Breaking Down Each NBA Team's Early-Season Trade Bait
Just because free agency has concluded doesn't mean player movement needs to.
While players may feel a greater sense of job security as training camps get underway, it's important to remember rosters are hardly set in stone.
As a result, we've decided to preview which players could hit the early-season trade block on each of the league's 30 teams.
And when determining criteria for eligible players, we examined a few factors.
First, contracts were taken into account. As you'll notice, players on expiring deals were more likely to be viewed as trade bait.
Similarly, players with palatable deals (monetarily speaking) were given preferential treatment, so to speak, when determining how tradable they were.
Lastly, each team's personnel was accounted for. Essentially, if a player also owned a redundant skill set in the context of his team's depth chart, the likelihood of landing on our early-season trade watch increased.
However, it's extremely important to note not every team is in a position to wheel and deal early in the season because they made trades over the summer.
Or in other cases, certain franchises have constructed rosters in ways that are disadvantageous to making trades at this point in time.
Therefore, you'll notice a handful of clubs are devoid of early-season trade bait.
Atlanta Hawks
1 of 30
Player to watch: DeMarre Carroll
A quick scan of the Atlanta Hawks' payroll reveals there are few players who could realistically be dealt in the months ahead.
Al Horford? No shot.
Paul Millsap? His contract's expiring, but there's no conceivable reason to deal him given the promise he showed with Horford last year.
Jeff Teague, Kyle Korver and Thabo Sefolosha? They're all locked up for another three years.
That leaves us with DeMarre Carroll, although banking on his movement would be silly.
While he'll be an unrestricted free agent at the conclusion of next season, Carroll performed admirably during his first season as a full-time starter.
Averaging a career-high 11.1 points on 47 percent shooting from the field and 36.2 percent shooting from three, Carroll cemented his status as a legitimate two-way threat on the wing.
Not only did he reinforce Atlanta's offense with steady shooting from the perimeter, but Carroll also assumed key defensive responsibilities night after night en route to posting a career-best 2.6 defensive win shares.
Boston Celtics
2 of 30
Players to watch: Jeff Green, Rajon Rondo
The Boston Celtics will be the most interesting team to watch this season with regard to the league's trade block.
Not only is Rajon Rondo entering a period of uncertainty as unrestricted free agency looms, but Jeff Green's name also was mentioned in trade rumors as recently as last season.
With a player option worth $9.2 million for 2015-16, Green could be a tough sell for the Celtics, but it wouldn't hurt Danny Ainge to try to unload his overpaid swingman if he struggles to find his footing.
As was the case with Rudy Gay and his transition to Sacramento, perhaps a change of scenery could help Green boost his stock with free agency on the horizon.
Brooklyn Nets
3 of 30
Players to watch: None
The next two seasons are going to be a financial slog for the Brooklyn Nets.
With a shade over $94 million on the books this season and $82.5 million next season, the Nets have afforded themselves very little wiggle room when it comes to monetary creativity.
The free-spending attitude that brought brief title hopes to Brooklyn has now manifested itself in the form of a sad realization that championship contention may be years away.
Bleacher Report's Howard Beck reported back in May that the Nets could look to alleviate some of that financial burden by trading Deron Williams, but with three years and $63 million remaining on his deal, that feels like wishful thinking on Brooklyn's part.
At this stage, it would almost be better to ride with Williams and hope his trade value increases under head coach Lionel Hollins. Should his ankles and game cooperate, Williams could conceivably be a more attractive trade chip as the years and dollars dwindle off his deal.
Charlotte Hornets
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Players to watch: Gary Neal, Gerald Henderson
In terms of early-season movement, we can liken the Charlotte Hornets to the Atlanta Hawks.
This is a team primed to ascend up the Eastern Conference ranks after finishing with the No. 7 seed last season, and the Hornets' core is largely comprised of players who are all locked up beyond this season.
Al Jefferson's $13.5 million player option for 2015-16 aside, there are only two names really worth focusing on.
While the duo would appear imperative to the team's perimeter offense and defense, respectively, Gary Neal and Gerald Henderson are really the only players we can conceive of being dealt.
For Neal, it all comes back to the expiring contract. But after he shot 40.6 percent from three and posted a near-career-best player efficiency rating upon arriving in Charlotte, Neal clearly has something to offer an offense that ranked 23rd in three-point shooting a year ago.
As for Henderson, the Hornets have established quite a bit of depth on the wing in the form of Jeff Taylor, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Lance Stephenson, P.J. Hairston and the aforementioned Neal.
And with a player option worth $6 million for 2015-16, Henderson's contract feels like one that could be moved without much trouble down the line.
In that vein, it's important to note Charlotte reportedly offered Henderson to the Orlando Magic in a deal for Arron Afflalo, according to ESPN's Chad Ford (via RealGM), although the offer was rebuffed.
Chicago Bulls
5 of 30
Player to watch: Mike Dunleavy
The Chicago Bulls may not have to tinker with their championship-caliber roster much once the season starts, but if there's one player who could conceivably be dealt, it's Mike Dunleavy.
Although he remains Chicago's most reliable three-point shooter, Dunleavy and the final year of his contract could be prime trade bait now that Doug McDermott and Nikola Mirotic have been brought aboard.
Should the combination of McDermott and Mirotic combine to produce enough on both ends of the floor and make Dunleavy expendable, it wouldn't be unreasonable to consider the former Duke Blue Devil a trade candidate as the February deadline approaches.
Cleveland Cavaliers
6 of 30
Players to watch: None
After assembling a championship-caliber roster in the span of three months, the Cleveland Cavaliers are locked and loaded with the pieces necessary to chase the Larry O'Brien Trophy.
Dealing Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett represented the biggest trade Cleveland will likely be making for some time, and if we want clues as to how the Cavaliers will operate with regard to personnel movement, we can look to the past.
During LeBron James' tenure with the Miami Heat, Pat Riley didn't have the ability to make many game-changing moves with three superstars in tow.
As a result, it was veteran minimum signings like Chris Andersen who represented the club's biggest midseason pickups.
And when it came to trades, most were financially motivated.
For instance, trading Joel Anthony saved Miami approximately $10 million in salary and luxury-tax payments, according to the Sun Sentinel's Shandel Richardson.
Dallas Mavericks
7 of 30
Players to watch: None
There are a couple of factors to consider when evaluating the Dallas Mavericks' potential trade pieces.
1. Dallas made a splash over the summer by dealing Jose Calderon, Shane Larkin, Samuel Dalembert, Wayne Ellington and two second-round picks in exchange for Tyson Chandler and Raymond Felton.
Since then, the Mavericks have rounded out their roster with a budding star in Chandler Parsons and key veterans who possess little trade value. In that regard, we're talking about Jameer Nelson and Richard Jefferson.
2. Through all of the moving and shaking, Dallas has maintained tremendous financial flexibility moving forward. As things stand, Dallas is staring at a maximum of $46 million in committed salaries for next season, which would give Mark Cuban significant wiggle room to sign another young stud.
Making a trade that sacrifices long-term flexibility for short-term gains wouldn't be consistent with what we know of Cuban, so don't expect the roster to be shaken up after such a successful summer.
Denver Nuggets
8 of 30
Players to watch: Darrell Arthur, Nate Robinson, Wilson Chandler
The Denver Nuggets are well endowed with depth at all five positions, so they're fully capable of shaking things up if necessary.
And if it comes to that, keep an eye on Darrell Arthur and Nate Robinson for the simple fact that they'll be easier to move. Like so much of the league's early-season trade bait, Robinson and Arthur won't bog down interested parties with extended financial commitments. Their contracts expire at season's end.
The more interesting trade chip, though, is swingman Wilson Chandler.
While Chandler isn't set to hit free agency next summer, the final year of his contract is only partially guaranteed at $2 million if he's waived before June 30 or the 15th day after the final game of his team's previous season, according to ShamSports.com.
Chandler's more valuable to the Nuggets than either Robinson or Arthur, but Denver's stash of young talent on the wing could make parting with him easier to stomach.
Detroit Pistons
9 of 30
Player to watch: Josh Smith
With Greg Monroe now ineligible to be traded without his consent after signing his qualifying offer, all eyes will be on the Detroit Pistons' frontcourt triumvirate of Monroe, Josh Smith and Andre Drummond.
Simply put, the trio is staring at an imminent breakup after failing to click last season.
At the very least, Monroe will depart next summer after hitting unrestricted free agency. And Drummond isn't going anywhere because he's a star in the making.
But even with a 4 like Monroe presumably on the way out and a spot opening up that could allow Smith to fit into the offense more seamlessly, could he conceivably be dealt with three years and $40.5 million remaining on his deal?
There appear to be few—if any—parties interested in Smith's services, but if a club like the Sacramento Kings flounders at the start of the season, perhaps trade talks can be revived.
Golden State Warriors
10 of 30
Player to watch: Marreese Speights
The Golden State Warriors have assembled one of the NBA's most talented rosters. As a result, don't expect them to dismantle it during Steve Kerr's first season at the helm.
Particularly after the team came up empty in its pursuit of Kevin Love.
With Klay Thompson, Harrison Barnes and David Lee all still in the fold, it would be genuinely surprising to see Golden State make a trade involving one or more of its most prominent players.
Which is why we're settling on Marreese Speights as the trade bait to track.
Due $3.6 million this season with a team option for $3.8 million the following year, Speights is a prime candidate to get moved if Golden State determines it has needs elsewhere (due to injuries, performance standards, etc.).
It's tantalizing to dangle names like Lee, Barnes, et al out there, but if Golden State is in the business of title contention, making a blockbuster isn't the sensible move.
Houston Rockets
11 of 30
Player to watch: Jason Terry
Due to the unusually high volume of player movement that took place this summer, the Houston Rockets aren't a team we're projecting to dabble much in early-season trades.
The primary reason why: According to Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski, the Houston Rockets and Sacramento Kings have agreed in principle to a trade that will send Jason Terry and two second-round picks to Houston in exchange for the unguaranteed contract of Alonzo Gee and other non-guaranteed deals that will be announced when the deal is completed.
But consider this: According to the Houston Chronicle's Jonathan Feigen, the expiring nature of Terry's deal could make him a tradable asset down the line:
"The pick from the Kings has some, unlikely protection. The Rockets would get it in 2015 if it falls between the 31st and 50th picks. There is no protection on the Knicks’ pick in 2016.
Terry is in the final season of his contract, worth $5.85 million, making his expiring contract and the additional picks potential trade assets.
"
While Terry's addition can provide Houston with a necessary spark off the bench, it's important to remember what other motivations general manager Daryl Morey could have had in mind when making the original deal.
Indiana Pacers
12 of 30
Players to watch: C.J. Watson, Luis Scola
The Indiana Pacers are projected to enter a massive tailspin following two straight trips to the Eastern Conference Finals.
The narrative has been rehashed countless times over the past few weeks, but it really can't be stressed enough. Paul George is down and out. Lance Stephenson is gone. Roy Hibbert's confidence is shaken.
With a presumable decrease in wins on the way, it wouldn't be a major shock to see the Pacers shake things up in the role player department.
Considering Luis Scola and C.J. Watson represent commodities on expiring deals who could help contenders as the race for postseason contention heats up, there's reason to believe the Pacers could break their bench mob up.
One important note regarding contenders who could be interested in Scola's services: According to ShamSports.com, Scola is ineligible to be traded to Phoenix this season and the Houston Rockets until 2015-16.
Los Angeles Clippers
13 of 30
Players to watch: None
Given the Los Angeles Clippers' title goals and the state of their roster, early-season trades wouldn't appear to be in the cards for Doc Rivers' club.
Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan are cornerstones and obviously out of the discussion. The same should apply to J.J. Redick and reigning Sixth Man of the Year Jamal Crawford, although the final year of his contract is only partially guaranteed.
And after trading Jared Dudley and a protected first-round pick in order to free up the cap space necessary to sign Ekpe Udoh and Hedo Turkoglu, the Clippers aren't exactly replete with contracts ripe for trading.
A smaller trade chip L.A. could conceivably put to use would be Reggie Bullock's rookie-scale deal, but it would undoubtedly need to be packaged with assets to garner any sort of meaningful return.
Los Angeles Lakers
14 of 30
Player to watch: Jordan Hill
I know what you're thinking: "Didn't the Los Angeles Lakers just sign Jordan Hill to a two-year, $18 million deal?"
Yes, they did.
But at this point, he's really one of the team's only viable trade chips.
Kobe Bryant's trade value is out of the question. Carlos Boozer isn't allowed to be dealt because he was signed via amnesty waivers. Nick Young is too valuable (that sounds weird, I know) to the team's offense to trade after signing a four-year, $21.3 million deal. And Jeremy Lin is basically untradable given the status of Steve Nash's back.
Which is why Hill's the answer here.
Since the second year of his new deal is a team option worth $9 million, Hill could realistically be traded while the acquiring party incurs essentially zero long-term risk.
With so many teams protecting cap room for the summer of 2016, players like Hill could actually represent prime trade targets.
Memphis Grizzlies
15 of 30
Player to watch: Tayshaun Prince
Not that it should come as a surprise, but the Memphis Grizzlies are interested in ridding themselves of Tayshaun Prince.
ESPN's Marc Stein tweeted as much prior to the June draft, when it looked like Memphis had a deal in place that would have sent Prince to the Toronto Raptors.
Alas, Memphis came up empty and may now be forced to eat the final $7.7 million on Prince's contract.
Trading a former defensive stopper turned two-way liability will be a difficult undertaking for the Grizzlies, but if they're serious about dealing him, they may be forced to sweeten the pot with a draft pick or two in order to finally absolve themselves of the 34-year-old.
Miami Heat
16 of 30
Players to watch: None
The Miami Heat are all about maintaining financial flexibility, and this summer proved as much.
Dwyane Wade's two-year deal with a player option. Luol Deng's two-year, $20 million pact. The two-year commitments signed by Chris Andersen and Mario Chalmers.
Outside of Chris Bosh and Josh McRoberts, long-term deals were a non-starter for Miami.
With franchises already salivating over the free-agent class of 2016, Miami doesn't appear to be interested in sopping up long-term deals in trades just to improve in the short term.
Pat Riley has a plan, and despite the step back his team is destined to take over the next two seasons, he shouldn't risk blowing things up due to short-term frustrations.
And after Cleveland.com's Chris Haynes reported back in July that Norris Cole wasn't on the block, it's hard to imagine Miami is interested in making a major move after such a dramatic summer.
Milwaukee Bucks
17 of 30
Player to watch: Ersan Ilyasova
The Milwaukee Bucks kept busy this summer by firing Larry Drew, hiring Jason Kidd, drafting Jabari Parker and trading for Jared Dudley.
But could more moves be on the way?
If recent history is any indicator, then certainly.
Back in July, The Journal Times' Gery Woelfel reported the Bucks were shopping Ersan Ilyasova "hard," but apparently couldn't find any takers for the 27-year-old.
Since signing a five-year, $40 million deal two summers ago, Ilyasova has been a downright disaster for the Bucks. Last season, he shot 40.9 percent from the field and a career-worst 28.2 percent from three en route to posting the lowest player efficiency rating (13.8) since his rookie season.
Getting another franchise to bite on Ilyasova's declining confidence and $7.9 million annual salary has proven to be a tough sell.
However, it's worth noting the final year of his deal is only partially guaranteed at $400,000 if he's waived before July 1, 2016, per ShamSports.
Minnesota Timberwolves
18 of 30
Players to watch: J.J. Barea, Kevin Martin, Nikola Pekovic
Following the acquisitions of Andrew Wiggins, Anthony Bennett and Thaddeus Young in the Kevin Love blockbuster, the Minnesota Timberwolves have to decide if they're interested in a quick turnaround or a more deliberate rebuild.
CBS Sports' Zach Harper outlined both scenarios, but offloading expensive long-term contracts like those due to Nikola Pekovic could wind up being terribly complicated.
Here's Harper on Pekovic:
"Let's say the Wolves want to unload the deals of Pekovic and Martin while keeping their young players and rebuilding with more picks in the draft. Finding a landing spot for Pekovic may not be terribly complicated if you're comfortable just getting his contract off the books and getting 40 cents on the dollar in return.
"
And Martin:
"Dealing Martin would be much harder unless they try to move him to the Knicks for Andrea Bargnani or something like that. They'd likely have to pair him with a protected pick or multiple second round picks along with an expiring contract. There really isn't much of a match for him so let's just assume they keep him.
"
As Harper outlined, these are complex situations that possess several moderating variables.
With that in mind, trading J.J. Barea—whose contract expires at season's end—will be a less arduous undertaking.
Since the expiring nature of Barea's deal can afford franchises cap relief, a small deal involving the diminutive point guard feels more likely.
New Orleans Pelicans
19 of 30
Players to watch: Austin Rivers, Eric Gordon, Tyreke Evans
Last January, the New York Daily News reported Tyreke Evans and Eric Gordon were hitting the trade block as the New Orleans Pelicans sputtered.
Considering New Orleans floundered epically last season due to an untimely batch of injuries, that wasn't horribly surprising. Especially given how much positional redundancy there is on New Orleans' roster.
Which is why all three names to watch here play on the wing.
Should New Orleans falter again, Evans and Gordon could return to the hot seat.
The problem: Evans and Gordon are due $32.1 million and $30 million, respectively, over the lives of their current contracts. That's rather unappealing to wing-starved parties who might otherwise be interested in their services.
If trade efforts for those two rise and fall again, keep an eye on Austin Rivers.
According to Grantland's Zach Lowe, New Orleans considered waiving Rivers via the stretch provision over the summer but ultimately declined to do so.
With a team option kicking in on his rookie-scale deal next season, Rivers is the sort of low-risk trade candidate who could be moved given the Pelicans' glut of perimeter weapons.
New York Knicks
20 of 30
Players to watch: Iman Shumpert, J.R. Smith
ESPN New York's Ian Begley reported back in July that the New York Knicks were open to trading both Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith, but those are moves a lot easier said than done.
Just take it from Bleacher Report's Dan Favale, who outlined why trading even one of the perimeter weapons won't be an easy task from a financial perspective:
"Smith's pact is considered a deterrent after the season he just had. He's owed nearly $6 million and holds a player option worth $6.4 million for 2015-16. If last season is his ceiling, there won't be a single team out there willing to pay him $12-plus million over the next two years.
Shumpert's contract isn't any better in some ways.
While he's owed a reasonable salary, he's due to enter restricted free agency next summer, where a semi-lucrative contract likely awaits.
"
Since the Knicks won't be in a financially advantageous position for another nine months now, they don't figure to be negotiating from a position of great strength.
But with young guns Tim Hardaway Jr. and Cleanthony Early looking to establish themselves on the wing, perhaps the Knicks will find more costly options like Smith and Shumpert expendable down the line.
Oklahoma City Thunder
21 of 30
Players to watch: None
I know what you're thinking: How is Kendrick Perkins not considered trade bait?
Well, a couple of reasons.
As ESPN's Marc Stein wrote back in May, Perkins remains a key component of Oklahoma City's locker room, and his value as one of Kevin Durant's closest confidants makes him a key staple of this Thunder team:
"Anyone watching Durant's time-stopping MVP press conference last month won't soon forget how it was talking about Perk (yes, Perk) that initially triggered KD's flood of tears. The 29-year-old is held in the highest esteem within the group, not only as a leader but for his role in helping transform the Thunder from fun band of ridiculously talented kids to serious title challenger.
"
There's also the matter of Oklahoma City reaping the benefits of $9.4 million in cap flexibility once Perkins' contract comes off the books next summer.
Should Oklahoma City somehow find a taker for Perkins (and that would be quite a tough sell), it would seemingly need to assume more long-term financial commitments.
And that just wouldn't be a prudent move for general manager Sam Presti to make.
Orlando Magic
22 of 30
Players to watch: Ben Gordon, Willie Green
The Orlando Magic will have a hard time convincing fans and analysts alike that signing Ben Gordon and Willie Green to deals—low-risk as they may be—was a savvy short-term move.
Sure, Orlando needs veteran presences to help guide a talented young cast of characters.
But at $4.5 million per year, Orlando could have done better than a 31-year-old 2-guard who averaged 5.6 points on 34.3 percent shooting last year.
Fortunately, Gordon could theoretically be traded without much resistance because the second year of his deal is fully unguaranteed if he's waived before July 1, 2015.
But as is the case with the Grizzlies and Tayshaun Prince, the Magic would likely need to sweeten the deal for teams in search of cap relief.
Green is more of an afterthought here, as his deal simply expires at the conclusion of next season.
But if there are any movable pieces on this Orlando team, it's the aging bodies.
The collection of young ones is here to stay.
Philadelphia 76ers
23 of 30
Players to watch: Anyone and everyone
Two camps of thought exist regarding Philadelphia 76ers general manager Sam Hinkie.
Option one: You think he's a mad genius for tearing down and rebuilding the Sixers in a way that's produced historically futile results in the standings en route to supposed future prosperity.
Or option two: Hinkie's employment of an extreme tanking strategy won't pay dividends significant enough to justify all of the frustration and aversion of basketball purgatory.
But regardless of which camp you belong to, it's time to face facts and realize Hinkie hasn't made any players untouchable since assuming control of the Sixers.
First it was Jrue Holiday. Then Evan Turner and Spencer Hawes. And most recently, Thaddeus Young.
All of this points to one thing: When it comes to today's Sixers, the only thing we can be certain of is uncertainty.
With so many players on tradable rookie contracts (although I'm not sure who would be interested in the majority of them), don't count Hinkie and his master plan out of the trade market for a second.
Phoenix Suns
24 of 30
Player to watch: Gerald Green
The decision to select Gerald Green was twofold.
First, and perhaps most importantly, his contract is expiring after this season and he's due a meager $3.5 million during the 2014-15 campaign.
Second, the Suns have T.J. Warren waiting in the wings at small forward and recently re-signed P.J. Tucker to a three-year, $16.5 million deal.
With Tucker and Warren possessing a nice combination of shooting, raw scoring ability and perimeter defense, Green could be expendable once the season gets underway.
And after Green averaged a career-high 15.8 points on 40 percent shooting from three last season, his value may never be higher.
Portland Trail Blazers
25 of 30
Players to watch: Dorell Wright, Meyers Leonard
On the expiring contract front, the Portland Trail Blazers have plenty of names worth discussing. However, LaMarcus Aldridge, Robin Lopez and Wesley Matthews aren't going anywhere.
But what about Dorell Wright?
With just $3.1 million remaining on his deal, Wright and his fairly one-dimensional skill set would provide cap relief for teams seeking it in midseason trades.
The more interesting name, though, is Meyers Leonard.
Billed as an athletic freak coming out of the 2012 draft, Leonard has failed to produce over the past two seasons due to a mix of injuries and uninspired play.
Now with Lopez and Chris Kaman ahead of him on the depth chart and Joel Freeland lurking, Leonard will need to prove his worth to the Blazers if he wants to avoid playing his way off the roster.
With three years remaining on his rookie deal, Leonard would be an intriguing buy for a team willing to be patient with him. But at this stage, he's hardly worth trading assets for.
Sacramento Kings
26 of 30
Player to watch: Derrick Williams
After reportedly ridding themselves of Jason Terry for the price of cap relief (unguaranteed contracts) and second-round picks, the Sacramento Kings can take a brief step back and assess the state of their roster.
But if early-season struggles crop up, perhaps another move could be in the cards.
Of the names on Sacramento's payroll, one sticks out.
And that's Derrick Williams, who's already been traded once since being selected No. 2 overall in the 2011 draft.
As Williams' shooting splits continue to underwhelm (.427/.263/.718 last season) and his offensive versatility remains in question (shot below 40 percent from every area outside of three feet last year), he feels like a trade candidate once again due to his appealing contract.
Nearing the end of his rookie deal, Williams is due a qualifying offer next summer worth $8.2 million. However, if his employer chooses to decline the offer and renounce his rights, Williams will become an unrestricted free agent.
Therefore, teams interested in dealing for a rental would be incurring zero long-term risk.
San Antonio Spurs
27 of 30
Players to watch: None
Like the Cleveland Cavaliers, we wouldn't expect the San Antonio Spurs to be in the business of wheeling and dealing.
With the league's most complete roster already assembled, anything more more than a veteran minimum addition from San Antonio would represent a surprise.
However, it's worth noting just how many expiring contracts San Antonio will need to address next summer.
After Tony Parker inked a three-year extension a few months back, here's a look at key names whose contracts expire at season's end:
- Tim Duncan
- Manu Ginobili
- Danny Green
- Marco Belinelli
- Jeff Ayres
- Matt Bonner
There's also the matter of extending Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard, although that appears to be more of a when—not if—situation.
"I'm just playing," Leonard told USA Today's Jeff Zillgitt. "The Spurs are a great organization. I'm leaving that to my agent, and I'm sure they'll come out with a great understanding and a deal. I'm not focused on that at all."
Toronto Raptors
28 of 30
Players to watch: Chuck Hayes, Landry Fields
Like the Memphis Grizzlies' dilemma with Tayshaun Prince, the Toronto Raptors will need to pay to offload the ugly contracts of Chuck Hayes and Landry Fields.
Last season, both players averaged fewer than 13 minutes per game last season and posted sub-10.0 player efficiency ratings. That's hardly enough to justify the $6 million and $6.2 million salaries Field and Hayes are slated to earn, respectively.
Hayes is more valuable to Toronto after playing 18 percent of Toronto's minutes at center last season, per 82games.com, but considering Amir Johnson totaled 27 percent of those minutes, his battle for playing time figures to be of the uphill variety.
A trade for either would be surprising, but their situations are worth keeping in mind because they'll presumably be looking for work elsewhere next summer.
Utah Jazz
29 of 30
Player to watch: Jeremy Evans
The Utah Jazz are a tough team to peg in terms of determining trade bait, namely because all but one of their players are under contract for the 2015-16 season.
The lone exception? That would be Jeremy Evans.
And considering the depth Utah has accrued of late in the frontcourt, Evans could seemingly be the odd man out sooner rather than later.
At power forward, Utah boasts Derrick Favors and the newly acquired Trevor Booker (whose contract becomes fully guaranteed for next season if not waived before July 15, according to ShamSports), while Enes Kanter and the evolving Rudy Gobert comprise the team's depth at center.
While Evans' total minutes count nearly tripled from his previous career high last season, he'll need to find ways to make his presence felt in a platoon that's bursting with young potential.
Washington Wizards
30 of 30
Players to watch: None
Following a trip to the Eastern Conference semifinals, the Washington Wizards wasted no time improving a roster that's primed to rapidly ascend up the conference ranks.
And when you examine the team's payroll, it's clear there are untouchable names everywhere.
John Wall. Bradley Beal. Nene. Marcin Gortat. Paul Pierce. And the list goes on.
While the Wizards would undoubtedly love to wipe the remaining three years and nearly $17 million remaining on Martell Webster's deal off the books, his back is in such bad shape that a trade is merely a pipe dream.
The one player we would ordinarily recommend to watch is Kevin Seraphin, but he signed a qualifying offer this summer, so his Bird rights allow him to veto any deal before he becomes an unrestricted free agent next summer.
With Kris Humphries and DeJuan Blair assuming rotational gigs in Washington's retooled frontcourt, keep an eye on Seraphin's playing time (or lack thereof).
All salary information courtesy of ShamSports.com unless noted otherwise.
All statistics courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com unless noted otherwise.
