NBA Trade Rumors: Cheap Trade Targets for Contenders

A great deal of attention has been paid to the Dwight Howard saga and how a blockbuster trade could make a team an instant contender.

Yet not every move contending teams need to make should be of the blockbuster variety.

There are many cheaper alternatives out there that can help certain teams out.

Here's a look at some cheap alternatives for contending teams as the trade deadline is only a little more than a month away.

Ramon Sessions

Sessions is a quality guard that can help a few teams out.

Right now Cleveland wants a first-round pick in exchange for Sessions, but dealt to a contending team, it would likely be a low first-round pick.

Of course, closer to the deadline, the Cavs' price may come down.

So far both the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks are among the teams that have shown interest.

Jose Calderon

Calderon is another valuable guard on the market.

He could probably be had pretty cheap this season considering the Raptors really don't want to pay him $11 million, and they've made it known that he can be had for the right offer.

Likely the Raptors are going to want a young point guard in return, but a contending team could get better with the addition of Calderon.

Unfortunately, he would have to go to a team that could take on some money, but next year he would be in the final year of his deal, so his expiring contract would have some trade value as well.

J.R. Smith

I've included Smith even though he will be a free agent when he's eligible to sign with an NBA team.

He makes this list because he will be cheap to sign.

The Knicks and Clippers are probably the leaders for him, and both really need him.

The Knicks have their $2.5 million mini mid-level exception to offer, while the Clippers can only offer Smith the veteran's minimum.

Jonny Flynn

The Knicks and Lakers have also checked in on the availability of Flynn as of late, but he would be better off going to a team that needs guard depth and not a point guard in general.

It shouldn't take much for Houston to part with Flynn, currently third on the depth chart.

He also has a favorable contract, making a little over $3 million this season, with a team option for next year that would almost certainly not be picked up.

D.J. Augustin

Augustin should return to the lineup late next week for the dreadful Bobcats and should be a guy Charlotte looks to move.

He's a good point guard with an affordable contract that several contenders would likely lineup for.