NBA Trade Rumors: Ranking The 10 Best Small Forwards Who Could Be On The Move

By (Correspondent) on February 15, 2011

2,050 reads

15Icon_comment

Previous
1 of 12
Next
OAKLAND, CA - JANUARY 19:  Danny Granger #33 of the Indiana Pacers in action against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena on January 19, 2011 in Oakland, California.  NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or us
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

While Carmelo Anthony of the Denver Nuggets might be the biggest name who could be playing for a new team after the trade deadline, there definitely isn't a lack of other quality small forwards who could probably be had at the right price as well.

Like most seasons, there are usually a lot more rumors leading into the trade deadline than there are actual deals, but most of these players could alter a teams' playoff and championship hopes if they were to traded before next Thursday's deadline.

Here's a look at the 10 best small forwards other than Carmelo Anthony who could find new homes before the deadline passes. Make sure to leave a comment below and share who your favorite team needs to add from this list to prime them for a playoff or championship run this season.

10. Mike Dunleavy, Indiana Pacers

OAKLAND, CA - JANUARY 19:  Mike Dunleavy #17 of the Indiana Pacers goes up for a shot during their game against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena on January 19, 2011 in Oakland, California.  NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees tha
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

2010-11 Stats: 11.5 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 1.9 APG

It's been clear for a long time now that the Indiana Pacers are willing to deal any of the players currently on their roster other than Granger, and Dunleavy is one of the more attractive remaining pieces they possess. While he will never be an All-Star quality player in the NBA, he could be a solid role player and be a major contributor as a third or fourth option for a winning team. His expiring $10.6 million contract might also entice a team to make a move for Dunleavy.

9. Tayshaun Prince, Detroit Pistons

ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 24:  Tayshaun Prince #22 of the Detroit Pistons attempts a shot over Brandon Bass #30 of the Orlando Magic during the game at Amway Arena on January 24, 2011 in Orlando, Florida.  NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees
Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

2010-11 Stats: 14.4 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.8 APG

Prince has clearly been unhappy with how things have unfolded this season with the Detroit Pistons, especially with the treatment and benching of teammate and good friend Rip Hamilton. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if Prince and/or Hamilton end up on a different team before the deadline passes. While Prince clearly isn't the lockdown defender he once was, he is still one of the best players on the defensive side of the ball in the NBA.

8. Shane Battier, Houston Rockets

HOUSTON - DECEMBER 29:  LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat drives to the basket over Houston Rockets' Shane Battier #31 in the first half at Toyota Center on December 29, 2010 in Houston, Texas.  NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, b
Bob Levey/Getty Images

2010-11 Stats: 8.7 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 2.6 APG

Battier has never been known for putting up eye-popping numbers on a nightly basis, however, he brings a decent amount of everything to his game. Even as he approaches the later stages of his career, Battier still isn't afraid to get dirty and fight for the ball when he is needed. He also is fair from a slouch on defense. Any contending team would be better off for adding Battier to their roster to make a run at the postseason.

7. Grant Hill, Phoenix Suns

PHOENIX, AZ - FEBRUARY 13:  Grant Hill #13 of the Phoenix Suns lays up a shot past Tyreke Evans #13 and Samuel Dalembert #10 of the Sacramento Kings during the NBA game at US Airways Center on February 13, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona.  NOTE TO USER: User exp
Christian Petersen/Getty Images

2010-11 Stats: 14.0 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.4 APG

Hill is having another solid season for the Phoenix Suns; however, it's unlikely they are going to go anywhere in the postseason anytime soon, and that might mean a trade may be coming in Hill's future. Despite his age, Hill is still a quality small forward who would start or be the top guy off the bench for most of the teams that are currently headed for the postseason. If the Suns do decide to make a move involving Hill, expect there to be plenty of interest around the league from contenders.

6. Danilo Gallinari, New York Knicks

NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 09:  Danilo Gallinari #8 of the New York Knicks lays the ball up over Randy Foye #4 of the Los Angeles Clippers at Madison Square Garden on February 9, 2011 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees tha
Chris Trotman/Getty Images

2010-11 Stats: 15.9 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 1.7 APG

Gallinari is having an excellent season thus far for the New York Knicks and is one of the reasons behind their resurgence this year. Gallinari has long been mentioned as one of the potential pieces in a deal with the Denver Nuggets for Carmelo Anthony. If Gallinari ends up going to the Nuggets, I could picture him being a good short-term replacement for the void that Anthony will surely leave behind. He would also give the Nuggets a solid outside threat.

5. Wilson Chandler, New York Knicks

NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 06: Wilson Chandler #21 of the New York Knicks lays the ball up against the Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden on February 6, 2011 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading
Chris Trotman/Getty Images

2010-11 Stats: 16.4 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 1.7 APG

Like his teammate Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler has been mentioned all season in rumors revolving around Carmelo Anthony being traded to the New York Knicks. Unlike Gallinari, however, many of the rumors involving Chandler have him being sent to a team other than the Nuggets in exchange for a first-round draft pick. If a team on the border of making the playoffs this season wants to pay that price, apparently Chandler can be had if the Knicks feel it improves their chances with Melo.

4. Andrei Kirilenko, Utah Jazz

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 25:  Andrei Kirilenko #47 of the Utah Jazz drives to the basket past Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the first half at Staples Center on January 25, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowl
Jeff Gross/Getty Images

2010-11 Stats: 11.6 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 2.9 APG

Kirilenko has consistently been a solid role player for the Jazz and is the type of player who does a little bit of everything when he is on the floor. Between Jerry Sloan's recent departure and his expiring contract, I expect several teams will be making calls to the Jazz to see if they can pry Kirilenko away. If he goes to a team in the middle of the playoff race, it could be enough to push them to a slightly higher seed in the postseason.

3. Danny Granger, Indiana Pacers

OAKLAND, CA - JANUARY 19:  Danny Granger #33 of the Indiana Pacers in action against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena on January 19, 2011 in Oakland, California.  NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or us
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

2010-11 Stats: 21.1 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 2.7 APG

Granger would have been the clear cut No. 1 on the list; however, it is very unlikely Larry Bird and the Pacers would agree to trade their franchise player unless someone offered an over-the-top deal to them. Granger is one of the best small forwards on the league and has spent his entire career up to this point on a pretty bad team, but I think he could do wonders as a second option for a playoff bound team. Don't expect to see him going anywhere this season.

2. Ron Artest, Los Angeles Lakers

DENVER, CO - JANUARY 21:  Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets is fouled by Ron Artest #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers at the Pepsi Center on January 21, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Lakers defeated the Nuggets 107-97. NOTE TO USER: User expressly ack
Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

2010-11 Stats: 8.0 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 2.0 APG

While Artest might be having a disaster of a season statistically, he still brings a solid defensive presence that very few players in the NBA possess. Obviously, a team looking to acquire Artest would have to acknowledge there's a decent chance that Ron Ron will lose interest quickly in a new home, but they also probably realize he can bring a lot to their team if they are on the brink of making the postseason.

1. Gerald Wallace, Charlotte Bobcats

CHARLOTTE, NC - FEBRUARY 14:  Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers tries to stop Gerald Wallace #3 of the Charlotte Bobcats during their game at Time Warner Cable Arena on February 14, 2011 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly a
Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

2010-11 Stats: 15.7 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 2.4 APG

Between his talent level and the likelihood of him being traded, I decided to put Wallace at the top of this list. If the Los Angeles Lakers or Dallas Mavericks could somehow swing a deal to land him, they would have to be considered favorites. The Lakers could use a younger, higher scoring version of Ron Artest and the Mavericks clearly need a replacement for the injured Caron Butler, so keep your eyes open for a contender to make a move for Wallace.

Begin Slideshow
Keep Reading
Flag
Props (0)
This article is

What is the duplicate article?

Why is this article offensive?

Where is this article plagiarized from?

Why is this article poorly edited?

Flag This Article
Indiana Pacers Indiana Pacers: Like this team?
Default-user-icon-comment
or to post a comment

15 Comments

There are no comments yet. Get the conversation started by leaving the first comment
Big
Loading comments...
just now posted just now
  • Loading...
  • Nobody has liked this comment yet
Cancel

This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete

Follow the Indiana Pacers from B/R on Facebook

Follow the Indiana Pacers from B/R on Facebook and get the latest updates straight to your newsfeed!

Fans of

Icon_subscribe
Icon_youtube
Icon_google
Indiana Pacers

Subscribe Now

We will never share your email address

Thanks for signing up.

We're Scouting Top Writers

Re-Ranking NBA Playoff Superstars Hint: you can use arrow keys to navigate through this channel.