NBA Trade Speculation: 3 Stars Teams Should Move at Next Year's Deadline
With this year's NBA trade deadline passed, it's not too early to look at star players who could be moved by next year's deadline.
With team's constantly looking toward the future, it wouldn't be surprising to see several veteran players moved for draft picks and/or young players.
Stars with expiring contracts, such as Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic, could also be traded so teams don't lose them in free agency and get nothing in return.
Let's look at three stars who could be traded at next year's deadline.
Brandon Jennings, Milwaukee Bucks
Brandon Jennings is a very talented point guard with immense scoring talent, and is also a solid playmaker with improving passing skills.
However, the chances that Jennings remains with the Bucks when he can become a free agent after next season are slim.
He said the following in an ESPN article last month.
""I am going to keep my options open, knowing that the time is coming up,'' Jennings said in an email interview. "I'm doing my homework on big-market teams.''
I'm not saying I won't (sign an extension with the Bucks) and I'm not saying I will,'' he said. "I'm just keeping my options open.''
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If it becomes clear that Jennings does not want to commit to the Bucks long-term, then the team needs to trade him while his value is very high.
As a young point guard with tremendous offensive skills, Milwaukee will have plenty of teams interested in Jennings if he's made available.
Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks
The Knicks are a worse team now than they were before they traded for Carmelo Anthony from the Denver Nuggets last season.
He doesn't fit in the Knicks offense and holds the ball too much, which means the offense doesn't flow well and is often stagnant.
Anthony's game requires him to have the ball in his hands for most of the offensive possession, which is the opposite of what you want. Your point guard should have the ball in his hands for the majority of the offensive possessions.
Trading Anthony would be hard because of his massive contract, but for the Knicks to become a legitimate NBA title contender, they must get rid of players who don't fit their offensive system.
Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic
Just because Dwight Howard will play for the Orlando Magic next season, doesn't mean he won't be traded before next year's deadline. All the rumors and speculation surrounding him this season could easily resurface at next season's deadline.
Unless the Magic can build a championship roster around him from now until the trade deadline next year, Howard will likely leave the Magic.
The problem for Orlando is that they don't have many attractive trade assets outside of Howard, so building a better roster is going to be a real challenge.
If Howard hasn't signed a long-term contract with the Magic before the trade deadline next year, then the team has to trade him and rebuild.
