One NBA Player Each Team Needs to Trade If They Want to Improve

All teams have their stars.

The Bulls have Rose, and the Thunder have Durant. While many NBA players are fine right where they are, there are other players who should leave their teams right away.

It may be from poor playing, unreasonable demands or there is just no need for them to be on the team anymore. Here is the one player each team should trade or get rid of.

A reminder that if you do disagree with any of the things written in this article, please comment with your own polite opinion. 

Atlanta Hawks: Zaza Pachulia

Age: 27

NBA Experience: 8 years

Position: C

While it may surprise many of you that I say the Hawks should trade Pachulia and not Josh Smith, let me give you the reasons.

Pachulia hasn't been putting up good numbers the past few seasons (4.4 PPG and 4.2 RPG), yet he still obtains $4.2 million annually from a starving Hawks team. For a guy who hasn't been doing much for the team, that's a fairly large chunk of money that could be used to acquire other, better, players.

Now, why the Hawks shouldn't trade Josh Smith...

The Hawks shouldn't trade Smith out of frustration, just because they don't have enough good players under contract to get away with selling low on any one of them.

The Hawks aren't ready to sell Johnson, Horford or Smith. But they are ready to trade Pachulia. 

Boston Celtics: Jermaine O'Neal

Age: 32

NBA Experience: 15 years

Position: C

The Celtics not only have amazing starters, but they also have an amazing bench—well, almost.

Jermaine O'Neal not only hasn't put up decent stats, but they have been terrible, after averaging only five PPG last season and grabbing only three rebounds a game.

While the Celtics are stuck with O'Neal for another year of his contract, they should eliminate him as soon as the 2012 season finishes—if he was getting paid a smaller amount than $5.7 million.

It's too bad. His name sounded more Irish than any other Celtic.

Charlotte Bobcats: Joel Przybillia

Age: 31

NBA Experience: 11 years

Position: C

I don't know where to begin with this player. Luckily his contract expired last season, and the Bobcats won't have any reason not to ship him out of Charlotte.

Joel Przybilla not only hasn't performed at all, but he also takes a huge chunk of salary out of a team that could use it to buy a better center.

And Pryzbilla does not put up the stats of a big man, scoring only 1.8 PPG and getting only four RPG.

That's right, 1.8 PPG. He's getting paid $7.7 million to score two points a game. 

With $7.7 million, the Bobcats could get a decent-to-above average center who could actually help. 

Chicago Bulls: Carlos Boozer

Age: 29

NBA Experience: 9 years

Position: PF

Carlos Boozer was supposedly the prize free-agent signing for the Chicago Bulls, who will end up paying him $80 million throughout his contract with them. While he does average 17.5 PPG and 9.6 RPG, those stats look very solid for a new player to a team.

What people don't look at, is the reason why the Bulls should trade him.

Not only has Boozer had a decrease in field-goal percentage and his shooting from the line, but he has a perfect assist-to-turnover rate at 1:1. 

He's also had various injuries that have left him wearing a suit for a large portion of the regular season. Out of 82 games, Boozer only played 59 of them. What is even more surprising is that this season is only the fourth-lowest number of games he's played in a season.

Chicago's excellent run through the playoffs weren't due to Boozer's excellent playing—it was the exact opposite. During the 16 games they played in the postseason, Boozer only scored 12 PPG and shot 43.3 percent from the field.

My advice to Chicago is, when his contract expires, trade Boozer for someone who doesn't lack skills outside of PPG and RPG.

Cleveland Cavaliers: Ramon Sessions

Age: 25

NBA Experience: 4 years

Position: PG

After the Cavs acquired Kyrie Irving during the draft, there really isn't any reason to keep Sessions.

As I see it, the Cavs should trade Sessions while his value is still high so they get more money to get even more better players. Although Sessions had a career-best last season, there won't be any room for him, Irving and Davis. Teams looking to getting Sessions will see he has had a career-best and will continue it. 

But if Sessions has had a career-best, why trade him? It is because he has been complaining about playing time, which could send his value on a rapid decline. 

Plus, the Cavs need all the money they can get their hands on after they lost their star, LeBron James.

Dallas Mavericks: Brendan Haywood

Age: 31

NBA Experience: 10 years

Position: C

Not only is Haywood already pretty old, but his age is showing big time. 

While the Mavs cannot trade him until his five-year contract expires, they should do it immediately after it finishes. His stats aren't nearly as good as they used to be, or as they should be. With only 4.4 PPG and five RPG, this big man isn't showing very big stats.

Not to mention he is one of the laziest players on the team.

With a $6.9 million annual salary, this money could be spent on better things for this championship team.  

Denver Nuggets: Kenyon Martin

Age: 33

NBA Experience: 11 years

Position: PF

Kenyon Martin isn't the player he used to be, and with 11 years experience, Martin isn't expected to be playing pro ball for much longer.

With embarrassingly-low stats this past season, Martin is one of—if not the most—overpaid athletes in the NBA, and his contract expired with the Nuggets this past season.

With 8.6 PPG and 6.2 RPG, this veteran will be lucky if another team signs him for a quarter of what he is used to being payed by the Nuggets—$16.5 million.

That's right. Martin gets paid more than twice that of MVP Derrick Rose.

At best, Martin has two years left in the NBA. 

Detroit Pistons: Jason Maxiell

Age: 28

NBA Experience: 6 years

Position: PF

Jason Maxiell hasn't been putting up the numbers Detroit would like to see from him.

With only 4.2 PPG and a $5 million annual contract lasting at least until the end of the next season, Maxiell better start scoring and rebounding more if he wants to stick around in Detroit for much longer.

If he doesn't improve his FG percentage and his PPG, the Pistons should trade him for a younger power forward who can help them.

Bottom line is, improve immediately or leave. 

Golden State Warriors: Andris Biedrins

Age: 25

NBA Experience: 7 years

Position: C

For a center, this guy isn't really doing anything besides digging into the wallets of the Golden State Warriors.

With five PPG and 7.2 RPG, Biedrins has signed a contract that lasts another three years.

That means, instead of getting a better center, the Warriors will be paying him $27 million. What a waste.

Bottom line is, get rid of this player immediately.

Houston Rockets: Hasheem Thabeet

Age: 24

NBA Experience: 2 years

Position: C

Hasheem Thabeet was a second-round draft pick overall. While he did play well in college, he never achieved NBA fame.

With only 1.1 PPG, this failed prodigy hasn't been showing much improvement. With the $5 million annual contract the Rockets pay him, he isn't doing much for them.

Either trade Thabeet and use the money to construct a better team, or keep dishing out money to a player who doesn't do anything.

Indiana Pacers: Jeff Foster

Age: 34

NBA Experience: 12 years

Position: C

After acquiring Roy Hibbert from the Raptors, Foster won't have many more days left in Indiana.

Foster has never been a very dominant center. While he only averages 3.3 PPG as of last season, he hasn't made a very large impact. With Hibbert scoring 12 PPG and being able to aid the forwards/guards, there isn't much of a need for other centers who don't do anything.

The Pacers should either trade Foster for a better backup center or drastically reduce his $6.7 million salary to something more suited to someone for his stature—around $1 million or $2 million.

Los Angeles Clippers: Chris Kaman

Age: 29

NBA Experience: 8 years

Position: C

While many may be wondering why this All-Star should be traded, the answer is simple:

Kaman was injured for a large portion of the season last year, which gave DeAndre Jordan more minutes. Jordan proved that with training, he could become a Tyson Chandler-type center.

With Jordan as a new prospect for the center position, the Clippers should trade Kaman while his value is still high to get a good deal. If the Clippers didn't trade Kaman, he would eventually lose all of his remaining value and just end up retiring.

Bottom Line: Trade Kaman before his value sinks to nothing.

Los Angeles Lakers: Ron Artest

Age: 31

NBA Experience: 12 years

Position: SF

Ron Artest, soon to be Metta World Peace, is losing his steam.

Let's face it, Ron Artest is getting older and not playing as well as he used to. Averaging six points less than his career average, he can't do that much for this aging Lakers team.

If the Lakers want to have another season of being one of the most dominant teams in the league, they need to do one thing for sure: Trade older players who aren't doing well at a high value so they may acquire younger prospects who can replace the older players.

Bottom Line: Trade him before it's too late.

Memphis Grizzlies: Rudy Gay

Age: 25

NBA Experience: 5 years

Position: SF

To analyze a player well, you must not only look at his individual stats, but also the team's stats when he plays with them.

That is the case for Rudy Gay.

With Rudy Gay out during the playoffs, the Grizzlies had a sensational run and made it to the second round of the playoffs.

Without Gay, Battier got more minutes, which helped the defense considerably. 

You would think that putting one of their best players back would make the team better, right? Probably not.

Memphis should trade Gay for Josh Smith of the Atlanta Hawks, but as I said earlier, the Hawks shouldn't trade Smith out of frustration. Of course, since the Hawks' new management is bent on trading Smith, the Gay/Smith transfer might actually happen.

Miami Heat: Chris Bosh

Age: 27

NBA Experience: 8 years

Position: PF

Chris Bosh has been the one struggling to find his place on the Miami Heat and should be traded.

Not only is Bosh the lesser third of the Big Three, but the Heat lack a center.

They have the forward and guard situation figured out, yet they still need a big man. With the departure of Bosh, there would be a $16 million salary he left behind; $16 million can buy some of the best centers in the league, and the Heat could get back on their journey to success.

With Udonis Haslem able to fill the role Bosh would leave behind, the Heat would be able to find the center they so desperately need.   

Milwaukee Bucks: Michael Redd

Age: 31

NBA Experience: 11 years

Position: SG

There are several reasons why the Bucks should trade Redd, and they are big reasons:

1. He is injury-prone. Redd was injured for more than 13 months. He is commonly out for small injuries, such as ankle problems.

2. His salary. Redd demands a salary he isn't worth; trade him, and you can buy better players for less money.

3. He isn't the same player he used to be. After long periods of not playing due to injuries, Redd isn't the same anymore. He is now only averaging 11 PPG, and that is barely anything.

Bottom line is, trade him or face the consequences.

Minnesota Timberwolves : Michael Beasley and Ricky Rubio

Ages: 22 and 20

NBA Experience: 3 years and 2 years

Positions: PF and PG

This trade team could go for some of the biggest names out there. Although Beasley is doing well, they could get an even better star for him and Rubio.

One of the best deals the Timberwolves could make would be to trade them for Chris Paul. The best PG in the NBA could be on the worst team in the NBA. Paul might leave New Orleans because he is unhappy there, and he could be better off somewhere else.

This trade would be a win-win for both teams. The Hornets are looking to get good players for a lower price. The Timberwolves are looking for a really good player, even if the price is high.

New Jersey Nets: Dan Gadzuric

Age: 33

NBA Experience: 9 years

Position: C

No wonder the Nets haven't been doing very well; their center is awful.

For the second-highest paid player on the team, Gadzuric isn't doing much. There is no reason to keep him.

End of story.

The Nets should be able to save some money off this joker.

New Orleans Hornets: Chris Paul

Age: 26

NBA Experience: 6 years

Position: PG

Perhaps the best point guard in the league, the Hornets should trade Chris Paul. Paul expressed his displeasure with the team and is already saying he'll leave, so why not get a good deal out of it?

New Orleans should trade him for Michael Beasley and Ricky Rubio of the Timberwolves.

Since I have already explained why the transfer should happen, I will not bother myself to repeat it. The salary gap that will have appeared once Paul leaves is not only enough to pay Beasley and Rubio, but perhaps another young prospect as well.

New York Knicks: Amar'e Stoudemire and Chauncey Billups

Ages: 28 and 34

NBA Experience: 9 years and 14 years 

Positions: PF and PG

If the Knicks want any chance of making it past the first round of the playoffs next year, they have to make some sacrifices. If they trade Amar'e Stoudemire and Chauncey Billups, it will leave a lot of room for a transfer hopeful—Dwight Howard.

If the Knicks can land Howard, the combination of Howard/Anthony could be unstoppable. It may seem like an unfair trade toward the Magic, but Billups isn't the player he used to be, and both of these players won't get better as the years proceed.

So when you think about it, the Knicks aren't having to pay players as much, and the Magic will get two big-name players.

Oklahoma City Thunder: No One

The reason the Thunder shouldn't trade anyone isn't a fresh idea.

Since they have two young prodigies who could develop into the next Bryant/O'Neal, there isn't reason to change. Durant has become one of the best players in the league, and Westbrook just needs to find his footing, because he is full of raw talent.

With a future dynamic duo in the process, training harder and playing better is the only thing the rest of the team needs to improve.  

Orlando Magic: Dwight Howard

Age: 25

NBA Experience: 7 years

Position: C

While you can't say the Magic can trade him since he is a free agent, they should sign Howard to a contract, then trade him to the Knicks for Amar'e Stoudemire and Chauncey Billups.

I have already explained why Howard should should go to the Knicks, and it is a serious reason. If Howard wants to win a championship before he retires, he needs to make a move like this.

Philadelphia Sixers: Andre Iguodala

Age: 27

NBA Experience: 7 years

Position: SG

What the Sixers lack is a prolific scorer. Many may be quick to point out that Louis Williams, Jrue Holiday and Thaddeus Young may have big nights occasionally, but none of them have had consistent nights where they score a lot.

It would be ideal if the Sixers were able to trade Iguodala for Monta Ellis of the Golden State Warriors. Ellis would provide the proficient scorer they need.

While the defense is very solid,—the Sixers held the Miami Heat to under 100 during the postseason—their offense needs improvement. With Ellis there to guide these guys in a scoring pattern, Philadelphia could drastically improve.

Phoenix Suns: Steve Nash

Age: 37

NBA Experience: 15 years

Position: PG

Steve Nash, another aging star, is set for a couple seasons; best chance is to trade him or let him spend his last remaining years in Phoenix.

Nash, possibly the greatest Canadian basketball player, will be retiring shortly. While he continues to make an effort on the court, he just isn't what he used to be.

The Suns should trade Nash while his value is still pretty high so they can either buy or get a player to replace him. Although he does still have a year left in Phoenix, as soon as the contract expires, trade him.

If the NBA lockout lasts the entire season, Nash will be 38 with one year still left on his contract. Once players reach 40, there is not much time left.

Hopefully there is no lockout, the Suns can trade Steve Nash and acquire an even better player in the deal.

Portland Trail Blazers: Greg Oden

Age: 23

NBA Experience: 3 years

Position: C

While Greg Oden may seem to be one of the Blazers' best options for the center position, they already have other better options.

Since Oden has improved over the past two seasons he's been active in the NBA, it's all the more reason to trade him while his value is high. With a quick change to the lineup and either other players or money from an Oden trade, the Blazers should have Camby as the new center, Aldridge can play PF, Wallace and Roy as SF's and Miller playing PG.

Not only would this improve the team's playing ability, but it would also help Camby to move to a different position than center.

Sacramento Kings: Samuel Dalembert

Age: 30

NBA Experience: 9 years

Position: C

Another aging player who didn't lose his touch.

You can't lose your touch if you never had one to begin with.

Samuel Dalembert, the highest paid player on the team, really hasn't done much to aid this dying Kings team. One of the most inconsistent players on the team, Dalembert either puts up a great total of 17 points or puts in a pathetic four points.

If the Kings want to improve, get this joker off the team immediately; his contract expired last season.

Buy a young prospect center for the money you were paying this guy and mold him into a star. If you hang on to Dalembert, progress will be even more difficult to achieve. 

San Antonio Spurs: Tim Duncan

Age: 35

NBA Experience: 14 years

Position: C

Tim Duncan, one of the best—if not the best—centers in the entire league may soon be leaving a team he has called home for more than 10 years. Duncan is another player who shouldn't be traded because he is or was bad—but because he is an aging star who could give the team a better chance of success by leaving. 

Nearing retirement yet still scoring a good amount for the team, Duncan's value is still pretty high. If the Spurs can get away with trading him for a younger center or selling him for loads of cash, they might be able to replace him.

While they cannot replace or sell him until his contract expires after the next season, they should do it as soon as possible. 

If the Spurs do not acquire another player during the transaction with Duncan, they could always rely on one of the better, taller forwards to fill his spot as a center.

If they do get a center in the transaction, they should mold him into a younger Duncan who will fill his spot in the once-great Big Three of Duncan, Parker and Ginobili.

Toronto Raptors: Andrea Bargnani

Age: 25

NBA Experience: 5 years

Position: C

Andrea Bargnani may look impressive when you look at his points total,—which is what most people look at first—but when you look at his game-play and other statistics, he looks much less impressive.

Bargnani has several problems in the way he plays. While he does score a good 21.4 PPG, his rebounding lacks the standards of a center of his stature. Bargnani has only been able to grab five RPG, too.

Another problem Bargnani faces is his poor defensive skills. Toronto fans have been disappointed too many times when they see members of the opposing team breeze past him for an easy layup. If he does not have more of a post presence on the defensive side, the Raptors should start looking for a better center.

Lastly, his salary is much too large. You don't find a center with Bargnani's offensive ability everyday, but his defense isn't something to be proud of. With more than four years remaining in his five-year, $50 million contract, both parties have to agree to break it.

I have a feeling Bargnani isn't going to want to break such a deal.

Bottom Line: Bargnani makes drastic improvements to his game, or he leaves the minute his contract expires.

Utah Jazz: Paul Milsap

Age: 26

NBA Experience: 5 years

Position: PF

Paul Millsap is another player whose trade value is incredibly high. After a major improvement over the last season, Millsap is staying with the Jazz for another two years.

After being one of the top scorers for Utah, Millsap is in the spotlight.

The only problem is if the Jazz should trade him to develop Derrick Favors or let Favors develop on the bench and keep all their players.

My opinion, trade Millsap and allow Favors to become a star so he may replace Millsap.

One of the other trade options the Jazz have is to deal out Al Jefferson. The only reason I believe they should keep Jefferson is because they really don't have another center who can put up those kind of numbers.

With Paul Millsap, they do.

Washington Wizards: Andray Blatche

Age: 25

NBA Experience: 6 years

Position: PF

Andray Blatche has been on the Wizards and has stayed on the Wizards.

Now they want him out.

Despite putting up 16 PPG, there are too many other problems with Blatche's game.

Blatche is just not the type of player the Wizards are looking for. He could not only stop the Wizards from progressing, he could also bring them back down a notch.

While he looks like a solid player on paper, Blatche lacks key elements that make up a good player.

His FG percentage is just pathetic for someone who scores so much. He consistently shoots less than 45 percent and looks only to shoot—not pass or be a team player. No one likes a ball-hog.

Secondly, he is not a team player. Blatche has shown immaturity and hostility toward his teammates and may be a threat to their progress. He reportedly got in a bar fight with Wizards teammate JaVale McGee last December.

One of the trades the Wizards should look for is a trade with the Toronto Raptors. If the Wizards can work out a deal to trace Blatche for Bargnani, the Wizards' chances of being a contender once more will enlarge significantly.