NBA Trade Rumors: 10 Players Who Must Be Traded Before Deadline

Now that the NBA All-Star weekend is over, it is time to focus on the stretch run of the season.

How are teams going to shape up for the playoffs, and what players will be on the trading block?

The trade deadline this season is March 15th. There will be moves made before and on that day that will shape how teams will look in the playoffs and going forward into next season.

These 10 players should be dealt before that deadline this season for the sake of themselves and the teams they play for.  

Dwight Howard

Did you see the lukewarm response from his hometown fans at the All-Star game?

The only thing more awkward was him giving that speech before the game.

He had to read off a card for something that should have come from the heart.

His time has been up in Orlando for quite some time. The sooner the Magic trade him, the better it is for the team, the fans, Dwight Howard and the entire league. 

Pau Gasol

Is there a more sensitive team in the NBA than the Lakers?

First Lamar Odom, and now Pau Gasol.

Then Kobe Bryant has to add fuel to the fire by saying the organization needs to just hurry up and do something.

At this point, Pau Gasol needs to be traded, and it needs to happen right away.

The team is average at best with an aging superstar. They will not win or even compete for a championship with the current roster.

If you can get a quality asset for Gasol, then you do it. 

Stephen Jackson

It seems like Stephen Jackson wears out his welcome after a season or two at whatever franchise he is on.

The situation in Milwaukee has run its course, and they need to cut ties with him ASAP.

A veteran, contending team would love to have him in the short term.

He can be the best teammate in the world for a couple months, but on a struggling team like the Bucks, he is just worthless.  

D.J. Augustin

Michael Jordan has turned the Bobcats into a laughingstock.

He has made poor decision after poor decision and needs to get the rig back on the road.

That starts with Kemba Walker driving the bus and trading D.J. Augustin.

He and Kemba will never work together, so you have to go forward and move on.

Augustin will be a restricted free agent at the end of the season, and if they can at least get a draft pick for him, it will be a success.

Chris Kaman

Chris Kaman is a quality big man.

He can score and takes a lot of pride in his game.

Therefore, what has the poor guy done to be banished in NBA purgatory down in New Orleans?

There are at least 10 teams in the league who could strongly benefit from his services.

The NBA owns this team—they need to do Kaman a solid and move him to greener pastures. 

Andray Blatche

There are at least five guys on the Wizards who can fit in this slot.

Every night, the team seems to make the news for the silly plays they did and not the good ones.

You're not going to trade John Wall, Nick Young probably makes too much money and who the heck would want JaVale Mcgee right now?

The best trade piece might be Andray Blatche. If you're able to move him, not only will it help save his career but you send a message to the other guys on the team, who are all guilty by association. 

Michael Beasley

The Timberwolves have a quality group of talent to build on.

They also have a glut of players at the small forward position.

The odd man out is the troubled Michael Beasley. The talent has always been there, but he is a troubled person.

He might have one more chance before people give up on him forever. The Wolves need to strike a deal while there is still some interest and get him away from their rising nucleus of talent. 

Antawn Jamison

Antawn Jamison was brought to Cleveland to make LeBron happy. That didn't work.

LeBron still took his talents to South Beach, and now it's time for Jamison to take his talents somewhere else.

He just doesn't fit on a team building around a very young point guard.

He also has an expiring contract, which is very enticing to teams.

He is the perfect trade candidate at this point.  

Ray Allen

How does he still do it?

Ray Allen is 36 years old and still looks like he can play at a high level for at least two more seasons.

He just can't do it in Boston.

While Ray is still playing at a high level, his veteran teammates are not. The team is just too old to contend with the other powerhouses in the conference.

Danny Ainge has to think about the future and building around Rajon Rondo. Ray Allen's expiring contract and high three-point shooting percentage will garner a lot of phone calls.

Boston should bite the bullet and move him. 

Steve Nash

Somebody please save Steve Nash!

He can't go out like this.

I know he wants to stay in Phoenix, but somebody help him to see the light.

One of the league's best point guards deserves one more shot at glory. He should get one more go-around in an epic playoff series not playing with mediocre players on a team everybody seems to have forgotten about.

The Knicks have found Linsanity, but somebody out there can still use Steve. Hopefully he will soften his trade stance and the Suns can move him.