A year ago Thursday, the Cleveland Cavaliers were a disappointing 19-16 when they sent two first-round draft picks to the Denver Nuggets for center Timofey Mozgov. While the deal was widely considered an overpay, the Cavaliers certainly had no second thoughts when they reached the NBA Finals less than five months later.

Mozgov's presence alone didn't turn around Cleveland's season. The Cavaliers also added guards Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith in an earlier trade with the Knicks and saw LeBron James return to his usual level of play after taking two weeks to rest at the start of 2015. Still, Mozgov's size erased Cleveland's biggest weakness, rim protection, which proved crucial during the playoffs.

In looking for a similar scenario this season, one contending team stands ripe for an upgrade: the Oklahoma City Thunder, who have yet to find a 3-and-D role player on the wing to finish games alongside Kevin Durant. And the Memphis Grizzlies, who host the Thunder on Wednesday, have the perfect candidate to fill that role in Courtney Lee.