Chase Budinger

Budinger developed into a fair three-point bomber with the Rockets to start his career, prompting the Timberwolves to deal a first-round pick for his services after he hit 1.5 per game from deep in the lockout-shortened 2011-12 season. Since landing in Minnesota, though, he's been beset by injury, including lateral meniscus tears in November of 2012 and October of 2013 that limited him to 64 games combined in his first two years with the team. Filling a role in the T-Wolves' wing rotation last season, he averaged 6.8 points (on 43 percent shooting), 3.0 rebounds, 1.0 assist, 0.8 three-pointers, and 0.7 steals in 19 minutes. Following an offseason trade to Indiana, he'll aim to establish a similar position in the mind of coach Frank Vogel, but Monta Ellis, C.J. Miles, Rodney Stuckey, and Solomon Hill, among others, block Budinger's path to relevance.

Chase Budinger's two-year stint with the Timberwolves has been plagued by a litany of injuries. In 2013-14, he was limited to 41 games by knee and ankle ailments (after only playing 23 in 2012-13). When he was on the court, the sixth-year forward averaged 6.7 points, 1.0 three-pointers, 2.5 rebounds, 0.8 assists, and 0.5 steals in 18 minutes per game. He hit a career-low 39 percent of his field goals but took nearly half of his shots from three-point range, from which he converted 35 percent of his shots. Budinger also converted 82 percent of his free throws. Offseason reports have had Budinger feeling better than at any time since he left Houston two years ago. While the injuries have robbed the 6-7 forward of some of his athleticism, he could provide some perimeter support for Minnesota in 2014-15. Budinger will likely serve as a backup to Andrew Wiggins, which should be a role he is accustomed to since he has started just 17 percent of his games. Even in limited minutes, Budinger has hit at least 1.0 three-pointer in each of his five seasons. With a bit of luck in the health department, Budinger could be a useful three-point streamer for fantasy owners.

Last season Budinger was supposed to add a needed outside shot and veteran savvy from a player experienced with head coach Rick Adelman's system, but he missed 59 games with a torn lateral meniscus. He had a setback before training camp when swelling developed in the same knee and he needed a second surgery. While it was a major operation, only a quarter of his meniscus was removed, which could result in a reduced recovery time compared to last year. If healthy, he's a talented and efficient scorer. He struggled with his three-point shot with the T-Wolves last season at just 32.1 percent, but it was a small sample size (81 attempts) and he hit 44 percent from the floor, 40 percent from three and 77 percent from the line the previous season in Houston. Still, it's possible he misses most or all of the season with his knee injury.

After three seasons in Houston, Budinger was shipped to Minnesota, where he will have a chance to earn significant minutes at small forward. He’ll start the season behind Andre Kirilenko on the depth chart, with Derrick Williams and Dante Cunningham also in play, but the Timberwolves saw enough in Budinger to send the 18th overall pick in the draft to Houston in order to get him. Budinger does very little defensively, but he’s a talented and efficient scorer. In just 22.4 minutes per game last season, he averaged 9.6 points and 1.5 three-pointers per game while shooting 44 percent from the floor, 40 percent from three and 77 percent from the line. His per 36-minute numbers come out to 15.5 points and 2.4 three-pointers per game. He will likely give way to Kirilenko as the starter for defensive reasons, but Budinger could easily assume the role of high-volume shooter off the bench. His shooting numbers make him an enticing option late in drafts in deep leagues.

Budinger played his way into the Rockets’ starting small forward gig last year, combining underrated athleticism and scoring ability with a sound three-point shot. Things might change with a new head coach, Kevin McHale, in town – there’s a chance that McHale could take a long look at Courtney Lee or Terrence Williams as the team’s primary small forward – but both of those guys are behind Budinger at the moment. Through 22 games as the Rockets’ starting three, Budinger averaged 13.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.5 three-pointers, 0.6 steals, 0.3 blocks and 1.1 turnovers in 32 minutes per game. Expect some growth this year if he maintains his starting job.

Budinger can score, particularly from long range - he made 93 three-pointers last year despite averaging just 20 mpg. The key for him is Shane Battier's and Kevin Martin's health, and also whether coach Rick Adelman wants to emphasize offense or defense from extended stretches. As it stands, there just aren't too many mintues for Budinger, but should Battier or Martin go down, Budinger could find himself with a bigger role. The acquisition of Courtney Lee complicates the situation, but Budinger can play himself into some minutes as he's potentially one of the league's top long-range gunners.

A big guard with a nice outside shot, Budinger had an outstanding Vegas Summer League, shooting 68 percent from the floor and averaging 17.8 points per game. His all around game is still on the raw side, but he could have a significant role if McGrady's not ready, and Barry is dealt.