10. Dion Waiters, Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers guard has started three of five games in the wake of the arrival of the big three. He has split time with Shawn Marion and neither has made a significant impact. Waiters had played impressively well the past two seasons in Cleveland, but, through 5 games this season, is averaging just 9.4 points per game. He was enjoying his best scoring game of the season against the Denver Nuggets, before going down with a back injury. Waiters scored 17 points in 24 minutes before a suspension-warranting push from behind sidelined him for the continuation of the game, as well as the next. An All-Rookie First Teamer in 2013, Waiters's injury is an unfortunate setback that may cost him additional minutes early in the season.
9. Julius Randle, Los Angeles Lakers
It is disappointing that the seventh overall draft pick broke his leg on opening night. He came off the bench in his first NBA game, scoring two points in 14 minutes. Although it was unclear how Randle would perform at the professional level, he was certainly in line to receive noticeable playing time to relieve 32 year-old Carlos Boozer in the paint. Without Randle, the Los Angeles Lakers are troubled with a thin depth chart in the paint. It was simply disheartening to see the rookie go down so soon to injury before getting a chance to prove himself.
8. Evan Turner, Boston Celtics
The former second overall draft pick has started just one game this season for the Boston Celtics. A team that is expected to be among the bottom dwellers in the league could not find a space in the starting lineup for Evan Turner. Avery Bradley's defense took priority and his point-scoring has solidified his starting roll. But the one start that Turner managed was in the absence of an injured Rajon Rondo, who needed a screw taken out of his hand. The 26 year-old substitute managed 19 points without Rondo, along with 5 rebounds and 6 assists in a win against the Bulls. Once a dynamic duo alongside Jrue Holiday, Turner averaged similar numbers in several seasons in Philadelphia. But, after falling down in the depth chart in Indiana, he has only averaged 8.5 points per game off the bench in his first season with Boston.
7. Jameer Nelson, Dallas Mavericks
The 32 year-old point guard is in his first season with the Dallas Mavericks. Nelson has never been much of a difference maker, with a career average of 12.5 points per game and 5.4 assists per game. And on a Mavericks team which everyone is keeping an eye on, Nelson has again fallen into the shadows. Backup point guard Devin Harris has more assists than Nelson in almost as many minutes off the bench. Nelson has the worst player efficiency rating on the team, save for Richard Jefferson, Charlie Villanueva and Greg Smith. He also has had several games high in turnovers. On a very balanced team, this should not hinder the Mavericks too much, but Nelson certainly has plenty of room to increase his level of play.
6. Ray Allen, Free Agent
The best three point shooter of all time is in this list because who would've thought he would be the first of the 2008 Boston Celtics big three to retire? Much speculation surrounded Allen in the offseason about following LeBron James to his next super team in Cleveland. And many, myself included, are surprised he did not follow through. In fact, rumors are now circling that the two-time NBA champion may be headed to the Chicago Bulls. Either way, it is a wonder why the 39 year-old is not playing basketball at the moment, even in minimal minutes for a contending team. Old age is certainly a factor, but it is disappointing to see one of the best shooters of all time linger on the outside like this, when so many teams could use his purity.
5. Andre Iguodala, Golden State Warriors
The 30-year-old shooting guard has not made much of an impact this season, aside from a few highlight reel plays. With a minutes per game average near 30, the 10-year veteran is averaging just 6.8 points per game this season off the bench. Iguodala has not started a single game for the Golden State Warriors, who have had the luxury of red-hot shooting from Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. With Draymond Green also making a notable impact, it does not look like Iguodala will be starting any time soon. Even though he has the team's fourth highest average of minutes per game, a dismal player efficiency rating of 8.5 may force has Iguodala at an unimpressive start to 2014.
4. Shawn Marion, Cleveland Cavaliers
Marion was a highly anticipated free agent pick-up for the Cleveland Cavaliers, but the 36 year-old has failed to make much of a difference off the bench. LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Love finally had their first combined breakout game in a 118-111 victory against the New Orleans Pelicans. Marion, however, was the only Cavaliers starter to finish the game in single digits. He has only scored double figures once this season and his 8 rebounds against the Pelicans was the highest total in any game this season. The 15-year veteran currently has the lowest field goal percentage of his career. Marion may be one of the older players in the league, but, coming into the season, was still expected to be productive. So far, he has not lived up to expectations, averaging just 4.2 points per game. Meanwhile, Marion has not been shorted of minutes, playing 30 minutes against the Pelicans and 32 minutes against the Denver Nuggets.
3. Andrew Wiggins, Minnesota Timberwolves
The first overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft was handed an uphill battle by the Cleveland Cavaliers when he was traded away to Minnesota for Kevin Love. The player that was hyped up to be the next LeBron James has not had the luxury of playing alongside the best player in the NBA and has not made much of an impact on his own. Even with Ricky Rubio off to a hot start, Wiggins has only scored double digits in two of his games this season. He has been in foul trouble in several games thus far, although he managed to avoid fouling out. Overall, a 9.2 points per game average is not what the Wolves were looking for when they dealt away one of the best forwards in the league.
2. Kendrick Perkins, Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder center has lost his job to Steven Adams. In the absence of Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant, Perkins has failed to make much of a difference. He is averaging just 19 minutes per game, the lowest since his official rookie season. Scott Brooks clearly is not relying on his 30 year-old veteran much these days, even without his two stars. While Perkins was not expected to be a difference maker this season, he has not provided any aid for a bleeding Thunder team.
1. J.R. Smith, New York Knicks
Smith has not started in a single game this season. Through 7 games, the 10-year veteran is averaging just 8.3 points per game. Smith was suspended one game for a stiff-arm to the groin of Glen Rice Jr., adding insult to injury for a lousy New York Knicks team. New head coach Derek Fisher is experimenting with the triangle offense, which has served no one well, including Smith. After winning the Sixth Man Award in 2013, Smith failed to make an impact as a starter and is now barely scratching the surface as a sixth man. He has a below-average player efficiency rating of 10.0 this season and does not appear poised to give the Knicks a boost any time soon.