NBA Trade Rumors: Grading the Best Trade Targets

Now that the quality free agents have been signed and the season is fully underway, teams must turn their attention to the trade market with other teams to be able to improve themselves.

Some players, like Dwight Howard, are receiving a lot of attention as rumors swirl about which team will be able to work out a deal for Superman. 

Other players are in the final years of contracts that teams would like to take in order to dump salary in preparation for the increases in luxury tax penalties that are coming in the next couple of years. 

Additionally, there are the players who fly under the radar but would be a good addition to many teams.

Maybe they are on a team with several players at the same position, or find themselves lower on the depth chart than they expected to be heading into the season. 

Due to the differing needs of each team, there is no way to accurately grade each player's value to every one of them.

Regardless of the differences, this list will grade some of the players who will be trade targets this season. 

Each of these players may or may not be on the trading block, but a good NBA general manager is always looking for options.

Paul Millsap, Utah Jazz

Even after trading away Mehmet Okur, the Jazz are a team loaded with frontcourt players. 

Paul Millsap, who is worthy of a starting role, has been asked to come off the bench this season and is competing for minutes with younger players. 

Contract: Low.

Millsap is scheduled to make $6.7 million this season and $7.2 million next. 

Stage of Career: Millsap is 26 years old and starting his sixth season in the league. 

Ability: Although he is a bit of an undersized power forward, Millsap is a good rebounder who can hit shots away from the basket. He is a good team player who works hard and does what is asked of him. He has averaged 11.4 points and 6.7 rebounds over his career.

Overall Trade Value:  Millsap has good overall trade value. His relatively low contract will be attractive to teams trying to improve at this position. 

Why Utah makes a deal: The Jazz have started out poorly this season and need help on the wing. They have several frontcourt players they want to develop, and Millsap seems to be the odd man out. Losing Millsap would be a blow to the team however, as he is one of their better and more experienced players. 

Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic

Dwight Howard is in the final year of his contract with the Orlando Magic and will be a free agent at the end of the season. He does have a player option he can use for next season, but is expected to see what he can get from other teams. 

Contract: Very High.

Howard will make $17.8 million this season and has a player option for $19.2 million for next year. He will be looking for more in free agency.

Stage of Career: Howard is 26 years old and entering his eighth year in the league. 

Ability: Howard is one of the elite players in the league and the best at his position. He is a five-time All-Star and the Defensive Player of the Year the last three seasons. He has averaged 18.2 points and 12.9 rebounds for his career.

Overall Trade Value: Howard has good overall trade value due to his ability. His contract is too high for small market teams, but he will be highly sought after by teams who are willing to pay. 

Why Orlando Makes a Deal: Unless the Magic add a player to support Howard, they are at risk for losing him in free agency for nothing in return.

If they feel he is not going to stay with the team, they must trade so that they don't repeat what happened to the Cleveland Cavaliers when LeBron James left for Miami.

Andre Iguodala, Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers are a relatively young team with a player similar to Iguodala in Evan Turner. They need a veteran frontcourt player to compliment the talented young guards on the team.

Andre Iguodala would benefit from a new start with a new team.

Contract: High.

Iguodala will make $13.5 million this season and is scheduled to make $14.7 million next year. This is high for a player who missed a few games and saw his career numbers dip a little bit last season.

Stage of Career: Iguodala is 27 years old and just started his eighth season in the league.

Ability: Iguodala is very athletic and is a good defender. He is a good rebounder and passer and can score if needed. He has averaged 15.7 points and 4.8 assists in his career.

Overall Trade Value: His trade value is fair-to-good depending on the team who is looking for him. His contract is a bit high and it would take a good fit on another team.

He would be a valuable asset to a young team or a team who needs a good defender. 

Why Philadelphia Makes a Deal: The 76ers need to make some changes to bring in some frontcourt help. They have good young guards in Evan Turner and Jrue Holiday.

If they could find a veteran big man, it would be a good trade for them.

Josh Smith, Atlanta Hawks

Josh Smith has stated that he would be fine with a trade from Atlanta. The Hawks need to do something to improve the lineup to keep pace with the Heat, Bulls and Knicks in the Eastern Conference. 

Contract: Moderate.

Smith will make $12.4 million this season and $13.2 million next year.

Stage of Career: Smith is 26 years old and has just started his eighth season in the league. 

Ability: Smith is very athletic and is a good shot blocker and rebounder. He is a pretty good shooter who has averaged 14.6 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. 

Overall Trade Value: Smith has fair trade value due to his contract being hard to move, but will draw interest if he is put on the trading block. His athletic ability and defense would be an asset to other teams.

Why Atlanta Makes a Deal: The Hawks need to do something to shake up their lineup. They have not fared well in the playoffs the last several seasons, and need to try something new to be able to better compete in the the Eastern Conference. 

Monta Ellis, Golden State Warriors

The Golden State Warriors have one of the best backcourt tandems in the league with Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry. 

Contract: Moderate.

Ellis will make $11 million this year and next and has a player option for a third at that amount.

Stage of Career: Ellis is 26 years old and in his seventh season in the NBA.

Ability: Ellis is a very quick, athletic scorer who easily creates his own shot. He is a decent defender and has career averages of 19.4 points and 4.3 assists.

Overall Trade Value: Teams in the league will show interest in Ellis who has a good ratio of salary to production. He is a good value at $11 million per season. 

Why Golden State Makes a Deal: Ellis will not be shopped around by the team, but if the right deal comes along, the Warriors will take it. They need interior defense and better frontcourt players. Increasing off court issues with Ellis may also be a concern.

Mo Williams, Los Angeles Clippers

With the addition of Chris Paul in Los Angeles, Mo Williams now finds himself coming off the bench for the Clippers. 

Contract: Low.

Williams will make $8.5 million this season and can become a free agent at the end of the year. 

Stage of Career: Williams is 29 years old and this is his ninth season in the league.

Ability: Williams is a good point guard who is a very quick ball handler and a good scorer. He was an All-Star in 2009 and averages 13.9 points and 5.0 assists per game for his career.

Overall Trade Value: Williams has good trade value due to having a low contract for a starting point guard. Teams who need a veteran playmaker will show interest in Williams. 

Why Los Angeles Makes a Deal: Williams can't be happy about no longer being the starting point guard for the Clippers. It is not likely the team trades away Chris Paul or Chauncey Billups, and Williams will probably leave in free agency at the end of the season.

The Clippers need to see what they can get for Williams before that happens. 

The Boston Celtics' "Big Three"

Not just one player here, but any one the three could find a new home through a trade this season. 

Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen are all getting older, and if the Celtics are looking for long-term success, someone has to go. 

Contracts: High.

Garnett—$21.2 million this season.

Pierce—$15.3 million, $16.7 million, $15.3 million over the next three seasons.

Allen—$10 million this season.

Stages of Careers:

Garnett—35 years old, starting 17th season.

Pierce—34 years old, starting 14th season.

Allen—36 years old, starting 16th season.

Abilities:

Garnett's numbers have declined a bit over the last couple of seasons but he is still a perennial All-Star and has averaged 19.5 points and 10.7 rebounds over his career.

Pierce has averaged 22.2 points and 6.1 rebounds during his career.

Allen has made more three-pointers than any player in history and as a 20.2 points-per-game career average.

Overall Trade Value: Allen has the best chance at being traded out of all three of these players. 

His contract is the lowest and expiring at the end of the season. There may be a team who wants to dump salary or add him to the roster for a playoff run. 

Garnett's high contract will make him very difficult to move, and Pierce is not likely to go anywhere.

Why Boston Makes a Deal: Boston needs to look to the future and see what they can get out of each player before they retire.

If Garnett sticks around, they will have the chance to re-sign him as a free agent for a lower price, but there may be another team willing to overpay him. 

Boston needs to get something in return for Allen before he retires.

If there is a team willing to make a deal for Garnett or Pierce, the Celtics may need to take it in order to add pieces so that they can stay competitive for the long-term.