The 2014-2015 NBA Season is upon us. In order to remain competitive, teams make under-the-radar signings that they hope will become productive players. These players are considered role players who have not reached their full potential.

One player who fits this bill is Trevor Ariza with the 2008-09 Los Angeles Lakers. His regular season averages through his first nine seasons for his career are 9.7 points; 4.6 rebounds; 2 assists; 1.4 steals, and 0.03 blocks per game. His per game averages for 2008-2009 was 8.9 points; 4.3 rebounds; 1.8 assists; 1.7 steals, and 0.03 blocks per game. These numbers do not jump off the stat sheet but his value for the Lakers during the playoffs was important.

During the 2008-09 NBA Finals against the Orlando Magic Trevor Ariza stepped up and averaged 11 points; 6 rebounds; 1.6 assists; 1.8 steals; and 0.02 blocks per game. In three of the five games against the Magic, Trevor scored in double figures providing an added scoring threat the Lakers really needed. He played a key role in helping the Lakers secure their fifteenth NBA Title as a franchise, Phil Jackson’s 10th NBA Title as a head coach and Kobe Bryant’s fourth NBA Title as a player.

My choice for a breakout player this season is Ed Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers. This past offseason, the Lakers signed the 6’10” Davis to a 2-year $2.08 million contract. He is in his sixth year and has averaged 6.9 points; 5.9 rebounds; 0.7 assists; 0.5 steals; and 0.9 blocks per game. He has averaged 20 minutes per game through his career but has not played a key offensive role for any team he’s been on. With the Los Angeles Lakers and head coach Byron Scott he has a chance to have a breakout season. Bryon’s offense values the use of post players. Byron’s defense needs centers that can protect the rim.

Ed Davis can provide inside scoring and rim protection. Because he is projected to be the primary backup center for the Lakers, he should get 22 to 24 minutes per game, and that number could go up with good play. Through this year’s preseason, Ed Davis shot 73 percent from the field. He knows what his game is and he plays around the post. He can be an effective post player because most of his shots are hook shots, dunks and layups. In other words, he tries not to be something he isn’t. He knows his role.

With more touches he can increase his scoring average into double-digits. On the defensive side of the ball, Davis is athletic and aggressive. With consistent playing time and a defensive mindset he can increase his block totals to about 2 blocks per game and his rebound totals from 5.9 to 9 rebounds per game.

My projected stats for Ed Davis are 10 points, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2 assists and 1 steal per game. It’s an optimistic projection, but consistent playing time should lead to consistent improvement for Ed Davis.

Here is a clip of Ed Davis scoring 12 points and getting 4 blocks against the Denver Nuggets in the preseason on October 6th, 2014.

How much can Carlos Boozer actually help the Lakers this season? Photo by By Keith Allison from Owings Mills, USA, via Wikimedia Commons

This year, the Lakers might be the third-best team in California, but that won’t stop them from being an interesting team to keep tabs on. Owen and Andy go through the roster and try to figure out what reasonable expectations for this team’s roster are and which of their young players with upside might be a candidate to break-out.