his production has slipped two straight years – and it didn’t take much to get him. But the frontcourt is deep in Portland. Magloire will be used as a power forward while backing up Joel Przybilla at center. The problem is that Zach Randolph and Raef LaFrentz are also looking for playing time at PF. And how will they fit LaMarcus Aldridge into this mix? The best-case scenario has the Blazers trading Randolph while they bring Aldridge around slowly. That way Magloire could start with LaFrentz coming off the bench. This is also the final season on Magloire’s contract, and he has made it clear in the past that he wants to get back to his hometown of Toronto, so trading him before the end of the season is a possibility. On the court, he’s a hard worker with a good-enough offensive game to make him a worthwhile starter – as long as he’s getting the minutes.

Magloire, who missed most of last season with a finger injury, will likely begin the season in New Orleans despite the team’s efforts to trade him to Toronto this summer. Two seasons ago, he was an emerging star at center, averaging 13.6 points and 10.4 rebounds in 82 games. That luster is still there as he averaged 11.7 ppg and 8.9 rpg in 23 games last year. Magloire along with second-year man J. R. Smith should be the team’s leading offensive options, but it will be up to rookie Chris Paul to lead the break.

Here is the rising star among pure centers. The four-year veteran has improved in each of his subsequent seasons in the NBA, and the situation in New Orleans seems ripe for him to become a bigger fantasy threat this year. Jamal Mashburn’s health is an issue as is the organization’s desire to keep him. David Wesley is on the decline, and the front office did little in the offseason to improve the club. So much so that Baron Davis is exploring greener pastures. All this makes Magloire more important to the Hornets, who may be looking to him long-term as they begin rebuilding.

Magloire ended the 2002/2003 regular season averaging a double-double in rebounds and points, along with 1.5 blocks per game. You can expect more of the same this year, as Magloire becomes more accustomed to the roll of starting center.