NBA Trade Rumors: 10 Expiring Contracts GMs Are Eyeing

As we venture into the second half of the shortened NBA season, it's only a matter of time before fans start to play GM and speculate as to where some of the top players in the league will go as the trade deadline draws nearer. 

As has been the case in recent seasons (i.e. Carmelo Anthony last year), the players dealt will more than likely be ones whose contracts expire at the end of the season, so contending teams could just be looking to rent them for a playoff run.

One player who has come up in countless rumors since the preseason is Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard who has been linked to the Los Angeles Lakers and New Jersey Nets, among other teams. It's really just a matter of time until he and his expiring contract are dealt, as the Magic would prefer to get some talent in return for him instead of lose him for nothing this summer.

That said, let's play a little game with market analysis. Here are 10 expiring contracts that GMs are surely looking at as the deadline approaches.

No. 10: Michael Beasley

The Minnesota Timberwolves have one great forward in Kevin Love and another with an incredibly high ceiling in rookie Derrick Williams. That leaves restricted free-agent-to-be Michael Beasley and his $6.2 million salary as the odd man out.

This year, Beasley is averaging career lows in all major categories as coach Rick Adelman has him coming off the bench. Throw in the bad attitude he's exhibited ever since being drafted second overall in 2008, and he is very expendable.

According to ESPN's Chris Broussard, Beasley has drawn the attention of the Lakers. He's definitely an improvement over both Matt Barnes and Metta World Peace at the 3-spot, so this is a rumor that deserves some extra attention.

Beasley isn't the best player potentially available, but the odds of him being dealt are greater than none.

No. 9: Brook Lopez

A broken foot suffered during the preseason has limited Brook Lopez to just two games thus far and he has averaged just 12 points and three rebounds since his return. Those are pretty disappointing numbers for a seven-footer.

According to Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News, Lopez could be part of a trade package that brings Dwight Howard to the Nets. He will be a restricted free agent this summer, so the Nets will have the opportunity to match any offer another team makes him. Should he get that far, he'll surely receive offers as he has averaged 17.4 points and 7.5 rebounds for his career thus far.

Still, when you have the chance to trade for Dwight Howard, you take it. Thus, keep an eye on Lopez as trade talks with Howard are sure to heat up.

No. 8: Roy Hibbert

This has been a great season for Roy Hibbert so far, as he recently played in his first NBA All-Star Game. The 7'2" center has averaged career highs in both points and rebounds and once he becomes a restricted free agent this summer, the offers will be aplenty.

Given how Hibbert has not expressed much interest in signing an extension with the team, I wouldn't at all be surprised if the front office looked to trade him. Indiana is a small market and while the team is talented, it's still going to be another few seasons before they truly contend.

Thus, particularly if they start slumping, it's totally feasible that the Pacers would look to deal Hibbert for draft picks and maybe more.

No. 7: Antawn Jamison

Antawn Jamison still has it at 35 years old, as he's averaging 17.4 points per game for the Cleveland Cavaliers. The team is just a game-and-a-half out of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, but chances are they'll need a younger more upstart squad in order to get over the hump.

Enter Jamison and his $15 million salary for this season. Early in January, rumors surfaced that he could indeed be dealt out of Cleveland. He's still got what it takes to compete, but he's slowly on the decline. Yet, his leadership skills are impeccable and for another younger team looking to get over a greater hump, he could surely make a difference and bring some good young players to the Cavs.

No. 6: Javale McGee

Poor Javale McGee. He's one of the best young centers in the league and is averaging career highs in all major categories this year, but he's stuck playing on the underachieving Wizards.

A couple of weeks ago, I got a chance to read a B/R piece as to why McGee should be traded and to be honest, I think it's the right move.

The Wizards have already said that the restricted free-agent-to-be will not receive an extension, but that they plan on matching any offers he receives in the coming offseason. I'm sorry, but that's just a bad idea.

The fact is that while McGee is talented, his basketball IQ is lower than Muggsy Bogues can go at a limbo party. This is his fourth year in DC and with guys like Kevin Seraphin and Jan Vesely riding the pine, it may be time to trade the seven-footer away.

No. 5: Raymond Felton

In his half season with the New York Knicks last year, Felton started to look like the man the Charlotte Bobcats originally drafted with the fifth overall pick in 2005. The former North Carolina Tar Heel averaged 17.1 points and nine assists in New York, before being sent to the Denver Nuggets as part of the legendary Carmelo Anthony trade.

Felton found himself traded again this past summer, this time to the Portland Trail Blazers on the night of the NBA draft. On his latest team, he has been less than perfect. He has averaged just 10.2 points, 6.2 assists and is averaging career lows in field-goal and three-point percentage. Still, some teams appear to be interested in him.

According to a tweet from author and Lakers historian Roland Lazenby, the Lakers have both Felton and the aforementioned Michael Beasley on their radar. Felton would definitely help the Lakers, as any point guard is an improvement over Derek Fisher. Unfortunately, I highly doubt that the Blazers will trade him within their conference.

No. 4: Deron Williams

Unless a trade for Dwight Howard happens immediately, chances are that the Nets are going to lose Deron Williams to free agency. Save for him and Marshon Brooks, the team has absolutely zero talent whatsoever. Thus, unless trade talks make serious progress in the very near future, GM Billy King should refocus his efforts and look to trade Williams.

The former Illinois standout has already thrown some fuel on the trade rumor fire surrounding him as he has already expressed interest in playing for the defending champion Dallas Mavericks. Seeing as how they have a ton of talent and could use an upgrade at the point, don't count out a last-second trade just yet.

No. 3: Ray Allen

I honestly don't know how Ray Allen does it. He's 36 years old and if there's one guy I want taking the last shot of the game for me with a basket equaling a win, it's him. This year alone, he's averaged 14.5 points while shooting 48 percent from downtown. That's just plain incredible.

Throw in the fact that Celtics GM Danny Ainge has already expressed a willingness to split up his Big Three for the right offer, and teams looking for a starting shooting guard will definitely make offers for Allen. He'll cost a pretty penny, but the results speak for themselves.

No. 2: Dwight Howard

According to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports, Dwight Howard is prepared to stay with the Orlando Magic for the rest of the season. Still, as I've mentioned before, teams like the Lakers and Nets want him badly.

The fact is that while Howard and his agent may not be pushing for a trade as of now, that doesn't mean it won't happen. The Magic would much rather receive some sort of compensation for losing their star and the only way to ensure that is to deal him.

His game is one-sided, but he's still the best center in the league. Given the teams that need help at the 5-spot, it's only a matter of time before a buyer is found and the trigger is pulled.

No. 1: Steve Nash

Steve Nash may be 38 years old, but he sure as hell doesn't play like it. He's averaging 13.9 points and 10.9 assists this year, not to mention shooting 54 percent from the field and 40 percent from beyond the arc. Of all the players with expiring contracts who could be available, he is the best for one simple reason: he makes his team better.

Nash believes he can play a few more years and while he may claim to be "oblivious" to any trade rumors, I think he knows that his days in the desert are numbered. Teams like the Knicks (in case Linsanity peters out) and Lakers need a lot of help at the point and given his unselfish approach, Nash has the potential to be a godsend.

His rumor mill has been quiet thus far, but expect it to pick up some steam in the coming weeks.