Missed Opportunities
(NBAE/Getty Images) http://www.nba.com/grizzlies/news/marc-gasol-xavier-henry-donate-japan-relief-and-recovery-fund
The odds might have been stacked against Xavier in Memphis. He came to a team that had a veteran loaded roster looking to continue their progression to one of the Western Conference’s upper echelon.
Xavier entered training camp trying to beat out established talents at his position such as Rudy Gay, Shane Battier, Sam Young and defensive specialist Tony Allen. Xavier never establishes a rhythm and appeared in only 38 games for the Grizz. Following the season, Xavier is traded to the New Orleans Hornets as part of a three team trade.
February 1, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; New Orleans Hornets guard Xavier Henry (4) during the first half against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Xavier appeared to get a golden opportunity to show that he belonged in the NBA in the 2011-2012 season with the New Orleans Hornets. The Hornets having begun their rebuilding project after trading away their superstar Chris Paul to the Clippers prior to the start of the season, playing time was up for grabs for any young player that wanted it. However, Xavier again was unable to establish a position in the rotation and fell behind players like Trevor Ariza, Marco Belinelli and Al-Farouq Aminu. Xavier appeared in 45 games and averaged an uninspiring 5.3 points and 2.4 rebounds in about 17 minutes per game.
It was more of the same the following season for Xavier in New Orleans except his playing time actually went down to 12.5 minutes per game in 50 appearances. Even with the departure of Ariza and Belinelli, Xavier still couldn’t crack the rotation. He failed to again beat out Aminu and even fell behind in the rotation to veteran Roger Mason and recently drafted rookie Austin Rivers.
New Orleans decided not to make a qualifying offer to Xavier, making him a free agent.