Five Players Who's Trade Rumors are Flying Under the Radar

(Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

Jameer Nelson

There is no question the Orlando Magic are in win-now mode.  They traded one of their premier prospects (Courtney Lee) for Vince Carter and severely exceeded to luxury tax haven with a plethora off-season signings. 

Nelson could be the starting point guard for a win-now franchise, but do he and VC (I can hear the Nets PA guy now) really make sense in a backcourt together? They may, but they don’t balance each other enough to portray one another’s strengths. 

If Orlando really wants to simply take the Eastern Crown and contend for a title, they may want to consider dealing Nelson now while his stock is still high. 

Orlando would be better suited with a better floor general, one with playoff experience, and more of the pass-first blend. 

If Nelson can hit a hot streak like the one he did last season, Orlando would be better served trading him for a more intelligent and overall savvier point guard (Billups, Nash, or even Hinrich would be ideal).

Potential Suitors - Philadelphia, Phoenix

Nelson could fit extremely well in Philly where he would be returning to his St. Joseph roots and leading an up-tempo attack. 

In Phoenix, if the Suns do opt to deal Nash, Nelson is a fitting long-term replacement at the No. 1 slot. 

Steve Nash

Steve Kerr has to be fooling himself. Yes he signed the Canadian stud to a contract extension and yes he has indicated his willingness to have Nash retire as a Sun, but if Phoenix wants any hopes of future contention they need to deal Steve Nash. 

Nash is still in his athletic prime and may only be there for a few more years. The time is still ticking on Nash’s relatively high value, if Phoenix deals him now they can retrieve nice pieces for the future.

Potential Suitors – Orlando, Portland

Nash would fit in very well with most contenders, specifically those that feature a premier big who can run the break and room to maneuver around the perimeter.  In Orlando or Portland he would be that missing link that separates contender from pretender.

Caron Butler

The Wizards have made a plethora of moves indicating they would like to contend sooner rather than later (see previous article on Carlos Boozer for exact moves).  Why on Earth would a contending team try and deal their best scorer from last season? 

Two words: Gilbert Arenas. 

Washington realizes their reliance on Gilbert to be the player he was several years ago.  They have loads of dough locked into him long term and even acquired an appropriate backup in case he does go down (Foye). 

The team has shown obvious signs to acquire a big and perhaps Butler could be the best bait to use.  Washington has shown reluctance to deal their pivotal young pieces (i.e. Young and McGee) and they’d rather not tamper with their 2010 free agency plans (so Haywood and James could be kept).  

Now the question is what could Washington get in a package for Butler?

A team like Toronto or Utah is currently handcuffed by their prized Power Forward (Chris Bosh, Carlos Boozer) who has given the club every indication that they are unlikely to stay. 

A Butler deal could land Washington one of these Power Forwards and have them flirt with the Celts, Cavs, and Magic for top spot in the East. 

Butler is also approaching his 30th birthday.  He isn’t exactly an elder statesman, but don’t expect much better seasons from Caron.

Potential Suitors – Portland, Utah

The Blazers have wanted a game changing small forward for plenty of seasons now.  They also have a package of plenty of young pieces, which if combined with some of Washington’s young pieces, could land Washington their big man.

Butler could be Portland’s dependable half court scorer and allow Roy to become the point wing he has shown success playing.

The Utah Jazz haven’t had a dependable wing scoring option since the days of Jeff Malone. 

Butler would work wonders in an offense alongside D-Will and Paul Millsap and could move the Jazz up to supremacy territory in the West.

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