Stock Up, Stock Down for the NBA's Biggest 2015 Trade Chips

A midseason frenzy of epic proportions has flipped the NBA's trade market on its side.

While teams generally choose to wait and shuffle their chips around the league-mandated deadline, a flurry of high-profile moves has rapidly shifted the values of remaining trade-block occupants. 

With Rajon Rondo in Dallas, Dion Waiters in Oklahoma City, Josh Smith in Houston, Timofey Mozgov, J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert in Cleveland, Brandan Wright in Phoenix and Jeff Green reportedly on his way to the Memphis Grizzlies, according to ESPN.com's Marc Stein, a hefty chunk of the NBA's wheeling and dealing has already taken place. 

That said, several divisive, landscape-shifting pieces are still available for the right price.

With controversial names like Lance Stephenson, Deron Williams and Brook Lopez all littering the NBA gossip pages, it's time to explore which trade stocks are trending into the red or black with just over a month remaining until the Feb. 19 trade deadline. 

To gauge whether a player's value is trending positively or negatively, contractual terms, injury concerns, available cap space and current production were all taken into consideration and weighted equally. 

Jose Calderon, PG, New York Knicks

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According to CBS Sports' Ken Berger, the New York Knicks could look to rid themselves of point guard Jose Calderon after shipping J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert to the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

Per Berger, "With the Knicks now owners of the worst record and perhaps worst roster in the league as Phil Jackson hits the reset button in New York, league sources say the next player on the move could be point guard Jose Calderon."

Bleacher Report's Howard Beck confirmed Berger's report, tweeting, "As my buddy @KBergCBS wrote, the Knicks are prepared to trade Jose Calderon, if there's a taker."

But here's the problem: Not only is Calderon in the midst of a down year, shooting a career-worst 40 percent from the field, but he's on the books through the 2016-17 season at more than $15 million during that span, per ShamSports.com. 

Calderon's the sort of savvy veteran floor general who could pack a punch off the bench for prospective title contenders, but acquiring his court vision and three-point shooting expertise at such a steep cost is risky. 

Bleacher Report's Adam Fromal added the following regarding New York's ultimate goal in any Calderon deal: "Fortunately for the Knicks' chances of trading him, the point is to clear the books for next year, not to acquire young talents. Accepting any contracts that run past 2014-15 really isn't realistic, so don't expect to see any of that in these potential deals."

If the financial commitment were cut in half, perhaps Calderon would be an easier sell. But for the time being, it's hard to imagine playoff hopefuls willingly stacking their books with the Spaniard's deal. 

Verdict: Stock Down

Wilson Chandler, SF, Denver Nuggets

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When the Denver Nuggets agreed to trade Timofey Mozgov to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for two first-round picks, rival executives' ears perked up at the thought of a fire sale in the Rocky Mountains.

However, Nuggets general manager Tim Connelly was quick to rebut that notion, saying, "No, I don't think so," when asked about the possibility of a roster teardown, according to The Denver Post's Chris Dempsey. 

Connelly's denial aside, Nuggets swingman Wilson Chandler has been drawing the interest of wing-needy contenders for weeks. 

According to a December report from Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix, the Oklahoma City Thunder had made a call to Denver regarding Chandler's availability, although not much should be expected on that front after OKC acquired Dion Waiters from Cleveland.

Additionally, Bleacher Report's Ric Bucher noted the Los Angeles Clippers are in the market for a "scoring swingman," listing Chandler, Arron Afflalo and Danilo Gallinari as potential targets. 

With the final year (2015-16) of Chandler's deal partially guaranteed, per ShamSports.com, and his length representing a major asset in a starting or primary rotational role, interested parties could do much worse than parting with a protected future asset for strong short-term gains. 

Verdict: Stock Up 

Goran Dragic, PG, Phoenix Suns

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Goran Dragic is unquestionably the most compelling name circulating the NBA's rumor mill for a few reasons. 

For one, the Phoenix Suns are in the midst of a resurgence of sorts, occupying the Western Conference's No. 8 seed in a heated battle with the Oklahoma City Thunder and New Orleans Pelicans.  

Those prosperous circumstances wouldn't ordinarily be conducive to trade talk, but as Bleacher Report's Ric Bucher notes, there are parties interested in acquiring his services. 

And since Dragic is in what essentially amounts to the final year of his contract (he owns a $7.5 million player option for next season that's below market value, according to ShamSports.com), he's a fascinating target for point guard-needy contenders. 

Which is where the Houston Rockets enter the picture, per Bucher: "If there's a team more loaded with tweener forwards than the Suns, it's the Rockets, so other than a first-round pick (from the Pelicans), Houston doesn't have anything of obvious value to the Suns nor the cap room to take in Dragic for simply a pick." 

Those repetitive personnel concerns hinder Houston's ability to make a savory offer, but if Dragic's play in January (15.8 points, 3.5 assists, 4.8 rebounds, 52.6 percent shooting) has been any indication, his stock is starting to surge in a positive direction with the trade deadline fast approaching.

Verdict: Stock Up

Brook Lopez, C, Brooklyn Nets

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Back on Dec. 10, ESPN.com's Marc Stein and Ohm Youngmisuk reported the Brooklyn Nets were exploring potential blockbusters involving center Brook Lopez.  

As the Nets have sought to rid themselves of hefty financial burdens, the team has sniffed around for deals involving their high-priced big.

However, as ESPN New York's Ohm Youngmisuk tweeted on Jan. 5, Brooklyn has been unable to find takers in the form of hungry Western Conference contenders: "Was told Nets + OKC recently talked involving Lopez, K. Perkins (expiring deal), P. Jones, L. Thomas but stood pat liking how they've played."

Bleacher Report's Grant Hughes explained just how ambitious a trade for Lopez would be from Oklahoma City's perspective, noting, "This is a wild scenario, one that would require the Thunder to flirt with the luxury tax they've so zealously avoided while taking on a serious injury risk. Still, a team that trades for Dion Waiters is clearly a desperate one."

Given Lopez's inability to stay on the floor (he's missed 10 of Brooklyn's 37 games to date), his relegation to the bench and the opportunity to opt into $16.7 million next season, per ShamSports.com, finding a committed buyer for such a loaded package seems unlikely at this stage in the game.

Verdict: Stock Down

Lance Stephenson, SG, Charlotte Hornets

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Lance Stephenson has been sidelined with a pelvic sprain since Dec. 18, which means his trade value hasn't been able to hit rock bottom just yet. 

An unmitigated disaster in the stretch prior to suffering the injury, Stephenson is averaging 10.2 points, 6.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists while shooting 38.6 percent from the field and a laughable 15.1 percent from three. 

But are there teams willing to take a risk and buy low on the emotionally charged guard? According to CBS Sports' Ken Berger, it's not looking promising: 

"

The Hornets continue to explore trade possibilities for Lance Stephenson and are looking for frontcourt help, sources say. While the Nets might seem on the surface to be a team willing to gamble on Stephenson -- especially if it means unloading one of their big contracts -- Brooklyn has yet to signal any willingness to take on salary beyond next season. 

"

Berger's reporting matches up with this tidbit ESPN.com's Marc Stein passed along on Dec. 21 regarding the Indiana Pacers' tepid interest in Stephenson: "Heard various Pacers were asked if Indy should try to bring Lance Stephenson back," Stein tweeted. "Response NOT one of encouragement." 

If Stephenson's former teammates are sending signals that they don't want him back in town, we should firmly consider this rumor on life support as the Feb. 19 deadline approaches. 

Verdict: Stock Down

Deron Williams, PG, Brooklyn Nets

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Like that of fellow trade block-dweller Brook Lopez, Deron Williams' stock has dipped in conjunction with a move to the bench and injury troubles. 

Now dealing with a fractured rib that has him without a timetable for return, according to the Nets, Williams and his lackluster averages of 13.9 points and 6.3 assists will be one of the toughest sells at this year's deadline. 

And if you thought Lopez's contract was a cap-killer, just consider what Williams would cost acquiring parties. While Lopez has the ability to decline a player option next season, Williams is locked in at approximately $21 million before he has the ability to exercise an early-termination clause worth $22.3 million in 2016-17, per ShamSports.com. 

Bleacher Report's Ric Bucher identified the Houston Rockets as a possible trade destination but ultimately concluded, "Williams' $19 million salary, meanwhile, would have to be matched, and the Rockets don't have one big disposable expiring contract to make it work."

With a bloated deal that's only set to escalate as he ages, it would be a minor miracle if Brooklyn found a way to unload Williams' services on a desperate party. 

Verdict: Stock Down

All statistics current as of Jan. 11 and courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com unless noted otherwise.